Here & rsquo; s a look at the data to assist show it. It works like this: When lending requirements are less strict, it & rsquo; s much easier to get a home mortgage, and the index (the green line in the graph)is greater. In 2004, the index was around 400. Here & rsquo; s an appearance at the information to help show it. According to their website: & ldquo; The MCAI supplies the only standardized quantitative index that is entirely focused on home loan credit. It works like this: When lending requirements are less rigorous, it & rsquo; s easier to get a home mortgage, and the index (the green line in the chart)is higher. In 2004, the index was around 400. & rdquo; The high peak in the chart above shows that leading up to the real estate crisis, it was much easier to get credit, and the requirements for getting a loan were far from rigorous.