Tag: Financial Reform
Why the Community Reinvestment Act Must Be Expanded Broadly Throughout the...
The financial industry has been one of the main perpetrators of racial discrimination. It should be obligated to serve all communities, particularly communities of color.
Meltdown: The Financial Crisis, Consumer Protection, and the Road Forward
In 2010, the scattered enforcement of consumer protection and fair lending laws across several agencies would end. The CFPB would have broad oversight over banks and non-banks, and though not perfect, this model has produced some impressive results.
The Community Reinvestment Act at 40: A Careful Review of the...
A review of HUD's Cityscape issue, which is devoted to reviews and studies of the Community Reinvestment Act at its 40th anniversary.
SoFi, Not So Good: Is This Virtual Redlining?
SoFi is practicing product segregation. It wants to serve affluent people with its best products and shunt low- and moderate-income borrowers into inferior products that do not meaningfully serve credit needs.
Under Trump, Treasury Goes Backward on Community Protections
A recent Treasury Department report on bank regulation and policy promotes changes that would move us backward when it comes to building a financial system that is equitable, efficient, and protects consumers and communities from abusive practices.
Trump’s Upside-Down Plan: Tax Cuts Come at the Expense of Working...
This past Wednesday, President Donald Trump released a one-page outline of a tax plan that he says provides tax relief for the middle class, but in reality, the plan is basically a massive tax cut for the rich. Like the American Health Care Act, which actually was also a massive tax cut for the wealthy disguised as health care reform, this plan is also a massive tax cut for people who need it the least. This time, it is merely disguised as “tax relief” and “simplification.”
CFPB: Government for the People
Those of us who work in regulated industries, such as banking institutions and credit unions, often succumb to the temptation to see government regulators...
All the Fury Over CFPB Ignores Its Modest Mission
Ever since its creation, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has been the focus of heated controversy, with banks...
The Fight for Full-Time Work in San Jose
Unpredictable hours lead to unpredictable cash flow, which is a barrier to budgeting and saving. One response to this, the Opportunity to Work Initiative, would require that San Jose employers give more hours to part-time employees before hiring new staff.
Why Are Biased Banks Getting High CRA Marks from Regulators?
The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) statute has a statement of purpose affirming that banks “are required by law to...
Fairness and The Financial System
Trying to bring fairness to financial transactions for everyday people has long been both an avocation and passion for...
Public Benefits and Bank Mergers
Community organizations are generally aware that when a bank wants to acquire another bank, it must submit a merger...
Unfriend Your Neighbor to Get a Loan?
Want to be that one person who bootstraps themselves out of poverty and makes it, against all odds? Not...
Beware the Scammers
This weekend I encountered a representative of an energy service company on my porch. He was flashing a badge at...
5 Reasons Why Housing Finance Reform Can’t Wait
If Congress doesn’t fix our housing finance system sooner rather than later, people all around the country will feel...
‘Ohana-Based Approach to Incentivized Youth Savings
How can we measure the impact of incentivized youth savings beyond just financial impacts?Hawai‘i Island ‘ohana participating in the...
Watch These Panelists Explain What’s Missing in the GSE Reform Debate
The National Community Reinvestment Coalition last week brought together a panel of experts to discuss the future of housing...
If Banks Aren’t Serving the Poor, Who Is?
Over the past few months I’ve written short pieces on my work as a teller at a check cashing...
Got Something to Say? We’re Listening
In my experience with both the nonprofit and corporate worlds, I have seen how the most effective leaders pay...
Shelterforce Asks: Should Rep. Watt Take the Helm of the FHFA?
As Senate Democrats and Republicans gear up to battle over President Obama's nomination of Rep. Mel Watts (D-N.C.) to...