Analysis and points of view on research, trends, issues, ideas and opportunities.
In anticipation of the reform proposals to the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) expected this week, I am continuing the review of performance measures on CRA exams. The most recent blog looked at performance measures on the lending test. This one will scrutinize performance measures on the investment and service test.
How to Evaluate Community Development Financing and Services Under CRA Read More »
As we get closer to proposed changes to the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), a sober assessment of the effectiveness of various parts of CRA exams will help us react to the proposed changes.
Do CRA Exams Measure Retail Lending Well? Read More »
Boldly called “The Future of the Community Reinvestment Act,” the publication has a series of articles examining retail lending, community development financing and branching of banks.
While there has been a growing widespread discussion concerning economic inequality at the national level, there has been less focus on best practices to address it on the local level.
Moving Communities Out of Racialized Asset Poverty Read More »
There have been multiple research reports recently that focused on the importance of lending for small businesses and provided a catalyst for further discussion.
Recent Research Shed Light on Minority Discouragement in Bank Small Business Lending Read More »
Though the debate regarding the future of the CRA is with the federal regulators, we should not, and cannot, forget the role of our local communities and local governments, as they have the most to lose from potential changes to this vital law.
Local Resolutions: One Tool in Supporting Appropriate CRA Reform Read More »
Stronger data, better monitoring and bold policy proposals are needed to address the national crisis of racial wealth inequality. 2020 must be the year the nation starts to turn back the ongoing racial wealth divide.
How the Racial Wealth Divide is Weakening the American Middle Class Read More »
There is growing recognition that wealth is a central indicator of the economic well-being and stability of households and that such low levels of wealth among blacks and Hispanics are a significant indicator of continuing deep racial economic inequality.
Small business lending and the racial wealth divide Read More »
In the Age of Fintech and Bank Competition,CATO Policy Analyst Diego Zuluaga maintained that the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) should be repealed and replaced with a system of tradable credits. He started off his argument by asserting that the rationale for CRA is outdated since branching restrictions and other regulations that constrained competition have been
With proposed changes to Community Reinvestment Act rules expected in late summer or early fall, we must remind federal regulatory agencies not to diminish the importance of home mortgage lending in CRA exams.
Don’t diminish the importance of homeownership in CRA reform Read More »
While many economic indicators are better than they have been in years, leading to recently published reports asserting that income inequality is not as bad as we have been told, many people are working multiple jobs just to get by.
What you need to know about income inequality Read More »
(Download) INTRODUCTION The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) has leveraged trillions of dollars of loans, investments and services for low- and moderate-income (LMI) borrowers and communities. Since 1996, banks have made more than $1 trillion in community development loans, which finance affordable housing, economic development projects and community facilities for LMI communities. Likewise, banks have issued
The government’s own analysis shows that more than 55,000 children — who are U.S. citizens or otherwise eligible to receive housing benefits — could face eviction under the proposed rule. In 1968 — just a week after Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination — Congress passed the Fair Housing Act, or FHA. The law secured everyone’s
Trump’s plan to throw 55,000 children out of their homes Read More »
Bank branches matter. Countering the overwhelming messaging from many banks and even some regulators, the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) has published several reports over the years that detail how much branches still matter for consumers and communities, even in 2019. Just look at the number of branches that banks opened in the last year, and it is clear that they also know the value of a physical outpost in the community they want to serve.
Bank branches are still essential for small business communities Read More »
In 2019, the total student loan debt in America is about $1.5 trillion. According to the New York Consumer Credit Panel, adults under 40 hold 65% of the total student loan debt. Although there has been much said about this figure, the income enhancement offered by a college degree still far outweighs the cost of the debt.
Student loan debt impacts homeownership Read More »
