ABA: National Survey Results Detailing Bank Efforts to Protect Seniors from Financial Exploitation Released
Banks across the country continue to dedicate extensive resources to protect older customers from financial abuse, according to the 2021 Older Americans Benchmarking Report released today by the ABA Foundation. The biennial report, the most expansive survey of the banking industry’s efforts to protect seniors, captures data on how U.S. banks are protecting and serving their older…
Census Bureau: Census Data Equity Initiative for Underserved Communities Announced
The U.S. Census Bureau today announced the Census Data Equity Initiative for Underserved Communities. This includes the release of the Data for Equity webpage, press kit, director’s blog and more highlighting datasets and tools available to help federal agencies and other entities identify and equitably distribute resources to underserved communities. The Census Bureau collects demographic, housing, socioeconomic, business and…
FDIC: New Office of Minority and Community Development Banking Created to Support Mission-Driven Banks
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Chairman Jelena McWilliams today announced the creation of a new office to support the agency’s ongoing strategic and direct engagement with Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs), Community Development Financial Institution banks (CDFIs), and other mission-driven banks. The new office will further promote private sector investments in low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities. …
CFPB: New Research Finds Credit Report Disputes Far More Common in Majority Black and Hispanic Neighborhoods
Report Provides Additional Insight into Previously Observed Trends The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today released research finding that consumers in majority Black and Hispanic neighborhoods, as well as younger consumers and those with low credit scores, are far more likely to have disputes appear on their credit reports. The new research is a part…
HUD: More than $2 Billion Allocated to Advance Equitable Disaster Recovery, Build Climate Change Resilience
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced the allocation of more than $2 billion ($2,040,617,000) in CDBG-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) and CDBG-Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) funds appropriated in the continuing resolution, the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act (PL 117-43; the Act), signed into law on September 30, 2021. These allocations underscore HUD…
FEMA: President Biden Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Connecticut
FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Connecticut to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the remnants of Hurricane Ida during the period of Sept. 1-2, 2021. The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Fairfield and New London…
SBA: $44.8 Billion through Signature Small Business Lending Programs Announced
In fiscal year 2021, 7(a) and 504 loan programs provided more than 61,000 loans, but gaps in access to capital for underserved communities remain Today, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced the agency reached $44.8 billion in funding to small businesses through more than 61,000 traditional loans for fiscal year (FY) 2021. “In the midst…
EDA: Build Back Better Regional Challenge Applicants Announced Showing Incredible Enthusiasm for Transformational Investment in Regions Across the Country
529 Applications Received from Regions across all 50 States and Five Territories Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced that it has experienced strong interest in its American Rescue Plan Build Back Better Regional Challenge, receiving 529 applications from regions across all 50 states and five territories. The $1 billion Build Back…
Census Bureau: New Data on Minority-Owned, Veteran-Owned, and Women-Owned Businesses Released
The U.S. Census Bureau today released new estimates on the characteristics of employer businesses. According to the 2020 Annual Business Survey (ABS), which covers reference year 2019, approximately 18.7% (1.1 million) of U.S. employer businesses were minority-owned, veteran-owned businesses made up about 5.7% (331,151) of all businesses. About 20.9% (1.2 million) of businesses were owned by women. Additional highlights:…