SBA: American Rescue Plan Act Elevates Small Business Support in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
Statement from SBA Senior Advisor Michael Roth Upon President Biden signing the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 into law, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Senior Advisor Michael Roth stated: “The American Rescue Plan Act enables the SBA to continue to lift up the cornerstones of our communities; the mom-and-pop businesses and nonprofits that provide essential services for…
FHFA: COVID-Related Loan Flexibilities Further Extended Until April 30, 2021
Some flexibilities expected to be retired on April 30, 2021 The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced today that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) will extend temporary loan origination flexibilities until April 30, 2021. The temporary flexibilities are designed to ensure continued support for borrowers during the COVID-19 pandemic. All temporary flexibilities were…
CFPB: Abusiveness Policy Statement Rescinded to Better Protect Consumers
Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced it is rescinding its January 24, 2020 policy statement, “Statement of Policy Regarding Prohibition on Abusive Acts or Practices.” Going forward, the CFPB intends to exercise its supervisory and enforcement authority consistent with the full scope of its statutory authority under the Dodd-Frank Act as established by…
FEMA: President Biden Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Louisiana
FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Louisiana to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the severe winter storms from Feb. 11-19, 2021. The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Avoyelles, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Calcasieu, Catahoula, Claiborne, Concordia,…
Census Bureau: Household Pulse Survey Phase 3 Biweekly Data Released
The U.S. Census Bureau today released new data from the extension of the third phase of the experimental Household Pulse Survey. The extension includes intent-to-vaccinate and stimulus payment questions. The Household Pulse Survey is the result of an effort by the Census Bureau and other federal statistical agencies to document temporal trends in how individuals are experiencing…
Census Bureau: 2020 Housing Vacancy Survey Annual Statistics Released
The U.S. Census Bureau today released the 2020 Housing Vacancy Survey. These statistics provide vacancy rates, homeownership rates and characteristics of units available for occupancy for the United States, regions, states and the 75 largest metropolitan statistical areas. Data for all geographies are available both quarterly and annually. Homeownership rates are also tabulated by age of…
SBA: Changes to Paycheck Protection Program by Biden-Harris Administration Increases Equitable Access to Relief
Early indications show program reforms and efforts to engage with communities authentically are working in meaningful ways. Two weeks ago, the Biden-Harris Administration made several reforms to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to further ensure small businesses get the help they need, especially Mom-and-Pop businesses in underserved communities. Putting equity at the center of its policies and…
FDIC: Emergency Capital Investment Program Available for CDFIs and Minority Depository Institutions
Summary: The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is advising certified Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and minority depository institutions (MDIs) of the Emergency Capital Investment Program (ECIP) established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. Under the ECIP, certified CDFIs and MDIs may be eligible for capital investments from the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury)…
Federal Bank Regulators Issue Rule Supporting Treasury’s Investments in Minority Depository Institutions and CDFIs
Federal bank regulatory agencies today announced an interim final rule that supports the Treasury Department’s implementation of a program established by Congress to make capital investments in minority depository institutions and community development financial institutions. The Treasury Department’s Emergency Capital Investment Program (ECIP) will support the efforts of these financial institutions to provide loans, grants, and forbearance…
CFPB: Agency Clarifies that Discrimination by Lenders on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity is Illegal
Industry is on notice that Bureau will not tolerate illegal discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued an interpretive rule clarifying that the prohibition against sex discrimination under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) and Regulation B includes sexual orientation discrimination and gender identity discrimination. This prohibition also covers discrimination based…