Press Releases

California-based Oportun has filed the most debt collection cases in the state and sues to intimidate its mostly Latino customer base WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new report released today by the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) offers new evidence that Oportun, the California-based financial services provider that also operates in eight other states, regularly engages in egregious, abusive, and intimidating debt collection practices in California. The report finds that Oportun has been a top filer of cases in California since 2018; that the company sues to intimidate its mostly Latino customer

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House voted overwhelmingly to extend the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) through June 30, 2021. Center for Responsible Lending Director of Advocacy Ashley Harrington issued the following statement: We applaud the House for extending the Paycheck Protection Program, which is a lifeline for small businesses, including many Black and Latino-owned businesses that are vital to their communities. The $800 billion PPP was implemented quickly, with little attention given to ensuring equitable distribution. The Biden Administration recently made crucial improvements

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate, in a bipartisan vote, confirmed Isabel Guzman to head the Small Business Administration (SBA). Ms. Guzman previously led California’s Office of the Small Business Advocate and served as SBA deputy chief of staff during the Obama Administration. Center for Responsible Lending Director of Latino Affairs Aracely Panameño issued the following statement: At this critical time for small businesses in America, we congratulate and welcome Isabel Guzman as the new SBA Administrator. We are optimistic that with her strong leadership and substantial track record

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) Executive Vice President Nikitra Bailey testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs for a hearing entitled ‘Home = Life: The State of Housing in America.’ Linked here are Ms. Bailey’s oral testimony, written testimony, and video of the entire hearing. CRL live-tweeted the hearing. CRL EVP Nikitra Bailey provided the following opening statement: While it seems the mortgage market is booming, a closer look at the data reveals a market dominated by refinances that mostly benefits the wealthiest

WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Joe Biden signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act into law on Thursday. In response, Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) President Mike Calhoun made the following statement: We applaud President Biden for passing this historic legislation that will be paramount to benefitting millions of Americans, including Black, Latino, and low-income families, as well as Black women – groups that typically had far less of a financial backstop to begin with due to pervasive institutional racism in our country. The American Rescue Plan (ARP) addresses many financial

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) Federal Advocacy Director and Senior Counsel Ashley Harrington testified at a virtual hearing held by the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Financial Institutions entitled “Slipping through the Cracks: Policy Options to Help America’s Consumers during the Pandemic.” In her testimony, Harrington discussed the need for actionable policy solutions to protect consumers suffering from the economic downturn, curb predatory lending, and provide access to safe, affordable credit to ensure more Americans can

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Nikitra Bailey, an Executive Vice President at the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL), testified at a virtual hearing held by the House Financial Services entitled “Justice for All: Achieving Racial Equity Through Fair Access to Housing and Financial Services: Testimony before the House Financial Services Committee.” In her testimony, Bailey highlighted our nation’s discriminatory housing policies as the cause of many systemic injustices and discussed the need to implement more policies that ensure equity for Black and brown communities. “Much work remains in the

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate, in a bipartisan vote, confirmed Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) had joined a broad coalition in support of her confirmation. Center for Responsible Lending Executive Vice President Nikitra Bailey, issued the following statement: Secretary Fudge brings to HUD the experience needed to address the immense housing challenges brought by COVID-19 and the economic downturn – which have disproportionately hit Black and brown families

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, Dr. Miguel Cardona was confirmed as the Secretary of Education by the U.S. Senate. Federal Advocacy Director for the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) Ashley Harrington made the following statement: Secretary Cardona’s confirmation bodes well for student borrowers, millions of whom are bearing unmanageable student debt as a result of federal policy choices and failures. We look forward to working with Secretary Cardona to reboot a system that has diminished the promise of higher education as a pathway to the American dream. We appreciate his acknowledgement

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate passed President Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus plan. Due to substantive changes in the bill, the measure must return to the House floor for a vote before it can reach the President’s desk. Under the legislation, stimulus checks would phase out entirely for individuals earning more than $80,000, federal unemployment benefits were kept at $300 a week through September, and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) eligibility for small businesses was expanded. The bill also directs billions toward rental and homeowner assistance. Center for Responsible Lending