Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, over 60 community development, civil rights, and small business groups urged Congress to extend the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) until June 30, 2021. The House voted overwhelmingly to extend the program, but the Senate has not yet voted. The group also called for a recent rule change in how loan amounts are calculated to be made retroactive. From the coalition’s letter: In this public health and economic emergency, we must do all we can to make sure our small businesses have the support and assistance they need to weather the crisis. That must be especially

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. – Eight people were killed Tuesday night in three shootings that occurred in the metro-Atlanta area. Six of the victims were Asian women. While officials have yet to determine the motive of the attacks, these shootings occurred at a time when, as documented by recently released reports, violent attacks and harassment against people of Asian descent has surged nationwide. Nikitra Bailey, executive vice president at the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL), issued the following statement: We strongly condemn last night’s shootings in Georgia. Our hearts go out to the families of

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