With a significant problem like this, many overhauls and improvements are required in the housing industry to achieve fairer economic opportunities. The growth of technology-based lending, or “fintech,” is one area that shows tremendous promise.
The COVID crisis has shed light on many systemic vulnerabilities in our country. Most notably, the unwillingness of many states to use federal allocations to help their citizens calls into question the reliance on block grants and state institutions to use the money.
We, the undersigned, request that the House Judiciary Committee antitrust bills, H.R. 3849, the Augmenting Compatibility and Competition Enabling Service Switching Act; H.R. 3826, the Platform Competition and Opportunity Act; H.R. 3816, the American Choice and Innovation Online Act; and H.R. 3825, the Ending Platform Monopolies Act, not be brought to the floor for a vote without serious changes.
The legislation targets a critical problem. Too often lenders deny credit access to those who don’t have an extensive credit history, which can unfairly penalize these consumers and perpetuate the problem. With little to no credit, Americans are denied the opportunity to begin building credit and wealth for themselves.
According to Kevin B. Kimble, Esq., Founder and CEO of FSIC – Predictions that urban centers are in an inevitable downward spiral may be overblown, but legitimate concerns about their future prosperity certainly do exist. With smart policy, however, life in America’s cities can continue to flourish.
FSIC is pleased to announce the creation of its Housing Task Force. It is no secret that housing is the key to economic stability for most Americans, but African Americans and other minorities have been systematically excluded from full participation in the marketplace.
AIOF is pleased to announce Telia Garry of Richmond, VA as its first MISBEF Microloan Program Awardee. As a Kiva Trustee, AIOF’s partnership with KIVA US, was launched earlier this year to enhance the ability of entrepreneurs to secure microfinance for the creation of small businesses. Ms. Garry’s company, WERKitRVA, has developed an innovative approach, which will bring dynamism and innovation to the “Selfie Museum” concept.
As has been true in the past with other innovations, regulators have struggled with how to handle this new technology. This could not be any more evident than the actions taken by former Securities and Exchange Commission (US) Chairman Jay Clayton and his chief lieutenant, the former Director of Corporation Finance William Hinman. They were put in charge of the agency that possesses the most power to regulate such companies, but given no specific regulatory framework on how to treat cryptocurrencies – the asset class which powers this new technology. The result was a free hand for Clayton and Hinman to pick winners and losers at whim, which opened the door for potential abuse and self-dealing.
States should not be constructing artificial roadblocks to restrict the voting rights of millions of Americans primarily in communities of people of color.
It is widely accepted that the key ingredient to accumulating wealth in the U.S. is home ownership.
Unfortunately, racial discrimination in the housing and lending industry has limited the ability of minority populations, particularly African Americans, to participate in this traditional means of wealth-building.
While the traditional housing finance system has a long history of discriminatory actions against African Americans and other minorities, the creation and deployment of technologies that remove much of the human element has been a path toward reducing discrimination in the system.
But, the question remains, can evolving artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithmic lending help address the systemic challenges of discrimination in the housing sector by shrinking and potentially eliminating racial bias in mortgage lending?
Lack of diversity in technology is a problem that persists. Most experts confirm – minorities experience bias in AI related economic outcomes. Learn how we can solve these problems and achieve equitable outcomes for all communities.
FSIC American Innovation and Opportunity Fund (AIOF) in association with the Leading Ladies of Richmond and the SCL Global Policy Initiative are excited to announce the date for their “Small Business Lending Workshop”. The event will be held via webinar on February 25, 2021 at 7:00 pm ET.
FSIC American Innovation and Opportunity Fund (FSIC) congratulates graduate Jordan Fitts from its most recent Dream Creators Workforce Development cohort. All program participants/students in the FSIC program receive advance training and incidental support prior to attended the Nash Community College Underground Electrical Line Construction program. Mr. Fitts recently received his graduation certificate and started his new job with Pike Energy in Raleigh, NC.
The next event in the #FSICHealth Series of Webinars
Please see posted video of recent #FSICHealth event addressing Football and the dangers of COVID for all involved.
These “capitalists” [professional sport teams owners] understand that in order to have a thriving, competitive marketplace, a winner take all “laissez faire” economic approach does not work. In order to support a 30-40 team league, owners understand that the wealthier markets must support the smaller, poorer markets.
“THE STATE OF HEALTH FOR BLACK MEN IN AMERICA” SERIES: COVID – MYTHS, FACTS & FEARS
FSIC is proud to host the next in a series of meetings on the State of Health for Black Men in America. This event will focus on COVID – Myths, Facts & Fears.
FSIC hopes through the continued support of economically responsible companies like Dominion Energy, some of the poorest and underserved communities in the country can start to participate in the new economy and strengthen the economy for all Americans.
“We will not make progress until we acknowledge and address all of the ways that centuries of racism and oppression have harmed Black and brown Americans,” said Senator Brown. “This resolution is an important step toward recognizing the racial disparities in healthcare that have existed for far too long while also outlining concrete action we can take now to help reverse them. Though this resolution is not a solution in and of itself, it will help to lay the foundation for change that is continually subverted by and for the status quo. I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this important resolution.”
It is not a secret that the real estate market is suffering during this COVID-19 pandemic. Social distancing has caused businesses to shutter which has led to a decline in commercial real estate values. With workers forced to stay home, many people are unable to pay their rents and mortgages. These delinquencies will eventually lead to a large number of evictions and foreclosures. Opportunity Funds are poised to take advantage of this suffering.
As Americans deal with the ramifications of the Corona virus, the great racial disparities that have plagued African Americans for centuries have become starkly and deadly visible for all to see. An imperative exists for Congress to achieve the spirit of the 14th Amendment, the Civil Rights Act and enact affirmative remedies abolishing the residue of systemic racism. This inevitably requires developing a plan to save African American institutions including businesses, non-Profits, HBCUs and other entities serving traditionally under-resourced multicultural neighborhoods and communities.
A lot has been made of the way banks have prioritized loan applications, choosing to help
customers who have credit accounts first.
It is clear small business owners were NEVER supposed to get any of the PPP Funding.
The Financial Services Innovation Coalition (FSIC) invites you to join us for a roundtable discussion titled: ” Why Congress Should Postpone Implementation of Opportunity Zones and Consider Other Options”. This discussion will be held Friday, December 13, 2019 at The Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2168, Washington, DC from 1:00 – 2:30 pm EST.
Under current provisions for Opportunity Zones, investors, developers, and their financial advisors benefit at the expense of communities the law is designed to help.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 established the Opportunity Zones Program as a tax benefit to incentive development in poor neighborhoods. By providing this preferential tax treatment to investors, economically-distressed communities were intended to benefit through job creation, new housing, and community development.
Dear Mr. Dimon,
We are writing you to express our concerns over your announced creation of your “segregated” fund for minority businesses. This effort concerns us greatly and we fear it sends the wrong message. We do not understand why you feel the need to segregate out your investments in minority businesses. Why is it you cannot invest in Black businesses as part of your regular business strategy?