Seven Community Leaders Are Honored with the National Community Reinvestment Coalition's

National Achievement Awards

Washington, DC – Hundreds of people from community organizations around the country attended the National Community Reinvestment Coalition’s national conference, March 10-13 in Washington, DC. Attendees heard exciting speeches from Rep. Elijah Cummings, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton and HUD Assistant Secretary John Trasviña and FHA Commissioner Dave Stevens, among other administration officials. NCRC also announced the winners of its esteemed National Achievement Awards. Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. presented the awards to seven community leaders during NCRC’s 20^th anniversary conference on March 12, in Washington, DC. Detailed information about the winners and the awards follows below:

Consumer Financial Protection Agency would be beholden to existing regulators 

Washington, DC – The financial reform proposal that will be introduced by Senator Dodd today creates a weak Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA) that will not provide the consumer protection needed in the wake of the financial crisis. NCRC president & CEO, John Taylor, made the following statement relative to the consumer protections in the bill:

“Senator Dodd’s bill fails to ensure a regulatory framework that will provide strong protections for consumers. In particular, placing the CFPA at the Federal Reserve and giving existing financial regulators veto power undermines the goal of protecting consumers. This proposal gives the appearance of providing consumer protection, while leaving the real power in the hands the bank regulatory agencies that failed to protect American consumers because they were too busy listening to Wall Street.”

Current & Former Federal Reserve Consumer Advisory Council Proposes Standalone Consumer Protection Agency

Group of Experts Federal Reserve Relied on for Consumer Advice Says Strong Consumer Protection Won't Happen Without Independent Agency

Burden To Borrower Is Modest & Ensures Access To Responsible Credit

Washington DC — David Berenbaum, Chief Program Officer, National Community Reinvestment Coalition, issued the following statement today about the Federal Housing Administration’s changes to its mortgage program:

“The changes announced today by the FHA represent an attempt to navigate a prudent course without negatively impacting access to credit or contributing to a further slowing of the housing market in communities of color. While borrowers will bear more of the costs of the government insurance program through higher premium charges, the additional revenue will help ensure that FHA stays solvent. The burden to the individual borrower is modest and should ensure, overall, that borrowers have access to responsible credit. While some less credit worthy borrowers will need higher down payments, this is a necessary move in markets where a decline in home value can wipe out a new buyer's equity within weeks after the settlement.  

Washington, DC – Yesterday, President Obama announced a tougher stance on financial reform. John Taylor, President & CEO of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, made this statement:

“President Obama is to be commended for taking a tough stand with the financial industry. This is change the American people can get behind. The President has poked a hole in the bubble of denial that seems to be enveloping Washington; we need stronger financial reform measures. A banking lobbyist expressed concern today with the President’s ‘turn in tone’ but Americans are concerned with Washington’s ‘bankers know best’ mentality. It’s time for Congress to follow the President’s lead and stand up for working people, instead of taking their cues from the banks’ highly-paid lobbyists. It won’t be easy. The financial services lobby will expand its efforts to kill legislation and regulatory changes favorable to consumers. Consumer and community advocates must redouble their efforts to win meaningful financial reform.”

Coalition of community organizations says HAMP must be revamped; renews call for more aggressive foreclosure prevention efforts

December 8, 2009 

Washington, DC – The National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) today said that the government-sponsored Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) is not working, and more aggressive loan modification efforts are necessary to stem the foreclosure crisis. The number of loan modifications made permanent under the program is believed to be in the tens of thousands, compared to the 300,000+ loans that are entering foreclosure each month. As the Obama Administration continues their push to create jobs and further stimulate the economy, the ongoing foreclosure crisis threatens to impede economic growth for years to come, as pay-option adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs), Home Equity Lines of Credit and commercial loans add to the already massive foreclosure numbers.

November 10, 2009  

Washington, DC – The financial reform legislation that would establish a Consumer Financial Protection Agency has been severely weakened by Congress, which has bowed to the financial industry’s multi-million dollar lobbying campaign. The bill contains loopholes, exemptions and other weaknesses that undermine its ability to protect consumers or prevent another meltdown of the financial system. The failure of the legislation to ensure strong consumer protections is especially troublesome considering the impact the financial crisis has had: more than 300,000 homes going into foreclosure each month, unemployment approaching 10%, and more than 2.5 million people falling into poverty last year. H.R. 3126 is expected to be voted on by the House Financial Services Committee tomorrow.

Washington, DC – The National Community Reinvestment Coalition said the following on the President’s speech today on financial regulatory reform:

“We applaud the President’s necessary leadership on financial reform. Clearly, the President felt it necessary today to speak out against the weakening of the bill. Unfortunately, the damage from corporate lobbying in Congress may have already been done,” said John Taylor, president and CEO of NCRC.  “We thought Senator Durbin made an apt and figurative statement when he said that the banks owned Congress, but perhaps his comment was meant to be literal. Today’s speech should embolden members of Congress seeking to make the Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA) strong. Unfortunately, the ability of the proposed CFPA to protect the most financially vulnerable individuals and communities has already been undermined by substantial changes to the bill.”