Just News

for May 9, 2025

News and views from the National Community Reinvestment Coalition. Find more at ncrc.org.

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News

Van Tol: Trump Administration’s Small Business Loan Data Blackout Abandons Rule of Law

By NCRC

The CFPB is subverting the rule of law by telling the largest banks, credit unions and fintech companies they can ignore the small business lending rule,” said Jesse Van Tol, President and CEO of NCRC. [Read more]

Research

How Tariffs Drive Up Mortgage Costs and Undermine Homeownership

By Joseph Dean

Recent market concerns about potential fiscal policies from the Trump Administration have triggered significant selling of US government bonds. When investors sell their bonds, their trading values fall below their face values and yields to rise, resulting in a greater risk in holding these previously safe investments. [Read more]

Views

Swiped Away: How Rising Credit Card Fees Are Affecting Colorado’s Small Businesses

By Lauren Wolters and Manan Shaw

Swipe fees are credit card processing fees paid by a merchant’s bank to a cardholder’s bank when a customer uses their card to make a purchase. In 2022, banks took $126 billion from business owners through credit card swipe fees, with these costs being passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices. [Read more]

The Heart of Workforce Equity: Community-Based Organizations’ Crucial Role in the Workforce Development Ecosystem

By Doug Mollet

In today’s rapidly evolving labor market, many Americans need support navigating the complex education and training options that help them build the necessary skills for a changing world. These varied pathways – from credentialing programs and apprenticeships to on-the-job training – are collectively known as workforce development. [Read more]

Events

Is Manufactured Housing The Answer To Affordability Challenges In Your Community?

May 13, 2 - 3:30 pm ET

Helping clients build wealth through homeownership is a primary goal for most housing counselors. However, for many households, factors like low inventory and rising mortgage rates are making the dream of owning a traditional single-family home increasingly difficult to achieve. As buyers search for alternatives, manufactured housing has gained attention as a potential solution to today’s affordability challenges. [Register here]

Finding the Right Back Office Support

May 15, 10 - 11:30 am ET

From bookkeeping and payroll to administrative support and compliance, the right back-office team helps your business run smoothly and efficiently. This webinar will guide you through identifying your back-office needs, outsourcing vs. in-house options, and best practices for selecting reliable support services. [Register here]

Preserving Your Well-Being: Burnout Prevention Essentials

May 15, 2 - 3:30 pm ET

In today’s fast-paced and high-demand work environments, burnout is more than just a buzzword—it’s a serious challenge. This engaging webinar equips professionals with practical tools to recognize early warning signs of burnout, build resilience, and develop self-care strategies that promote long-term well-being. [Register here]

Housing Counseling Network – Open Enrollment Informational Webinar

May 19, 2 - 3:30 pm ET

HUD-approved housing counseling agencies: Join us for an informational webinar to learn more about the application process to join NCRC’s Housing Counseling Network (HCN). [Register here]

Just Economy Conversations: Open Banking 2.0: Leveraging Data to Empower Underserved Populations

May 20, 2 - 3:30 pm ET

As the landscape of financial services evolves, new regulations are reshaping how data can be used to drive innovation and inclusivity – welcome to Open Banking 2.0! This session will explore how the latest advancements in open banking can be harnessed to address the needs of underserved populations. Panelists will delve into practical strategies for leveraging financial data to improve access to financial services, enhance financial literacy, and promote equitable economic opportunities. [Register here]

In The News

How Income Inequality Is Redrawing the Map of American Neighborhoods

By Cassandra Alvarez, News Break

Gentrification can bring improvements like renovated housing, new businesses, and safer streets, but it can also result in the displacement of long-time lower-income residents who can no longer afford the area. According to a study by the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, rapid increases in property values, rents, and taxes in gentrifying neighborhoods forced out more than 135,000 residents in 230 neighborhoods between 2000 and 2013. [Read more]

On Our Radar

Millions in HUD Funds Remain Trapped in Legal Limbo. Here’s Where Things Stand.

By Roshan Abraham, Next City

After a seemingly endless stream of HUD cuts, some federal funds for housing and homesless have been restored. But as legal challenges work their way through the courts, uncertainty remains. [Read more]

Resources

Work And Meet At The Just Economy Club
It's a DC hub for nonprofits and the social sector, around the corner from the White House. Move your team into a private office or host your meetings and events. [Read more]

Learning & Training Hub
Register for NCRC's catalog of professional development courses. [Learn more]

Research And Reports
We have an extensive library of research and reports that dates back many years! [View all]

Fair Lending Tool
Use our interactive tool to produce a report on mortgages, small business lending and bank branch networks for any city, county or metro area in the nation. [Access the tool here]

Sign And Share The Just Economy Pledge
Help us expand the movement for a Just Economy. [Sign and Share]

Member Hub
NCRC members: Don't forget you have access to our member hub! Learn more about membership here. You can join as an organization or an individual.