Meet our new Data Portal & Fact Book
On February 23, Janice Guzon and Horacio Mendez led a presentation highlighting the new capacities of our online data portal.
Latino legislative & community leaders discuss predatory lending in Illinois and nationally
Raul Raymundo and TRP’s Director of Financial Wellness Lizette Carretero joined U.S. Rep. Chuy García, D-Ill. and the Woodstock Institute team in briefing 50 Latino legislative and community leaders Monday about prospects for a national 36% APR cap, affordable...
Regulators must raise standards to root out lending inequities, First Mid win shows
We and St. Louis Equal Housing and Community Reinvestment Alliance have completed a Community Benefits Agreement with First Mid - as SLEHCRA recently announced -- that addresses our concerns. But the sale points to a major outstanding issue: if...
The PLPA’s 36% rate cap is working – and the data proves it
With the start of a new year, we decided to look back on the impact of the 36% interest rate cap set by the Predatory Loan Prevention Act (PLPA) on Illinoisans in 2021. The bottom line is that the...
Woodstock welcomes FDIC review of bank merger process
We believe the ease at which the federal bank regulatory agencies approve mergers has created an unprecedented level of consolidation in the industry that disproportionately hurts access to financial services in low- and moderate-income communities and communities of color....
Woodstock Institute is leaving Facebook
With the overwhelming support of Woodstock Institute staff, we have made the decision to leave Facebook. Update: if you are not ready to cancel Facebook / Instagram you can also join a coalition planning a Facebook Logout Nov. 10-13...
Once Again, Advocates Help Convince State Legislators Not to Create a Regulatory “Sandbox”
During the Illinois General Assembly veto session the last week of October, Woodstock Institute and other consumer groups made the case that lawmakers should not proceed with a regulatory “sandbox”-like licensing scheme whereby a financial technology (“fintech”) company could...
How about a ‘Presumption of “Needs to Improve?’”
The most effective way to ensure real compliance with any law or regulation is to make the punishment associated with non-compliance much more expensive than the cost to do it well.
Finance tips and more on WVON Radio
WeProsper coalition launches media campaign to reach more consumers with historic Black Chicago radio station WVON 1690AM Predatory lenders are history in Illinois communities but for many families the financial need remains. Since the 36% APR cap became law...
Woodstock Institute mourns the passing of Alan Fisher
We join our colleagues at California Reinvestment Coalition in mourning the loss Friday to cancer of their founding director Alan Fisher.