Woodstock Institute regularly submits public comment letters to state and federal banking regulators on proposed changes to community development regulation. These comment letters provide quantitative analysis of the possible impact of regulatory decisions on lower-income and minority communities. They also make a direct connection between national policy decisions and access to credit and capital in Chicago neighborhoods.

Letters are also circulated to Woodstock Institute’s extensive network of neighborhood organizations working at the grassroots level for comments and are submitted by dozens of community advocates. In many cases, this is the only point in the process of financial regulation that community organizations have an equal voice with large financial institutions and Woodstock’s role is ensure the dissemination of high quality and timely information during this process.

Woodstock PublicationsFiles

Legislative and Regulatory Comment Letters

Woodstock Institute influences policy at the local, regional, and national level by closely analyzing the impact of pending proposals on lower income and minority communities.  Many of these letters are available for download.

Comment Letters on Bank Mergers

CRA Comment letters submitted as part on the occasion of a merger or acquisition.  Woodstock Institute regularly comments on bank mergers throughout the Chicago region, and the nation.  For information on a specific bank, please contact Woodstock Institute through the comment page.

Comment Letters on Bank CRA Exams

CRA Comment letters submitted during a bank's regular CRA examination.  Woodstock Institute regularly comments on bank mergers throughout the Chicago region, and the nation.  For information on a specific bank, please contact Woodstock Institute through the comment page.

Expert Testimony

Woodstock staff is regularly invited to present expert testimony before the local, state, and federal legislature as well as regulator agencies.