Tom Feltner

Describes the distribution of refund anticipation loan lending in the Chicago region using 2003 IRS tax preparation data - the most recent available.  Also provides information on recent innovations in the income tax loan industry such as the holiday and paystub loan. 

Educational flyer for the general public that demonstrates the high costs and risks associated with refund anticipation loans (RALs). Ideal for posting in community organizations, free tax preparation sites, credit counseling organizations, churches, banks or credit unions, or any organization with community ties.

This fact sheet outlines findings from the report "Bridging the Gap: Credit Scores and Economic Opportunity in Illinois Communities of Color." The fact sheet explains how credit scores are used and describes sharp disparities in credit characteristics between communities of color and white communities in Illinois, as well as between large metropolitan and rural areas in Illinois. The fact sheet summarizes several policy recommendations to improve economic opportunity for people and communities impacted by low credit scores.

A fact sheet on the need to expand the Community Reinvestment Act, including points on how the American Community Investment Reform Act of 2010 will expand community investment by expanding the scope of CRA, increasing accountability and transparency, and emphasizing community development.

This fact sheet examines patterns in credit scores in New York City. The fact sheet explains how credit scores are used and describes sharp disparities in credit characteristics between communities of color and white communities in New York City. The fact sheet summarizes several policy recommendations to improve economic opportunity for people and communities impacted by low credit scores.

This fact sheet describes the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) and outlines key reforms that must be made to HMDA, including improving the collection of data on borrower income and debt-to-income ratios, closing gaps in types of loans that are required to be reported, and reporting additional data for purchased loans.

This policy brief summarizes the findings of "Left Behind: Troubled Foreclosed Properties and Servicer Accountability in Chicago." It describes troubled foreclosed properties, highlights key findings, and summarizes the policy recommendations in the report.

Findings and recommendations from a February 2011 briefing at which Woodstock Institute convened a group of key stakeholders at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago to discuss solutions that would keep properties occupied, hold mortgage loan servicers accountable for their disposition of properties in the foreclosure process, and return vacant properties back to productive use.

This fact sheet outlines Woodstock Institute's concerns with Capital One's proposed acquisition of ING Direct. These concerns include the institutions' unsatisfactory records of meeting community needs and potential for systemic risk.

This fact sheet highlights findings and recommendations from "Bridging the Gap II: Examining Trends and Patterns of Personal Bankruptcy in Cook County’s Communities of Color." The report found that women make up a larger share of individual bankruptcy filers in all communities, and a dramatically larger share in African American communities, than men do. Additionally, bankruptcy filers in African-American communities are more than twice as likely as filers in predominantly white communities to choose Chapter 13 bankruptcy.