Since the passage of the Gramm Leach Bliley Financial Modernization Act of 1999 (GLBA), insurance companies, banks, mortgage companies, and securities firms have been allowed to merge with and acquire one another for the first time since the Great Depression. This Alert discusses the community development implications of these changes. It also gives an overview of how insurance companies that have opened bank charters are performing in relation to the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and fair lending.

Analyzes patterns of small business lending in the Chicago region. Notes patterns in lending related to geography and race. Highlights importance of branch networks for small business lending and discusses credit card banking.

Analyzes impacts of CDFIs in Illinois using FY 2001 data. Shows impactsof CDFIs on affordable housing, community facilities, individual development account programs, technical assistance, and other benefits. Makes a case for funding for the newly created Illinois Fund for Investment and Development (IFID), a CDFI authority for the state of Illinois.

Demonstrates the importance of bank investments in community development financial institutions (CDFIs) that are crucial actors in low-income community development. Utilizing a new data source covering 379 CDFIs across the country, finds that bank investments are crucial to CDFIs. Provides evidence of the importance of the investment test portion of CRA exams and calls for an increase in the appropriation of the federal CDFI Fund.

Shows that community development (CD) banks far outperform regular banks in serving low-income and minority communities. Includes extensive data analysis which describes the performance of banks in Chicago. Demonstrates that a considerably higher percent of CD banks' home loans go to lower-income neighborhoods and borrowers than is true for all other lenders. The same pattern is repeated for loans to minority neighborhoods and borrowers.

Demonstrates that banks with a commitment to reach unbanked or under-banked households can do so effectively and efficiently. The report profiles programs and services at Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, Union Bank of California, First Bank of the Americas in Chicago, First Interstate Bank in Montana and Wyoming, and Wells Fargo Bank Wisconsin. These banks provide affordable checking or lifeline accounts, innovative financial literacy programs, and creative outreach and marketing strategies.

Utilizing extensive data analysis, this alert shows how community development banks have grown in size and financial strength while at the same time serving their community development mission.

Describes historical impact of secondary capital investments on low-income credit unions. Includes detailed case studies of four credit unions that are recipients of secondary capital investments. Offers policy recommendations related to the effectiveness of this investment tool.