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.

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.

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.

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.

Evaluates a variety of strategies for tackling the shortage of affordable rental housing, particularly as these strategies would impact small "mom and pop" owners of rental housing. Looks at an "average" cash flow statement of a Chicago owner with a 24 unit building to illustrate the impacts.

Illustrates the quantitative relationship between the level of subprime lending in a neighborhood and foreclosure levels in a subsequent period, while controlling for changes in economic and demographic characteristics that might also effect foreclosure rates.

This report uses public court files to document the loan terms, conditions, and litigation tactics of one of the largest payday lenders in Illinois. The findings are based on a sample of 444 debt collection cases filed against payday loan customers.

Describes the regulatory and other industry trends that impact the penetration of lower-income markets by credit unions. The report recommends that the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) be amended to include credit unions.

Describes changes in the Illinois payday lending industry since 2001 when state rules regulating the industry were approved.