For community investment advocates, it’s been a year of successes as well as challenges. A bill to create a Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA) passed the House and is under negotiations in the Senate. Communities came together to creatively address the foreclosure crisis. Illinois Senate Bill 655 is on the path to create meaningful consumer protections for small consumer loans. However, foreclosure filings continue to rise and badly-needed credit for homeowners and small businesses continues to be scarce. The strength and independence of the CFPA is being challenged in the Senate and industry opponents are working eliminate the reasonable rates proposed in SB 655. The annual Woodstock Institute Community Investment Reception gave more than 100 advocates and leaders a chance to celebrate our accomplishments and prepare for the hard work yet to come.

Safe, sustainable mortgage lending is an essential ingredient for an economic recovery, and Woodstock Institute’s Online Community Lending Fact Book answers the question on everyone’s mind: “When will lending pick up, and where?”