Breaking News

Charlene Crowell

Homeowner Bill of Rights: Protecting Families from Life’s Financial Storms
Charlene CrowellOpinion

Homeowner Bill of Rights: Protecting Families from Life’s Financial Storms

Charlene CrowellOctober 4, 2018

In recent weeks, multiple news sources have reported on the 10-year anniversary since the onset of the nation’s foreclosure crisis. Between 2007 and 2011, 10.9 million homes went into foreclosure, with 8 million completing that process. Additionally, $1.95 trillion in lost property value affected both families who lost their homes to foreclosure, as well as their nearby neighbors who remained in their homes.

For-Profit College Students Share Sagas of Debt and Disillusionment
Charlene CrowellOpinion

For-Profit College Students Share Sagas of Debt and Disillusionment

Charlene CrowellSeptember 27, 2018

College students today come in many ages and from many backgrounds. In addition to recent high school graduates, there are laid off workers who need updated skills, and single heads of household returning to school to better provide for their families. Veterans seeking to transition to civilian life are also seeking higher education as a way out and up the financial ladder. 

Black Wealth Still Plummeting, CRL Tells Lawmakers
Charlene CrowellOpinion

Black Wealth Still Plummeting, CRL Tells Lawmakers

Charlene CrowellAugust 31, 2018

For years, and particularly in recent months, major news outlets have heralded the nation’s robust economic recovery. From rising corporate profits, to lower unemployment, or rising stock prices on Wall Street, many consumers might conclude that financial stability not only returned after the Great Recession but continues to climb.

New National Poll Finds Consumers Still Want Financial Regulation
Charlene CrowellOpinion

New National Poll Finds Consumers Still Want Financial Regulation

Charlene CrowellAugust 9, 2018

The 2018 poll, conducted by Lake Research Partners and Chesapeake Beach Consulting, found that among respondents more than 90 percent viewed regulation of financial services to be very important, and registered support across partisan affiliations. Among Republicans, 85 percent supported regulation, compared to 92 percent of independents and 96 percent of Democrats.

State AGs to DeVos: Work with, Not Against, State Law Enforcement
Charlene CrowellEducationNationalOpinion

State AGs to DeVos: Work with, Not Against, State Law Enforcement

Charlene CrowellJuly 26, 2018

Starting last summer, student loan servicers like Navient have been lobbying DeVos to shield them from liability for their practices. And it’s worked. Despite objections from a bi-partisan group of Attorneys General (AGs), the National Association of Governors, and the Conference of State Bank Supervisors, DeVos and the Department of Education have increasingly made it more difficult for state and federal law enforcement agencies to do their jobs by retracting information sharing agreements with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and instructing servicers not share student loan information with state law enforcement and banking supervisors.

Mick Mulvaney Turns Away from Consumers to Help Payday Lenders
BusinessCharlene CrowellNews (Business)Opinion

Mick Mulvaney Turns Away from Consumers to Help Payday Lenders

Charlene CrowellJuly 19, 2018

The unfortunate result for citizens is that we’re just not getting any value from this key office these days. The Dodd-Frank Consumer Protection and Wall Street Reform Act is clear as to the responsibilities given to CFPB. Under the previous director, billions of dollars were returned to consumers for a host of illegal and deceptive acts by predatory financial institutions. These achievements were accomplished with the support of a dedicated staff.

Federal Lawsuit Challenges HUD to Enforce Fair Housing Rule Civil Rights and Housing Advocates Join Forces
BusinessCharlene CrowellOpinion

Federal Lawsuit Challenges HUD to Enforce Fair Housing Rule Civil Rights and Housing Advocates Join Forces

Charlene CrowellMay 25, 2018

Across the country, an estimated $5.5 billion in HUD funding is awarded each year. Nearly two-thirds of these funds go to approximately 1,210 grantees through HUD’s Community Development Block (CDBG) Grant program.  With this year’s rule suspension and continuing for several years, grant recipients – largely state and local government jurisdictions — can obligate their allocations without any concern for compliance with the Fair Housing Act rule.   

Racial Mortgage Disparities Persist as Federal Housing Enforcement Lags
BusinessCharlene CrowellNews (Business)Opinion

Racial Mortgage Disparities Persist as Federal Housing Enforcement Lags

Charlene CrowellMay 9, 2018

Today, with much of the mortgage market recovered, unnecessarily tight and expensive credit in the conventional mortgage market often makes FHA the only option to finance homeownership for low- to moderate-income borrowers, lower-wealth borrowers, and borrowers of color. This single-option also means that borrowers broadly denied the lower-cost, most-affordable private loans available, have a slower rate of home appreciation due to fees and insurance that accompany government-backed loans.