Brown re-introduces bill to ban discrimination in banking

Legislation would provide greater legal recourse against prejudice in financial services sector.

Credit unions and banks would be prohibited from discriminating against people based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation, under a bill introduced in the Senate by Banking Chairman Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and 18 Democratic colleagues.

In introducing the measure, the Democrats noted that while the Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed discrimination in places of accommodation, it does not cover financial services. As a result, they said, it limits legal recourse against racism in the sector.

“Too many Black and brown Americans experience racial profiling and unequal treatment when trying to access services at banks and other financial institutions, and don’t have anywhere to turn to hold financial institutions accountable,” Brown stated.

 

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