Racism and the Economy: Focus on Financial Services

This is the 10th installment in our virtual event series, which examines the impact of structural racism on our economy and advances ideas to improve economic outcomes for all Americans. This session will examine structural racism in our financial services system and its impact on the economy.

During this event, we will survey historical and present-day barriers to traditional financial services that exist for people of color, which can drive them into expensive and sometimes exploitative alternatives. This session will envision new products and practices, prioritizing people and places that have experienced chronic disinvestment and exclusion. It will explore ways to address root causes that can result in more equitable access to financial services and help close these gaps. Leaders from financial institutions, consumer protection organizations, research institutions, and others will explore ways that we can fully support consumers and financial service providers to ultimately help facilitate an economy that works for all.

Speakers

Tom Barkin, President, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

Raphael Bostic, President, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

Camille Busette, Senior Fellow, Economic Studies, Governance Studies, Metropolitan Policy Program and Director, Race, Prosperity, and Inclusion Initiative, Brookings Institute

Bill Bynum, CEO, Hope Enterprise Corporation, Hope Credit Union, and Hope Policy Institute

Esther George, President, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City

Lakota Vogel, Executive Director, Four Bands Community Fund

More speakers to be added.

About Racism and the Economy

Hosted by all 12 District Banks of the U.S. Federal Reserve System, Racism and the Economy is a virtual series that brings together community, business, and academic leaders to examine the economic impact of racism and advance bold ideas and concrete actions to achieve an economy that makes opportunity available to everyone.