Brown Re-Introduces Bill to Ban Discrimination in Banking

Senate democrats have re-introduced a bill targeting discrimination in the banking industry. Learn why.

David Baumann

Published 

Jul 27

 

2022

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David Baumann

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David Baumann

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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.

Sherrod Brown

Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio

“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.

The Democrats added further that many of the nation’s largest banks have come under fire for racial profiling and other discriminatory practices, citing the specific instance of a large bank recently apologizing to a film director after assuming he was a bank robber.

The bill has been introduced in past Congresses and has not been enacted, so chances of enactment this year may be slim.

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