loans

Lucious Abrams, a plaintiff in the Pigford v. Glickman class action lawsuit, stands in front of a tractor on his Georgia farm.

Politics & Government

In 2022, Black farmers were persistently left behind from the USDA's loan system

10:38am February 19, 2023

by Ximena Bustillo

An NPR data analysis shows Black farmers were accepted for USDA direct loans at a lower rate than other racial groups in 2022. Direct loans are supposed to be among the easiest for farmers to get.

China's New Silk Road project is lending out billions to countries in Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa to build and upgrade railways, ports, pipelines, power grids and highways. Above: A Kenya Railways train pulls shipping containers as it departs from the Mombasa port station.

China lends billions to poor countries. Is that a burden ... or a blessing?

6:34pm December 06, 2022

by Andrew Connelly

China doles out much cash for infrastructure. It must be repaid. Is that frustrating for recipients? A new survey has a surprising answer. But skeptics wonder: How honest were the participants?

Race
Economy

Housing Assistance Program Brings Homeownership Within Reach Of Low-Income Families

3:00pm June 10, 2021

by David Ford

Newly released data show that a long-time program that helps Black Forsyth County renters become homeowners is bearing fruit.

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The drilling rig Polar Pioneer outfits for Arctic oil exploration in 2015. A proposed rule from the Trump administration would force banks to offer financing to oil companies, gun-makers and high-cost payday lenders, even if the banks don't want to.

Trump Regulator's Rule Would Force Banks To Lend To Gun-Makers And Oil Drillers

2:46pm January 11, 2021

by Chris Arnold

The Trump administration is trying to force banks to make loans to gun-makers and to finance payday lenders. Critics call the move bizarre. It's opposed by watchdog groups and banks.

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Signs are displayed in the window of a store in Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. The Paycheck Protection Program, aimed at helping small businesses survive the coronavirus crisis, has been beset by problems.

Economy

Here's How The Small Business Loan Program Went Wrong In Just 4 Weeks

12:11pm May 04, 2020

Not-so-small companies like Shake Shack and organizations like the LA Lakers were able to get loans that were meant for suffering small businesses. What happened?

Banker Edward Barry and his team managed to broker nearly 600 small-business loans while working from home.

This Banker Made 1 Year Of Loans In 10 Days. He's Ready For Another Mad Dash Today

11:28am April 27, 2020

by Scott Horsley

Edward Barry and his team worked hard to give their customers a head start. The Small Business Administration is resuming its emergency loan program for small businesses with an extra $320 billion.

Roughly 40 million Americans are likely to see their credit scores drop by 20 points or more. An equal number should go up by as much.

FICO Is About To Change Credit Scores. Here's Why It Matters

4:58pm January 30, 2020

by Chris Arnold

The firm says 40 million Americans' scores will drop by more than 20 points, and a similar number will rise.

The Military Lending Act caps annual interest on loans to military members at 36% and offers other safeguards. Now, lawmakers are proposing to extend that protection to veterans and others.

A Ban On High-Cost Loans May Be Coming

12:46pm November 07, 2019

by Chris Arnold

Some payday loans carry interest rates of 100% or more. The Military Lending Act limits rates on loans to service members. Now, a bipartisan bill aims to extend that protection to all Americans.

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Ads promise cash in the form of payday loans at an Advance America storefront in Springfield, Va. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is seeking to rescind a proposed rule to safeguard borrowers from payday lenders.

Move To Pull Consumer Protection Rule Heightens Debate Over Payday Lending

8:49am March 07, 2019

by Daniella Cheslow

One of Kathy Kraninger's first moves as CFPB chief was to move to rescind a rule that would put restrictions on payday lending. Now she'll face questions from the House Financial Services Committee.

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Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney is also the interim director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Trump Administration Plans To Defang Consumer Protection Watchdog

5:53pm February 12, 2018

by Chris Arnold

The new head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is making the agency less aggressive in its mission. A new plan calls for it to fulfill "its statutory responsibilities, but go no further."

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