Public Policy

Minority entrepreneurs are the economic engine for many cities, rural communities and the US economy as a whole. Our small business policy priorities include increasing access to capital, strengthening entrepreneurial development programs, and protecting small business borrowers from predatory lending practices and unsafe financial products.

Abusive financial products and services are a major barrier for people who aspire to advance up the financial ladder. We cannot forget the lessons of the Great Recession. NALCAB works to increase financial education, instill safeguards against abusive lending and collection practices, eliminate unsafe financial products and put an end to discrimination in our financial system.

There is a growing housing affordability crisis in the United States. NALCAB supports policies that open responsible access to home ownership and increase the supply of safe, health and affordable rental housing.

Diversity in the governance of the Federal Reserve and our largest financial institutions is important for ensuring that our financial system meets its full potential to include everyone in our economy. NALCAB promotes greater diversity in the governance of the Federal Reserve System and in the Boards and senior leadership of major financial institutions.

Immigrants strengthen our economy. NALCAB works to advance the public’s understanding of the economic value of sound immigration policy. We advocate for policies that support immigrant entrepreneurs, protect workers and provide an earned path to citizenship for aspiring Americans, particularly Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and their families.

NALCAB is committed to opening access to the federal funding streams that invigorate our communities and support Latino economic advancement. We advocate for robust funding for federal agencies and programs that are key to the community and economic development efforts of our members nationwide. This includes, but is not limited to, US HUD including Disaster Recover programs, the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, the US Small Business Administration, and the US Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Programs.

The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) requires regulated banks to meet the credit needs of all people in the communities where they do business. It is a critical tool for working toward a more inclusive economy. NALCAB works in collaboration with diverse national and regional coalitions to ensure regulators strengthen and fully implement the CRA.

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