The League of Iowa Human & Civil Rights Agencies

Responding to the severe housing and credit crisis in the United States, Assistant Attorney General Tom Perez recently announced the creation of a fair lending unit within the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice. Perez, who leads the division, identified "lending discrimination" as particularly destructive, stating that "it's discrimination with a smile, and it tears communities apart."  Perez cited 38 pending investigations concerning fair lending practices, and said the fair lending unit strategy was two-fold. First, holding accountable the brokers who originated the predatory loans, and second, inquiring into lending institutions that may have discriminated against minorities and deceived unknowing consumers.

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