United States v. Eagle Bank and Trust Co. of Missouri (E.D. Mo.)

On September 29, 2015,  the United States filed a complaint and consent order in United States v. Eagle Bank and Trust Company of Missouri (E.D. Mo.), alleging that the bank engaged in a pattern or practice of “redlining” predominantly African-American neighborhoods in and around St. Louis.  “Redlining” is the discriminatory practice by banks or other financial institutions to deny or avoid providing credit services to a consumer because of the racial demographics of the neighborhood in which the consumer lives.  The complaint alleges violations of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, which prohibit financial institutions from discriminating on the basis of race and color in their mortgage lending practices.  As a result of the settlement Eagle Bank will open two new locations to serve the residents of African American neighborhoods in northern St. Louis.  The bank will also invest at least $975,000 to provide banking and borrowing opportunities to residents and small businesses in those areas. The court entered the consent order on October 1, 2015.