U.S. Department
of Justice
Fair Lending Program
| About the Program | Combatting Redlining Initiative |
| Press Releases and Speeches | Cases and Accomplishments |
| Annual ECOA Reports | Legal Resources |
About the Program
The Civil Rights Division Housing and Civil Enforcement Section vigorously enforces federal fair lending laws to protect equal access to credit. The Division has authority to enforce the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) and the Fair Housing Act on its own or upon referral from another agency. ECOA prohibits creditors from discriminating against credit applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, because an applicant receives income from a public assistance program, or because an applicant has in good faith exercised any right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act. The FHA prohibits discrimination in home mortgage loans, home improvement loans, and other home credit transactions because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability.
In October 2021, Attorney General Merrick Garland and Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen Clarke launched the Combatting Redlining Initiative to address the persistent problem of redlining—a pernicious form of discrimination that plagues communities of color and widens existing racial disparities in wealth and homeownership. The Combatting Redlining Initiative is the Department’s most aggressive and coordinated enforcement effort to address the practice of lenders avoid providing services to communities of color because of the race or national origin of the individuals who live there. Through the Initiative, the Department is partnering with U.S. Attorney’s Offices and coordinating with financial regulators to ensure that banks and lenders will be held accountable as we work to combat discriminatory race and national origin-based lending practices.
Combatting Redlining Initiative
Redlining and Your Rights (Nov. 21, 2023)
Justice Department Announces New Initiative to Combat Redlining (Oct. 22, 2021)
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke Delivers Remarks Announcing a New Initiative to Combat Redlining (Oct. 22, 2021)
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Delivers Remarks Announcing a New Initiative to Combat Redlining (Oct. 22, 2021)
Justice Department Announces New Initiative to Combat Redlining (Oct. 22, 2021)
Press Releases and Speeches
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke Delivers Remarks at the National Action Network Annual Convention’s Women’s Empowerment Luncheon (April 7, 2022)
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke Delivers Opening Remarks at National Action Network's Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Breakfast (Jan. 17, 2022)
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke Delivers Remarks Announcing a New Initiative to Combat Redlining (Oct. 22, 2021)
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Delivers Remarks Announcing a New Initiative to Combat Redlining (Oct. 22, 2021)
Annual ECOA Reports
2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 (B/W) 2010 (Color) 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
Legal Resources
Interagency Statement on Special Purpose Credit Programs Under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B (Feb. 22, 2022)
Memorandum of Understanding between the Consumer Financial Bureau and the United States Department of Justice Regarding Fair Lending Coordination and Press Release (December 6, 2012)
Department of Justice Guidance to the federal bank regulatory agencies on pattern or practice referrals (1996).
Learn more about the Interagency Task Force on Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity (PAVE)