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Home Insurance Increases Threaten Housing Stability in Deep South

This blog specifically looks at homeowners insurance across this Deep South, considering both premium increases as well as policy availability, compared to the rest of the country. The data show that despite having lower incomes and lower property values, the Deep South has some of the highest homeowners’ insurance rates and some of the largest increases in premiums over the last several years.

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Through data-driven member focused research, advocacy, and policy change, HOPE works to dismantle barriers to financial inclusion and create opportunities for families and communities to thrive.

Community partner interacting with a young girl in the Deep South.

Publications

From research briefs to blogs, our publications highlight the work, stories, and policy insights that drive economic opportunity in underserved communities.

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Newsletters

Explore press releases, news reports, and quarterly updates highlighting our work with communities across the South.

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Data & Visualization

Dive into interactive tools and visualizations to see the trends and opportunities shaping economic inclusion in the Deep South.

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Capital Meets Campus: How CDFI-HBCU Partnerships Are Closing the Gap

Capital Meets Campus: How CDFI-HBCU Partnerships Are Closing the Gap

August 31, 2026 | Dr. Regina Moorer

This summer, HOPE joined leaders, advocates, and… This summer, HOPE joined leaders, advocates, and partners at the United Negro College Fund’s UNITE in Atlanta to discuss an issue that has long shaped the financial health of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs): ensuring these institutions have access… Read More >
Financial Pressures Challenge Small Business Growth, but the Burden Is Uneven

Financial Pressures Challenge Small Business Growth, but the Burden Is Uneven

August 31, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

Small businesses are a critical source of economic… Small businesses are a critical source of economic opportunity, job creation, and wealth building. However, new findings from the Federal Reserve Banks’ 2025 Small Business Credit Survey (SBCS) show that many businesses are navigating a difficult environment marked by rising… Read More >
Public Deposit Laws Inhibit Opportunity in the Deep South

Public Deposit Laws Inhibit Opportunity in the Deep South

July 30, 2026 | Diane Standaert

Hundreds of rural communities across the Deep South have credit union branches, but state laws prohibit local governments from using them for their banking needs, even when the credit union is the only branch in town. These state law restrictions… Read More >
HOPE Submits Comment on Importance of Dedicated Investments to High-Needs Rural Regions

HOPE Submits Comment on Importance of Dedicated Investments to High-Needs Rural Regions

July 27, 2026 | Sara Miller and Diane Standaert

Homeownership is a key opportunity for families to… Homeownership is a key opportunity for families to build wealth, and HOPE’s mortgage lending is a vital part of our work to strengthen the financial health of people in under-resourced Deep South communities. Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs) such as Fannie… Read More >
Financial Danger: Payday Loan Apps in the Deep South

Financial Danger: Payday Loan Apps in the Deep South

July 1, 2026 | Regina Moorer, PhD and Diane Standaert

In furthering its mission to build wealth and… In furthering its mission to build wealth and economic opportunities across the Deep South, HOPE has long worked to address the harms of predatory lending practices which siphon hard-earned resources from people in the region. This has been true whether… Read More >
New Federal Reserve Report Reveals Growing Financial Strain and Uneven Recovery

New Federal Reserve Report Reveals Growing Financial Strain and Uneven Recovery

June 18, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

A new report from the Federal Reserve highlights a troubling reality for many households across the country. Despite broader economic growth, financial stability remains out of reach for millions of families. The Federal Reserve’s 2025 Survey of Household Economics and… Read More >
Home Insurance Increases Threaten Housing Stability in Deep South

Home Insurance Increases Threaten Housing Stability in Deep South

May 28, 2026 | Sara Miller

Homeownership is a key strategy for HOPE to help… Homeownership is a key strategy for HOPE to help build wealth and strengthen communities in the Deep South.  For most families who own a home, their home is their largest asset and also their largest expense. Those expenses are increasing. … Read More >
Building Opportunity Together: HOPE Day at Alcorn State University

Building Opportunity Together: HOPE Day at Alcorn State University

May 22, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

Last month, Alcorn State University and HOPE came… Last month, Alcorn State University and HOPE came together to host HOPE Day at Alcorn, a Financial Empowerment and Business Resource Forum designed to connect students, faculty, and the surrounding community with the tools needed to build lasting financial stability… Read More >
New Data Show Affordability Challenges and Long-Term Consequences for the Deep South 

New Data Show Affordability Challenges and Long-Term Consequences for the Deep South 

May 1, 2026 | Diane Standaert and Kiyadh Burt

Every day in its work, HOPE hears stories of people and families facing financial pressure as the cost of everyday household expenses continue to mount. New data from the Urban Institute’s American Affordability Tracker  help paint a stark picture of… Read More >
Table 1: Grants per Capita in Rural Areas, 2021

Table 1: Grants per Capita in Rural Areas, 2021

April 28, 2026 | Regina Moorer

Region Grants Per Capita Northeast $148 Midwest… Region Grants Per Capita Northeast $148 Midwest $86 West $89 Deep South $48 Blog source: https://hopepolicy.org/closing-the-rural-investment-gap-through-philanthropy/ Read More >
Figure 2: Average Grants Per Capita, Deep South versus New York, 2014-2021

Figure 2: Average Grants Per Capita, Deep South versus New York, 2014-2021

April 28, 2026 | Regina Moorer

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Figure 1: Active Grantmaking Organizations Per 1000, 2014-2021

Figure 1: Active Grantmaking Organizations Per 1000, 2014-2021

April 28, 2026 | Regina Moorer

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Closing the Rural Investment Gap Through Philanthropy

Closing the Rural Investment Gap Through Philanthropy

April 28, 2026 | Regina Moorer

A new interactive mapping tool “The Geography of… A new interactive mapping tool “The Geography of Rural America’s Philanthropic Sector”, developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Innovation Center, visualizes how philanthropic resources are distributed across rural communities. The tool accompanies the report Rural… Read More >
Expanding Access to Homeownership in Tennessee

Expanding Access to Homeownership in Tennessee

March 31, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

HOPE recently joined national and regional housing… HOPE recently joined national and regional housing leaders at the Tennessee Housing Conference hosted by the Tennessee Housing Development Agency. The gathering brought together leaders from the public and private sectors to examine the barriers to housing access and identify… Read More >
Advancing a High-Impact Rural Strategy for Opportunity Zones 2.0 in the Deep South

Advancing a High-Impact Rural Strategy for Opportunity Zones 2.0 in the Deep South

March 26, 2026 | Diane Standaert and Sara Miller

This year, states have a once-in-a-decade opportunity to incentivize private capital investments into their rural communities. This will be through state’s ability to designate certain communities as Opportunity Zones (OZ).  These infusions could be a source to help meet communities… Read More >
Securing the American Dream: Advancing Homeownership in the Deep South through Expiring LIHTCs

Securing the American Dream: Advancing Homeownership in the Deep South through Expiring LIHTCs

March 16, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

Through its Y-16 initiative, HOPE is showing how… Through its Y-16 initiative, HOPE is showing how the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program is a pathway to homeownership. Using an innovative mortgage product and resident education, to date, HOPE has helped 32 rural households transition to homeownership. At… Read More >
Table 1: Rural areas with the lowest and highest shares of single-family purchase and refinance loans purchased by the GSEs, 2024.

Table 1: Rural areas with the lowest and highest shares of single-family purchase and refinance loans purchased by the GSEs, 2024.

March 16, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

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Closing the Gap: Opportunities to Increase Secondary Mortgage Access for Rural Deep South Communities

Closing the Gap: Opportunities to Increase Secondary Mortgage Access for Rural Deep South Communities

March 16, 2026 | Sara Miller, Diane Standaert

Secondary market investors currently have a tremendous opportunity to improve access to homeownership in rural Deep South communities. HOPE and other mission-based Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) demonstrate that responsible, high-performing mortgage lending to borrowers with lower credit scores, no… Read More >
Figure 5. Household Energy Burden and Costs Across Income Levels

Figure 5. Household Energy Burden and Costs Across Income Levels

March 9, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

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Figure 4. Low-Income Households Also Face Energy Burdens Above the National Average

Figure 4. Low-Income Households Also Face Energy Burdens Above the National Average

March 9, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

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Figure 3. Average Residential Energy Burden for Low-Income Households by State, Percent of Household Income Spent on Energy

Figure 3. Average Residential Energy Burden for Low-Income Households by State, Percent of Household Income Spent on Energy

March 9, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

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Figure 2. Extremely Low-Income Households Face Energy Burdens Above the National Average

Figure 2. Extremely Low-Income Households Face Energy Burdens Above the National Average

March 9, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

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Figure 1. Average Residential Energy Burden for Extremely Low-Income Households by State, Percent of Household Income Spent on Energy

Figure 1. Average Residential Energy Burden for Extremely Low-Income Households by State, Percent of Household Income Spent on Energy

March 9, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

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Long Term Poverty Across the Deep South over 50 year period

Long Term Poverty Across the Deep South over 50 year period

March 2, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

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The Economic Effects of Climate Change in the Deep South

The Economic Effects of Climate Change in the Deep South

March 2, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

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Total Relief Funds by State in the Deep South

Total Relief Funds by State in the Deep South

March 2, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

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Estimated Lifetime Earnings of Black Adults by Education Level

Estimated Lifetime Earnings of Black Adults by Education Level

March 2, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

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Circular HBCU Economic Model

Circular HBCU Economic Model

March 2, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

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Small Business Lending Access in the Deep South by Race

Small Business Lending Access in the Deep South by Race

March 2, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

Figure 1: Full Approved Small Business Loan… Figure 1: Full Approved Small Business Loan Applications Figure 2: Denied Small Business Loan Applications Figure 3: HOPE Business Lending by Race, FY2024 Read More >
Generosity in the Deep South by Region & Race

Generosity in the Deep South by Region & Race

March 2, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

Figure 1: Religious Giving Patterns by Race Black households have Higher Rates of Religious Giving Despite than White Counterparts Figure 2: Charitable Giving by Region Southerners Give a Larger Share of Their Income to Charity than other Regions Figure 3:… Read More >
Figure 2: Mortgage Denial Rates in the Deep South by Race an Income

Figure 2: Mortgage Denial Rates in the Deep South by Race an Income

March 2, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

Black borrowers are 2x as likely to be denied for… Black borrowers are 2x as likely to be denied for mortgage than white applicants at higher income levels Read More >
Black Generational Wealth in the South

Black Generational Wealth in the South

March 2, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

Figure 1: The National Racial Wealth Divide The… Figure 1: The National Racial Wealth Divide The median White household holds over six times the wealth of the median Black household. Figure 2: Racial Wealth Gap Higher in Deep South States than Nation White households hold up to 35… Read More >
The disparity between Black and White homeownership rates across the Deep South

The disparity between Black and White homeownership rates across the Deep South

March 2, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

White household incomes outpace Black households in the Deep South and Nation by average of $30,000 Read More >
Household income at age 35 for children born to low-income parents

Household income at age 35 for children born to low-income parents

March 2, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

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HOPE Member Pulse Survey: Initial Insights

HOPE Member Pulse Survey: Initial Insights

March 2, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

Chart 1: Member Confidence on Financial Future… Chart 1: Member Confidence on Financial Future Survey Question: “Current economic conditions have reduced my confidence in my financial future.” Chart 2: Member Reliance on Credit/Loans Survey Question: “Economic conditions have forced me to rely more heavily on credit or… Read More >
Why the Mississippi Delta’s Voice Matters for the Future of Rural America

Why the Mississippi Delta’s Voice Matters for the Future of Rural America

March 2, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

On February 24, the Clarion Ledger published an op-ed by HOPE CEO Bill Bynum highlighting why the Mississippi Delta is a critical voice in shaping the future of rural America. In the op-ed, he notes, “The Delta is a powerful lens through which… Read More >
PWIs Outpace HBCUs in Indirect Cost Recovery Rates

PWIs Outpace HBCUs in Indirect Cost Recovery Rates

March 2, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

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Endowment Dollars for Public PWIs vs. Public HBCUs

Endowment Dollars for Public PWIs vs. Public HBCUs

March 2, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

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HBCUs Exceeda National Rate for Pell Grant Access

HBCUs Exceeda National Rate for Pell Grant Access

March 2, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

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$60.8 Million Investment Distribution to HBCUs in the Deep South

$60.8 Million Investment Distribution to HBCUs in the Deep South

March 2, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

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Bank Branch Decline in the Deep South (2010-2024)

Bank Branch Decline in the Deep South (2010-2024)

March 2, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

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Homeownership & Denial Rates by Race and Income

Homeownership & Denial Rates by Race and Income

March 2, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

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Funds Needed for Water Infrastructure Upgrades for MS Delta & Deep South Communities

Funds Needed for Water Infrastructure Upgrades for MS Delta & Deep South Communities

March 2, 2026 | Tracy Meng

Figure 1. Percent of Households Lacking Complete… Figure 1. Percent of Households Lacking Complete Plumbing, Top 20 States Figure 2. Percent Households Lacking Complete Plumbing in Deep South Counties Read More >
Figure 1: Unbanked and Underbanked Rates in Deep South by Race

Figure 1: Unbanked and Underbanked Rates in Deep South by Race

March 2, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Median Auto Loan Balances in Deep South

Median Auto Loan Balances in Deep South

March 2, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Figure 1: HOPE Workforce Diversity Comparison to Banking Industry

Figure 1: HOPE Workforce Diversity Comparison to Banking Industry

March 2, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Table 1: Housing Characteristics by Banking Status of Deep South

Table 1: Housing Characteristics by Banking Status of Deep South

March 2, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Mortgage Homeowner & Denial Rates in the Deep South

Mortgage Homeowner & Denial Rates in the Deep South

March 2, 2026 | Tracy Meng

Table 1: Homeownership Rates in the Deep South by Race Figure 1: Mortgage Denial Rates in the Deep South by Race and Income Read More >
Top Ten Challenges for All Women in the Economy

Top Ten Challenges for All Women in the Economy

March 2, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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The Wage Gap, Homeownership, and Economic Mobility

The Wage Gap, Homeownership, and Economic Mobility

February 28, 2026 | Tracy Meng

Table 1: Wage Gap Disparities by Race and Gender… Table 1: Wage Gap Disparities by Race and Gender for Deep South States Figure 1: Home Mortgage Interest Rates for Loan Originations in the Deep South (2021) Read More >
Slave Population Across the United States

Slave Population Across the United States

February 28, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Racial demographics and economic hardship across United States counties

Racial demographics and economic hardship across United States counties

February 28, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Use of Expanded Child Tax Credit by Family Income

Use of Expanded Child Tax Credit by Family Income

February 28, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Households Fully Banked by Race

Households Fully Banked by Race

February 28, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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High-Cost Debt Traps & Wealth Racial Gaps in Memphis

High-Cost Debt Traps & Wealth Racial Gaps in Memphis

February 28, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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NMTC Allocations to Minority Led CED Entities

NMTC Allocations to Minority Led CED Entities

February 28, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Rural borrower statistics and delinquency rates across the Deep South

Rural borrower statistics and delinquency rates across the Deep South

February 28, 2026 | Tracy Meng

Table 1:  Student Debt Delinquencies in the Rural South Read More >
The State Small Business Credit Initiative: A $3 Billion Opportunity for the Deep South

The State Small Business Credit Initiative: A $3 Billion Opportunity for the Deep South

February 28, 2026 | Tracy Meng

Table 1: 2021 Deep South SSBCI Allocations Chart… Table 1: 2021 Deep South SSBCI Allocations Chart 1: SSBCI Lending To Target Areas Table 2: Deep South SSBCI Allocations and Programs, 2010-2017 Table 3: Deep South SSBCI Lending Impact Read More >
Incarceration rates across different states in the United States

Incarceration rates across different states in the United States

February 28, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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New Markets Tax Credit Investments in Majority People of Color Counties 2003-2017

New Markets Tax Credit Investments in Majority People of Color Counties 2003-2017

February 28, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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The total annual allocation of funds for the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program

The total annual allocation of funds for the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program

February 28, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Status of Certain Programs Funded by the MS Coronavirus Relief Fund

Status of Certain Programs Funded by the MS Coronavirus Relief Fund

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Allocation of $60 billion in funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), divided into first and second draws.

Allocation of $60 billion in funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), divided into first and second draws.

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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PPP Loans Under $150,000 Made in Mississippi and Louisiana by Type of Lender

PPP Loans Under $150,000 Made in Mississippi and Louisiana by Type of Lender

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Medical Debt in the Mississippi Delta by Race

Medical Debt in the Mississippi Delta by Race

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Percentage of Allocated Funds for Rural & Persistent Poverty Parishes by Type and Race

Percentage of Allocated Funds for Rural & Persistent Poverty Parishes by Type and Race

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Employment Income Loss Underscore Magnitude of Financial Hardship in the Deep South from the Pandemic

Employment Income Loss Underscore Magnitude of Financial Hardship in the Deep South from the Pandemic

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

Figure 1: Deep South Households with Loss of… Figure 1: Deep South Households with Loss of Employment Income by Race since March 2020 Figure 2: Deep South Households with Loss of Employment Income by Income Level since March 2020 Figure 3: Initial Unemployment Claims in Deep South States… Read More >
Review of Arkansas Ready for Business Program: Gaps and Opportunities

Review of Arkansas Ready for Business Program: Gaps and Opportunities

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

Table 1: Median and Average Grant Allocation by… Table 1: Median and Average Grant Allocation by County Type as June 26, 2020 Tables 2: Share of Minority and Women-Owned Businesses Assisted by the Grant as of June 26, 2020 Read More >
CDFIs and MDIs Continue to Cater to Small Businesses Despite PPP Barriers

CDFIs and MDIs Continue to Cater to Small Businesses Despite PPP Barriers

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

Table 1: CDFI and MDI PPP Lending Compared to Large Lenders, as of June 30, 2020 Table 2: HOPE’s PPP Lending of 06-30-2020 Read More >
Distribution of Deep South MDIs and Assets (Banks vs. Credit Unions)

Distribution of Deep South MDIs and Assets (Banks vs. Credit Unions)

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Deep South MDI Banks & Credit Unions with Asset Size

Deep South MDI Banks & Credit Unions with Asset Size

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Mississippi Post-COVID 19 Rental Survey Results

Mississippi Post-COVID 19 Rental Survey Results

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Job Losses & Furloughs: April 2020

Job Losses & Furloughs: April 2020

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Credit Denials by Income & Race across the U.S

Credit Denials by Income & Race across the U.S

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Data across the Deep South and the national average by racial demographic.

Data across the Deep South and the national average by racial demographic.

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Debt in America: The Deep South by Race

Debt in America: The Deep South by Race

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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The Great Recession: Job Losses & Unemployment Claims in the Deep South

The Great Recession: Job Losses & Unemployment Claims in the Deep South

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Current Employment Statistics by State & Metro Areas across the Deep South

Current Employment Statistics by State & Metro Areas across the Deep South

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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CDFI Fund Institutional Report: Assets & Size by Race

CDFI Fund Institutional Report: Assets & Size by Race

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Cases & Casualties in the Deep South from COVID 19

Cases & Casualties in the Deep South from COVID 19

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Projected Number Jobs Loss during COVID 19 across the Deep South

Projected Number Jobs Loss during COVID 19 across the Deep South

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Average Wages for Industries vs. Leisure and Hospitality sector across the Deep South

Average Wages for Industries vs. Leisure and Hospitality sector across the Deep South

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Percent of Underbanked Households & Poverty Rate in the Deep South

Percent of Underbanked Households & Poverty Rate in the Deep South

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Social safety net benefits and relief measures across five Southern U.S. states during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Social safety net benefits and relief measures across five Southern U.S. states during the COVID-19 pandemic.

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Table 1:  Counties with Hospitals and ICU Beds in the Deep South

Table 1:  Counties with Hospitals and ICU Beds in the Deep South

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Single Female Households with Liquid Asset Poverty

Single Female Households with Liquid Asset Poverty

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Persistent poverty areas in parts of the Deep South, highlighting levels of critical care capacity

Persistent poverty areas in parts of the Deep South, highlighting levels of critical care capacity

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Women’s Median Earnings & Wage Gap by Race

Women’s Median Earnings & Wage Gap by Race

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Households Living in Liquid Asset Poverty in the Deep South

Households Living in Liquid Asset Poverty in the Deep South

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Rent-A-Bank Proposals Put Deep South Families at Risk of Predatory Lending

Rent-A-Bank Proposals Put Deep South Families at Risk of Predatory Lending

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Persistent Poverty Map by Race

Persistent Poverty Map by Race

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Payday Loan Summary

Payday Loan Summary

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Fair Lending and Homeownership Rates by Race

Fair Lending and Homeownership Rates by Race

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

Table 1:  Black and White Homeownership Rates for 2007 and 2017, by State Table 2:  Mortgage Loan Denials in Mississippi, by Race and Income, 2008 – 2017 Figures 1 and 2:  Mortgage Loan Originations and Denial Rates by Race, 2008… Read More >
Louisiana, Mississippi State: Banking Stats

Louisiana, Mississippi State: Banking Stats

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Deep South States among the Least Credit Worthy in the Nation

Deep South States among the Least Credit Worthy in the Nation

February 27, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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How Hungry is America?: Food Hardship Rates

How Hungry is America?: Food Hardship Rates

February 26, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Percentage of Food Insecurity in the Deep South

Percentage of Food Insecurity in the Deep South

February 26, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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The Significant Impact of Student Debt on Communities of Color

The Significant Impact of Student Debt on Communities of Color

February 26, 2026 | Tracy Meng

Source:… Source: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/significant-impact-student-debt-communities-color Read More >
Prosperity Now Scorecard: Housing and Homeownership (%) by Race & State

Prosperity Now Scorecard: Housing and Homeownership (%) by Race & State

February 26, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Map of Persistent Poverty in the Deep South

Map of Persistent Poverty in the Deep South

February 26, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Map & Stats: Investments in the Local and Regional Food Economy

Map & Stats: Investments in the Local and Regional Food Economy

February 26, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Fees Drained Annually from Payday Loans in the Deep South

Fees Drained Annually from Payday Loans in the Deep South

February 26, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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Power Struggle: How High Energy Burdens Harm Families in the Deep South

Power Struggle: How High Energy Burdens Harm Families in the Deep South

February 25, 2026 | Dr. Regina Moore

For many households, keeping a home cool in the… For many households, keeping a home cool in the summer and warm in the winter has become a difficult trade-off rather than a basic expectation. More frequent extreme weather and rising costs for food, energy, and other necessities are forcing… Read More >
HEROES Act Brings Relief for Disadvantaged Businesses, Financially-Strapped Households

HEROES Act Brings Relief for Disadvantaged Businesses, Financially-Strapped Households

February 24, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

JACKSON, MS – Yesterday, Congress introduced, HR… JACKSON, MS – Yesterday, Congress introduced, HR 6800, the HEROES Act, proposing a range of relief mechanisms for the health and financial consequences of COVID 19. Among the bill’s proposals, critical to the Deep South’s economic recovery, are provisions to… Read More >
Hope Policy Institute Statement on OCC changes to Community Reinvestment Act

Hope Policy Institute Statement on OCC changes to Community Reinvestment Act

February 23, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

JACKSON, MS – Yesterday, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency announced sweeping changes to the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), a law passed in 1977 to ensure banks adequately serve the communities in which they do business.  As part… Read More >
Bipartisan Effort Makes Small Business Protection Program More Accessible

Bipartisan Effort Makes Small Business Protection Program More Accessible

February 23, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

Media Contact: Shelia Byrd Hope Policy Institute… Media Contact: Shelia Byrd Hope Policy Institute shelia.byrd@hope-ec.org 601-832-7627 Bipartisan Effort Makes Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program More Accessible Continued Improvements Will Position Program to Better Serve Vulnerable Communities JACKSON, MS – Yesterday, the Small Business Administration announced a… Read More >
FDIC Final Rule Favoring High-Cost Lenders Puts Deep South Families at Risk

FDIC Final Rule Favoring High-Cost Lenders Puts Deep South Families at Risk

February 23, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

Today, the FDIC announced a final rule that will… Today, the FDIC announced a final rule that will encourage high-cost lenders to partner with banks to enable high-cost lending and undermine state law protections. The FDIC rule, which follows a similar one issued by the OCC last month, will… Read More >
HOPE Statement on CFPB Repeal of Payday Lending Protections

HOPE Statement on CFPB Repeal of Payday Lending Protections

February 23, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) repealed critical protections for people harmed by payday and car title loans. On August 2017, the CFPB finalized new rules to stop the debt trap of payday and car title loans. At the… Read More >
Fair Housing Rollbacks Threaten Economic Opportunity in the Deep South

Fair Housing Rollbacks Threaten Economic Opportunity in the Deep South

February 23, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

JACKSON, MS – On the Friday evening of Labor Day… JACKSON, MS – On the Friday evening of Labor Day weekend, the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) finalized changes stripping away critical elements of the law protecting people from facing discrimination in the housing market. Key to enforcement of… Read More >
HOPE Statement on Proposed Changes to the Community Reinvestment Act

HOPE Statement on Proposed Changes to the Community Reinvestment Act

February 23, 2026 | Kiyadh Burt

JACKSON, MS – The Federal Reserve on Monday, Sept.… JACKSON, MS – The Federal Reserve on Monday, Sept. 21, announced proposed changes to the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), a law passed in 1977 to ensure banks adequately serve the communities in which they do business.  Public comment on the… Read More >
HOPENotes – Winter 2026

HOPENotes – Winter 2026

February 20, 2026 | Tracy Meng

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CFPB Complaint Portal Provides Millions in Relief to People in the Deep South

CFPB Complaint Portal Provides Millions in Relief to People in the Deep South

December 29, 2025 | Kiyadh Burt

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)’s… The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)’s consumer complaint portal offers a critical tool for people seeking help with problems they encounter with payday lenders, debt collectors, banks, and other financial institutions.  It enables people to raise specific challenges, and once… Read More >
Number of HBCU’s per State Tableau Visual

Number of HBCU’s per State Tableau Visual

December 22, 2025 | admin

Nearly Half of Nation’s HBCUs Located in Deep… Nearly Half of Nation’s HBCUs Located in Deep South Blog source: https://hopepolicy.org/stronger-together-how-cdfis-and-hbcus-build-lasting-change/ Read More >
HOPE Submits Public Comment on Proposed Revisions to Small Business Data Collection Rule

HOPE Submits Public Comment on Proposed Revisions to Small Business Data Collection Rule

December 19, 2025 | Kiyadh Burt

HOPE submitted a public comment to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in response to the agency’s proposed revisions to the 2023 final rule implementing Section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act, which requires financial institutions to collect and report small… Read More >
HOPE Opposes Federal Action to Expand Predatory Lending

HOPE Opposes Federal Action to Expand Predatory Lending

November 4, 2025 | admin

JACKSON, MS – Yesterday, the Office of Comptroller… JACKSON, MS – Yesterday, the Office of Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) finalized new rules that will encourage high-cost lenders to partner with banks to enable high-cost lending and undermine state law protections facilitating high-cost lenders’ partnerships with banks in… Read More >
HOPE Statement on Congress’ Passage of the COVID-19 Relief Package

HOPE Statement on Congress’ Passage of the COVID-19 Relief Package

November 4, 2025 | admin

JACKSON, MS – Late Monday, Congress approved a… JACKSON, MS – Late Monday, Congress approved a $900 billion coronavirus relief package that included $12 billion for community development financial institutions (CDFIs). Hope Enterprise Corporation/Hope Credit Union (HOPE) CEO Bill Bynum released the following statement about the legislation: “Prior… Read More >
Debt Burden for Formerly Incarcerated Tops $4 Billion

Debt Burden for Formerly Incarcerated Tops $4 Billion

November 4, 2025 | admin

Hope Policy Institute calls for changes in public, private sectors to facilitate successful re-entry January 13, 2021 JACKSON, MS – Debts associated with the criminal justice system in the Deep South topped $4 billion dollars in 2019 – twice the… Read More >
CRL, Credit Unions, CDFIs, on Supreme Court Decision in  Seila Law LLC v. CFPB

CRL, Credit Unions, CDFIs, on Supreme Court Decision in  Seila Law LLC v. CFPB

November 4, 2025 | admin

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Supreme Court… WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Supreme Court released their decision in  Seila Law LLC v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, where it found that the CFPB’s leadership structure, which features a single head removable only for inefficiency, neglect, or malfeasance, is unconstitutional.    In January, the… Read More >
From Campus to Community: How HBCUs Build Black Wealth and Power Local Economies

From Campus to Community: How HBCUs Build Black Wealth and Power Local Economies

September 25, 2025 | Dr. Regina Moorer

Historically Black Colleges and Universities… Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are more than places of learning. They serve as engines of economic mobility for Black students and act as anchor institutions for the surrounding communities. They educate more first-generation and low-income students than most… Read More >
DeltaFest: A Recap

DeltaFest: A Recap

September 23, 2025 | Kiyadh Burt

Last week, more than 500 people from across the Deep South—and thousands more online—gathered in Jackson, Mississippi for the inaugural Delta Fest, an economic activation festival dedicated to expanding ownership, entrepreneurship, and community infrastructure across one of the most overlooked… Read More >
CDFIs Drive Capital to Small Businesses Despite Access Challenges

CDFIs Drive Capital to Small Businesses Despite Access Challenges

September 11, 2025 | Kiyadh Burt

Small businesses are the heart of America’s local… Small businesses are the heart of America’s local economies. They create jobs, anchor neighborhoods, and often provide the first pathway to wealth-building for entrepreneurs. Yet across the country—and especially in rural communities, communities of color, and financially underserved regions— many… Read More >
Member Pulse Survey: August Findings

Member Pulse Survey: August Findings

September 9, 2025 | Kiyadh Burt

The Hope Policy Institute recently conducted its… The Hope Policy Institute recently conducted its Member Pulse Survey to better understand how current economic conditions are impacting members and their financial well-being. The survey reflects feedback from members across HOPE’s footprint and provides valuable insights into the financial… Read More >
Generosity in the Deep South: How Race and Place Shape Philanthropy

Generosity in the Deep South: How Race and Place Shape Philanthropy

September 4, 2025 | Dr. Regina Moorer

Philanthropy in the Deep South has a unique character. In states like Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee, households regularly give, even when income is limited. Households in these regions consistently allocate a higher percentage of their income to… Read More >
Black Households Face Higher Mortgage Denials than White Applicants, Research Finds

Black Households Face Higher Mortgage Denials than White Applicants, Research Finds

September 2, 2025 | Sara Miller

Homeownership has long been a cornerstone of… Homeownership has long been a cornerstone of thriving neighborhoods.  Homeownership offers financial stability and is the single largest pathway to building wealth for most families. Yet today, owning a home is increasingly out of reach for many households, especially for… Read More >
Black Generational Wealth in the South: The Weight of History, the Promise of Policy

Black Generational Wealth in the South: The Weight of History, the Promise of Policy

August 28, 2025 | Dr. Regina Moorer

Generational wealth influences a family’s economic… Generational wealth influences a family’s economic mobility as financial assets provide a head start, while their absence can lock a person into cycles of limited progress. Generational wealth refers to the assets, resources, and advantages that families can pass down from… Read More >
HOPE Member Pulse Survey: Initial Insights

HOPE Member Pulse Survey: Initial Insights

August 26, 2025 | Kiyadh Burt

The lived experiences of Hope members are vital to the advocacy efforts of the Hope Policy Institute. Earlier this year, we launched a member pulse survey to best gauge member experiences in the economy. The survey provides a snapshot of… Read More >
Stronger Together: How CDFIs and HBCUs Build Lasting Change

Stronger Together: How CDFIs and HBCUs Build Lasting Change

August 21, 2025 | Dr. Regina Moorer

Stepping onto the campuses of Tougaloo College in… Stepping onto the campuses of Tougaloo College in Mississippi or Talladega College in Alabama means entering institutions that extend far beyond the traditional role of higher education. These colleges have fueled civil rights movements, trained generations of leaders, and served… Read More >
Protecting Communities from the Rollback of CRA Reforms

Protecting Communities from the Rollback of CRA Reforms

August 19, 2025 | Sara Miller

The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), enacted in… The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), enacted in 1977, was designed to combat the lasting impacts of redlining and ensure that banks meet the credit needs of all communities, including low-income neighborhoods and communities of color. For decades, CRA has been… Read More >
2025 Fourth Quarter Report

2025 Fourth Quarter Report

February 22, 2025 | Tracy Meng

Dear Friends, With 2026 now well underway, HOPE’s fourth quarter report offers a moment to reflect on a year that tested the resilience of the people and places we serve. As the economy softened, household budgets tightened, and federal funding… Read More >
2025 Third Quarter Report

2025 Third Quarter Report

February 22, 2025 | Tracy Meng

Dear Friends, Throughout HOPE’s history, our most… Dear Friends, Throughout HOPE’s history, our most meaningful impact has been achieved by collaborating with others who share our commitment to a Deep South where everyone can prosper. The value of partnership was on full display in August at the… Read More >
2025 Second Quarter Report

2025 Second Quarter Report

February 22, 2025 | Tracy Meng

Dear Friends, In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina… Dear Friends, In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated families, businesses, organizations and entire communities on the Gulf Coast. Months after opening our first New Orleans office, HOPE found ourselves using our Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard facility as a staging ground… Read More >
2025 First Quarter Report

2025 First Quarter Report

February 22, 2025 | Tracy Meng

Dear Friends, Enterprise Corporation of the Delta (now Hope Enterprise Corporation) opened its doors in June 1994, followed 15 months later by the launch of Hope Community Credit Union in September 1995. Building on three decades of impact, we reflect… Read More >
HOPENotes – Winter 2025

HOPENotes – Winter 2025

February 20, 2025 | Tracy Meng

Read More >
HOPENotes – Spring 2025

HOPENotes – Spring 2025

February 20, 2025 | Tracy Meng

Read More >
HOPENotes – Summer 2025

HOPENotes – Summer 2025

February 20, 2025 | Tracy Meng

Read More >
HOPENotes – Fall 2025

HOPENotes – Fall 2025

February 20, 2025 | Tracy Meng

Read More >
CDFIs Provide Critical Financial Access Despite Growing Banking Deserts, Report Finds

CDFIs Provide Critical Financial Access Despite Growing Banking Deserts, Report Finds

January 31, 2025 | Kiyadh Burt

The Federal Reserve of Cleveland has published an… The Federal Reserve of Cleveland has published an article, “The Last Branch Standing”, that examines the rising concentration of banking deserts and potential banking deserts, particularly among low-income communities. The report also highlights how Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), like… Read More >
HOPE Economic Mobility Forum – Seizing the Moment: Maximizing Federal Investment in Under Resourced Communities, West Memphis

HOPE Economic Mobility Forum – Seizing the Moment: Maximizing Federal Investment in Under Resourced Communities, West Memphis

September 25, 2024 | Sara Miller

Last week, HOPE hosted its final Economic Mobility Forum in West Memphis, Arkansas, entitled: “Seizing the Moment: Maximizing Federal Investment in Under Resourced Communities”.  Representatives from several federal agencies, local municipalities, county governments, and community development organizations convened to discuss… Read More >
LGBT Americans in the Deep South face Disparities in Housing

LGBT Americans in the Deep South face Disparities in Housing

June 20, 2024 | Kiyadh Burt

Did you know? More than 1/3rd of LGBT… Did you know? More than 1/3rd of LGBT Americans live in the South.  In a region plagued by social and economic inequality, unequal banking access, and persistent poverty, discrimination against sexual orientation is yet another barrier to achieving financial stability. Compared… Read More >
Black Households Still Face Higher Mortgage Denials than White Applicants, Research Finds

Black Households Still Face Higher Mortgage Denials than White Applicants, Research Finds

June 7, 2024 | Kiyadh Burt

Homeownership is a proven strategy for building… Homeownership is a proven strategy for building wealth yet access to mortgage financing is unequal, particularly for Black households. Did you know? Black homeownership trails white homeownership by over a quarter percentage points (28.2% gap). There are 55 million more… Read More >
Federal Funds Provide Needed Water Infrastructure Upgrades for MS Delta Communities

Federal Funds Provide Needed Water Infrastructure Upgrades for MS Delta Communities

June 6, 2024 | Sara Miller

The White House has announced $5.8 billion for water infrastructure projects as administered by the Environmental Protection Agency. The funds derive from the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill. The funds include $3.2 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for upgrades to water… Read More >
HOPE Economic Mobility Forum – Seizing the Moment: Maximizing Federal Investment in Under Resourced Communities

HOPE Economic Mobility Forum – Seizing the Moment: Maximizing Federal Investment in Under Resourced Communities

May 28, 2024 | Sara Miller

Last week, HOPE hosted an Economic Mobility Forum… Last week, HOPE hosted an Economic Mobility Forum in Selma, Alabama titled: “Seizing the Moment: Maximizing Federal Investment in Under Resourced Communities”.  At the event, representatives from several federal agencies, local municipalities and county governments convened to discuss the historic… Read More >
HOPE Economic Mobility Forum – Capitalizing on Federal Investments for Under-Resourced Communities

HOPE Economic Mobility Forum – Capitalizing on Federal Investments for Under-Resourced Communities

April 29, 2024 | Sara Miller

Cleveland, Mississippi – April 16, 2024 – The… Cleveland, Mississippi – April 16, 2024 – The Economic Mobility Forum, held in Cleveland, Mississippi, concluded with resounding success as community leaders, policymakers, and experts gathered to discuss the effective utilization of federal investments in the Deep South to enhance… Read More >
A Personal Reflection of Women’s Banking Progress

A Personal Reflection of Women’s Banking Progress

March 29, 2024 | Charity Hallman

Being a woman in the finance industry holds profound significance for me. It’s a narrative of empowerment, showcasing the remarkable achievements possible when systemic barriers are dismantled. Just five decades ago, the prospect of opening a bank account or buying… Read More >
Federal Agencies Propose Rules to Eliminate Excessive Junk Fees and Provide Crucial Protections for Vulnerable Consumers

Federal Agencies Propose Rules to Eliminate Excessive Junk Fees and Provide Crucial Protections for Vulnerable Consumers

March 29, 2024 | Kiyadh Burt

In a trifecta win for consumers, the Consumer… In a trifecta win for consumers, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced three highly anticipated proposed rules that will eliminate billions of dollars in excessive overdraft fees, non-sufficient fund (NSF) fees, and automobile fees.… Read More >
HOPE Joins Inclusiv in Uplifting Black-led Financial Institutions

HOPE Joins Inclusiv in Uplifting Black-led Financial Institutions

March 1, 2024 | Kiyadh Burt

Earlier this week, Inclusiv hosted a webinar… Earlier this week, Inclusiv hosted a webinar entitled “Advancing Economic Opportunity for Black Communities in the Deep South” in which HOPE Policy Institute and Sixth Avenue Baptist Federal Credit Union were invited to share insights on their work to improve the economic… Read More >
2024 Fourth Quarter Report

2024 Fourth Quarter Report

February 22, 2024 | Tracy Meng

Dear Friends, A lifelong renter in the Arkansas Delta becomes a homeowner at the age of 48 to care for her brother. An entrepreneur in Memphis builds a family legacy by transforming a former slave plantation into a place of… Read More >
2024 Third Quarter Report

2024 Third Quarter Report

February 22, 2024 | Tracy Meng

Friends, Throughout the course of America’s… Friends, Throughout the course of America’s history, economic, political and social conditions have seldom favored the communities served by HOPE. Inadequate investment in education, healthcare, businesses, housing, water systems, technology, and other vital infrastructure necessary for people to realize their… Read More >
2024 Second Quarter Report

2024 Second Quarter Report

February 22, 2024 | Tracy Meng

Dear Friends, While all people are created equal,… Dear Friends, While all people are created equal, wide resource disparities create winners and losers when it comes to one’s ability to reach their potential. At HOPE, we work to close this divide by ensuring that historically under resourced people… Read More >
2024 First Quarter Report

2024 First Quarter Report

February 22, 2024 | Tracy Meng

Dear Friends, In the course of our ongoing work to improve the financial health and wealth of people in under resourced communities across the Deep South, opportunities abound to facilitate connections between those whose interests align with these objectives. Several… Read More >
HOPE Submits Public Comment on Defining Financial Inclusion

HOPE Submits Public Comment on Defining Financial Inclusion

February 21, 2024 | Kiyadh Burt

Financial inclusion is an important aspect of… Financial inclusion is an important aspect of building wealth. Having access to financial services such as checking and savings accounts, consumer credit, mortgage financing, and small business capital is necessary to increase wealth, especially among communities that have been historically… Read More >
HOPE Submits Public Comment Defending Disparate Impact Under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act

HOPE Submits Public Comment Defending Disparate Impact Under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act

February 21, 2024 | Kiyadh Burt

Disparate impact is a critical legal tool that… Disparate impact is a critical legal tool that allows regulators, communities, and borrowers to challenge policies that appear neutral on their face but disproportionately harm historically vulnerable groups. For regions like the Deep South, where historic underinvestment and discrimination continue… Read More >
HOPENotes – Winter 2024

HOPENotes – Winter 2024

February 20, 2024 | Tracy Meng

Read More >
HOPENotes – Spring 2024

HOPENotes – Spring 2024

February 20, 2024 | Tracy Meng

Read More >
HOPENotes – Summer 2024

HOPENotes – Summer 2024

February 20, 2024 | Tracy Meng

Read More >
HOPENotes – Fall 2024

HOPENotes – Fall 2024

February 20, 2024 | Tracy Meng

Read More >
New Data Shows Unequal Access to Economic Mobility for Black Women

New Data Shows Unequal Access to Economic Mobility for Black Women

January 10, 2024 | Kiyadh Burt

The contributions that Black women have made… The contributions that Black women have made throughout American history and modern society are immeasurable. From organizing in the civil rights movement to playing pivotal roles in voter mobilization turnout in key elections, Black women have long been key drivers… Read More >
HOPE Opposes Actions Taken by House of Representatives to Roll Back Consumer Protections for Diverse Businesses

HOPE Opposes Actions Taken by House of Representatives to Roll Back Consumer Protections for Diverse Businesses

December 8, 2023 | Kiyadh Burt

On Friday, December 1, the House of… On Friday, December 1, the House of Representatives passed a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to halt the implementation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) small business data collection rule, Section 1071 of the Dodd Frank Act. Section 1071 requires covered financial… Read More >
Defending Financial Democracy: Experts Provide Insights on Current Consumer Protection Developments and Importance of CDFIS

Defending Financial Democracy: Experts Provide Insights on Current Consumer Protection Developments and Importance of CDFIS

November 10, 2023 | Kiyadh Burt

Last week, Hope hosted its Economic Mobility Forum: Defending Financial Democracy. The forum convened a group of national and regional experts to discuss the importance of institutions like Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)… Read More >
An Independent CFPB is Vital to Protecting Consumers in the Deep South

An Independent CFPB is Vital to Protecting Consumers in the Deep South

October 31, 2023 | Kiyadh Burt

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court heard an… Earlier this month, the Supreme Court heard an important case about the future of consumer protections. The case, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) vs. Consumer Financial Service Association of America, discussed the constitutionality of the funding structure of the CFPB… Read More >
CDFIs Positioned to Receive Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds for Underserved Communities in Emerging Climate Crisis

CDFIs Positioned to Receive Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds for Underserved Communities in Emerging Climate Crisis

October 31, 2023 | Kiyadh Burt

Community Development Financial Institutions… Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) throughout the nation are building capacity in preparation to address the emerging climate crisis.  A key aspect of this work is preparing to deploy the unprecedented federal Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds (GGRF).  The GGRF, as… Read More >
Investing in Black Led Institutions and CDFIs Drives Wealth in Southern Rural Communities

Investing in Black Led Institutions and CDFIs Drives Wealth in Southern Rural Communities

September 29, 2023 | Kiyadh Burt

Earlier this summer, I had the opportunity to serve on a panel alongside the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Assets Funders Network to discuss the latest CFPB reports on consumer finances and credit access in the South. Panelists discussed… Read More >
HOPE Partners Submit Comments on NCUA Minority Depository Program

HOPE Partners Submit Comments on NCUA Minority Depository Program

September 15, 2023 | Kiyadh Burt

At the end of August, Inclusiv, the national trade… At the end of August, Inclusiv, the national trade association of community development credit unions, shared public comments with the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) on the Minority Depository Institution (MDI) Preservation Program. The letter was signed by 38 MDI… Read More >
CFPB’s New Report Highlights Unequal Banking Services and Debt Burdens for Consumers in the Rural South

CFPB’s New Report Highlights Unequal Banking Services and Debt Burdens for Consumers in the Rural South

July 19, 2023 | Kiyadh Burt

The southern region is rich of social and cultural… The southern region is rich of social and cultural resources—characterized by a diverse population, strong community and familial bonds, lively cultural and art scene, and transformative social action. More than a third of the region are people of color, and… Read More >
Black Households Face Higher Mortgage Denials than White Applicants, Research Finds

Black Households Face Higher Mortgage Denials than White Applicants, Research Finds

July 19, 2023 | Sara Miller

Homeownership is critical for wealth generation and is a key factor in the racial wealth gap. Each additional year of homeownership increases a household’s total net worth an average of $13,700.  Homeowners generally have more wealth than renters. Did you… Read More >
Centering the Experiences of Women is crucial to Increasing Financial Stability

Centering the Experiences of Women is crucial to Increasing Financial Stability

June 13, 2023 | Kiyadh Burt

Financial literacy is central to building… Financial literacy is central to building generational wealth. Understanding money and having access to money management tools can help avoid high-cost debt, pay off bills, and save for the future. Historically, women have experienced discrimination in accessing financial services, and… Read More >
The Wage Gap, Homeownership, and Economic Mobility

The Wage Gap, Homeownership, and Economic Mobility

June 8, 2023 | Sara Miller

As a Black and women-owned financial institution,… As a Black and women-owned financial institution, HOPE supports policies that position women to build assets and remove economic mobility barriers. One perennial policy challenge continues to be the wage gap in earnings by gender and race. And, while income… Read More >
HOPE Partners Submit Comment on CDFI Fund’s Financial and Technical Assistance Fund Programs

HOPE Partners Submit Comment on CDFI Fund’s Financial and Technical Assistance Fund Programs

May 26, 2023 | Kiyadh Burt

In early March, The Department of Treasury CDFI Fund requested public comments to gather feedback on changes to the Community Development Financial Institutions Program (CDFI Program) and the Native American CDFI Assistance Program (NACA Program), Financial Assistance (FA) and Technical… Read More >
HOPE Partners Submit Comment on the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Implementation Framework

HOPE Partners Submit Comment on the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Implementation Framework

May 26, 2023 | Sara Miller

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently… The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released new guidance outlining implementation plans for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF).  The GGRF was enacted in 2022 as part of the Inflation Reduction Act.  The GGRF includes funding programs totaling $27 billion to mobilize financing for projects… Read More >
Partners for Rural Transformation Submits Comments to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Proposed Rule

Partners for Rural Transformation Submits Comments to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Proposed Rule

April 28, 2023 | Kiyadh Burt

Earlier this year, the Department of Housing and… Earlier this year, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released a new proposed Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule for comment. The proposed rule intends to strengthen fair housing efforts by requiring grantees like states and local governments to set… Read More >
HOPE Weighs in on Changes to NMTC Transaction Level Report

HOPE Weighs in on Changes to NMTC Transaction Level Report

April 28, 2023 | Kiyadh Burt

Introduction: Early February, the CDFI Fund released proposed changes to the New Market Tax Credit Transaction Level Report (TLR). This report collects crucial data that ensures that CDFIS are equitably deploying capital through the New Market Tax Credit Program to… Read More >
FDIC Data Reveals Inequities in Financial Inclusion for Women

FDIC Data Reveals Inequities in Financial Inclusion for Women

March 27, 2023 | Kiyadh Burt

Having access to a mainstream financial bank… Having access to a mainstream financial bank account is crucial to economic mobility. Opening a bank account allows individuals to build credit, earn savings, open businesses and become financially stable; however, despite these benefits, more than one billion women are… Read More >
Fair Housing History Highlights Critical Efforts of Women and People of Color to Improve Economic Mobility, but the Work Continues

Fair Housing History Highlights Critical Efforts of Women and People of Color to Improve Economic Mobility, but the Work Continues

March 16, 2023 | Kiyadh Burt

“I remember a nice white man who asked me during… “I remember a nice white man who asked me during the open housing marches, ‘What is it you people want?’ I said, ‘My dear man, the same things you want. A place to live, green grass, a white picket fence,… Read More >
2023 Fourth Quarter Report

2023 Fourth Quarter Report

February 23, 2023 | Kiyadh Burt

Black History is American’s History. And it’s HOPE’s History. As we reflect on HOPE’s 30 years, particularly so during the month set aside for lifting up the myriad contributions of Black people to the American story, it is hard not… Read More >
2023 Third Quarter Report

2023 Third Quarter Report

February 23, 2023 | Kiyadh Burt

Dear Friends, Earlier this month, we hosted our… Dear Friends, Earlier this month, we hosted our latest HOPE Economic Mobility Forum, Defending Financial Democracy, in the Evers-Winter Conference Room at our Jackson, Mississippi headquarters. The room is named after racial justice warriors, and central figures in HOPE’s evolution,… Read More >
2023 Second Quarter Report

2023 Second Quarter Report

February 23, 2023 | Kiyadh Burt

Dear Friends, At HOPE, we frequently draw on the… Dear Friends, At HOPE, we frequently draw on the transformative power of ownership in our work. For example, we know that each additional year of homeownership increases a household’s net worth by more than $13,000. We also know that the… Read More >
2023 First Quarter Report

2023 First Quarter Report

February 23, 2023 | Kiyadh Burt

Dear Friends, “We all have an interest in promoting a vibrant economy as well as resilient families and communities. In such an economy, people would have access to credit on fair and equal terms to build a secure financial foundation.… Read More >
Reflections on Economic Mobility Forum: Experts Weigh-In on Challenges and Significance of Financial Inclusion

Reflections on Economic Mobility Forum: Experts Weigh-In on Challenges and Significance of Financial Inclusion

February 17, 2023 | Kiyadh Burt

This week, HOPE (Hope Enterprise Corporation, Hope… This week, HOPE (Hope Enterprise Corporation, Hope Credit Union and Hope Policy Institute) hosted Banking on Financial Inclusion. Attended by over 200 advocates, bankers, nonprofit leaders and students, experts from around the country delved deeply into topics of fair lending, closing… Read More >
HOPE Submits Comments on CDFI Fund Certification Process

HOPE Submits Comments on CDFI Fund Certification Process

February 7, 2023 | Kiyadh Burt

Community Development Financial Institutions… Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are crucial to providing capital to low-income and underserved neighborhoods. Each year, CDFIs, like HOPE, deploy millions of dollars in financing and services to small business owners, first-time homebuyers, and commercial realtors to build critical… Read More >
HOPE Submits Public Comment on Opportunities and Challenges in Federal Community Investment Programs

HOPE Submits Public Comment on Opportunities and Challenges in Federal Community Investment Programs

February 7, 2023 | Kiyadh Burt

Throughout HOPE’s 25-year history, federal programs have been critical to the fulfillment of the organization’s mission. Federal programs represent one of HOPE’s most effective tools available to leverage private dollars through member deposits, corporate investments, and philanthropic support. Organized around… Read More >
HOPE Submits Comments to the Federal Housing Finance Agencies on 2022-2024 Underserved Market Plans

HOPE Submits Comments to the Federal Housing Finance Agencies on 2022-2024 Underserved Market Plans

February 7, 2023 | Kiyadh Burt

Homeownership is a key opportunity for families to… Homeownership is a key opportunity for families to build wealth and a critical strategy in closing the racial wealth gap. Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs) such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can play a crucial role in closing the gap,… Read More >
HOPE Submits Comments on Minority Lending Institution Designation Criteria

HOPE Submits Comments on Minority Lending Institution Designation Criteria

February 7, 2023 | Kiyadh Burt

Minority-serving institutions serve a critical… Minority-serving institutions serve a critical role in combatting capital access gaps and racial wealth inequities for communities of color. The CDFI Fund requested comments on how best to understand and define “minority lending” institutions. As one of the nation’s largest Black- and… Read More >
Partners for Rural Transformation Submits Comments to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Mortgage Refinance and Forbearance

Partners for Rural Transformation Submits Comments to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Mortgage Refinance and Forbearance

February 7, 2023 | Kiyadh Burt

The Partners for Rural Transformation (PRT) is made up of six regional Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) located in and serving regions with a high prevalence of rural persistent poverty. CDFI members include HOPE, Come Dream | Come Build (CDCB)… Read More >
HOPE Submits Comments to Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund

HOPE Submits Comments to Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund

February 7, 2023 | Kiyadh Burt

Low-resourced communities often experience the… Low-resourced communities often experience the most damaging effects of climate change. When disaster strikes, communities in the Deep South are often situated in precarious and poorly protected areas. Public resources are also often slow to reach these areas. The Greenhouse… Read More >
On the Fight for Economic Justice: Stories of Resiliency, Ingenuity, & HOPE in the Deep South

On the Fight for Economic Justice: Stories of Resiliency, Ingenuity, & HOPE in the Deep South

February 1, 2023 | Kiyadh Burt

Apart from being a cultural mecca of vibrant… Apart from being a cultural mecca of vibrant music, delicious food, rich arts, and culture, the Deep South is characterized by a history of economic exclusion and racial degradation, especially for Black neighborhoods and communities. From chattel slavery to Jim… Read More >
CDFIs Positioned to Receive Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds for Underserved Communities in Emerging Climate Crisis

CDFIs Positioned to Receive Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds for Underserved Communities in Emerging Climate Crisis

January 12, 2023 | Kiyadh Burt

Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) throughout the nation are building capacity in preparation to address the emerging climate crisis.  A key aspect of this work is preparing to deploy the unprecedented federal Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds (GGRF).  The GGRF, as… Read More >
HOPE VP of Policy & Advocacy Kiyadh Burt Testifies Before U.S. House Financial Services Committee on Challenges and Solutions to Closing Racial Wealth Gap in Black Belt Communities

HOPE VP of Policy & Advocacy Kiyadh Burt Testifies Before U.S. House Financial Services Committee on Challenges and Solutions to Closing Racial Wealth Gap in Black Belt Communities

November 22, 2022 | Kiyadh Burt

On November 15th, 2022, Vice President of Policy… On November 15th, 2022, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy Kiyadh Burt testified before the House Financial Services subcommittee on Housing, Community Development and Insurance hearing entitled: “Persistent Poverty in America: Addressing Chronic Disinvestment in Colonias, the Southern Black Belt,… Read More >
Forthcoming Legislation Targets Predatory Overdraft and NSF Fees

Forthcoming Legislation Targets Predatory Overdraft and NSF Fees

November 4, 2022 | Kiyadh Burt

Changes in consumer behavior, the effects of the… Changes in consumer behavior, the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and growing pressure from regulatory agencies & Congress have prompted new policies on overdraft and non-sufficient funds (NSF) fees for financial institutions. Financial institutions charge overdraft and NSF fees against… Read More >
Ground Breaking Investment in Community Financial Institutions Successfully Deployed

Ground Breaking Investment in Community Financial Institutions Successfully Deployed

September 22, 2022 | Kiyadh Burt

Yesterday, HOPE CEO, Bill Bynum joined Vice President Kamala Harris, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Senator Mark Warner, Chairwoman Maxine Waters and Latino Community Credit Union CEO Luis Pastor to announce the successful deployment of the $9 billion Emergency Capital Investment… Read More >
HOPE Submits Public Comment on Updates to the Community Reinvestment Act

HOPE Submits Public Comment on Updates to the Community Reinvestment Act

August 9, 2022 | Sara Miller

The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) has been a… The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) has been a critical, though imperfect, tool for HOPE to leverage the resources it needs to serve low-income communities, rural communities, and communities of color in the Deep South. Rooted in our experiences in serving… Read More >
Findings from the Survey of Household Economics and Decision Making – Part 2

Findings from the Survey of Household Economics and Decision Making – Part 2

June 29, 2022 | Kiyadh Burt

This blog represents the second of two blogs that… This blog represents the second of two blogs that unpack findings from the Federal Reserve Board annual Survey of Household Economics and Decision Making. In the previous blog, we paid particular attention to gaps in banking and credit access and housing.… Read More >
Findings from the Survey of Household Economics and Decision Making – Part 1

Findings from the Survey of Household Economics and Decision Making – Part 1

June 24, 2022 | Kiyadh Burt

In May, the Federal Reserve Board released findings from its annual Survey of Household Economics and Decision Making. Commonly referred to as the SHED report, the publication provides insights into the overall “economic well-being” of households in the United States. Importantly,… Read More >
HOPE and African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs Affirm Transparency in SSBCI 2.0

HOPE and African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs Affirm Transparency in SSBCI 2.0

April 29, 2022 | Kiyadh Burt

U.S. Treasury recently issued an interim… U.S. Treasury recently issued an interim final rule to require jurisdictions participating in the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) program to collect certain demographic data on businesses served through the program. Jurisdictions will provide self-certification of whether the businesses served are owned… Read More >
Vice President Harris Visits Mississippi Delta to Highlight Investments in Small Businesses and Community-based Lenders

Vice President Harris Visits Mississippi Delta to Highlight Investments in Small Businesses and Community-based Lenders

April 1, 2022 | Kiyadh Burt

On Friday, April 1, 2021, Vice President Kamala… On Friday, April 1, 2021, Vice President Kamala Harris came to Greenville, Mississippi to highlight the opportunities for investing in small businesses and communities. A centerpiece of her remarks was the critical role that community development financial institutions (CDFIs) and… Read More >
High-Cost Debt Traps Widen Racial Wealth Gaps in Memphis, TN

High-Cost Debt Traps Widen Racial Wealth Gaps in Memphis, TN

March 30, 2022 | Kiyadh Burt

High-cost loans in Memphis carry different names: payday loans, car title loans, or flex loans, for example. They also have many shared characteristics which have devastating consequences for people: triple-digit rates, unaffordable terms, and coercive repayment mechanisms, like the ability… Read More >
HOPE Calls on CFPB to Strengthen HMDA Reporting to Identify Discriminatory Mortgage Lending Patterns in the Deep South

HOPE Calls on CFPB to Strengthen HMDA Reporting to Identify Discriminatory Mortgage Lending Patterns in the Deep South

March 3, 2022 | Kiyadh Burt

Recently, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau… Recently, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) requested comments on an upcoming study of the rules and amendments made to the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) since 2015.  The HMDA was enacted in 1975 and requires financial institutions to provide… Read More >
2022 Fourth Quarter Report

2022 Fourth Quarter Report

February 23, 2022 | Kiyadh Burt

Dear Friends, In 2019, Federal Reserve Chairman… Dear Friends, In 2019, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell came to Mississippi Valley State University, a Historically Black University to speak at HOPE’s Rural Places, Rural Spaces policy forum. During his visit, the first by a sitting Fed Chairman to… Read More >
2022 Third Quarter Report

2022 Third Quarter Report

February 23, 2022 | Kiyadh Burt

Dear Friends, This fall, Hope Credit Union pledged to make $1 billion in financing available to support underbanked families, homebuyers, small businesses, community facilities and otherwise create opportunity across the Deep South. This pledge was made possible with a $92.6… Read More >
2022 Second Quarter Report

2022 Second Quarter Report

February 23, 2022 | Kiyadh Burt

Dear Friends, In the late nineties, HOPE worked… Dear Friends, In the late nineties, HOPE worked with federal officials, bank regulators, community development advocates, potential investors and others to ensure that the promise of the nascent New Markets Tax Credits Program (NMTC) would be realized in places like… Read More >
2022 First Quarter Report

2022 First Quarter Report

February 23, 2022 | Kiyadh Burt

Dear Friends, In April 1967, Senator Robert… Dear Friends, In April 1967, Senator Robert Kennedy traveled to Mississippi to see first-hand the effect of poverty on Black families in the Delta. Fifty-five years later, memories of that trip were evoked when Vice President Kamala Harris visited Greenville… Read More >
HOPE CEO Bill Bynum Testifies Before U.S. House Financial Services Committee on the Outsized Role of Mission-Focused Lenders in Supporting Jobs, Businesses, and People in Underserved Communities

HOPE CEO Bill Bynum Testifies Before U.S. House Financial Services Committee on the Outsized Role of Mission-Focused Lenders in Supporting Jobs, Businesses, and People in Underserved Communities

February 22, 2022 | Kiyadh Burt

On February 19, 2022, HOPE CEO Bill Bynum testified before the House Financial Services Committee: “An Unprecedented Investment for Historic Results: How Federal Support for MDIs and CDFIs Have Launched a New Era for Disadvantaged Communities.” In the testimony, summarized… Read More >
Deep South Small Businesses, Community Organizations, and Mission-Based Lenders Urge Strong Fair Lending Rules for Small Businesses

Deep South Small Businesses, Community Organizations, and Mission-Based Lenders Urge Strong Fair Lending Rules for Small Businesses

January 13, 2022 | Kiyadh Burt

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is in the… The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is in the process of implementing game changing civil rights legislation that will, for the first time, shine a spot light on the demographics of lenders’ small business lending activity.  The CFPB is a federal… Read More >
HOPE Submits Comments to Advance Fair Lending for Small Businesses

HOPE Submits Comments to Advance Fair Lending for Small Businesses

January 12, 2022 | Kiyadh Burt

Click here to read HOPE’s response to… Click here to read HOPE’s response to the request for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Public Comments regarding Small Business Lending Data Collection. Read More >
Funders Help Erase More than $35 Million of Debt for Vulnerable Arkansans

Funders Help Erase More than $35 Million of Debt for Vulnerable Arkansans

January 8, 2022 | Kiyadh Burt

Unveils Policy Recommendations to Alleviate Burden of Medical Debt, Court Costs LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Jan. 27, 2022) – A group of philanthropic organizations and donors joined together to erase more than $35 million of medical debt for Arkansas residents. The announcement, made… Read More >
The Legacy of Black Collective Economic Development

The Legacy of Black Collective Economic Development

December 22, 2021 | Kiyadh Burt

Black co-operative efforts have undergirded the… Black co-operative efforts have undergirded the fight for freedom and economic stability over the course of American history. As Black Americans faced exclusion and segregation from institutions and the general consumer market, several co-operative models were created to provide services… Read More >
Resources Designed for Rural, Persistent Poverty Communities Vital Now More than Ever

Resources Designed for Rural, Persistent Poverty Communities Vital Now More than Ever

December 21, 2021 | Sara Miller

Small, rural communities often face significant… Small, rural communities often face significant challenges in gaining access to the resources created to support economic opportunity in distressed communities.  This is particularly true in areas of persistent poverty, where communities have experienced high rates over poverty for more… Read More >
VP Harris and Secretary Yellen Announce Historic Community Development Investment Hope Credit Union to Receive $88 Million Investment, Largest in Credit Union’s History

VP Harris and Secretary Yellen Announce Historic Community Development Investment Hope Credit Union to Receive $88 Million Investment, Largest in Credit Union’s History

December 14, 2021 | Kiyadh Burt

Groundbreaking investment will forever change scale and reach of credit union into underserved communities WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced historic levels of new funding for community financial institutions to significantly… Read More >
Hope Policy Institute Releases New Report Highlighting Racial Disparities in Arkansas Housing Market

Hope Policy Institute Releases New Report Highlighting Racial Disparities in Arkansas Housing Market

November 18, 2021 | Kiyadh Burt

Findings Reveal Housing Discrimination and… Findings Reveal Housing Discrimination and COVID-19 Have Exacerbated Housing Crisis in Arkansas for Black and Hispanic Homeowners and Renters JACKSON, MS—Today, Hope Policy Institute released a report that finds there is a 26.3% gap in Black and white homeownership in Arkansas — higher… Read More >
African American, Latino, Credit Union Trade Associations Join HOPE in Applauding NCUA Move to Empower Credit Unions to Fully Participate in Pandemic Response Funds

African American, Latino, Credit Union Trade Associations Join HOPE in Applauding NCUA Move to Empower Credit Unions to Fully Participate in Pandemic Response Funds

October 21, 2021 | Kiyadh Burt

“We applaud the actions taken by the NCUA Board of… “We applaud the actions taken by the NCUA Board of Directors to empower credit unions to fully participate in the Emergency Capital Investment Program.  By allowing low-income credit unions to accept 30-year ECIP funding, more than six million additional homeowners,… Read More >
African American, Latino, Credit Union Trade Associations Join HOPE in Urging National Credit Union Administration to Rollback rules that Limit Credit Union Access to Pandemic Response Funds

African American, Latino, Credit Union Trade Associations Join HOPE in Urging National Credit Union Administration to Rollback rules that Limit Credit Union Access to Pandemic Response Funds

October 5, 2021 | Kiyadh Burt

On October 1, 2021 the African American Credit Union Coalition, the National Association of Latino Credit Unions and Professionals and Hope Credit Union sent a letter urging the National Credit Union Administration to address the harmful effects of a recent… Read More >
Community Development Organizations Led by People of Color Underrepresented in NMTC Awards

Community Development Organizations Led by People of Color Underrepresented in NMTC Awards

September 29, 2021 | Kiyadh Burt

A new report from Hope Policy Institute highlights… A new report from Hope Policy Institute highlights the impact of the New Market Tax Credits (NMTC) in the Deep South as well as other persistent poverty areas and communities of color.  The potential of the NMTC program cannot be fully realized… Read More >
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Advances Fair Lending Rules for Small Businesses

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Advances Fair Lending Rules for Small Businesses

September 1, 2021 | Kiyadh Burt

HOPE Response to Historic Step by the CFPB Today,… HOPE Response to Historic Step by the CFPB Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Consumer Bureau) took a significant step towards a fairer marketplace for small businesses. The Consumer Bureau released its proposed framework for requiring that lenders provide transparent… Read More >
Problems Remain for Minority Businesses after PPP Ends

Problems Remain for Minority Businesses after PPP Ends

August 26, 2021 | Kiyadh Burt

Congress created the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to provide critical relief for small businesses impacted by the pandemic, but due to program design, pre-existing inequities in banking, and flat-out racial discrimination, the program failed to adequately serve minority-owned businesses. PPP… Read More >
Hurricane Ida Adds More Instability to a Region that has Disproportionately Experienced Hardship and Neglect

Hurricane Ida Adds More Instability to a Region that has Disproportionately Experienced Hardship and Neglect

August 3, 2021 | Kiyadh Burt

Our thoughts are with those who have been impacted… Our thoughts are with those who have been impacted by Hurricane Ida – many of whom are our colleagues, members and their families. Given HOPE’s roots in the Deep South and throughout the Gulf region, we already know that Hurricane… Read More >
Federal Housing Finance Agency Duty to Serve Request for Information: 2022-2024 Underserved Market Plans

Federal Housing Finance Agency Duty to Serve Request for Information: 2022-2024 Underserved Market Plans

July 30, 2021 | Kiyadh Burt

Thank you for the opportunity to share comments in… Thank you for the opportunity to share comments in response to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Request for Information on the 2022-2024 Underserved Market Plans for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Hope Credit Union / Hope Enterprise Corporation /… Read More >
Federal Consumer Protections Must Act as Buoy for Rural Borrowers Drowning in Debt

Federal Consumer Protections Must Act as Buoy for Rural Borrowers Drowning in Debt

July 13, 2021 | Kiyadh Burt

Even before the pandemic, people living in the Deep South were drowning in debt simply trying to meet basic needs. Now, a year and a half into the pandemic, harmful debt practices continue to hinder the economic security and mobility… Read More >
Homeowner Assistance Funds critical to preserve Black homeownership throughout the Deep South

Homeowner Assistance Funds critical to preserve Black homeownership throughout the Deep South

June 29, 2021 | Kiyadh Burt

As the nation seeks to recover from COVID-19, Deep… As the nation seeks to recover from COVID-19, Deep South communities, especially communities of color, are precariously situated on the brink of economic and social devastation. Policy decisions made today have the opportunity to break, rather than repeat this cycle… Read More >
Our Leaders Must Understand the Realities of Small, Rural Communities to Ensure Pandemic Relief Funds Are Distributed Equitably

Our Leaders Must Understand the Realities of Small, Rural Communities to Ensure Pandemic Relief Funds Are Distributed Equitably

June 24, 2021 | Kiyadh Burt

New proposed guidance from U.S. Treasury to… New proposed guidance from U.S. Treasury to distribute pandemic relief money to local governments more equitably is step in the right direction A year into the COVID-19 pandemic, local governments are still spiraling from the economic crisis it caused and… Read More >
The State Small Business Credit Initiative: A $3 Billion Opportunity for the Deep South

The State Small Business Credit Initiative: A $3 Billion Opportunity for the Deep South

June 2, 2021 | Kiyadh Burt

The State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) has been re-authorized with the passage of the American Rescue Plan. States will receive a portion of the $10 billion allocation to offer flexible relief programs for businesses in need with some key… Read More >
HOPE Submits Comments to Ensure Struggling Homeowners Can Access Foreclosure Relief

HOPE Submits Comments to Ensure Struggling Homeowners Can Access Foreclosure Relief

May 12, 2021 | Kiyadh Burt

Deep South communities served by HOPE, especially… Deep South communities served by HOPE, especially people of color, are now teetering even more precariously on the brink of economic and social devastation than before the pandemic. In order to be effective in protecting those who face the greatest… Read More >
Deep South Advocates Lift Up Strategies to Remove the Barriers of Criminal Justice Debt

Deep South Advocates Lift Up Strategies to Remove the Barriers of Criminal Justice Debt

May 4, 2021 | Kiyadh Burt

On April 1, 2021, Hope Policy Institute and the… On April 1, 2021, Hope Policy Institute and the Southern Economic Advancement Project hosted a webinar, “Examining the Intersection of Criminal Justice Debt and Economic Opportunity in the Deep South” featuring the Southern Center for Human Rights, the Sycamore Institute,… Read More >
HOPE CEO Bill Bynum Testifies Before U.S. Senate Banking Committee on Building an Inclusive Economy in Rural Communities

HOPE CEO Bill Bynum Testifies Before U.S. Senate Banking Committee on Building an Inclusive Economy in Rural Communities

April 20, 2021 | Kiyadh Burt

Below is an excerpt of testimony provided by Bill Bynum to the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, “An Economy that Works For Everyone: Investing in Rural Communities.” During the hearing, Bill recommends strategies to increase economic… Read More >
HOPE Submits Comment Calling for Racial Equity in New Markets Tax Credit Program

HOPE Submits Comment Calling for Racial Equity in New Markets Tax Credit Program

March 4, 2021 | Kiyadh Burt

Mr. Christopher AllisonNMTC Program ManagerCDFI… Mr. Christopher AllisonNMTC Program ManagerCDFI Fund, US Department of the Treasury1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NWWashington, DC 20220 Via Electronic Transmissionnmtc@cdfi.treas.gov RE:  New Markets Tax Credit Program Allocation ApplicationFY 2021- FY2024 Funding RoundsResponse to Notice and Request for Public CommentOMB Number: 1559-0016… Read More >
2021 Fourth Quarter Report

2021 Fourth Quarter Report

February 23, 2021 | Kiyadh Burt

Dear Friends, Since the onset of the pandemic,… Dear Friends, Since the onset of the pandemic, HOPE played a leading role in efforts to secure resources to assist financially fragile and historically underserved communities that were hit hardest by the ensuing economic crisis. These efforts resulted in $27… Read More >
2021 Third Quarter Report

2021 Third Quarter Report

February 23, 2021 | Kiyadh Burt

Dear Friends, On any given day, more than two-thirds of HOPE’s members have less than $1,000 in their credit union accounts. The low balances underscore the steep hill Deep South families must climb in order to survive from paycheck to… Read More >
2021 Second Quarter Report

2021 Second Quarter Report

February 23, 2021 | Kiyadh Burt

Dear Friends, As the pandemic rages on, states in… Dear Friends, As the pandemic rages on, states in the Deep South languish near the bottom of the nation with the highest rates of COVID cases per capita. As with so many indicators of distress in this region, these statistics… Read More >
2021 First Quarter Report

2021 First Quarter Report

February 23, 2021 | Kiyadh Burt

Dear Friends, With the first quarter of 2021… Dear Friends, With the first quarter of 2021 behind us, we look forward with cautious optimism toward better conditions and greater opportunity for Deep South families and communities. Over the past year, HOPE has provided more than 4,000 SBA Paycheck… Read More >
HOPE Submits Comment to Federal Reserve’s Proposed Changes to the Community Reinvestment Act

HOPE Submits Comment to Federal Reserve’s Proposed Changes to the Community Reinvestment Act

February 16, 2021 | Kiyadh Burt

The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) has been a critical, though imperfect, tool for HOPE to leverage the resources it needs to serve low-income communities, rural communities, and communities of color in the Deep South. Rooted in our experiences in serving… Read More >
Deep South Receives over $1.4 billion in Rental Assistance Funds: Recommendations for an Equitable Response

Deep South Receives over $1.4 billion in Rental Assistance Funds: Recommendations for an Equitable Response

February 11, 2021 | Kiyadh Burt

A recent Household Pulse Survey shows that 1 in 3… A recent Household Pulse Survey shows that 1 in 3 Deep South renters have little to no confidence that they can make February’s rent payment. This is a small percentage compared to what will happen if state and local governments do… Read More >
What is Next for Mississippi’s Coronavirus Relief Funds?

What is Next for Mississippi’s Coronavirus Relief Funds?

February 2, 2021 | Kiyadh Burt

As part of the federal CARES Act legislation,… As part of the federal CARES Act legislation, Mississippi received $1.25 billion through the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF). This money could be used for unexpected expenses related to COVID-19.  In June, the Mississippi legislature allocated these funds to provide relief… Read More >
Key Designations in New PPP Increase Access for Small Businesses

Key Designations in New PPP Increase Access for Small Businesses

January 26, 2021 | Kiyadh Burt

Congress recently passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 which injected $284 billion into the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for another round of funding to small businesses impacted by the pandemic. The Paycheck Protection Program is a critical opportunity for businesses to… Read More >
Racial Inequities in the Distribution of Louisiana’s Coronavirus Relief Funds: A Report for Community Leaders

Racial Inequities in the Distribution of Louisiana’s Coronavirus Relief Funds: A Report for Community Leaders

January 13, 2021 | Kiyadh Burt

Calandra Davis, Hope Policy Institute George… Calandra Davis, Hope Policy Institute George Barlow, Power Coalition for Equity and Justice Updated April 16, 2021 Read More >
Closing Lending and Resource Gaps among CDFIs is Necessary to Ensure Financial Inclusion for Communities of Color

Closing Lending and Resource Gaps among CDFIs is Necessary to Ensure Financial Inclusion for Communities of Color

January 13, 2021 | Kiyadh Burt

While Community Development Financial Institutions… While Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are mandated to serve low-income communities, this alone has not been sufficient to ensure CDFI lending reaches into communities of color. This brief documents disparities in CDFI reach into communities of color, as well… Read More >
HOPE’s Strategic Use of New Markets Tax Credits Maximizes Development Impact in Distressed Communities in the Deep South

HOPE’s Strategic Use of New Markets Tax Credits Maximizes Development Impact in Distressed Communities in the Deep South

January 12, 2021 | Kiyadh Burt

The federal New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program finances community facilities and businesses which support economic development, job creation and the expansion of essential community services such as quality health care, education, and other services to underserved communities. A program… Read More >
CDFIs’ Indispensable Role in Connecting Small Businesses with PPP Loans in the Deep South

CDFIs’ Indispensable Role in Connecting Small Businesses with PPP Loans in the Deep South

December 15, 2020 | Diane Standaert

Community Development Financial Institutions… Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) have been critical for deployment of Pandemic relief to small businesses in the Deep South, accounting for one-third of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans under $150,000 in Mississippi and Louisiana, making 7 times more… Read More >
Survey Shows Food Security is the Top Challenge for Many Mississippi Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Survey Shows Food Security is the Top Challenge for Many Mississippi Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic

December 1, 2020 | Sara Miller

A recent survey of Supplemental… A recent survey of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients from the Southern Economic Advancement Project’s (SEAP) South Strong project found that many Mississippians are facing exacerbated challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic in paying for basic necessities like food, housing, utilities… Read More >
HOPE Matters: November 2020

HOPE Matters: November 2020

November 30, 2020 | Tracy Meng

HOPE, Southport Development Complete Innovative Opportunity Zone Fund Transaction to Increase Affordable Housing in Distressed Mississippi Community In one of the first transactions utilizing separate investors to bring Opportunity Zone Fund equity alongside Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, HOPE has closed… Read More >
HOPE Submits Comments on CFPB’s Section 1071 Rulemaking

HOPE Submits Comments on CFPB’s Section 1071 Rulemaking

November 20, 2020 | Diane Standaert

Below is a summary of HOPE’s comments: Section… Below is a summary of HOPE’s comments: Section 1071 of the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act advances fair lending for small businesses, a critical part of the strategy for closing the racial wealth gap.  As, such… Read More >
Medical Debt in the Mississippi Delta

Medical Debt in the Mississippi Delta

November 18, 2020 | Diane Standaert

Though it is not visible in a drive through the… Though it is not visible in a drive through the backroads of the Mississippi Delta, medical debt is casting an oppressive shadow over the people and communities there. Nationally, medical debt and related collection abuses disproportionately impact Black communities, and… Read More >
HOPE Submits Comments and New Analysis to Inform CDFI Certification Process

HOPE Submits Comments and New Analysis to Inform CDFI Certification Process

November 6, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

The CDFI Fund is currently reviewing its certification and annual reporting requirements. In its comments submitted to the Fund regarding its proposed changes, HOPE urges the Fund to use the opportunity to assess how well CDFIs and the CDFI Fund… Read More >
Small Local Governments in Mississippi Face Challenges in Accessing State and Federal Relief Funds for their Communities

Small Local Governments in Mississippi Face Challenges in Accessing State and Federal Relief Funds for their Communities

October 14, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

Our last blog highlighted failures in the… Our last blog highlighted failures in the distribution of Coronavirus Relief Funds for local governments in Louisiana for rural communities, communities of color, and areas of persistent poverty.  The State of Mississippi has enacted a similar program and small, rural counties and… Read More >
Louisiana CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds Bypass Underserved Parishes

Louisiana CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds Bypass Underserved Parishes

October 6, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

State lockdowns and the rapid unemployment rise at… State lockdowns and the rapid unemployment rise at the beginning of COVID-19 wreaked havoc on local governments’ budgets, as they also faced increased demands of addressing the public health needs of their communities. As summarized here, relief aid designated for… Read More >
Existing Gender and Economic Disparities Must Be Accounted For in Small Business Relief Programs

Existing Gender and Economic Disparities Must Be Accounted For in Small Business Relief Programs

September 22, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

The following is a summary of remarks provided for Working Woman Report.  To listen to the full interview, listen here: Background Even before the pandemic hit, women, particularly Black and Brown women had more debt than men, a greater prevalence… Read More >
HOPE Matters: September 2020

HOPE Matters: September 2020

September 20, 2020 | Tracy Meng

Innovative Partnership Gives Alabama Black Belt… Innovative Partnership Gives Alabama Black Belt Counties Immediate Access to Capital for COVID Response Needs The Black Belt Community Foundation (BBCF), Hope Credit Union (HOPE) and several partners have created a program that will give numerous rural Alabama towns and counties… Read More >
HOPE Submits Comments Opposing OCC True Lender

HOPE Submits Comments Opposing OCC True Lender

September 3, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

Acting Comptroller of the CurrencyBrian Brooks400… Acting Comptroller of the CurrencyBrian Brooks400 7th St SWWashington, DC 20219 Re: Comments on Proposal “National Banks and Federal Savings Associations as Lenders” Docket ID: OCC-2020-0026 RIN 1557-AE97 Dear Chairman Brooks: Please find below the comments of the Hope Enterprise… Read More >
New Census Data on Employment Income Loss Underscore Magnitude of Financial Hardship in the Deep South from the Pandemic

New Census Data on Employment Income Loss Underscore Magnitude of Financial Hardship in the Deep South from the Pandemic

August 19, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

Congressional talks for extending federal stimulus measures have stalled as lawmakers recess without agreeing on another aid package.  This is occurring as many of the CARES Act provisions expire, including the $600 per week federal supplement to regular state unemployment… Read More >
Policy Responses to the Economic Crisis Must Take Racial Disparities and Debt-Related Abuses Into Account

Policy Responses to the Economic Crisis Must Take Racial Disparities and Debt-Related Abuses Into Account

August 5, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

In the midst of the growing economic crisis,… In the midst of the growing economic crisis, communities of color are hit disproportionately hard. These communities, particularly Black communities, are still recovering from previous disasters, like Hurricane Katrina and the 2008 foreclosure crisis. The health disparities that plague these… Read More >
Review of Arkansas Ready for Business Program: Gaps and Opportunities

Review of Arkansas Ready for Business Program: Gaps and Opportunities

July 29, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

Overview The Arkansas Ready for Business program… Overview The Arkansas Ready for Business program provided direct grants to over 11,000 businesses across the state that are grappling with the economic crisis brought on by COVID-19. The Arkansas Legislative Council approved the use of federal funds provided through… Read More >
CDFIs and MDIs Continue to Cater to Small Businesses Despite PPP Barriers

CDFIs and MDIs Continue to Cater to Small Businesses Despite PPP Barriers

July 23, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

The Small Business Administration (SBA) recently released detailed data on the Payment Protection Program (PPP), the $600 billion federal relief effort for businesses amidst the COVID pandemic. The data release includes loan amount, name of lender, NAICS code, demographic data, and for… Read More >
Minority Depository Institutions in the Deep South

Minority Depository Institutions in the Deep South

July 17, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

Earlier this year, the FDIC released a report on… Earlier this year, the FDIC released a report on the structure, performance and social impact of Minority Depository Institutions (MDI). The report found that MDIs are a proven way to advance economic mobility in Black communities. An estimated six out of 10… Read More >
Housing Stability for Mississippi Renters Continues to Be In Jeopardy From COVID-19 as Protections Expire

Housing Stability for Mississippi Renters Continues to Be In Jeopardy From COVID-19 as Protections Expire

July 16, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

Nearly one in two renters have little to no… Nearly one in two renters have little to no confidence in their ability to pay rent next month, and almost a quarter could not pay rent last month, according to a new survey of Mississippi renters over the last four… Read More >
HOPE Matters: June 2020

HOPE Matters: June 2020

June 30, 2020 | Tracy Meng

A Paycheck Protection Loan Saves Graduation Day for New Orleans School Rielle and her fellow classmates took part in graduation ceremonies after a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan from HOPE covered salaries and other expenses to keep McMillian’s First Steps in… Read More >
We Are Grieving, and Ready For Our Continued Pursuit of Justice

We Are Grieving, and Ready For Our Continued Pursuit of Justice

June 3, 2020 | Diane Standaert

These last few months have been hard.  As the… These last few months have been hard.  As the novel coronavirus began to appear in the Deep South, we could see then the trajectory of this virus crashing into the existing virus of racism in our communities.  We could see… Read More >
Fed Report Shows Low Income Families Are Taking the Hit From COVID-19 Job Losses

Fed Report Shows Low Income Families Are Taking the Hit From COVID-19 Job Losses

May 22, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

In his testimony earlier this week to the U.S.… In his testimony earlier this week to the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said of the COVID-19 crisis: “All of us are affected, but the burdens are falling most heavily on those least… Read More >
HOPE Opposes Proposed Changes to the Community Reinvestment Act

HOPE Opposes Proposed Changes to the Community Reinvestment Act

May 20, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

The following is a summary of HOPE’s comment submitted to the OCC and FDIC in response to their proposed changes to the CRA.  The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) has been a critical, though imperfect, tool for HOPE to leverage the… Read More >
Despite Changes in Second Phase of PPP, Many Small Businesses Remain Locked Out

Despite Changes in Second Phase of PPP, Many Small Businesses Remain Locked Out

May 8, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

The second round of the Paycheck Protection… The second round of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) represents another opportunity for small businesses to access federal relief. Congress authorized an additional $310 billion for PPP funding.  While there have been efforts to increase access to funds, more is… Read More >
Southern States Must Act With Urgency to Protect Stimulus Checks from Debt Collectors

Southern States Must Act With Urgency to Protect Stimulus Checks from Debt Collectors

May 4, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

Over 80 million federal CARES Act stimulus… Over 80 million federal CARES Act stimulus payments have been distributed in the past two weeks. Just under half are still left to be sent nationally, with some of the most financially vulnerable people set to begin receiving their payments… Read More >
CDFIs Provide Relief for Minority and Women-Owned Businesses

CDFIs Provide Relief for Minority and Women-Owned Businesses

April 22, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

Despite promises of small business relief, the first round of the $349 billion Payment Protection Program (PPP) ran out of funds in less than two weeks, largely bypassing those promised to be served. Many small businesses were expecting funds to… Read More >
Closing the CDFI Asset Gap

Closing the CDFI Asset Gap

April 21, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

Community development financial institutions… Community development financial institutions (CDFIs) are on the frontlines of relief for vulnerable communities. Banks, credit unions, loan funds, and venture funds are granted CDFI accreditation by the U.S. Treasury’s CDFI Fund based on the institution’s commitment to increasing financial… Read More >
Deep South Job Losses due to COVID-19 likely to Far Eclipse those of the Great Recession

Deep South Job Losses due to COVID-19 likely to Far Eclipse those of the Great Recession

April 21, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

As unemployment claims due to COVID-19 continue to… As unemployment claims due to COVID-19 continue to climb, the picture of the economic impact of the current crisis becomes clearer.  With the new unemployment claims released April 16, the total initial unemployment claims since March 15 in Deep South States has… Read More >
COVID-19 Unmasks an Existing Economic and Racial Justice Crisis

COVID-19 Unmasks an Existing Economic and Racial Justice Crisis

April 10, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

In a recently published study, State Data and Policy Actions to Address Coronavirus, the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) finds that Deep South states trail other states in public health responses to COVID-19. Mirroring the public health response gap, Southern states lag in providing economic… Read More >
Deep South States’ COVID-19 Response to Financial Insecurity

Deep South States’ COVID-19 Response to Financial Insecurity

April 6, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

As the COVID-19 (coronavirus) global pandemic… As the COVID-19 (coronavirus) global pandemic wreaks unexpected havoc on our communities and economy, the nation’s most vulnerable people and places will feel the greatest impact. The Deep South is still recovering from years of exploitation, targeted disenfranchisement, and previous… Read More >
Sobering estimates of job losses from Covid-19 in the Deep South point to the critical need for targeted economic relief

Sobering estimates of job losses from Covid-19 in the Deep South point to the critical need for targeted economic relief

April 6, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

New estimates from the Economic Policy Institute… New estimates from the Economic Policy Institute show estimated job losses in the Deep South upwards of 895,000, or 11.2% of private sector employment (compared with 10.9% nationally).   The majority of these losses are projected to be in the leisure, hospitality, and… Read More >
Standing in the Need of Care

Standing in the Need of Care

April 1, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

Nearly half of all Deep South counties do not have an Intensive Care Unit or no hospital at all While all eyes are on New York as the epicenter of the COVID-19 crisis, Deep South states are bracing for the… Read More >
HOPE Matters: March 2020

HOPE Matters: March 2020

March 31, 2020 | Tracy Meng

Crece con HOPE Featured in Emerson Collective’s… Crece con HOPE Featured in Emerson Collective’s Justice & Unity Series The Emerson Collective invited partners to imagine what more they could do within their communities to promote justice & unity. HOPE was one of those partners in the Justice… Read More >
Proposed Rollbacks in Consumer Financial Protections Would Be Detrimental for Women’s Economic Security

Proposed Rollbacks in Consumer Financial Protections Would Be Detrimental for Women’s Economic Security

March 17, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

In addition to celebrating the historical and… In addition to celebrating the historical and cultural contributions of women this Women’s History Month, policy makers should be advancing policies that would make it easier for women to reduce debt, build assets, and improve opportunities for women today and the… Read More >
Continuing the March

Continuing the March

March 5, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

This weekend, HOPE had the honor of joining people from across the country to commemorate the 55th Anniversary of the Edmund Pettus Bridge Crossing in Selma, Alabama, and the historic march from Selma to Montgomery. In 1965, shortly after these events,… Read More >
Consumer Protection Rollbacks Will Worsen Conditions for Cash Strapped Households

Consumer Protection Rollbacks Will Worsen Conditions for Cash Strapped Households

February 18, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

Having a savings account is one of the best ways… Having a savings account is one of the best ways to get through financial hardship, but many households lack the savings or assets easily converted to cash to sustain themselves. The 2020 Prosperity Now Scorecard reveals that 46 million households are living… Read More >
Exploring Innovations in Healthy Fresh Food Access in Rural Communities

Exploring Innovations in Healthy Fresh Food Access in Rural Communities

February 11, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

Members of Hope’s Community Economic Development… Members of Hope’s Community Economic Development team and Hope Policy Institute, along with local leaders from towns throughout the Mississippi Delta and staff from partner organizations, visited grocery stores that are using innovative models to bring affordable, fresh, healthy food… Read More >
HOPE Submits Comments to FDIC Rent-a-Bank Proposals

HOPE Submits Comments to FDIC Rent-a-Bank Proposals

February 4, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

The Honorable Jelena McWilliamsChairmanFederal Deposit Insurance Corporation1776 F Street, NWWashington, DC  20006 Submitted via email to comments@fdic.gov Re: Comments on FDIC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Federal Interest Rate Authority, 12 CFR Part 331, RIN-3064-AF21 Dear Chairman McWilliams, Please find below… Read More >
HOPE Asks U.S. Supreme Court to Uphold Independence of Consumer Bureau

HOPE Asks U.S. Supreme Court to Uphold Independence of Consumer Bureau

January 24, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

Hope Credit Union / Hope Enterprise Corporation… Hope Credit Union / Hope Enterprise Corporation (HOPE) joined other community development credit unions and community development financial institutions (CDFIs) to submit an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court defending the constitutionality and political independence of the Consumer Financial Protection… Read More >
HOPE Submits Comments to OCC Rent-a-Bank Proposals

HOPE Submits Comments to OCC Rent-a-Bank Proposals

January 23, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

The Honorable Joseph M. OttingComptrollerOffice of… The Honorable Joseph M. OttingComptrollerOffice of the Comptroller of the Currency400 7th Street, SWWashington, DC  20219 January 21, 2020 Delivered electronically to regs.comments@occ.treas.gov Re: Comments on OCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Permissible Interest on Loans That Are Sold, Assigned, or… Read More >
FDIC and OCC Rent-A-Bank Proposals Put Deep South Families at Risk of Predatory Lending

FDIC and OCC Rent-A-Bank Proposals Put Deep South Families at Risk of Predatory Lending

January 16, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

Two federal banking regulators are considering proposals that will encourage banks to partner with high-cost lenders to make loans that keep people trapped in a cycle of debt.  The proposals will revive an approach seen before and historically known as… Read More >
Exploring Innovations in Healthy Fresh Food Access in Rural Communities

Exploring Innovations in Healthy Fresh Food Access in Rural Communities

January 13, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

Hello world! Hello world! Read More >
Mississippi’s Small Business Relief: Gaps and Opportunities

Mississippi’s Small Business Relief: Gaps and Opportunities

January 13, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

As part of its response to the COVID-19, the… As part of its response to the COVID-19, the Mississippi legislature, passed with overwhelming bi-partisan support, a historic relief program to assist small businesses withstand COVID’s economic impact. Despite high-levels of demand from the state’s small businesses, the Mississippi Development… Read More >
Deep South States Provide Over $1.1 Billion in Small Business Relief: Who Benefits, Who is Left Behind?

Deep South States Provide Over $1.1 Billion in Small Business Relief: Who Benefits, Who is Left Behind?

January 13, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

Since May 2020, five Deep South states have allocated over $1.1 billion towards small business relief. These state programs have the opportunity to serve as a lifeline for small businesses struggling to survive and regroup from the economic consequences of… Read More >
Voices from the MS Back to Business Program

Voices from the MS Back to Business Program

January 13, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

Small businesses throughout Mississippi are… Small businesses throughout Mississippi are struggling to stay afloat after statewide lockdowns and the loss of revenue caused by COVID-19. In May, the state legislature approved $300 million in CARES Act funding for two small business programs. The Mississippi Department… Read More >
Analyzing the CDFI Asset Gap: Examining Racial Disparities in CDFI Fund Awardees from 2003 to 2017

Analyzing the CDFI Asset Gap: Examining Racial Disparities in CDFI Fund Awardees from 2003 to 2017

January 13, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

Hope Policy Institute is interested in… Hope Policy Institute is interested in understanding trends in assets and capital held by minority ownership for CDFI Program awardees. Using institutional level reports (ILR) provided by the CDFI Fund, we completed an initial analysis of fiscal years 2014 and… Read More >
HOPE Submits Comments on USCIS Proposed Fee Increase

HOPE Submits Comments on USCIS Proposed Fee Increase

January 3, 2020 | Kiyadh Burt

Ms. Samantha Deshommes, Chief Regulatory Coordination DivisionOffice of Policy and StrategyU.S. Citizenship and Immigration ServicesDepartment of Homeland Security20 Massachusetts Ave. NWWashington, DC 20529 Re: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Fee Schedule, DHS Docket No. USCIS-2019-0010; RIN 1615-AC18 Dear Chief Deshommes,… Read More >
HOPE Matters: December 2019

HOPE Matters: December 2019

December 31, 2019 | Tracy Meng

New Program Launched to Attract Healthy Food… New Program Launched to Attract Healthy Food Retailer to Food Desert in Louisiana A new program launched in Baton Rouge, La., will expand access to healthy food in an area currently designated a food desert. HOPE recently joined Mayor-President Sharon… Read More >
New Report Charts Path for Ending Persistent Poverty in Rural America

New Report Charts Path for Ending Persistent Poverty in Rural America

December 3, 2019 | Kiyadh Burt

Since 2014, HOPE has collaborated with several… Since 2014, HOPE has collaborated with several community development finance institutions (CDFIs) across the country to eradicate poverty in rural areas. This collaboration, known as Partners for Rural Transformation, is a coalition of six CDFIs located in and serving regions… Read More >
Hope Opposes Payday Loan Rule Repeal

Hope Opposes Payday Loan Rule Repeal

November 22, 2019 | Kiyadh Burt

Kathleen L. Kraninger,Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection1700 G Street NWWashington, DC 20552 Comment:     Payday, Vehicle Title, and Certain High-Cost Installment Loans;Docked No.:  CFPB-2019-0006RIN: 3170-AA80 Dear Director Kraniger: Please find attached the comments of the Hope Enterprise Corporation / Hope… Read More >
HOPE CEO Bill Bynum Op-Ed: Fair Housing is Good for Business

HOPE CEO Bill Bynum Op-Ed: Fair Housing is Good for Business

November 20, 2019 | Kiyadh Burt

On October 29, the Clarion Ledger published an… On October 29, the Clarion Ledger published an op-ed from HOPE’s CEO Bill Bynum in defense of our nation’s fair housing laws.  In the op-ed, he notes: “[B]usinesses thrive when regulations are sound and consistent. Not only has the disparate… Read More >
HOPE Submits Fair Housing Comments

HOPE Submits Fair Housing Comments

November 1, 2019 | Kiyadh Burt

Regulations DivisionOffice of General… Regulations DivisionOffice of General CounselDepartment of Housing and Urban Development451 7th Street SW, Room 10276Washington, DC 20410-0500 Comment: Implementation of the Fair Housing Act’s Disparate Impact StandardDocked ID:  2019-17542 Dear Secretary Carson, Please find below the comments of the Hope… Read More >
HOPE Matters: September 2019

HOPE Matters: September 2019

September 30, 2019 | Tracy Meng

NMTC Project to Expand STEM Education and Revitalizes Memphis Neighborhood Work is underway in Tennessee on a project to convert former retail space into an updated STEM facility that will increase educational opportunities in the North Memphis/Frayser community. The $15… Read More >
HOPE Matters: July 2019

HOPE Matters: July 2019

July 31, 2019 | Tracy Meng

NeighborhoodLIFT Places More than 100 Families in… NeighborhoodLIFT Places More than 100 Families in New Homes in Mississippi Patridia Hartzog, a law enforcement officer and single mother in Jackson, Miss., is in her first home thanks to a down payment assistance program funded by Wells Fargo and… Read More >
HOPE Matters: April 2019

HOPE Matters: April 2019

April 30, 2019 | Tracy Meng

New School Closes Opportunity Gap for Low-Income… New School Closes Opportunity Gap for Low-Income Children in Louisiana Hundreds of Louisiana youth from economically disadvantaged neighborhoods now receive their IDEA Innovation education in a new school facility, and HOPE provided financing for the project. IDEA schools prepare students for college,… Read More >
HOPE Matters: January 2019

HOPE Matters: January 2019

February 1, 2019 | Tracy Meng

HOPE Awarded National Juntos Avanzamos Designation by Inclusiv for Work to Expand Financial Access to Hispanic Communities HOPE is the first Mississippi-based credit union – and the first operating in Arkansas and Tennessee – to be awarded the prestigious national… Read More >
HOPE Matters: December 2018

HOPE Matters: December 2018

December 20, 2018 | Tracy Meng

Innovative Use of New Market Tax Credits, Bond… Innovative Use of New Market Tax Credits, Bond Issue Spur School Renovation in Historic Vicksburg Renovation work is underway at Vicksburg High School, one of the first public schools in the nation to receive financing through New Market Tax Credits.… Read More >
Louisiana, Mississippi Least Banked States in the Nation

Louisiana, Mississippi Least Banked States in the Nation

November 27, 2018 | Kiyadh Burt

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)… The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) last month released its biennial survey, the 2017 FDIC National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households. The latest survey reveals that Mississippi and Louisiana are the least fully banked states in the nation. In fact,… Read More >
Reforming the Community Reinvestment Act Regulatory Framework

Reforming the Community Reinvestment Act Regulatory Framework

November 27, 2018 | Kiyadh Burt

The Honorable Joseph OttingComptroller of the CurrencyOffice of the Comptroller of the Currency400 7th St. SW #3E-218Washington, DC 20219 Comment: Reforming the Community Reinvestment Act Regulatory FrameworkDocked ID:  OCC-2018-0008 Dear Comptroller Otting, Please find attached the comments of the Hope… Read More >
Deep South States among the Least Credit Worthy in the Nation

Deep South States among the Least Credit Worthy in the Nation

October 4, 2018 | Kiyadh Burt

Credit is an important asset and helps determine a… Credit is an important asset and helps determine a consumer’s access to financial opportunities like college and homeownership. Consumers with prime, or good, credit are more likely to secure safe and affordable capital and are better prepared for financial emergencies.… Read More >
Understanding Food Insecurity in the Deep South

Understanding Food Insecurity in the Deep South

August 24, 2018 | Kiyadh Burt

The United States is one of the wealthiest… The United States is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, but wealth remains elusive for many Americans, particularly those in the Deep South. Nationally, 43.1 million Americans live in poverty, with a substantial portion in the South (41.1%). Higher… Read More >
20 Percent of Households in the Deep South Struggle to Afford Enough Food

20 Percent of Households in the Deep South Struggle to Afford Enough Food

August 24, 2018 | Kiyadh Burt

Despite an improving economy, 20 percent of households in the Deep South reported that they struggled to buy enough food for themselves and their families during 2016–2017, according to a new report released by the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC, a… Read More >
College Attainment a Dream for Many in the Deep South

College Attainment a Dream for Many in the Deep South

August 17, 2018 | Kiyadh Burt

This blog explores the barriers, like student loan… This blog explores the barriers, like student loan debt, that make post-secondary education unattainable for many in the Deep South. Education is a fundamental asset that impacts an individual’s earning potential and ability to succeed. For example, data from the 2016… Read More >
Prosperity Now Scorecard: Housing and Homeownership

Prosperity Now Scorecard: Housing and Homeownership

June 12, 2018 | Kiyadh Burt

June is National Homeownership Month – a… June is National Homeownership Month – a time that reaffirms the value of homeownership, particularly as a tool for homeowners to save and build wealth. Homeownership is an essential part of the “American Dream,” and plays an important role in how low-income… Read More >
Black History Month: Economic Justice was Never an Aside

Black History Month: Economic Justice was Never an Aside

February 28, 2018 | Kiyadh Burt

The first time that Fannie Lou Hamer attempted to register to vote, the landowner for whom she had performed backbreaking labor for 18 years, W.D. Marlow, gave her an appalling choice. She could either withdraw her voter registration application or… Read More >
Place Matters: Restoring the American Dream in the Deep South

Place Matters: Restoring the American Dream in the Deep South

February 23, 2018 | Kiyadh Burt

People who live in long-term poverty experience a… People who live in long-term poverty experience a range of complex challenges that limit economic opportunity and mobility for some. The Deep South is home to one-third of the nation’s persistently impoverished counties – counties where the poverty level has… Read More >
HOPE Matters: January-February 2018

HOPE Matters: January-February 2018

February 20, 2018 | Tracy Meng

US Partnership on Mobility from Poverty Releases… US Partnership on Mobility from Poverty Releases “Restoring the American Dream”  What would it take to dramatically increase mobility from poverty? The US Partnership on Mobility from Poverty, a group of 24 experts (including HOPE CEO Bill Bynum) recently began… Read More >
Provine High School Branch a Step Toward Financial Literacy

Provine High School Branch a Step Toward Financial Literacy

January 8, 2018 | Kiyadh Burt

According to a 2017 WalletHub article, the Deep South states are some of the least financially literate states in the nation. This is unsurprising given the large number of Deep South households who depend on high-cost alternative financial services, like payday lenders… Read More >
Policy in Action: Investments in the Local and Regional Food Economy

Policy in Action: Investments in the Local and Regional Food Economy

January 2, 2018 | Kiyadh Burt

Recently, local farmers, small business operators,… Recently, local farmers, small business operators, economic development executives and other community leaders convened in the Mississippi Delta to share their experiences around developing and growing businesses within the local and regional food economy. The forum, Delta Communities: Investment in Local… Read More >
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