Category Archives: In the News

IMF Study Links Lobbying by US Banks to High-Risk Lending

A working paper from the IMF titled “A Fistful of Dollars: Lobbying and the Financial Crisis” (PDF) shows a connection between lobbying and high-risk lending.  The Guardian UK discusses the article and its possible impact: Powerful American banks spending lavishly on lobbying are more likely

Jim Wallis: A Religious Response to the Financial Crisis

The Washington Post published Jim Wallis’s insightful and moving editorial.  Here is an excerpt: One cold morning the week before Christmas, I found myself huddled with a group of homeowners and religious leaders on Pennsylvania Avenue, in the shadow of the White House and the

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WFSU Florida: Banks Under Pressure To Help Struggling Homeowners

Florida’s station WFSU ran this story about the need to help struggling homeowners: Florida is second only to Nevada in the number of foreclosures. The latest report from the real estate website RealtyTrac shows foreclosures in Florida increased two percent from October to November. One

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St. Petersburg Times: Democrats Must Push for Financial Reforms

The St. Petersburg Times ran this insightful editorial about the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009.  Here’s an excerpt: It is hard to imagine the disconnect among some in Washington and on Wall Street. Last Friday, House Republicans voted in lockstep against

Business Week: A Green Light for Car Dealers to Rip Off Buyers?

Business Week ran this article about the exemption car dealerships received in the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act passed by the House.  AFR opposed this exemption, as you can read about in our letter to Congress here (PDF).  Here’s an excerpt from the

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USAToday: Financial Sector Ups Lobbying Effort Over New Regulation Plan

Americans for Financial Reform was mentioned in this USAToday article.  Here is an excerpt: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has spent $2 million on advertising, including commercials slamming the creation of a federal consumer-protection agency, and plans to spend more, said David Hirschmann, CEO of

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US Women’s Chamber of Commerce: CFPA Would Help Businesses

The Washington Business Journal ran this article today quoting Margot Dorfman, CEO of the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce, on her support for the CFPA. If you are a business person or investor who supports the CFPA, click here to sign our petition. Here’s an

Business Owners: Sign our Petition in Support of the CFPA!

AFR is partnering with Business for Shared Prosperity in support of the Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA). Our elected officials need to know that the Chamber of Commerce’s anti-reform message is not representative of our views! Current and retired business people and investors, please show