The multibillion-dollar amendment builds on First Citizens’ existing Community Benefits Plan.   LOS ANGELES, Nov. 14, 2023 — Rise Economy, formerly the California Reinvestment Coalition, announced today that it has negotiated an agreement with First Citizens Bank to bolster investments in California communities by way of a $6.5 billion amendment to the bank’s existing $16…
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“Thank you very much for suing us. Keep that advocacy going.” By Madison D'Ornellas, Digital Communications Associate Attendees pose for a photo on Thursday, Nov. 2 at Rise Economy's Southern California Equitable Futures Awards. More than 150 people gathered beneath the beautiful evening sky of Downtown Los Angeles on Thursday, Nov. 2 for Rise Economy’s...
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Rise Economy on Thursday,  Nov. 2 hosted nearly 150 people for its Southern California Equitable Futures Awards at Far Bar in Downtown Los Angeles. The event, the first to be held under the name Rise Economy, recognizes the individuals and organizations that are working to create a more equitable future for all Californians. This year’s…
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In response to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) decision on Tuesday to fine Citi $25.9 million for “intentionally and illegally discriminating against credit card applicants the bank identified as Armenian American,” Rise Economy Chief Executive Officer Paulina Gonzalez-Brito released the following statement: “We commend the CFPB for taking decisive action in response to its…
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Years in the making, community groups call the joint Community Reinvestment Act Rules a ‘lost opportunity to close racial wealth gaps, while acknowledging reinvestment advancements’  SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 24, 2023 — After a lengthy multi-year review process and a lawsuit led by Democracy Forward on behalf of Rise Economy (formerly the California Reinvestment Coalition) and...
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Lessons Learned from Special Purpose Credit Program Negotiations By Doni Tadesse and Kevin Stein, Southern California Organizer and Chief of Legal and Strategy In the wake of the murder of George Floyd, many American corporations made pronouncements and commitments to racial justice and many Americans engaged in soul-searching regarding police brutality, anti-Black violence and ongoing...
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"It’s one or the other. You cannot have it both ways. Communities deserve better." By Kevin Stein, Chief of Legal and Strategy What would happen if 100 CBOs wrote a letter to over 40 bank CEOs? Rise Economy Advocacy By the Numbers In September, alongside 100 of our closest nonprofit organizational friends, we sent a...
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A landmark civil rights law that established a pathway to stability, wealth-building  for communities of color, but still needs improvements By Paulina Gonzalez-Brito, Chief Executive Officer Today, we celebrate 46 years of the enactment of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), a pivotal piece of legislation enacted to address banking marginalization and discriminatory lending practices. Considered...
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For our birthday, we’re sharing some of the significant events and actions that shaped our organization For 37 years Rise Economy, formerly the California Reinvestment Coalition, has worked to combat generations of economic inequities and racial injustices by holding financial institutions accountable for harms and challenging systems of oppression. Founded on Oct. 11, 1986, as...
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Rise Economy has recognized community leaders and organizations across California that have made a positive impact in their local communities with service awards for more than two decades. This year, we will recognize three stellar leaders — an affordable housing leader out of South Central Los Angeles, a small business lending expert and advocate, and…
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