People

But several companies have cuts pending, and overall employment remains strong enough to keep putting some upward pressure on rates.

There is a gaping hole in the financial system in North Minneapolis, where people are preyed upon by payday lenders and fringe bankers, according to Debra Hurston, executive director of the Association for Black Economic Power. Hurston is creating a credit union for this community to help break residents out of a cycle of exploitation and debt. But the issue is far bigger than one city, and the opportunity is one that any bank or credit union can seize.

Companies on the Best Places to Work in Fintech list offer sabbaticals or generous vacation time, which helps attract young talent and lets veteran employees re-energize.

Breaking barriers to education unites the team at Mpower Financing, an international student loan company with employees from more than a dozen countries that is ranked No. 1 on this year's Best Places to Work in Fintech.

The 50 companies that made American Banker’s annual list are being recognized for establishing strong workplace cultures, offering robust benefits packages and giving employees the room to do their jobs well.

Also, Academy Mortgage promotes COO to president, Movement focuses on diverse lending and Guaranteed Rate opens new branches on the coasts.

The pending budget reconciliation legislation should retain measures meant to support minority homebuyers writes the President of the National Association Of Real Estate Brokers.

The March estimates for payrolls of nonbanks involved in home lending confirm widespread anecdotal reports of industry layoffs, but strength in broader financial-services hiring could pick up the slack.

Johnson, who currently heads a housing-finance industry group, will take over this summer from longtime president and CEO Richard Hunt.

The brokerage will eliminate its minimum housing price policy, which determines who can access its services, among other changes.