The lawsuit accuses Navy Federal of violating the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act after a CNN report that the lender approved a lower percentage of Black and Latino mortgage applicants.

A Connecticut-based couple sued the bank and Cavanaugh Appraisals, LLC for denying them a refinance in 2021 because of racial bias.

Black, Hispanic and Asian homeowners had a 44%, 32% and 30% denial rate for HELOC products, while white homeowners had a 23% denial rate, an analysis of HMDA data by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia found.

A report from the state's attorney general found Black and Latino households end up paying that combined amount more in origination fees, interest rates and other associated costs, in addition to seeing higher rates of loan denials.

The financial institution will pay $350,000 in layoff expenses to leave a business beset by high rates and a crowded playing field relative to current demand.

How far have these programs come in reaching their goals and how much further do they need to go?

The Pittsburgh-based regional bank expects to save $325 million next year as it reduces its staff by 4%. Executives said the cuts are necessary because revenue has fallen amid a surge in interest rates and a decline in loan volumes.

New American Funding's Patty Arvielo found hiring initiatives can help match lending with demographics but says hurdles to recruiting in general are high now.

Meaningful progress on DEI initiatives has a real effect on the workforce. We examine the dynamics that drive this conclusion and what it means for companies.

Two separate programs providing as much as $10,000 in assistance are open to eligible borrowers in the Philadelphia area.