Posted on 8/13/2009, 2:26:34 AM by SERKIT
(http://www.southtownstar.com/news/1709586,081109TPbank.article)
August 11, 2009
By Becky Schlikerman, Staff Writer
A group of picketers outside a Tinley Park bank may become a common sight.
The Chicago-based Dr. King Coalition Movement has been protesting outside First Midwest Bank, 17500 S. Oak Park Ave., since last week, alleging the bank has racist lending practices.
The Itasca-based bank is not lending to black small business owners, said Richard Pitts Jr., president of the coalition.
"We'll be back until this is resolved," Pitts said.
But bank officials said the accusations are wrong, pointing to the bank's "outstanding" Community Reinvestment Act rating.
The 1977 act requires banks to lend, invest and open branches in low- and moderate-income areas.
"We handle our businesses ethically and professionally. We do support the community," said Jim Roolf, president of the Joliet banking center for First Midwest Bank.
But Pitts said the federal regulator's assessment of the bank as "outstanding" is inaccurate because organizations like his have not been able to review the data.
This isn't the first time the civil rights organization has taken on banking practices.
Last year they picketed Fifth Third Bank, Pitts said. About 10 years ago, his group helped to establish a Northern Trust branch on Chicago's South Side, he said.
First Midwest Bank doesn't plan to take any action against the protesters.
"The First Amendment allows everyone the freedom of speech," Roolf said.
Becky Schlikerman can be reached at bschlikerman@southtownstar.com or (708) 802-8813.
Umm.. what ever happened to doing business with a different bank? This country has gone past the point no return with these worthless entitlement bums.
Very fishy.
Sounds like a mob of rude, un-American, Nazi, racist, domestic terrorists.
This bank may be restricting its lending to those who it can reasonably expect will pay back the loan someday.
How outrageous and racist!
This bank may be restricting its lending to those who it can reasonably expect will pay back the loan someday.
How outrageous and racist!
This bank may be restricting its lending to those who it can reasonably expect will pay back the loan someday.
How outrageous and racist!
This bank may be restricting its lending to those who it can reasonably expect will pay back the loan someday.
How outrageous and racist!
This bank may be restricting its lending to those who it can reasonably expect will pay back the loan someday.
How outrageous and racist!
How thugly of Pitts.
Maybe his organization could learn to read so they would be able to review the data. Remember, these are former CPS attendees.
This kind of crap is what lead to the housing crisis. Someone a few years from now will be referencing this article to "prove" what happened during the next collapse.
That's what professional Community Organizers teach them to do.
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