Community Development

The principal mission of the Consumer and Community Affairs Division of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago is to support the Federal Reserve System's economic growth objectives by promoting community development, fair access to financial services, and research related to consumer and community development issues.

Upcoming Events

Mortgage Foreclosure Policy: Past, Present and Future

On Wednesday, December 9 and Thursday, December 10, 2009, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, The Chicago Community Trust, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, and the Woodstock Institute will cosponsor a conference to discuss the evolution, current impact, and likely outcomes of the foreclosure crisis on home owners, lenders, housing counseling agencies, the secondary market, regulators, and all levels of government.

News

November Profitwise News and Views Spotlight Edition

This Spotlight! edition reviews our November Waukesha, Wisconsin, conference examining the issues and concerns surrounding Wisconsin's increasing number of foreclosures.

In the special edition, Profitwise News and Views Goes Green!, the theme is the "green economy" and the ramifications of new trends in renewable energy and environmentally focused development for the Midwest region.

Chicago Fed Income Based Economic Index (IBEX)

This new index provides monthly inflation (IBEX − CPI) data for over 30 socioeconomic and demographic groups, including the elderly, the working poor and groups defined by educational attainment and income. The data cover the period 1983–2007 and will be updated annually.

The CRA and Subprime Lending: Discerning the Difference Banking and Community Perspectives

The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) has been under much scrutiny amid the subprime lending bust. Critics of the CRA contend that the law pushed banking institutions to undertake high-risk mortgage lending.This issue examines the CRA and its role in the mortgage market and distinguish it from causes of the subprime failure.

Related Research by Economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

These are links to recent working papers and other research by Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago economists on topics related to community development, financial access, consumer and regulatory issues.

Around The District

Illinois

  • Study Reports: Peoria is a resurgent city

Indiana

  • Forum on Foreclosure Scams
  • Foreclosure Prevention Workshop

Iowa

  • Iowa continues to support tourism as economic development engine

Michigan

  • New Foreclosure Web site

Wisconsin

  • SBA ARC Loans more popular in Wisconsin

 
Top of Page