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DEI

BID Newsletters
Mar 25, 2024
Women are launching businesses at a more aggressive rate than men, yet lending disparities continue to favor men as entrepreneurs. With women-owned businesses representing $2.7T in revenue, CFIs should be actively targeting this group.
Mar 4, 2024
Compliance under Section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act will likely pose the biggest burdens on the smallest institutions subject to the new rule. While there are still efforts to block it, the compliance deadline is quickly approaching. We delve into what you should know to start compliance efforts before the regulations take effect.
Dec 21, 2023
Offering financial services to unbanked and underbanked consumers can help CFIs grow their customer bases and strengthen their communities. We discuss the most common groups who are not utilizing banking services, the factors behind their financial decisions, and how you can reach them as customers.
Dec 19, 2023
The Community Reinvestment Act is getting modernized with the issuance of a new rule that reflects how the delivery of financial services has vastly changed in nearly 50Ys. We delve into the details, particularly how the new rule will impact community banks and what they should do to prepare for the first phase of implementation, slated for 2026.
Nov 22, 2023
As CFIs strive to build successful DEI initiatives, embracing the strategies that have helped other businesses boost their own efforts will be key. We’ve highlighted some of the approaches that have helped other organizations build successful DEI initiatives.
Oct 4, 2023
Emerging technologies and changing work arrangements are increasing the banking industry’s abilities to better serve disabled people — both customers and employees alike. We highlight new inclusive innovations within the industry that CFIs should consider taking advantage of.
Sep 5, 2023
Efforts to boost DEI soared a few years ago, but research shows that some companies are having difficulties keeping pace in the long term. We discuss what to do if your company is experiencing diversity fatigue and provide tips for staying on track with your DEI goals.
Aug 29, 2023
Ensuring a truly diverse board necessitates identifying weaknesses in your current board composition and working toward filling those gaps. While gender and race are major factors in board diversity, they are not the only things that organizations should seek in their quest for diverse thinking and oversight.
Jul 13, 2023
Taking steps to make your CFI more user-friendly for persons with disabilities can also translate to greater customer satisfaction. With heightened ADA rules pending, auditing your ADA friendliness is a smart thing to do.
Feb 4, 2022
Website ADA compliance is not new. However, with new technologies to accommodate those with disabilities, community financial institutions need to keep up to speed. In 2021, the number of accessibility-related lawsuits involving websites, apps, or videos increased 15% YoY. Here are three strategies to ensure your website is accessible for everyone.
May 17, 2023
The business case for hiring staff from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds is strong, both for institutions and the wider community. While many CFIs have a track record of championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in terms of race and gender, we consider what they can do to bolster their efforts in this often-forgotten area.
Dec 12, 2022
Individuals with disabilities comprise a large portion of the population. CFIs that don’t take steps to tailor services and the customer service experience for this demographic could lose these customers to organizations that do.
Nov 3, 2022
When employers have four-year college degree requirements for open positions, they exclude more than 60% of the working population. By focusing on the skills required to perform a job rather than on applicants’ education and credentials, employers may be able to improve diversity and performance while filling open positions.
May 5, 2022
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are priorities for community financial institutions. Attracting and retaining diverse talent is essential to long-term success, but fostering a culture of inclusion can be difficult and requires ongoing effort. We give you some tips on how to create an inclusive workplace to maximize employee engagement and retention.