Beneficial State Foundation has launched its Underwriting for Racial Justice Lender Pilot Program, a two-year endeavor composed of 20 diverse lenders focused on dismantling racially-inequitable underwriting practices in the financial industry and increasing capital access and wealth for people of color. CDBA member Texas National Bank is also participating. The pilot program aims to create new lending criteria for lower-income U.S. borrowers who have historically faced higher barriers to obtaining financing.
A key strategic partner is Stratyfy, a bias-mitigation firm that has twice been highlighted by CDBA's Product Development Committee and was a guest presenter at the 2022 Peer Forum. Stratyfy and Beneficial State Foundation recently announced a partnership to leverage AI to promote equitable lending practices.