ACTION ALERT: Call Senator Rob Portman and tell him to confirm Richard Cordray for Director of the CFPB

Tomorrow Senators will vote on the nomination of Richard Cordary for Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
The CFPB is the first agency dedicated to protecting consumers from being taken advantage of by unfair financial products and services. This is an opportunity for Senators to side with American consumers instead of Wall Street rip-offs.
Yet 44 Republican senators, including Rob Portman, have vowed to block the nomination unless the bureau is changed. Republican senators’ demands to restructure of the bureau and make it more accountable would only weaken its ability to protect everyday Americans and make it subject to the partisan politics of Congress and the election cycle. Policies protecting Americans’ homes, bank accounts and credit ratings should not be subject to the same political gridlock that has stalled this nomination.
Call Senator Portman and tell him to cast his vote for middle and working class Ohioans instead of Wall Street interests.

Washington, D.C. Office
338 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-3353

Columbus Office
37 West Broad Street
Room 300
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-469-6774
Toll-Free: 1-800-205-6446 (OHIO)

Cincinnati Office
36 East 7th Street
Room 2615
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513-684-3265

Cleveland Office
1240 East 9th Street
Room 3061
Cleveland, OH 44199
Phone: 216-522-7095

Toledo Office
420 Madison Avenue
Room 1210
Toledo, OH 43604
Phone: 419-259-3895

Empowering and Strengthening Ohio’s People has seen the impact that unfair financial practices have on families and neighborhoods. Predatory mortgage lending practice has left neighborhoods ravaged by foreclosures, vacant properties, rock bottom home values and unemployment.

No one has disputed Richard Cordray’s qualifications for this job. He has a record of being fair, pragmatic and balanced while looking out for the best interest consumers. “Corday is not and has never has been out to ‘get’ the banks or big business,” said Mark Seifert, Executive Director of ESOP. “He’ll try to find solutions that are fair for everyone – consumers, investors and banks.” In fact, confirming a director for the CFPB will create a level playing field for banks and non-banks which is good for everyone. Without a director, the CFPB does not have full authority to supervise payday lenders, private student lenders, non-bank mortgage lenders, debt collectors, and credit reporting agencies.

On Sunday, the White House released a report entitled “Improving Americans’ Financial Security: The Importance of a CFPB Director”, which concluded “[w]e cannot afford a system in which consumers are left in the dark about the risks they face when making financial decisions. And while Congress, the President, and the American public have made historic progress in establishing a single agency dedicated to protecting consumers, every day that CFPB goes without a Director is another day that American families remain at risk.”

Why would some senators oppose the bureau? Maybe it has something to do with money. According to CampaignMoney.org:

• Through the first three quarters of 2011, the finance, insurance, and real estate (FIRE) sector has given $17.7 million to members of the U.S. Senate. Financial interests make up the top giving sector to federal candidates so far this cycle, according to Public Campaign Action Fund analysis of data from the Center for Responsive Politics.
• The commercial banking industry has donated nearly $1.8 million to Senators so far this year, and securities and investment industry donors have handed over $5.8 million.
• The 44 Senate Republicans who signed a letter in May pledging to filibuster any CFPB nominee (plus Sen. Dean Heller who later added his name once appointed to the Senate) have received over $6.5 million from the financial industry in 2011 and nearly $125.6 million over their careers.
• Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), the ranking member of the Senate Banking committee (and lead signer of the letter), has received at least $81,850 in 2011 and $6.2 million from the FIRE sector throughout his career.
• Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who said in June the more that can be done to slow down implementation of Dodd-Frank regulations “the better America will be,” has received at least $617,715 from financial interests this year and $6.4 million over his career. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has received at least $82,334 this year from the sector and $5.6 million over his career.

ESOP urges all Senators to confirm Richard Cordray as Director of the CFPB.

ESOP is a HUD-certified foreclosure prevention counseling agency. We have 10 offices across Ohio to help urban, suburban and rural homeowners. We have been on the frontlines of the predatory lending and foreclosure epidemic since 1999.

ESOP and Homeowners Bring Principal Reduction Campaign to Banks

Cleveland, OH – Tuesday ESOP, along with homeowners and neighborhood leaders launched a campaign urging FHFA Director Ed DeMarco, along with the CEO’s of the nation’s major banks and mortgage companies, to use principal reduction to save homes from foreclosure and bring an end to the housing crisis.
They delivered letters to bank branches across the Cleveland area asking bank CEOs to support their demand that DeMarco end his opposition to principal reduction.
“Ed DeMarco’s policies at FHFA have continued to hurt our community,” says homeowner Anita Gardner. “He is responsible for the vacant houses and crime in our neighborhood and it’s time that he is held responsible for his policies.”
“The federal government bailed out the banks but left homeowners high and dry,” said homeowner Marvetta Rutherford.
Nearly one in four homes across the nation is underwater, meaning homeowners owe more on their mortgage than the current market value of their home. Negative equity is a problem not only for borrowers facing foreclosure, but it continues to be a drag on the housing market and overall economy.
However principal reduction is rarely used because of Ed DeMarco, the Director of FHFA. The Federal Housing Finance Agency refuses to allow principal reduction for mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are the two largest sources of U.S. mortgage finance. Along with the Federal Housing Administration, they provide the funds for 90 percent of all new mortgages.
“Homeowners keep losing their homes, falling further and further behind with no hope of regaining the equity in their homes. Meanwhile Ed DeMarco refuses to allow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to use principal reduction,” says Mark Seifert, Executive Director of Empowering and Strengthening Ohio’s People.
Recently members of congress cited several reasons supporting principal reduction and requested that DeMarco justify his refusal to implement a program. (Link)
“If Ed DeMarco won’t listen to Congress, economists or homeowners who all say we need principal reduction,” says Seifert, ”then maybe he’ll listen to the people he really seems concerned about – the banks. We want bank executives to tell DeMarco to use principal reduction.”
Principal reduction will help homeowners, taxpayers and the overall economy. Now homeowners are demanding that Ed DeMarco do what is necessary to help end the housing crisis.
For more information please contact Deonna Kirkpatrick, Director of Communications at 216-361-0718.

###

ESOP is a non-profit, HUD-approved foreclosure prevention counseling agency. We have 10 offices across Ohio to help urban, suburban and rural homeowners. We have been on the frontlines of the predatory lending and foreclosure epidemic since 1999.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Homeowners Demand Principal Reduction to Save Homes from Foreclosure

Cleveland, OH – Homeowners across Northern Ohio are urging the CEO’s of JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and other major mortgage banks to push for principal reduction to help solve the housing crisis.
Today ESOP, along with homeowners and neighborhood leaders in will launch a phone, fax and email campaign at its offices in Cleveland and Toledo. They will also deliver letters to bank branches across the Cleveland area urging FHFA Director Ed DeMarco, along with the CEO’s of the nation’s major banks and mortgage companies, to use this vital tool to save homes from foreclosure and bring an end to the housing crisis.
WHAT: Campaign for Principal Reduction
When: Today, December 6th, 11:00 a.m.
Where: 3631 Perkins Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44114
1001 Indiana Avenue, Toledo, OH 43607

“Ed DeMarco’s policies at FHFA have continued to hurt our community,” says homeowner Anita Gardner. “He is responsible for the vacant houses and crime in our neighborhood and it’s time that he is held responsible for his policies.”
“Homeowners keep losing their homes, falling further and further behind with no hope of regaining the equity in their homes. Meanwhile Ed DeMarco refuses to allow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to use principal reduction,” says Mark Seifert, Executive Director of Empowering and Strengthening Ohio’s People.
New research indicates that nearly one in four homes across the nation is underwater, meaning homeowners owe more on their mortgage than the current market value of their home. Negative equity is a problem not only for borrowers facing foreclosure, but it continues to be a drag on the housing market and overall economy.
However principal reduction is rarely used because of Ed DeMarco, the Director of FHFA. The Federal Housing Finance Agency refuses to allow principal reduction for mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are the two largest sources of U.S. mortgage finance. Along with the Federal Housing Administration, they provide the funds for 90 percent of all new mortgages.
Recently members of congress cited several reasons supporting principal reduction and requested that DeMarco justify his refusal to implement a program. (Link)
“If Ed DeMarco won’t listen to Congress, economists or homeowners who all say we need principal reduction,” says Seifert, ”then maybe he’ll listen to the people he really seems concerned about – the banks. We want bank executives to tell DeMarco to use principal reduction.”
Principal reduction will help homeowners, taxpayers and the overall economy. Now homeowners are demanding that Ed DeMarco do what is necessary to help end the housing crisis.
For more information please contact Deonna Kirkpatrick, Director of Communications at 216-361-0718.

###

Central City Citizens Hold Toledo Mayor Mike Bell Accountable

On Monday, October 3, 2011, the Central City Citizens advanced their mission of improving their neighborhood to provide families with a safe environment to both live and be proud.  Residents of Central City Citizens met with Mayor Michael P. Bell and many members of his staff (Deputy Chief of Police, Deputy Mayors, Directors, etc.) at the JB Simmons Building/Frederick Douglass Community Association.

Renee Palacios, Executive Director of The Family House (Shelter) provided a testimony about a recent event in front of the shelter involving the safety of several current residents.  She along with many other residents challenged the Mayor and Deputy Chief Diggs (newly appointed Chief of Police effective 10/22) to improve police response time and overall police presence within Toledo’s Central City. Local resident Elizabeth Gray gave testimony of a nearby abandoned property (1154 Indiana) which is a great concern to her. She shared how this property has been a great nuisance for over 10 years. It has recently even become a health issue as there is mold both on the outside and inside of the structure. Ms. Gray, along with Mr. Oscar Hill, asked that this structure be identified as an emergency demolition.

Other CCC leaders, Quintin Newton and Willie Watts (and other residents in the audience) cited the lack of attention being shown towards the many vacant properties and alleys within this neighborhood. They requested a full sweep of the neighborhood to clean up the alleys and vacant properties that have overgrown brush and garbage (resulting from illegal dumping).

Mayor Bell (and his staff) committed to the following:

• Mayor Bell and newly appointed Chief Derrick Diggs agreed to meet with Central City Citizens by November 4^th to focus on neighborhood violence and safety issues.
• (Deputy) Chief Diggs also committed to meeting privately with individual residents as requested in order to deal with highly sensitive safety issues. He provided his phone number for follow-up.
• Mayor Bell and (Deputy) Chief Diggs agreed to review Police response time issues to see where improvements can be made.
• Mayor Bell and Ed Moore, Director for Public Service agreed to clear brush and debris as well as repair all alleys in CCC’s geographic territory (map provided) by October 31st. Director Moore also agreed to return for a follow-up meeting AFTER this has been completed.
• Mayor Bell and Deputy Mayor Herwat agreed to the demolition of 1154 Indiana by the end of October.
• Mayor Bell agreed to schedule a meeting with Housing Court Judge C. Allen McConnell and neighborhood residents to discuss potential changes to vacant property laws for Toledo. Mayor Bell agreed that the laws are not currently sufficient for resolving abandoned property issues.

If you are interested in finding more information about the Central City Citizens and their organizing efforts in Toledo contact James L. Jones at 419.464.9885 or check out ESOP at esop-cleveland.org

 

Direct Action Against Slumlords Karla Shim and Evon Gocan

A local minister resorted to impersonating his wife on the phone after ESOP and Concerned Citizens took direct action against the couple, demanding that they finally do something about their properties that are dragging down a local neighborhood.

ESOP (Empowering and Strengthening Ohio’s People) and the Concerned Citizens (a grassroots community effort organized by ESOP), took direct action against slumlords (Karla Shim and Evon Gocan) who live in Cleveland Heights but own condemned and dilapidated properties in the Mt Pleasant neighborhood of  Cleveland.  Karla Shim and her husband Evon Gocan failed to meet prior demands given by residents during a community meeting on August 9^th 2011 concerning their dangerous properties – some of which have been vacant for five years.  One such property owned by Shim at 12025 Continental Ave was declared unsafe for human habitation by the Ohio Department of Health due to lead paint.

The direct action involved residents of the Mt Pleasant community and ESOP.  “Mother” Beulah Carter,  a leader of Concerned Citizens and a Mt Pleasant community resident, said  “This was my first time going on something like this and this experience taught us a lot and opened our eyes to what we want to accomplish”.  Mother Carter led the action with Betty Ewing, another Concerned Citizens leader and President of the E. 139^th Street Block Club.

More than 50 people participated in the hit on Karla Shim, whose last known address listed her as a resident of 2832 E. Derbyshire in Cleveland Heights.  Though she wasn’t home during the start of the action, the Concerned Citizens left a letter for Shim and began chanting and passing out flyers to her neighbors.  The flyer  showcased the slumlord’s contact information, asking residents to call Shim and tell her to clean up her properties.  Karla actually drove by and asked, “What are all these people doing around my house?” before turning around and speeding off.

”When I got into it, it felt great,” said Betty Ewing.  “To know that Karla drove up and saw our numbers, then left not wanting to face people who have dealt with the condition of her properties for years- it was a great feeling.”

ESOP and the Concerned Citizens received a call from Karla Shim on Tuesday, September 13^th, stating that she was ready to talk about her properties.  When we called her back, Evon answered the phone and refused to let us talk to Karla. Evon then called us back, impersonating Karla on the phone. Betty Ewing has called Karla Shim back and left a message for her reiterating our demands to donate her properties at 3417 E 139^th St and 12025 Continental to the Cuyahoga County Land Bank.

 

JOIN US IN CALLING KARLA SHIM AND EVON GOCAN AT 216.409.0869 AND TELL THEM TO DONATE 3417 E 139TH ST and 12025 CONTINENTAL TO THE CUYAHOGA COUNTY LAND BANK

ESOP Urges Senators to Confirm Richard Cordray to Head Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Tell Your Senators to vote to support the nomination of Rich Cordray to direct the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Click here to sign the petition.

 

 

September 2, 2011

 

TO:

The Honorable Tim Johnson

Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs

136 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, and D.C. 20510

 

 

The Honorable Richard Shelby

Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs

304 Russell Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20510

 

 

Dear Senators,

 

 

Empowering and Strengthening Ohio’s People urges you to confirm Richard Cordray as the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

 

The CFPB was established last year in the wake of the mortgage meltdown to help protect consumer interests in the financial services industry. It was the failure of the current bank regulators to stop predatory mortgage lending and other reckless Wall Street practices that crippled the U.S. and world economies and brought on the current recession.

 

 

In response Congress created the CFPB to protect and ensure a level playing field for American consumers.

 

 

Despite concern expressed by some senators the bureau will be fully accountable to the American people, to Congress, the judiciary, and the President. It will have sufficient freedom of action to be effective, but it is also already more constrained – by oversight from other regulators and by special review by small business representatives – than any other financial agency.

 

 

Ohio continues to feel the pain brought on by abusive financial products and services. There were more than 85,000 new foreclosure filings last year. Hundreds of payday lenders are charging more than 391% APR and still circumventing the 2008 rate cap law; rent-to-own stores are charging three times the value for used goods; and dozens of foreclosure rescue scammers are taking money from struggling homeowners, completely unregulated.

 

American consumers deserve to have a strong and fair bureau.

 

 

As Attorney General of Ohio, Richard Cordray was known as a strong, but fair, enforcer who worked on a non-partisan basis to protect the people of Ohio. He has been fair to banks and other firms that play fair, but a tough enforcer to those that do not.

 

 

His nomination has been praised by former U.S. Senator Mike DeWine, who defeated him in 2010. In a recent floor speech, Senator Sherrod Brown noted that Cordray also worked closely with Ohio banks, which are supporting his nomination to advocate the Consumer Protection Bureau because he played it straight and fair.

 

 

Cordray brings the best of both worlds. He has worked on the ground with these issues but he is also well-versed in the larger policy implications and takes a pragmatic approach to protecting consumers.  He gets that this is about protecting a level playing field on both sides.

 

Consumer fairness is something that benefits everyone.  It’s good for our communities and it’s good for Wall Street.

 

 

But to gain its full authority to protect consumers, the CFPB needs a director. It is time for the Senate to put politics behind and put consumers, service members, students and seniors first. We urge you to vote to confirm Richard Cordray to direct the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as soon as possible.

 

 

Respectfully,

 

Mark Seifert	Inez Killingsworth
Executive Director	Founder & Board President

 

Central City Citizens Impacting Funding for Demolitions

The members of Central City Citizens (CCC) continued to demonstrate their collective power on Thursday July 14^th, when they demanded that District 4 Councilwoman Paula Hicks-Hudson become more accountable to the community by addressing the issues of the neighborhood. The primary focus of the meeting was the numerous vacant and blighted properties in Toledo’s Central City Neighborhood. The crowd challenged Councilwoman Hicks-Hudson to sponsor legislation to address both absentee property owners and house stripping. The group also challenged the councilwoman to become more visible and vocal to our neighborhood on decisions involving funding for the neighborhood to address the vacant properties and other issues. Several residents voiced their pride for the neighborhood and their desire to see the neighborhood improved. Mr. Tracy Rhodes, a leader of Central City Citizens, stated that the most important thing in our community is the safety of our children.

 

As a result of the efforts of the Central City Citizens, Toledo City Council’s committee’s for Neighborhoods and Economic Development convened a hearing on August 18^th to discuss Ordinance 387-11. Central City Citizens were present for this meeting per notice from Councilwoman Paula Hicks-Hudson, Vice Chair of the Neighborhoods Committee. The passing of Ordinance 387-11 would mean the appropriation of $650,000 from Economic Development to Neighborhoods for the intent of demolitions/removal of abandoned/blighted houses. CCC residents testified to the importance of passing this ordinance, Mrs. Charlotte Parks, CCC leader, expressed the need of demolishing specific abandoned houses around Ella P. Stewart Academy for Girls which “are a serious danger to OUR children”. The ordinance was approved by both the Economic Development and Neighborhoods Committees, and was slated to be presented at the City Council meeting Tuesday, August 23^rd for an official vote.

On Tuesday, August 23^rd, Toledo City Council passed ordinance 387-11, Appropriation for demolition/removal of abandoned/blighted houses, 2 year commitment, $350,000 CIP. The passing of this ordinance greatly impacts the removal of abandoned/blighted housing this year and next year. The members of Central City Citizens (CCC) were present again for this meeting. Although, grateful to City Council for the appropriation of these funds, CCC residents realize that this is just the first step in the process. Furthermore, CCC has sent an official appeal to the Department of Inspection, Neighborhoods, Toledo City Council and the Office of the Mayor to request that the necessary distribution of these funds be allocated for Toledo’s Central City. Toledo’s Central City continues to be devastated by abandoned/blighted homes. However, in many instances this same community is the last to benefit from the necessary dollars for improvements.

Central City Citizens have also requested a meeting with the Director of Inspection within the next 3 weeks to further discuss the timeline/schedule for demolitions as well as the priority list. The members created a list of 42 abandoned houses that have severe structural and blighted issues and therefore should be demolished. This list was included with the letter. Residents are committed to continuing this fight until they achieve their goal!

“If there is no struggle there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom and yet depreciate agitation…want crops without plowing up the ground; they want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters…. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.”

Frederick Douglass, 1857

Richard Cordray a Smart and Fair Choice to Head the CFPB

CLEVELAND, OH – Empowering and Strengthening Ohio’s People is thrilled at the news that President Obama has nominated Richard Cordray to head the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

“Rich takes a smart and common sense approach to fighting for consumers.  He is not your typical lawyer or politician,” says Mark Seifert, Executive Director of ESOP.  “Richard is a really smart guy and he’s inquisitive.  He doesn’t walk into the room thinking he has all the answers.  He’s open-minded and willing to listen to experts along with non-traditional views before taking action. ”

As Ohio Attorney General Cordray stood up for homeowners facing foreclosure, battled Wall Street banks like Wells Fargo and Bank of America, went after loan servicers like GMAC Mortgage and even won over a billion dollars in lawsuits from financial giant AIG.  In his new role Cordray will have greater authority to protect consumers across the country from a wide range of unfair practices involving mortgages, foreclosures, credit cards, student loans and debt collection.

“Just because you’re a bank doesn’t mean he’s coming after you.  He’s not looking to get you on a technicality.  He’s not an ideologue.  But if you rip off consumers, he will come after you and he’ll be tough.  He’s about justice,” said Seifert.

“That’s what we need,” said ESOP Board President Inez Killingsworth.  “Someone who looks at all the information and in the end he’s going to fight for what’s fair for the people.  He’s not trying to play politics.  He’s about what’s right.”

Cordray has worked along with E.S.O.P. over the years to help homeowners across the state facing foreclosure to stay in their homes.  And when Ohio was left out of the $1.5 billion awarded to five states with the highest foreclosure rates, Cordray worked with E.S.O.P., other  elected leaders and other advocacy groups to secure Hardest Hit funds.

###          

ESOP is a HUD-certified foreclosure prevention counseling agency and a leader in Ohio. We have 9 offices across the state and a nearly 75 percent success rate. We have been on the frontlines of the predatory lending and foreclosure epidemic since 1999.  In 2010 ESOP helped save more than 3,200 homes from foreclosure; more than 16,500 since 2005.

Save the American Dream … Save Housing Counseling

Housing counselors play a pivotal role in helping families achieve and sustain homeownership.

Last year, HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies:

• Provided 3 million families with individual housing counseling and/or group education;
• Counseled more than 230,000 pre-purchase individuals, resulting in 101,000 who purchased homes or are homeownership-ready;
• Worked to prevent mortgage delinquency for 1.4 million households, with nearly 410,000 avoiding foreclosure (and an additional 529,000 in counseling at the time of reporting);
• Supported 265,000 with post-purchase (non-foreclosure) services, 119,000 of whom refinanced or obtained reverse mortgages; and
• Assisted more than 360,000 renters and homeless individuals to resolve tenant issues or find shelter.

Our leaders must prioritize this type of consumer education to overcome the ongoing housing crisis. However, Congress terminated funding for housing counseling programs last month. 

Congress needs to stop pretending that our housing crisis is over and show true leadership for suffering families! 

ACT NOW to help restore housing counseling funding in the 2012 budget.

STEP 1: CALL OR EMAIL YOUR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE.

You can find your U.S. Representative by entering your zip code here or by calling the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. 

STEP 2: Tell your U.S. representative that you expect them to support funding for these essential housing counseling services!  URGE THEM TO SUBMIT A “PROGRAM SPENDING REQUEST” FOR THE HOUSING COUNSELING PROGRAM.

Right now, Congress is beginning to draft the FY 2012 Transportation-HUD Appropriations bill. As part of this process, U.S. Representatives can electronically submit appropriations requests, or “program spending requests,” on behalf of the federal programs they support. Once submitted, the Appropriations Committee will review the request and decide whether to incorporate it into the budget bill. These requests are the first step in a long process to restore this critical funding.

The deadline to submit appropriations requests is Friday, May 20, 2011; Call your Representative TODAY!

 

Stop Wall Street’s Attack on CFPB

Wall Street and the financial industry special interests are trying to gut the reforms we fought for and won in the new Wall Street Reform law. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is set to begin work as the cop on the financial beat in just two months protecting American consumers and the economy from Wall Street greed. And sure enough, the banks are waging an all-out attack to stop it. They are trying – as Professor Warren said on the Daily show – to” stick a knife in its ribs”. Tell your representative that we need an effective CFPB, and they should oppose all efforts to weaken it. This Thursday, the House Financial Services Committee will consider three bank-backed proposals intended to defang, delay and destabilize the CFPB. If enacted, these bills would virtually guarantee that the CFPB would be a weak and timid agency without the will or ability to curb the kind of financial abuses that caused the nation’s worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. While some in Congress may have forgotten how banks gambled away trillions of dollars in pensions, home values, and retirement savings, we haven’t. We need to make sure our representatives hear from us, and tell them to stand up for consumers, not Wall Street banks. Financial industry special interests are spending millions to stop the CFPB and their allies in the Capitol are going after the agency from all angles. They want to defund it, take away its power, and delay its start. They’re even threatening to block President Obama’s nomination of a director, no matter who it is. Don’t let them get away with it. Contact your representative now!   Sent by Americans for Financial Reform 1629 K Street NW, 10th Floor, Washington, DC 20006 – (202) 466-3311