Partnership for Financial Equity

04/03/2026

We ❤️ RI. A great day in the Ocean State talking with banking and community leaders; lunch at Culinary Hub of Providence and an inspiring conversation with James A. Diossa Rhode Island General Treasurer James Diossa who is leading on financial literacy, homeownership and more. Many thanks to Brenda Clement at HousingWorks RI at RWU for a packed day. We will be back soon.

03/25/2026

PFE in Phoenix! A New England contingent (plus a colleague from Philly) continued our tradition of a Tuesday night dinner at the National Community Investment Conference sponsored by the Federal Reserve.

02/03/2026

01/22/2026

But stretching a mortgage across 50 years would likely not work as effectively, said Tom Callahan, executive director of the Massachusetts-based Partnership for Financial Equity, a nonprofit that aims to close the racial wealth gap.

01/14/2026

“The good news: 85 percent of respondents said they trust banks today, reflecting a concerted effort by the industry to reach out to underserved neighborhoods (in part to fulfill banks’ Community Reinvestment Act requirements).

The bad news: Only a quarter of the respondents said they “strongly” agree with the statement that banks are trustworthy. (The polling also showed more than 90 percent have some sort of relationship with a bank, and half of the unbanked residents expressed an interest in starting up an account.)”

12/31/2025

Today is the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act. Since 1995, we have produced an annual mortgage lending report showing who is getting loans and which lenders are making them. Data matters. 🎉

12/30/2025

Our Homeownership Elevating Equity Award for 2025 went to & for the First Home Program, a groundbreaking initiative supporting public housing residents in becoming first-time homeowners. Through targeted financial education, down payment assistance, and tailored mortgage solutions, this partnership is helping to reduce the racial homeownership gap and build intergenerational wealth.

“The BHA First Home Program has supported 97 BHA first-time homebuyers since 2023 with a majority of buyers purchasing homes in the City of Boston,” said Megan Ryan, Director of Homeownership and Mobility Grant Programs at the BHA. “The success of this program is the result of close collaboration among multiple partners, including the City of Boston Mayor’s Office of Housing (MOH), the Federal Housing Choice Voucher Program, the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP), the Massachusetts Affordable Homeownership Alliance (MAHA), and local lending institutions.”

“Leader Bank is proud to partner with the Boston Housing Authority to help Boston residents achieve their dreams of becoming homeowners,” said Aida R Franquiz, Vice President and Community Development Officer for Leader Bank. “We are honored to receive this recognition for our collaboration with the Boston Housing Authority on the First Home Program which is a reflection of Leader Bank’s commitment to expanding access to homeownership for all.”

12/30/2025

Next up are the winners of our 2025 Small Business Lending Elevating Equity Award: Rockland Trust & South Eastern Economic Development Corporation. Both institutions were recognized for their strategic partnership in supporting small businesses—particularly those led by entrepreneurs of color and in under-resourced communities. Together, they have expanded access to capital and no-cost technical assistance, helping small business owners build sustainable enterprises and long-term generational wealth.

“SEED is honored to receive the 2025 Elevating Equity Award in conjunction with Rockland Trust in recognition of the strong partnership between our organizations,” said Sue Murray, SEED’s Executive Director.

“Both SEED and Rockland Trust share a similar mission of promoting and assisting the growth and development of small businesses in underserved markets or owned by socially or economically disadvantaged individuals. Together, SEED and Rockland Trust work to empower entrepreneurs by providing equitable access to affordable capital and free training and education in our communities. The team at SEED is extremely fortunate to have Rockland Trust as our partner!”

“Rockland Trust is honored to partner with SEED in supporting local small businesses in their growth and success,” said Thomas Golden, SVP, Director of CRA and Fair Banking at Rockland Trust. “This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to expanding financing access to underserved businesses owners in the communities we serve.”

12/30/2025

Looking back at our 2025 Elevating Equity award winners! In our Asset Building category, congrats to First Citizens Bank and Lawrence Communityworks for their deep-rooted collaboration to advance financial empowerment and inclusion in the Merrimack Valley. Their efforts have connected small business owners with savings tools, culturally responsive financial coaching, and a pathway to long-term asset building.

“First Citizens Bank recognizes the need to provide Massachusetts communities with the tools to achieve long-term financial success,” said Michael (Mike) Atkinson, Senior Director of Community Affairs at First Citizens. “We’re honored to receive the Elevating Equity Asset Building Award alongside Lawrence CommunityWorks and remain steadfast in our commitment to building lasting financial security and stability in the communities where we live and work.”

“At LCW, we believe deeply in the power of people — their dreams, their work, and their voice,” said Arleen Zorrilla, Director of Asset Building at Lawrence CommunityWorks. “Together with First Citizens Bank, we’re helping families and small business owners build lasting stability and create opportunities that strengthen our community for generations to come.”

12/16/2025

Our new research report has just been released and it breaks new ground locally and nationally in understanding more about why lower income residents do and do not trust financial institutions. Read the full report authored by Amalie Zinn, Jason Andrade, and Thomas Callahan and download topline results and crosstabs from The MassINC Polling Group statewide survey at our website.