In Brief: ABA Releases Affirmative Action Manual

The American Bankers Association has produced a handbook to help banks comply with affirmative action guidelines.

The 85-page manual gives an overview of equal opportunity laws and lists sample interview questions and evaluation forms. It also gives examples of hiring practices that should be avoided, such as asking different questions of members of a particular ethnic group or referring only black applicants to inner-city branches.

"Our goal is for banks to build sound employment practices," said Donald G. Ogilvie, ABA executive vice president.

The handbook was compiled by a council of bankers, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor and community activist groups. It is available free to ABA members who request it and, for $21, to nonmembers.

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