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Geoff Smith

Senior Vice President

Geoff Smith’s work as Senior Vice President of Woodstock Institute has encompassed research and writing analysis of a wide range of housing and community development topics, including mortgage lending policy, housing market trends, small business finance, financial institution regulation, and access to banking services. He uses data analysis to examine the economic health of neighborhoods and to understand factors threatening the financial security of economically vulnerable communities. The goal of this work is to inform policy solutions that promote responsible and sustainable financial products and practices. Geoff also researches and writes reports for Woodstock Institute and often shares findings directly with policymakers. He has authored and co-authored numerous Woodstock publications and co-authored research published in journals including Housing Policy Debate and Urban Affairs Review; testified on predatory lending issues and community reinvestment policy at hearings held by the U.S. House Financial Services Committee, the Federal Reserve Board, the State of Illinois Department of Professional Regulation, and the Chicago City Council, and has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune and other media outlets. He has also appeared on NBC Nightly News. Geoff received a B.A. in Geography from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an M.S. in Geography from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.