The top Republican on the Senate Banking Committee, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, says the Federal Reserve's heightened attention to racial and income inequality amounts to "political advocacy." But Al Piña, the CEO of the Florida Minority Community Reinvestment Coalition, argues that promoting equality is part of the Fed's mission.

“Our goal is by after Labor Day to effectively be back to where we were in January of 2020,” Chief Executive Brian Moynihan said.

The heads of the six largest banks endured a second day of testimony as House members quizzed them on overdraft fees, investments in minority businesses and other issues. Meanwhile, the executives pushed back on Democrats’ proposal to raise the corporate tax rate.

Events that unfolded in Minneapolis a year ago ultimately led to debt relief for Black farmers, bigger investments in Black banks, greater support for public banking, and more.

Vanessa Colella taught earth science and biology to middle schoolers through Teach for America before becoming Citigroup's new chief innovation officer. Her experience in the classroom still sticks with her today.

In an interview, the Hong Kong native spoke about the fears of his employees, 74% of whom are Asian American, as well as about his optimism regarding hate crime legislation President Biden signed last week. East West and several other banks have donated to groups working to track and reduce the recent spike in anti-Asian violence.

The programs from the trade group are aimed at helping the bank improve its employee representation and workplace culture.

Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, the top Republican on the Banking Committee, told three Federal Reserve regional presidents that a series of events tied to the impact of racism on the job market and housing systems is not within the scope of the central bank.

Last year, many banks made big, splashy pledges to advance racial equity. Now some of those banks are seeking to hold executives accountable for those efforts through their paychecks.

Under a plan signed into law in March, the agency will first target direct loans that it has made to socially disadvantaged farmers. Guidance that will affect small banks that have made government-backed agricultural loans is due in 120 days.