Europe's biggest banks are falling behind on their promises to promote more women, at least when measured by the very top jobs. 

The megabank rolled out new and expanded employee diversity targets that it aims to meet by 2025. The goals include placing more Hispanics in leadership roles and boosting the number of LGBTQ+ members the company hires from colleges and universities.

Adrienne Harris, superintendent of the New York State Department of Financial Services, previewed the agency's upcoming climate guidance in an interview with American Banker. Banks "cannot sacrifice" their fair lending and equity obligations "in order to mitigate climate risk," she said.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development is investigating allegations that the real estate appraisal standards written by the Washington nonprofit perpetuate discrimination.

The fourth-largest U.S. bank by assets has commissioned an outside law firm to assess its diversity practices. Wells had previously resisted a shareholder proposal that would have authorized a similar review.

Over the course of 10 years, the bank's Disability Advocacy Network has implemented other initiatives to improve interactions with staff members and customers with disabilities or cognitive disorders.

Sarver, who owns the NBA's Phoenix Suns and the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, is facing a one-year suspension and a $10 million fine after an investigation found evidence of workplace misconduct. The Arizona bank where Sarver previously served as chairman and CEO is also discussed in an investigative report released Tuesday.

The Biden administration's Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity Task Force is working to eliminate race-based bias in the assessment of home values.

By offering financial education through local crisis centers and community groups — and following through with access to credit — many credit unions are building trust with people who had been wary of working with mainstream institutions.

Financial downturns hit lower-wealth communities first and cause them to suffer the longest.