The pandemic has highlighted massive inequalities in American life but the financial services industry can play a role in reducing these divisions.

The algorithms banks use to assess the financial well-being of minorities would be more effective if Black analysts crunched the numbers, says Troynica Green, a data analyst at Regions Bank.

The credit union regulator's November board meeting covered a variety of issues, including the voluntary self-assessment, disagreements on the budget proposal and the possibility of new insurance premiums in 2021.

Bank of America will help Cornell University expand an online training course aimed primarily at Black and Hispanic women who want to start their own companies, as part of the bank's $1 billion racial justice commitment.

Community development financial institutions, which tend to be less digitally savvy than traditional banks and credit unions, are developing online-lending platforms and automating backroom processes with investments and technical assistance from big banks, high-tech firms and other sources.

The accelerator has enabled Los Angeles-based fintech Be Money to relaunch itself as Daylight and bring to market a transgender-inclusive preferred name card.

Credit unions will have their first opportunity to hear from the federal regulator about its recently released budget proposal and also get an update on the agency's diversity self-assessment.

The response exceeded expectations, with more than 1,600 Citi customers requesting a name-change on their cards within the first few weeks of the program.

A contentious presidential contest and social justice protests have forced employers to consider whether these types of topics should be discussed in the workplace.

Opening a bank or investment account — or even securing employment in a racism-free workplace — is out of reach for many Black Americans.