Color and Money

Contrary to conventional wisdom, green is not the only color that matters to lenders. This case study of Milwaukee, Wisconsin--a fairly typical urban area that has experienced systematic disinvestment and a budding reinvestment movement--demonstrates the continuing significance of race in determining who gets home mortgage and small business loans. Confirming the ongoing role of politics in both nurturing urban reinvestment and fueling a backlash by financial institutions, Color and Money offers critical policy recommendations for increasing access to capital in central city communities and for racial minorities throughout the nation's metropolitan areas.