![Intro](mdmou.jpg)
"We are pleased to
be building relationships that promote fair housing in all places" |
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Maryland Community Builders Hold
Fair Housing Summit Fair Lending Agreement Unveiled
Nearly 200 community members convened for
Marylands Summit on Fair Housing on April 21st. Co-sponsored by the
Baltimore Urban League and HUDs Maryland Office, "Moving Outside
the Box: A Summit on Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity" attracted
elected officials, public housing residents, financial and bank administrators,
human activists, public agency representatives, non-profit groups, and the
faith-based community. The Summit also featured an historic fair lending
agreement signed by 1st Mariner Bank and the Maryland Office of HUD.
Dozens of public and private organizations came together in partnership
to support the Summit, which commemorated Fair Housing Month and the 31st
Anniversary of the 1968 Fair Housing Act. HUDs Community Builders
and Public Trust Officers worked with partner organizations to plan workshops
with topics ranging from discriminatory loan practices, transportation issues,
discrimination against the disabled, and hate crimes.
1st Mariner Bank signed a fair lending agreement with HUD which commits
the bank to treat all customers equally, regardless of any factors such
as race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other factor. By
signing this agreement, 1st Mariner will also engage in outreach to minority
populations, attracting prospective customers who want to purchase a home.
"By entering into this partnership with HUD, we can be further assured
that our staff have the education they need to best fulfill our commitment
to the customer and every Marylander," stated 1St Mariner Chairman
and CEO Edwin F. Hale.
"[1st Mariner] knocked on our door and said, We want people
to know that we want to do business with everyone. Corporations everywhere
should use the 1st Mariner model as an example of how to be a responsible
corporate citizen," said Harold D. Young, Maryland Senior Community
Builder. "We are pleased to be building relationships that promote
fair housing in all places," Young added.
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