Color and Money

A case study of Milwaukee, Wisconsin exploring how lending practices and access to capital are shaped by race.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.