Bill

Bill > S2722


NJ S2722

NJ S2722
Requires Department of Banking and Insurance to examine and rate lending institutions with regards to lending, investments, and services provided to low- and moderate-income consumers.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill establishes a community reinvestment law for the State of New Jersey. It requires similar analysis and evaluation of banks, mortgage companies, and credit unions to determine and rate if these institutions are lending, investing, and providing financial services to low- and moderate-income consumers and communities. This includes underserved communities and populations. Under the bill, the Department of Banking and Insurance (the "department") is to review activities of the various regulated financial institutions in the State every three years. This includes reviewing various types of products and services offered by an institution including, but not limited, to: 1) retail lending, such as home and small business loans; 2) community development lending; 3) low-cost deposit accounts and other retail financial services; and 4) how an institution works with delinquent consumers. Upon the department's examination, a rating is assigned to an institution. If a rating of "low satisfactory" or lower is given to a regulated financial institution, an improvement plan is to be developed between the institution, the department, and comments from members of the public. Additionally, under the bill, the department is to develop a disparity study. This is to identify underserved counties, populations, and census tracts in the State. Data collected for this study may be shared with federal agencies. Upon completion, a report of the findings and recommendations is to be issued to the Legislature. Lastly, each regulated financial institution is to post a notice in each branch, or on its website, a notice for public consumption stating, in part, that the institution's performance is evaluated based on how it meets the needs of its community and that a copy of the evaluation is available for review.

AI Summary

This bill establishes a community reinvestment law in New Jersey, requiring the Department of Banking and Insurance (the "department") to examine and rate lending institutions, such as banks, mortgage companies, and credit unions, every three years on their efforts to serve low- and moderate-income consumers and communities, including underserved areas and populations. The examination will assess various activities like retail lending (e.g., home and small business loans), community development lending, offering low-cost deposit accounts and other financial services, and how institutions work with delinquent borrowers. Institutions receiving a rating of "low satisfactory" or lower will be required to develop an improvement plan in collaboration with the department and public input. Additionally, the department will conduct a disparity study to identify underserved areas and populations, the findings of which will be reported to the Legislature, and data may be shared with federal agencies. Finally, all regulated financial institutions must post a notice in their branches or on their websites informing the public that their performance is evaluated based on community needs and that their evaluation is available for review.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Commerce Committee (on 01/13/2026)

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