Program areas at Americans for Financial Reform
Legislative advocacy to advance consumer financial protection and a more just and accountable financial system. We organize advocacy campaigns to advance or oppose legislation on a broad scope of finance and financial markets related issues, from high cost lending abuses, to investor protections, to capital markets, to private funds and more with the goals of making lending and financial markets safer and fairer for the public, and better supporting a more equitable, stable, and sustainable economy. Building and Mobilizing a Robust Coalition to Support Financial Reform and Regulation: We bring together a nonpartisan nonprofit coalition including civil rights, consumer, labor, investor, small business, and civic and community-based organizations. We build connections among disparate groups; put together and nurture an infrastructure to develop and share information, insights, tools, tactics, and strategies; and provide strategic analysis, materials, research and other tools so that together we can develop and advance economic and racial justice priorities to reform the financial system. Policy Analysis and Development: We analyze legislation and policy proposals in the financial space including in the areas of consumer financial protection, investor protection, financial stability / systemic risk, non-bank financial actors, student lending, taxes, and other policies as they affect Wall Street, from a public interest perspective. We explain and support or oppose proposals, present testimony, and report on how members of Congress vote on issues connected to the regulation and design of the financial system. We work with our allies to develop and promote legislative solutions to stop financial sector abuses of economically vulnerable families and communities and reverse growing inequality that results from unchecked financialization and speculation.