A recent poll showed that most Americans think banks have an obligation to invest in and serve the communities where they do business. But it seems not all the major candidates for President see it that way.

Sen. John McCain, R-AZ, didn't even answer a questionnaire from the National Community Reinvestment Coalition about his views on community reinvestment and fair- lending issues.

Though non-profit organizations are strictly prohibited from commenting on or interpreting the replies, NCRC President John Taylor said he found it "shocking" that the Republican candidate "didn't think it was important enough to respond."

Taylor, on the other hand, was pleased by recent comments by Vice President Al Gore that he favored an expansion of the Community Reinvestment Act, a position the Democractic front runner reiterated in his answer the NCRC's questions.

"I believe all financial institutions have not only a responsibility but also an economic rationale for investing in those communities not served by mainstream financial entities," the Vice President said, adding that "new incentives" may be necessary to make such non-traditional lenders as mortgage companies, securities firms and insurance companies increase their activities.

Gore also told NCRC, a group of 700 organizations dedicated to ensuring fair and equal credit, capital and banking services for low and moderate-income inner-city and rural communities, that he would oppose any attempt to weaken CRA.

Since it was passed in 1977, the law has been responsible for more than $1 trillion in loans and investments in these traditionally underserved areas. But NCRC says the law was severely undermined with the passage last year of the Financial Modernization Act, which allows non-banks to conduct bank-like activities but does not require them to comply with CRA.

However, the probable Democratic nominee said he would review the new law to make sure it did not have a negative impact on community reinvestment requirements.

In his response on behalf of Bill Bradley, Gore's lone rival and the son of a banker, Issues Director Mark Alexander noted that the candidate has been and will continue to be a strong supporter of CRA.

"As President," Alexander said, Bradley promises to "work to protect" the law.

"Bill Bradley has been and will continue to be committed to increasing the wealth of all communities across America," Alexander said.

Republican front-runner George W. Bush was the only candidate to respond to NCRC's 10-point questionnaire, point-by-point.

Dubya said he, too, will work to make not only CRA but also the Equal Credit Opportunity and Fair Housing Acts "more efficient, effective and less burdensome."

But he stopped short of saying he favored extending community reinvestment requirements to other types of lending institutions. Rather, he said they should be encouraged "with incentives" to serve all segments of society.

Published: March 7, 2000

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When Lew Sichelman first started writing about housing in 1969, he was the youngest real estate writer in the country. Now, 37 years later, he's one of the oldest -- and most decorated. He has been rated the top housing columnist in the country by the National Association of Realtors as well as by his peers in the National Association of Real Estate Editors. Indeed, NAREE has recognized his work on numerous occasions. One year - due to his advancing age, he can't recall which one - he earned top honors in the annual NAREE Journalism Contest in three out of the four major writing categories. It was the first time one writer has won so many NAREE awards in a single year. Known for his ability to make even the most difficult topics understandable, Sichelman also has been honored by the National Association of Home Builders and the Mortgage Bankers Association. He began providing in-depth coverage of and consumer-oriented information about housing and housing finance at the Washington Daily News, where he was real estate editor. He held that same position for nine more years at the Washington Star, which purchased the News in 1972. The Star, a so-called "writer's newspaper" which also had the misfortune of being an evening paper, was put out of its misery in 1981, and Sichelman, who had begun self-syndicating his column in 1978, decided to become a full-time columnist. Today, his column, "The Housing Scene," is distributed by United Media to newspapers throughout the country. He also is on the staff of National Mortgage News, an independent newspaper which is considered the bible of the mortgage business. And he writes for numerous other publications, including MarketWatch.com, where he answers readers questions once a week, Sports Illustrated (don't ask), RealtyTimes.com, BigBuilder and others. Sichelman is married, the father of five and grandfather of eleven.