The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the approval of a conciliation agreement with New Jersey-based OceanFirst Bank, resolving allegations the bank engaged in redlining. OceanFirst agreed to invest $15 million in programs and services in the affected neighborhoods.
HUD’s investigation was conducted alongside the U.S. Department of Justice after a referral from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
HUD’s complaint alleges that, from 2018 through at least 2022, OceanFirst failed to provide mortgage lending services to predominantly Black, Hispanic, and Asian neighborhoods in Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean counties in New Jersey by acquiring and then closing branches and loan production offices in the neighborhoods.
Check back with RESPA News for more on the settlement.
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