Mike Haridopolos Representing Florida Senate District 26

Sen. Haridopolos Calls Town Hall on Banking and Lending Crisis

Mar 15, 2010

Dear Friends,

In recent months, my office has received many calls and letters from concerned Floridians, both from my district and from around the state, about the great difficulties families and businesses are facing in securing loans from banks and other lending institutions.  Many of them have been hearing contradictory information from Congress, members of the President’s Administration and banks themselves as to why they are experiencing these problems. 

When congressional leaders voted last year to give taxpayers’ money to these financial institutions, they guaranteed that if the banks did not use it to lend money, they would immediately call for hearings and hold the banks accountable.  Despite this promise, I continually hear from many responsible citizens who continue to find it very difficult to qualify for the credit they need to continue operating their businesses and supporting their families   There are even claims that after banks received hundreds of billions in federal bailout money they squeezed consumers and fraudulently or arbitrarily reduced home equity lines of credit to improve their own bottom lines.  In the meantime, banks have blamed the situation on federal regulators, explaining that it is the decisions of the Office of Comptroller of the Currency that is preventing them from extending loans to their customers.  It is easy to understand how Floridians could be confused by all of this conflicting information and have questions about why it has been so difficult for them to receive consideration for loans and lines of credit.

To help to answer some of these questions and to help address some of the issues raised by concerned Floridians, I would like to formally invite you to a town hall meeting on April 1st at 7:00 pm in Orlando.  The meeting will be held at the Valencia Community College West Campus, Building 4, Room 120, located at 1800 South Kirkman Road, Orlando, FL 32811.  We have invited Sen. Bill Nelson and welcome the attendance of any other elected official that is able to attend to help answer your questions.  I would appreciate a confirmation of your attendance at your earliest convenience.  Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office at the numbers below.  Thank you.
Sincerely,

Mike Haridopolos
Florida Senate, District 26

CLICK HERE FOR A MAP OF VALENCIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE WEST CAMPUS