Justice Department Settles Suit Against Indiana Bank to Resolve Lending Discrimination Claims

The Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana today filed a complaint and settlement agreement, resolving allegations that First Merchants Bank engaged in lending discrimination by “redlining” predominantly African-American neighborhoods within Indianapolis, Indiana. “Redlining” is a term describing an illegal practice in which lenders intentionally avoid providing services to individuals living in predominantly minority neighborhoods because of the race of the residents in those neighborhoods.