This summer, the Baltimore Green Party has partnered with Commonomics USA to host a two-part series of webinars on public banking and its potential applications in Baltimore and Maryland. The recordings of those webinars are now available below.
In Part 1, Matt Stannard of Commonomics USA explains the history and theory of public banking in the United States, and how public banking can be used to advance economic justice. We explore how the structure and purpose of public banks differs from the private sector and how a different approach to interest, debts, and investment can empower communities rather than exploit them.
In Part 2, we dive into the implementation of public banking and what steps will be necessary to make public banking a reality in Maryland through a combination of political campaigning, citizen lobbying, and the legislative process. We also discuss several of the private banking industry's favorite counter-arguments to public banking and how these objections can be debated and defeated in the public sphere.
Reading List and Resources
Public Banks vs Credit Unions
https://arizonapublicbanking.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/what-is-a-public-bank-faq.pdf
"Credit unions are owned by their members and serve their members. Credit unions offer members personal banking services. Credit unions are restricted from holding and investing large amounts of governmental funds."
Material Responsibility: What the Banks Did to Baltimore
http://www.publicbankinginstitute.org/material_responsibility_what_the_banks_did_to_baltimore
Report Rips Racial Disparities of Banks in Baltimore
http://www.publicbankinginstitute.org/report_rips_racial_disparities_of_banks_in_baltimore
NCRC Report Referenced is Here
http://www.ncrc.org/resources/reports-and-research/item/1098-home-mortgage-and-small-business-lending-in-baltimore-and-surrounding-areas
Public Banking Tops Baltimore Candidate's Groundbreaking Platform
http://itsoureconomy.us/2016/06/public-banking-tops-baltimore-mayoral-candidates-groundbreaking-platform/
Neoliberalism Almost Killed Baltimore: These Candidates Want to Rebuild their City
http://www.occupy.com/article/neoliberalism-almost-killed-baltimore-these-candidates-want-rebuild-their-city