Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) since 2002, has protected homeownership and family wealth by working to eliminate abusive financial practices. Its vision is to transform today's broken lending systems into a fair, responsible and transparent market for sustainable loans that build stronger families and a stronger economy for all.

CRL’s focus is on consumer lending: primarily mortgages, payday loans, credit cards and bank overdrafts. It provide research and technical policy expertise--informed by Self-Help's, its affiliation, 30 years' of lending--to help policymakers evaluate consumer protection options and wealth-building opportunities. CRL works with allies to educate consumers and the media about predatory lending issues, and also work on selected legal cases to advance consumer protections. The work encompasses the following areas:

• Research and analysis;
• Educating and speaking out;
• Building effective coalitions;
• Framing the debate to effect change;
• Pursing high-impact litigation;
• Supporting direct legal assistance to stop foreclosures;
• Offering ongoing expertise.