How Stratyfy, A Machine Learning Platform, Is Using AI To Combat Racist Lending Practices

Stratyfy, a machine learning platform that streamlines equitable credit underwriting decisions, works to ensure that lending practices aren’t racist, a press release reveals. What’s more, it has teamed up with the Beneficial State Foundation for the Underwriting for Racial Justice (URJ). Under the two-year pilot program, 20 lenders will get connected with Stratyfy’s tools. 

“We are honored to partner with Beneficial State Foundation on this groundbreaking initiative,” said Laura Kornhauser, co-founder and CEO of Stratyfy, according to the release. “The innovative lenders selected for the URJ program are redefining how people of color in their communities are able to access credit, and Stratyfy is the technology chosen to deliver the collective insights and recommended actions to make it happen!”

The program includes over 60 underwriters, impact leaders, regulators, innovators, and borrowers of color across the U.S. to create ways to provide the BIPOC community with more access to credit from financial institutions, according to Beneficial State Foundation’s website.

“Stratyfy is a key partner in this effort, using their credit risk solution to help lenders confidently make bold and meaningful changes, while managing risk and meeting regulatory requirements for safety and soundness,” Erin Kilmer Neel, executive director and chief impact officer at Beneficial State Foundation, shared in a press release. “Beneficial State Foundation launched the Underwriting for Racial Justice program to guide lenders through a process to increase access to fair credit.”

The release details that the URJ program will feature lenders such as Beneficial State Bank, Berkshire Bank, BetterFi, Chehalis Tribal Loan Fund, Community Vision, Eastern Bank, Enterprise Community Loan Fund (ECLF), Leech Lake Financial Services, LISC, Montecito Bank & Trust, NBT Bank, N.A., and more.