America's big banks are hiding behind racial equity to avoid new capital standards–but refuse to disclose the demographics of their small business lending.

The article focuses on the debate surrounding proposed tougher capital standards for large banks and their potential impact on minority-owned businesses. The banking lobby argues that these standards could hinder access to loans for these businesses, while critics contend that such arguments obscure the need for transparency and accountability in small business lending practices. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has introduced a rule requiring banks to collect and report demographic data in small business lending, which the banking lobby has opposed, raising concerns about discrimination in lending. The article emphasizes that true equity in banking requires transparency and that the banking industry's resistance to data collection may indicate a desire to conceal existing inequities. [Extracted from the article]