The Mill City Times Interview: Casey Lozar, Vice President, Center for Indian Country Development, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

Article by Becky Fillinger

Casey Lozar Photo by Lucy HawthorneLike many of you, I walk and drive by the Federal Reserve Building in Minneapolis several times a week. What is happening inside this massive postmodernism structure? Among its many other functions, I was surprised to learn that the Federal Reserve’s Center for Indian Country Development is based in Minneapolis. We talked to Casey Lozar, Vice President, Center for Indian Country Development about the Center’s focus, community engagement opportunities and ways to follow their news. 

Q:  The Center for Indian Country Development is based out of the Minneapolis branch of the Federal Reserve. Does the Center act in a national capacity? 

A:  Although the Center for Indian Country Development is housed within the Community Development and Engagement Division of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, its research work and engagement are national, covering all tribal nations in the U.S. In the past the Center has addressed issues such as housing and homeownership, private sector development resources and networks, and the development of the Uniform Law Commission’s Model Tribal Secured Transaction Act (MTSTA) initiative. The Center has put out many publications and working papers on these important topics. The Center is adding to that body of work by addressing Indian Country’s data desert. By undertaking both internal and commissioned tribal economic research projects, the Center will be able to provide data and analysis to help inform policy considerations.

Q:  One of the Federal Reserve System’s dual mandates is to promote maximum employment. The Federal Reserve Bank supports a wide range of organizations to promote the economic resilience and mobility of lower-income Americans, including those in Indian Country. Can you let us know specifically how the Federal Reserve assists Native communities? 

A:  The Center brings valuable information to Native communities by undertaking a depth and breadth of applied research that helps to improve policy decision-making. The Center also facilitates representative engagement and relationship building rooted in the understanding of the unique political status and responsibilities of tribal nations. For example, the Center has undertaken an ongoing pulse survey of how tribal governments and tribal enterprises are faring in terms of revenue and employment during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Center also conducted and authored a recent analysis of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to highlight an underutilization of the program in Indian Country. Staff also explored and proposed solutions to end delays in the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Title Status Report (TSR) timeline that hinder Native homeownership.

Q:  There was a National Tribal Listening Session on January 21st on the Community Reinvestment Act Modernization - what did the Federal Reserve learn about the biggest barriers to lending and financial services to Native communities? 

A:  What became evident in our CRA ANPR tribal listening sessions was that CRA-eligible investments and activities in Native communities are constrained under the current CRA assessment area definitions. Another prevailing two-fold issue is a needed increase in the volume of lending activity in Indian Country as well as an equitable interest rate, or cost, at which loans are made available to Indian Country borrowers. A third prominent financial inclusion issue is that there needs to be a commitment to education and relationship between lenders and Indian Country. There is a unique legal and regulatory framework within which both lenders and borrowers in Indian Country must become familiar and productive. The Board of Governors has proposed CRA modernization improvements that address each of these issues. As the Board moves through the successive stages of rulemaking, the Center will continue to lead CRA modernization outreach efforts in Indian Country.

Q:  You’re an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes – have you seen positive impacts of the Federal Reserve’s involvement with these tribal nations? 

A:  The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) are one tribal nation which includes the Salish, Kootenai (Ksanka Band) and Pend-Oreille tribes. The Federal Reserve and CSKT have a long history of partnership. For example, the Helena Branch of the Minneapolis Fed has been honored to have two CSKT tribal members serving on the branch board of directors. CSKT’s Tribal Housing Authority has been a critical partner in developing and supporting CICD’s efforts in tribal homeownership by providing counsel, deepening our understanding and opening its network to CICD. Currently, Andrew West, president of CSKT’s own bank—Eagle Bank, serves on the Minneapolis Fed’s Community Depository Institution Advisory Council. Two years ago, CSKT helped to host a convening of Native American Financial Institutions with the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors and other bank regulators. Our many years in partnership has resulted in a shared understanding of the importance and impact of community banking in Indian Country and community driven approach to tribal homeownership.   

Q:  What would you like for the Minneapolis community to know about the Center for Indian Country Development?   

A:  Long before there was a Federal Reserve Bank, a metropolis, or even the Center itself, the area of Minneapolis was a traditional territory of the Dakota people and a gathering place for many Indigenous nations. We want the work we do at the Center to reflect our local community while also representing our ambition of economic prosperity for all of Indian Country.

Q:  How may we follow your news? How may we be locally involved in your projects?

A:  To see our latest research and upcoming events visit our website: Center for Indian Country Development | Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis (minneapolisfed.org). We’re always looking for feedback from our community to make sure that our work provides value for Indian Country. You can follow our research, publications, and events by signing up for our newsletter at the bottom of our landing page. You can also follow the Center on Twitter @fedindiancenter.