Case: United States v. ESSA Bank & Trust
2:23-cv-02065 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Filed Date: May 31, 2023
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
Case Summary
This is a case challenging a bank’s alleged discriminatory lending practices.
On May 31, 2023, the United States of America filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The U.S. sued ESSA Bank and Trust, asserting violations of the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA). The U.S. alleged that ESSA engaged in unlawful redlining by refusing to provide home loans and other mortgage services in majority-Black and Hispanic neighborhoods. It further alleged that ESSA excluded those communities from its residential lending marketing and outreach efforts, among other things. The U.S. sought injunctive and declaratory relief, along with monetary damages and a civil penalty against ESSA. The case was assigned to District Judge Michael M. Baylson.
On June 9, 2023, the court signed a consent order jointly filed by the parties. The terms required ESSA to provide fair lending training, conduct a community credit needs assessment, and submit annual reports, among other things, and would remain in effect for five years.
After a change in presidential administration, on June 6, 2025, the government moved to terminate the consent order early and dismiss the case. The U.S. argued that ESSA had demonstrated a commitment to remediation.
On July 23, 2025, the court denied the government’s motion to terminate the consent order and dismiss the case. Judge Baylson held that the consent order's obligations must remain in effect for its full term to ensure equal access to credit, strengthen communities, serve the public, and advance economic justice. 2025 WL 2087776.
This case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Alexis Gil (6/29/2026)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67454392/parties/united-states-v-essa-bank-trust/
Baylson, Michael M. (Pennsylvania)
DAVID, GREGORY B. (Pennsylvania)
Hussain, Varda (Pennsylvania)
COFFINA, SCOTT A. (Pennsylvania)
Mania, Olivia (Pennsylvania)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67454392/united-states-v-essa-bank-trust/
Last updated July 22, 2026, 4:54 a.m.
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Fair Housing/Lending/Insurance
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Reversing Course on Existing Litigation
Key Dates
Filing Date: May 31, 2023
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
The plaintiff is the Department of Justice (DOJ) which is an executive department of the United States federal government that oversees the domestic enforcement of federal laws and the administration of justice.
Plaintiff Type(s):
U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff
Attorney Organizations:
U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Private Entity/Person
ESSA Bank & Trust
Defendant Type(s):
Facility Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), 15 U.S.C. § 1691
Fair Housing Act/Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601 et seq.
Other Dockets:
Eastern District of Pennsylvania 2:23-cv-02065
Available Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Content of Injunction:
Comply with advertising/recruiting requirements
Follow recruitment, hiring, or promotion protocols
Provide antidiscrimination training
Order Duration: 2023 - 2028
Issues
General/Misc.:
Discrimination Area:
Discrimination Basis:
National origin discrimination
Affected Language(s):
Affected National Origin/Ethnicity(s):
Affected Race(s):
Case Summary of United States v. ESSA Bank & Trust, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/44182/ (last updated 6/29/2026).