Case: United States v. Citadel Federal Credit Union

2:24-cv-05426 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Filed Date: Oct. 10, 2024

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This is a case challenging a bank’s alleged discriminatory lending practices.  On October 10, 2024, the United States of America filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The U.S. sued Citadel Federal Credit Union, asserting violations of the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA). The U.S. alleged that Citadel engaged in unlawful redlining by refusing to provide home loans and other mortgage services in majority-Black an…

This is a case challenging a bank’s alleged discriminatory lending practices. 

On October 10, 2024, the United States of America filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The U.S. sued Citadel Federal Credit Union, asserting violations of the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA). The U.S. alleged that Citadel engaged in unlawful redlining by refusing to provide home loans and other mortgage services in majority-Black and Hispanic neighborhoods. It further alleged that Citadel engaged in practices directed at prospective applicants that would discourage them from applying for credit in Citadel’s market area, among other things. The U.S. sought injunctive and declaratory relief, monetary damages, and a civil penalty against Citadel. The case was assigned to District Judge John R. Padova.

On October 10, 2024, the parties filed a joint motion for approval and entry of a proposed consent order. The terms required Citadel to provide fair lending training, submit an annual compliance report, and establish three new branches in underserved areas, among other things, and would remain in effect for five years. On October 22, 2024, Judge Padova signed the consent order. 

On November 19, 2024, the court closed the case for administrative purposes. 

Summary Authors

Alexis Gil (6/24/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69242924/parties/united-states-v-citadel-federal-credit-union/


Judge(s)

Padova, John R. (Pennsylvania)

Attorney for Plaintiff

DEBRUICKER, LAUREN E. (Pennsylvania)

HUGHES, BRYAN C. (Pennsylvania)

Attorney for Defendant

EGAN, PATRICK J. (Pennsylvania)

PIPPETT, CHRISTOPHER J. (Pennsylvania)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case
1

2:24-cv-05426

Complaint

Oct. 10, 2024

Oct. 10, 2024

Complaint
2

2:24-cv-05426

Consent Order

United States of America v. Citadel Federal Credit Union

Oct. 10, 2024

Oct. 10, 2024

Order/Opinion
4

2:24-cv-05426

Consent Order

Oct. 22, 2024

Oct. 22, 2024

Order/Opinion

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69242924/united-states-v-citadel-federal-credit-union/

Last updated Aug. 25, 2026, 4:55 a.m.

Docket for: United States v. CITADEL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
ECF Number Date Description Link
1 Oct. 10, 2024

COMPLAINT against CITADEL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, filed by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Citadels Field of Membership and Market Area, # 2 Exhibit B - Citadels Branch Network, # 3 Exhibit C - Citadels Market Area Applications 2017-2021)(HUGHES, BRYAN) (Entered: 10/10/2024)

Clearinghouse
2 Oct. 10, 2024

STIPULATION (Consent Order) by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. (HUGHES, BRYAN) (Entered: 10/10/2024)

Clearinghouse
3 Oct. 10, 2024

Summons Issued as to CITADEL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION. Forwarded To: U.S. Attorney on October 10, 2024. (dt) (Entered: 10/10/2024)

RECAP
4 Oct. 22, 2024

CONSENT ORDER. SIGNED BY DISTRICT JUDGE JOHN R. PADOVA ON 10/22/24. 10/22/24 ENTERED AND COPIES E-MAILED. (mbh) (Entered: 10/22/2024)

Clearinghouse
5 Nov. 19, 2024

ORDER THAT THE CLERK OF COURT SHALL MARK THIS CASE CLOSED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE PURPOSES. THE COURT RETAINS JURISDICTION OF THIS MATTER AS PROVIDED IN THE CONSENT ORDER. SIGNED BY DISTRICT JUDGE JOHN R. PADOVA ON 11/19/24. 11/19/24 ENTERED AND COPIES E-MAILED.(mbh) (Entered: 11/19/2024)

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory:

Pennsylvania

Case Type(s):

Fair Housing/Lending/Insurance

Key Dates

Filing Date: Oct. 10, 2024

Case Ongoing: Perhaps, but long-dormant

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.

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

Citadel Federal Credit Union

Defendant Type(s):

Bank or credit provider

Facility Type(s):

Non-government non-profit

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 2:24-cv-05426

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Sought:

Damages

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Content of Injunction:

Discrimination Prohibition

Follow recruitment, hiring, or promotion protocols

Hire

Monitoring

Recordkeeping

Reporting

Training

Order Duration: 2024 - 2029

Issues

General/Misc.:

Housing

Other Banking

Racial profiling

Racial segregation

Discrimination Area:

Disparate Impact

Disparate Treatment

Housing Sales/Rental

Lending

Discrimination Basis:

National origin discrimination

Race discrimination

Affected Language(s):

Spanish

Affected National Origin/Ethnicity(s):

Hispanic

Affected Race(s):

Black

Recommended Citation