Case: United States v. American Bank of Oklahoma

4:23-cv-00371 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma

Filed Date: Aug. 28, 2023

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This is a case challenging a bank’s alleged discriminatory lending practices. On August 28, 2023, the United States of America filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma. The U.S. sued the American Bank of Oklahoma (ABOK), asserting violations of the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA). The U.S. alleged that ABOK 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 August 28, 2023, the United States of America filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma. The U.S. sued the American Bank of Oklahoma (ABOK), asserting violations of the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA). The U.S. alleged that ABOK engaged in unlawful redlining by refusing to provide home loans and other mortgage services in majority-Black and Hispanic neighborhoods. It further alleged that ABOK failed to conduct outreach, marketing, and advertising of mortgage services in those communities, and that it maintained all of its branches and loan production offices in majority-white areas, among other things. The U.S. sought injunctive and declaratory relief, monetary damages and a civil penalty against ABOK. The case was assigned to District Judge Christine D. Little.

On August 28, 2023, the parties filed a joint motion for approval and entry of a proposed consent order. The order required ABOK to provide fair lending training, conduct a community credit needs assessment, and establish a community-oriented loan production office in a majority-Black and Hispanic census tract, among other remedial measures, and would remain in effect for five years. On October 3, 2023, Judge Little signed the consent order and administratively closed the case. 2023 WL 12240589.

Summary Authors

Alexis Gil (6/22/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67759998/parties/united-states-v-american-bank-of-oklahoma/


Judge(s)

Little, Christine D. (Oklahoma)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Hardcastle, Marianne Smith (Oklahoma)

Harrington, Kristin Fulton (Oklahoma)

Attorney for Defendant

Buchan, James Craig (Oklahoma)

McCall, Christopher (Oklahoma)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case
11

4:23-cv-00371

Joint Motion for Approval and Entry of Proposed Consent Order and Memorandum in Support

Aug. 28, 2023

Aug. 28, 2023

Pleading / Motion / Brief
2

4:23-cv-00371

Complaint and Jury Demand

United States of America v. American Bank of Oklahoma

Aug. 28, 2023

Aug. 28, 2023

Complaint
32

4:23-cv-00371

Consent Order

United States of America v. American Bank of Oklahoma

Oct. 3, 2023

Oct. 3, 2023

Order/Opinion

2023 WL 12240589

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67759998/united-states-v-american-bank-of-oklahoma/

Last updated Sept. 7, 2026, 3:12 a.m.

Docket for: United States v. American Bank of Oklahoma
ECF Number Date Description Link
1 Aug. 28, 2023

CIVIL COVER SHEET by United States of America (Hardcastle, Marianne) (Entered: 08/28/2023)

RECAP
2 Aug. 28, 2023

COMPLAINT with Jury Demand against American Bank of Oklahoma by United States of America (Hardcastle, Marianne) (Entered: 08/28/2023)

Clearinghouse
3 Aug. 28, 2023

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE by Marianne Smith Hardcastle on behalf of United States of America (Hardcastle, Marianne) (Entered: 08/28/2023)

RECAP
4 Aug. 28, 2023

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE by Kristin Fulton Harrington on behalf of United States of America [Note: Attorney Kristin Fulton Harrington added to party United States of America(pty:pla).] (Harrington, Kristin) (Entered: 08/28/2023)

RECAP
5 Aug. 28, 2023

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE by Jennifer Slagle Peck on behalf of United States of America [Note: Attorney Jennifer Slagle Peck added to party United States of America(pty:pla).] (Slagle Peck, Jennifer) (Entered: 08/28/2023)

RECAP
6 Aug. 28, 2023

NOTICE OF ASSIGNMENT OF CASE TO A UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE AND DECLINATION OF CONSENT FORM. ACTION REQUIRED: This case has been randomly assigned to a United States magistrate judge for all purposes, including trial, final entry of judgment, and direct review by the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. Each party will be deemed to have knowingly and voluntarily consented to proceed before the assigned Magistrate Judge, if the attached form is not signed and returned within the applicable deadline. The plaintiff or removing party must serve a copy of this notice upon all other parties to this action. (lmt, Dpty Clk) (Entered: 08/28/2023)

RECAP
7 Aug. 28, 2023

MINUTE ORDER by Court Clerk, directing United States of America to file a Disclosure Statement pursuant to FRCvP 7.1 and LCvR 7.1-1, if applicable. The parties shall use the form entitled Disclosure Statement available on the Courts website. (This entry is the Official Order of the Court. No document is attached.) (lmt, Dpty Clk) (Entered: 08/28/2023)

RECAP
8 Aug. 28, 2023

ERRATA/CORRECTION (Re: 2 Complaint ) by United States of America (With attachments) (Hardcastle, Marianne) (Entered: 08/28/2023)

RECAP
9 Aug. 28, 2023

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE by Sara Lewenberg Niles on behalf of United States of America [Note: Attorney Sara Lewenberg Niles added to party United States of America (pty:dft).] (Niles, Sara) Modified on 8/28/2023 to correct filer (lmt, Dpty Clk). (Entered: 08/28/2023)

RECAP
10 Aug. 28, 2023

WAIVER of Service of Summons sent to American Bank of Oklahoma Returned Executed (Re: 2 Complaint ) by United States of America (Hardcastle, Marianne) (Entered: 08/28/2023)

RECAP
11 Aug. 28, 2023

Joint MOTION for Judgment for Entry of Proposed Consent Order by United States of America (With attachments) (Hardcastle, Marianne) (Entered: 08/28/2023)

Clearinghouse
12 Aug. 28, 2023

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE by James Craig Buchan on behalf of American Bank of Oklahoma [Note: Attorney James Craig Buchan added to party American Bank of Oklahoma(pty:dft).] (Buchan, James) (Entered: 08/28/2023)

RECAP
Aug. 28, 2023

Notice of Docket Entry Modification

Aug. 28, 2023

NOTICE of Docket Entry Modification; Error: wrong filer was selected; Correction: corrected filer (Re: 9 Appearance - Attorney ) (lmt, Dpty Clk)

13 Aug. 29, 2023

MOTION for Attorney(s) Andrea Kay Mitchell to be Admitted Pro Hac Vice (paid $100 PHV fee; receipt number COKNDC-2867018) by American Bank of Oklahoma (With attachments) (Buchan, James) (Entered: 08/29/2023)

RECAP
14 Aug. 29, 2023

Amended MOTION for Attorney(s) Andrea Kay Mitchell to be Admitted Pro Hac Vice (includes a request to waive the fee) by American Bank of Oklahoma (With attachments) (Buchan, James) (Entered: 08/29/2023)

RECAP
15 Aug. 29, 2023

MOTION for Attorney(s) Christopher Leonard McCall to be Admitted Pro Hac Vice (paid $100 PHV fee; receipt number AOKNDC-2867114) by American Bank of Oklahoma (With attachments) (Buchan, James) (Entered: 08/29/2023)

RECAP
16 Aug. 29, 2023

MINUTE ORDER by Magistrate Judge Christine D Little The motions for admission pro hac vice (## 14, 15) are granted. Andrea Kay Mitchell and Christopher Leonard McCall are admitted pro hac vice for purposes of this action. They shall each enter an entry of appearance forthwith. The initial request (#13) for admission of Andrea Kay Mitchell is moot, as the Court has granted the subsequently-filed motion for her admission ; finding as moot 13 Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice; granting 14 Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice; granting 15 Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice (Re: 13 MOTION for Attorney(s) Andrea Kay Mitchell to be Admitted Pro Hac Vice (paid $100 PHV fee; receipt number COKNDC-2867018), 14 Amended MOTION for Attorney(s) Andrea Kay Mitchell to be Admitted Pro Hac Vice (includes a request to waive the fee), 15 MOTION for Attorney(s) Christopher Leonard McCall to be Admitted Pro Hac Vice (paid $100 PHV fee; receipt number AOKNDC-2867114) ) (This entry is the Official Order of the Court. No document is attached.) (CDLJ, Judge) (Entered: 08/29/2023)

RECAP
17 Aug. 30, 2023

MINUTE ORDER by Court Clerk, directing American Bank of Oklahoma to file a Disclosure Statement pursuant to FRCvP 7.1 and LCvR 7.1-1, if applicable. The parties shall use the form entitled Disclosure Statement available on the Courts website. (This entry is the Official Order of the Court. No document is attached.) (blc, Dpty Clk) (Entered: 08/30/2023)

RECAP
18 Sept. 1, 2023

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE by Andrea K Mitchell on behalf of American Bank of Oklahoma (Mitchell, Andrea) (Entered: 09/01/2023)

RECAP
19 Sept. 1, 2023

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE by Christopher McCall on behalf of American Bank of Oklahoma [Note: Attorney Christopher McCall added to party American Bank of Oklahoma(pty:dft).] (McCall, Christopher) (Entered: 09/01/2023)

RECAP
20 Sept. 6, 2023

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT (identifying: Corporate Parent Ameribank Holding Company, Other Affiliate CMS Holdings, LLC, Other Affiliate Ameribank Group Benefits, LLC for American Bank of Oklahoma) by American Bank of Oklahoma (Mitchell, Andrea) (Entered: 09/06/2023)

RECAP
21 Sept. 8, 2023

MOTION to Strike Document(s) (Re: 2 Complaint ) by American Bank of Oklahoma (With attachments) (Mitchell, Andrea) (Entered: 09/08/2023)

RECAP
22 Sept. 8, 2023

ERRATA/CORRECTION (Re: 21 MOTION to Strike Document(s) ) by American Bank of Oklahoma (Mitchell, Andrea) (Entered: 09/08/2023)

RECAP
23 Sept. 8, 2023

MINUTE ORDER by Magistrate Judge Christine D Little Briefing on defendant's motion to strike paragraphs 4 and 29 of the Complaint is expedited. The plaintiff shall file any response in opposition to the defendant's motion to strike by September 22, 2023. Any reply brief shall be filed by September 29, 2023, setting/resetting deadline(s)/hearing(s): ( Responses due by 9/22/2023, Replies due by 9/29/2023) (Re: 21 MOTION to Strike Document(s) ) (This entry is the Official Order of the Court. No document is attached.) (CDLJ, Judge) (Entered: 09/08/2023)

RECAP
24 Sept. 12, 2023

NOTICE Consent, and Reference of a Dispositive Motion to a Magistrate Judge (Re: 11 Joint MOTION for Judgment for Entry of Proposed Consent Order ) by United States of America (Hardcastle, Marianne) (Entered: 09/12/2023)

Clearinghouse
25 Sept. 12, 2023

MINUTE ORDER by Magistrate Judge Christine D Little (Courtroom #1, 3rd floor), setting/resetting deadline(s)/hearing(s): ( Motion Hearing set for 10/3/2023 at 09:30 AM before Magistrate Judge Christine D Little) (Re: 11 Joint MOTION for Judgment for Entry of Proposed Consent Order ) (This entry is the Official Order of the Court. No document is attached.) (tjc, Dpty Clk) (Entered: 09/12/2023)

RECAP
26 Sept. 20, 2023

Joint MOTION for Hybrid Hearing (Re: 25 Minute Order,, Setting/Resetting Deadline(s)/Hearing(s), ) by United States of America (Hardcastle, Marianne) (Entered: 09/20/2023)

RECAP
27 Sept. 20, 2023

MINUTE ORDER by Magistrate Judge Christine D Little The Joint Motion for Hybrid Hearing (Doc. 26) is granted, and out-of-state counsel of record may appear at the October 3 hearing via video conference. Instructions for appearing via video conference will be sent to out-of-state counsel of record via the email addresses registered on CM/ECF. ; granting 26 Motion for Miscellaneous Relief (Re: 26 Joint MOTION for Hybrid Hearing ) (This entry is the Official Order of the Court. No document is attached.) (CDL1, Chambers) (Entered: 09/20/2023)

RECAP
28 Sept. 22, 2023

RESPONSE in Opposition to Motion to Strike (Re: 21 MOTION to Strike Document(s) ) by United States of America ; (Hardcastle, Marianne) (Entered: 09/22/2023)

RECAP
29 Sept. 29, 2023

REPLY to Response to Motion (Re: 21 MOTION to Strike Document(s) ) by American Bank of Oklahoma ; (Mitchell, Andrea) (Entered: 09/29/2023)

RECAP
30 Oct. 2, 2023

OPINION AND ORDER by Magistrate Judge Christine D Little The defendant's Motion to Strike (Doc. 21) is granted, and the last sentence of each of paragraphs 4 and 29 of the Complaint are hereby deemed stricken from the Complaint (Doc. 2) ; granting 21 Motion to Strike Document(s) (Re: 2 Complaint, 21 MOTION to Strike Document(s) ) (CDLJ, Judge) (Entered: 10/02/2023)

RECAP
31 Oct. 3, 2023

MINUTES of Proceedings - held before Magistrate Judge Christine D Little: Motion Hearing held on 10/3/2023 ; striking/terminating deadline(s)/Hearing(s); granting 11 Motion for Judgment (Re: 11 Joint MOTION for Judgment for Entry of Proposed Consent Order ) (Court Reporter: C1) (tjc, Dpty Clk) (Entered: 10/03/2023)

RECAP
32 Oct. 3, 2023

ORDER by Magistrate Judge Christine D Little (Consent Order) (Re: 11 Joint MOTION for Judgment for Entry of Proposed Consent Order ) (tjc, Dpty Clk) (Entered: 10/03/2023)

Clearinghouse
33 Oct. 3, 2023

ORDER by Magistrate Judge Christine D Little, administratively closing the case (terminates case) (tjc, Dpty Clk) (Entered: 10/03/2023)

RECAP
Oct. 3, 2023

Civil/Miscellaneous Case Terminated

Oct. 3, 2023

***Civil Case Terminated (see document number 33 ) (blc, Dpty Clk)

34 Nov. 17, 2025

MOTION to Withdraw Attorney(s) by United States of America (Harrington, Kristin) (Entered: 11/17/2025)

RECAP
35 Nov. 17, 2025

ORDER by Magistrate Judge Christine D Little ; terminating attorney Marianne Smith Hardcastle and Sara Lewenberg Niles ; granting 34 Motion to Withdraw Attorney(s) (CDL1, Chambers) (Entered: 11/17/2025)

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory:

Oklahoma

Case Type(s):

Fair Housing/Lending/Insurance

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Reversing Course on Existing Litigation

Key Dates

Filing Date: Aug. 28, 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

American Bank of Oklahoma

Defendant Type(s):

Bank or credit provider

Jurisdiction-wide

Facility Type(s):

Non-government for-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:

Northern District of Oklahoma 4:23-cv-00371

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:

Comply with advertising/recruiting requirements

Discrimination Prohibition

Follow recruitment, hiring, or promotion protocols

Hire

Monitoring

Recordkeeping

Reporting

Training

Order Duration: 2023 - 2028

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