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Welcome to the revamped monthly Massachusetts Public Banking (MAPB) newsletter! It's been a little while since our last update, but we're excited to reconnect and share what we've been working on. We are a coalition advocating for a state-owned public bank, which will hold a portion of the Commonwealth’s funds and make loans to small businesses in areas that benefit the public, reinvesting the profits back into Massachusetts communities. Bills to create the MAPB (H.1114 and S.736) are currently before the state legislature, but we can’t cross the finish line alone! We are eager to expand our outreach across the state and to bring on new coalition members as we look ahead to the second year of the legislative cycle, so please share this newsletter with your network and let us know your capacity via this form.

Out and About with MAPB
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In April, we testified at an informational hearing at the State House, motivating legislators to support the bill. Our organizer Rei also spoke at a legislative breakfast hosted by the Coalition for an Equitable Economy. 
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In May, our co-chair Nancy and organizer Rei attended the Demos Summit on Public Banking: Advancing Racial Equity and the Public Good in Washington, DC. Read the report here!

  • In September, our steering committee and coalition partners met for a communications workshop to train, reconnect, and reinvigorate new and old members. You are enjoying the first result of that workshop!

  • Public Banking Community Reception: In November, public banking experts from all over the country will gather at Harvard Law School for a public banking conference! While the programming is invite-only, please join us for a community reception on Thursday, November 6, 2025 at Harvard Law School from 5-7:30 pm. RSVP here if you would like to attend! 

Legislative Updates

We have until next June to get the 194th General Court of Massachusetts to pass the bill to create the MA public bank  (H.1114 in the House, S.736 in the Senate). 

  • Thank you to our bill sponsors: Senator Jamie Eldridge (Middlesex and Worcester), Senator Liz Miranda (2nd Suffolk), Representative Tony Cabral (13th Bristol), Representative Mike Connolly (26th Middlesex). (Don't see your reps? Call them to let them know you support the creation of a MA state public bank and urge them to become a cosponsor!)

  • Other communities across the country are part of our growing public banking movement! There are efforts underway in California, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania. And of course, the Bank of North Dakota has been strengthening that state’s economy for a century!

Spotlight: Building Momentum, Building Together

 

Meet a few of the organizers helping to strengthen our coalition and energize the Massachusetts public banking campaign.

 
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Athul Krishnadas (he/him)- Athul is part of the Boston Ujima Project’s Coalitions, Policy, and Grassroots Organizing team. A former financial services professional with experience at Goldman Sachs, Santander Bank, and FIS Global, he is dedicated to building fairer, more socially and environmentally conscious financial systems that serve people and communities.
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Rei Fielder (they/them)- Rei is the Director of Coalitions, Policy, and Grassroots Organizing at the Boston Ujima Project, Inc., and a clinical therapist. Their work centers the health and well-being of historically excluded communities through collective economic organizing and transformative care. Rei brings a deep commitment to building liberatory systems that promote healing, justice, and shared prosperity.
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Kate Royce (she/her)- Kate is a staff attorney at South Coastal Counties Legal Services, bringing a background in consumer protection and public service to the campaign. Formerly an enforcement attorney at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and a math teacher before law school, she’s passionate about creating fair financial systems that protect and empower Massachusetts communities.

Get Involved!

  • Fill out this form to let us know how you can help make the public bank a reality. 

  • Urge your legislators to co-sponsor the public banking bills, H.1114 and S.736

  • Subscribe to future campaign updates here.

  • And if your organization hasn’t already, make sure to endorse the current bills!

In solidarity,

Massachusetts Public Banking

Nancy Ryan and Ruth Caplan, co-chairs

masspublicbanking.org

www.masspublicbanking.org
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