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'Shame Campaign' looks to change foreclosure practices

WBFO News file photo

More signs calling out banks that are being bad neighbors will be going up this week. State Assemblyman Michael Kearns says he started the "shame campaign" to expose lenders that foreclose on homes and let them rot for years.

Kearns says banks are dragging down communities and leaving taxpayers holding the bag.

"People are sick and tired of the banks not being responsive to them. We're hopeful of exposing them through the signs that people are going to consider that these banks are not being good neighbors, that they won't do their banking with them," Kearns explained. 

"You hit them in the pocketbook." 

Kearns says he's getting calls from all over the state about the "shame campaign." He says the Assembly has passed legislation to stop banks from abandoning property, but the Senate refuses to act.