June 27, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Los Angeles Councilman Threatens Two Wall Street Banks

Los Angeles
Los Angeles CIty Council News on WestsideToday.com (Thinkstock)

A Los Angeles city councilman threatened on May 2 to stop doing business with two Wall Street banks that he says has charged taxpayers $65 million in predatory fees since the banking meltdown in 2008.

Councilman Paul Koretz, who represents several Westside communities, is urging NY Mellon Bank and Dexia to release the City from financial deals that has led to tens of millions of dollars in fees, with millions more to come.

One interest rate swap deal the City entered into with the two banks in 2006 to pay for wastewater infrastructure projects, along with other deals, are “costing us dearly, even today, while NY Mellon reaps massive profits,” Koretz said during a City Hall news conference.

Bank officials were not immediately available for comment.

If the city remains in the deals, it could lose another $69 million through 2028, Koretz said. But in order to get out of those arrangements, the City would need to fork over $24 million to the banks, he said.

If the banks refuse to renegotiate with the city or to terminate the deals at no cost, then the city would “consider terminating any current business with these banks and excluding NY Mellon and Dexia from all future business with the city,” according to a motion introduced by Koretz.

While the Federal Reserve has artificially slashed interest rates for banks, giving financial institutions “access to cheap money,” cities and others obtaining financing from those banks are unable to get out of bad deals without needing to pay fees, according to the motion, which was seconded by Councilman Gil Cedillo.

The potentially costly fees were highlighted in a report released by Fix L.A., a coalition representing Los Angeles residents and city employee unions.

Lisa Cody, an analyst with SEIU Local 721, a union representing city employees, said the report “documents a growing body of evidence suggesting that Wall Street has engaged in predatory lending practices when providing municipal financing to cities and government.”

According to the report, the city has already paid $204 million in fees to financial institutions, on top of the $65 million lost when the city got out of other less-than-ideal financing agreements.

NY Mellon and Dexia has “millions of dollars” of business with the city that includes real estate transactions and letters of credit, according to Cody. The banks also act as the custodians for securities lending for the City and the Dept. of Water and Power, she said.

The city has faced “difficult circumstances” as a result of the financial crisis in 2008, so while the banks may not have intended for the deals to go south, “NY Mellon Bank and Dexia need to do what many others have done for the sake of the city, and that is to make sacrifices and not obscene profits,” Koretz said.

The councilman’s motion, if approved, tells Office of Finance staff and other city officials to meet with the banks to rework the deals or reach an agreement allowing them to get out of them without needing to pay a penalty.

Staffers would be expected to report back on their progress in 30 days.

The motion still needs to work its way through the City Council committees and may take a “month or so,” to get to the full council, Koretz said.

The City Council also is amid budget hearings and is expected to hear from city employee unions on Monday, when City Administrative Officer Miguel Santana’s staff was expected to discuss Fix L.A.’s report.

Related Posts

Café UCLA Pops Up in Westwood to Honor Arthur Ashe’s Historic Wimbledon Win

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Three-Day Celebration Includes Giveaways in Tribute to the Iconic Athlete and Activist UCLA will commemorate the 50th anniversary of Arthur...

Captain America Hits the Skirball Big Screen for Heroic Outdoor Movie Night

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Museum-Goers Can Also Catch a Superhero-Themed Drawing Session The Skirball Cultural Center will host an outdoor screening of Captain America:...

Demolition Underway at Beverly Grove Squatter Site After Mystery Fire Renews Safety Fears

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Crews Begin Tearing Down Long-Vacant Apartments on First and Flores  Demolition has begun at a group of long-abandoned apartment buildings...

(Video) Welcome to the Urban Jungle — where nature meets the city and style meets soul

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

Whether you’re chasing that gritty city energy or carving out a green oasis in your space, we’re here to help...

Santa Monica Police Arrest Shooting Suspect After Officer Ambushed Near Downtown Mall

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

Man Linked to Waymo Vehicle Gunfire Taken Into Custody Following Tense Manhunt The suspect wanted in connection with a shooting...

Brentwood Weekend Specials: $9 Wine & Street Tacos, Blush-Inspired Lattes & Beauty Swag

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

Street Tacos and Wine Meets Self-Care in Brentwood and Santa Monica Brentwood Fine Wines will welcome back local culinary favorite...

Michelin Stars Shine Bright on LA: Somni West Hollywood and Providence Earn Top Honors

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

Two Restaurants in Los Angeles Receive Three Stars as Michelin Guide Celebrates Bold Flavors The MICHELIN Guide California 2025 celebrated...

Cherished Culver City Ice Cream Vendor Abducted in Broad Daylight

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

Ambrocio “Enrique” Lozano’s Disappearance Led To Grassroots Action Ambrocio Lozano, also known in the neighborhood as Enrique, was abducted around...

Brentwood Home by Landry Design Group Wins Top National Architecture Award

June 25, 2025

June 25, 2025

Landry Design Group Wins Gold Nugget Awards for Brentwood, Crestwood Projects Landry Design Group (LDG) earned two top honors at...

(Video) WISE & Healthy Aging Helps Loved Ones Boost Their Quality of Life

June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

See How the Nonprofit’s Innovative Programs Advance the Dignity of Life for Older Adults See How the Nonprofit’s Innovative Programs...

Masked Federal Agents Detain Iranian Asylum Seeker and Wife in Westwood

June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

31-Year-Old Woman was Hospitalized After Possible Medical Emergency On Tuesday, June 24, between 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., near the...

Los Angeles Leaders Push to Ban Masks for Federal Agents Amid Immigration Raids

June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

Concerns Grow Over Anonymous ICE and CBP Officers in Los Angeles   A growing coalition of California lawmakers and local leaders...

(Video) Food Fight: Chefs Join Forces to Raise Money to Protect Immigrant Families in Venice

June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

Estrano, Little Dynamite, Sunday Gravy, Kabob Senpai Answer the Call From Turk’s Pizza Party. Dave Turkel Put This Food Resistance...

Squatter-Plagued Beverly Grove Buildings Could Be Razed After Hazard Cleanup

June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

Demolition of Three Abandoned Apartments May Begin in Two Weeks Three abandoned apartment buildings in Beverly Grove may soon be...

From Westwood to DTLA, Angelenos March Against Military Escalation in Iran

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

Protestors Rally at the Westwood Federal Building This Weekend Following President Donald Trump’s authorization of airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear-related...