A new federal report has uncovered “irrefutable evidence that the nation’s banks have denied, debanked, and discriminated against” conservatives and certain businesses because of their political perspective. The 47-page report comes from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. The banks mentioned are JPMorgan Chase Bank, Bank of America, Citibank, Wells Fargo Bank, U.S. Bank, Capital One, PNC Bank, TD Bank, and BMO Bank.

For example, according to the report, Wells Fargo forced a payment processor to debank a religious nonprofit over its opposition to same-sex marriage. The bank also declined loans to firearms businesses. PNC apparently denied a line of credit to a media company after employees complained that the conservative owners had opinions “contrary to PNC’s beliefs/values.”

Apparently four of the largest banks I just mentioned also relied on the Southern Poverty Law Center in decisions affecting conservative and religious organizations.

This is not the first time I have talked about debanking in my commentary, and I suspect it won’t be my last. But I am encouraged by some of the comments this report has generated.

Jonathan Gould serves as the Comptroller of the Currency and noted that “Americans should have access to financial services regardless of their beliefs, affiliations, or political views.” He added that “The Trump Administration is committed to ending the weaponization of finance against hardworking Americans, once and for all.”

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer explained that “No American should be locked out of the banking system for being conservative or Christian.” It is time to end this practice of debanking.