Should San Francisco Create a Public Bank? episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 19, 2026 · 54 MIN

Should San Francisco Create a Public Bank?

from KQED's Forum · host KQED

San Francisco voters will decide in November whether to set up a public bank, a city-owned financial institution that could manage city funds and make loans. The move would make San Francisco the first city in the country to operate a public bank, though it’s a concept cities and states across the country are exploring as a way to give local governments more control over their money and fund projects such as affordable housing, green energy infrastructure and small businesses that commercial banks don’t typically fund. Critics say cities already have tools available to them that are less risky and complicated to use. We’ll dive into what it is and how it might work in San Francisco. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Aug 19, 2026

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Should San Francisco Create a Public Bank?

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