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Shipman & Goodwin Secures Order Certifying Class of Former Barbour Gardens Tenants in Dispute Over Substandard Living Conditions

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1 year ago

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HARTFORD, Conn., May 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Shipman & Goodwin LLP has secured an order certifying a class of former residents of Barbour Gardens, once a publicly subsidized housing complex situated in Hartford’s North End. After regulators shuttered the complex based on deficient inspection scores and associated safety violations, several tenants filed suit for the proposed class against the complex’s owner, its manager, and certain of the owner’s members.

As defined by the Superior Court for the Complex Litigation Docket in Hartford, the certified class comprises all tenants who resided at Barbour Gardens at any time from January 1, 2015, through when the last tenants were evacuated in 2019.

As the class-certification decision recounted, before a late 2018 federal inspection on short notice, one defendant’s “employee predicted that Barbour Gardens ‘will come back as possibly the lowest score ever received.’ This prediction proved accurate: Barbour Gardens received a score of 9c—the lowest score received by any project in Connecticut’s history. During the inspection of 20 rental units, 138 health and safety deficiencies were observed, including electrical hazards, inoperable windows and doors, mold and mildew, water damage, and a bedbug infestation.” This inspection report extrapolated that the whole complex had “a total of 423 health and safety deficiencies.”

As the Court’s decision further noted, “defendants did not correct any of the deficiencies documented,” leading the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to cancel Barbour Gardens’ participation in the federal project‑based rental‑assistance program. “Given the limited number of housing units that qualify for federal subsidies,” however, “the low-income residents at Barbour Gardens struggled to find affordable housing. Many residents who had nowhere else to go were forced to remain at Barbour Gardens, despite the deplorable living conditions.”

As alleged, the crisis culminated in June 2019—when, as the Court’s decision recited, “three feet of standing wastewater flooded into the basement of one of Barbour Gardens’ four buildings. The plumbing system pumped the sewage from one building into another. As a result, the city evacuated the families who had remained at Barbour Gardens while awaiting the opportunity to transition to safe and habitable affordable housing. HUD deemed the property too unsafe for residents to return, and these families were permanently displaced.”

The quoted passages from the class-certification decision incorporated the Connecticut Supreme Court’s description of the evidence in an earlier interlocutory appeal, which set the stage for the more recent certification order. 

Weighing this and other evidence, and the parties’ arguments, the Superior Court granted class certification on plaintiffs’ claims for breach of contract, unjust enrichment and violation of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act, arising from defects relating to Barbour Gardens’ common areas. The certification order specifically allows plaintiffs to pursue classwide remedies of disgorgement of rental or other income, punitive damages and attorney’s fees.

The case team includes Partners Eric Del Pozo (who argued the motion and preceding appeal), Mark Ostrowski, Joette Katz and Jim Bergenn, with Associates Sarah Dlugoszewski and Sarah Niemiroski. As class counsel, Shipman & Goodwin is proud to have achieved this significant milestone and will continue to seek appropriate justice for the tenant class.

About Shipman & Goodwin LLP
Shipman’s value lies in its commitment to its clients, to the profession, and to the community. With more than 140 lawyers in offices throughout Connecticut and New York, the full-service law firm serves the needs of local, regional, national, and international clients that include public and private companies, educational institutions, governmental entities, non-profit organizations, and individuals. Shipman is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the firm, the legal profession, and the community. Shipman has participated in Diversity Lab’s Mansfield Rule since 2019 and earned Mansfield Certification Plus status for the fifth consecutive year in 2024. Shipman was also recognized by Women Inc. Magazine as one of the “Top 100 Law Firms for Women.” The National Law Journal also ranked Shipman as the eighth most inclusive firm for women in their 2021 national survey. For more information, visit www.shipmangoodwin.com.

Contact:
Jennifer Stokes (860) 251-5014 | jstokes@goodwin.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shipman–goodwin-secures-order-certifying-class-of-former-barbour-gardens-tenants-in-dispute-over-substandard-living-conditions-302450311.html

SOURCE Shipman & Goodwin, LLP

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New Cornerstone Advisors Research Reveals Community Banks Are Ceding a $106 Billion Consumer Lending Opportunity

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43 minutes ago

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October 6, 2026

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Study finds consumer lending can protect commercial relationships, deposits and future growth

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Community banks that treat consumer lending as a low-margin, low-priority product risk surrendering valuable customer relationships and billions in loan demand to competitors, according to new Cornerstone Advisors research commissioned by Teslar Software.

The report, The Most Valuable Loan Community Banks Don’t Make: The Hidden Value of Consumer Lending, says consumer lending should be viewed not as a standalone profit center but as a way to retain business-owner relationships, protect deposits and defend against fintechs, credit unions and large banks.

Across approximately 5.5 million U.S. employer small businesses, owners are expected to generate roughly $106 billion in consumer loan demand over the next two years — much of which community banks currently allow to flow elsewhere. The study, based on a survey of 1,249 small-business owners and executives and interviews with community bank executives, found that nearly 60% of business owners bank with one of the five largest U.S. banks, where consumer lending represents 12% to 24% of total loan portfolios.

Additionally:

Median consumer loans are just 1.2% of total loans at U.S. banks with $500 million to $20 billion in assets and 0.83% at banks with $10 billion to $20 billion.Only 46% of business owners who obtained a personal loan in the past three years used their primary business bank; 54% borrowed elsewhere.Business owners cited rates or terms (41%), slow approval (35%) and lack of awareness or availability (14%) as reasons for borrowing elsewhere.

“Many banks ask whether consumer loans generate enough profit on their own to justify the investment,” said Elizabeth Gujral, director at Cornerstone Advisors. “The real question is what banks stand to lose when business owners turn elsewhere. Every loan that leaves creates an opening for a competitor to deepen the relationship, attract deposits and win future business. Consumer lending is increasingly a relationship-retention strategy.”

Other key survey findings:

72% of business owners expect to need a consumer loan within three years, up from 66% who obtained one in the previous three years.80% would consider a consumer loan from their primary business bank if it offered the product.Banks with the highest consumer lending mix outperformed those with the lowest, posting median ROA of 1.44% versus 1.15%, ROE of 13.4% versus 10.5%, and deposit growth of 9.9% versus 8.0%.

“Consumer lending is about more than the loan itself,” said Joe Ehrhardt, CEO and founder of Teslar Software. “It’s an opportunity to deepen existing relationships today and build the commercial relationships of tomorrow. By modernizing origination and automating routine processes, community institutions can make consumer lending efficient and profitable while supporting long-term growth.”

The report concludes that although consumer lending may not drive profits on a loan-by-loan basis, it plays a critical role in strengthening customer relationships and defending against growing competition.

The full report, The Most Valuable Loan Community Banks Don’t Make: The Hidden Value of Consumer Lending, is available for download here.

About Cornerstone Advisors

For more than 20 years, Cornerstone Advisors has provided advisory services and research to banks, credit unions and fintech companies. The firm helps financial institutions improve performance, modernize technology, increase efficiency and execute growth strategies.

About Teslar Software

Teslar Software helps community financial institutions modernize operations and accelerate growth while preserving relationship banking. Its unified platform supports loan origination, portfolio management, AI-powered workflow automation and exception tracking.

Media Contact
Cate Pitts, Editorial Director
Cornerstone Advisors
480-425-5203
424179@email4pr.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-cornerstone-advisors-research-reveals-community-banks-are-ceding-a-106-billion-consumer-lending-opportunity-302899390.html

SOURCE Cornerstone Advisors

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New Cornerstone Advisors Research Reveals Community Banks Are Ceding a $106 Billion Consumer Lending Opportunity

Published

43 minutes ago

on

October 6, 2026

By

Study finds consumer lending can protect commercial relationships, deposits and future growth

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Community banks that treat consumer lending as a low-margin, low-priority product risk surrendering valuable customer relationships and billions in loan demand to competitors, according to new Cornerstone Advisors research commissioned by Teslar Software.

The report, The Most Valuable Loan Community Banks Don’t Make: The Hidden Value of Consumer Lending, says consumer lending should be viewed not as a standalone profit center but as a way to retain business-owner relationships, protect deposits and defend against fintechs, credit unions and large banks.

Across approximately 5.5 million U.S. employer small businesses, owners are expected to generate roughly $106 billion in consumer loan demand over the next two years — much of which community banks currently allow to flow elsewhere. The study, based on a survey of 1,249 small-business owners and executives and interviews with community bank executives, found that nearly 60% of business owners bank with one of the five largest U.S. banks, where consumer lending represents 12% to 24% of total loan portfolios.

Additionally:

Median consumer loans are just 1.2% of total loans at U.S. banks with $500 million to $20 billion in assets and 0.83% at banks with $10 billion to $20 billion.Only 46% of business owners who obtained a personal loan in the past three years used their primary business bank; 54% borrowed elsewhere.Business owners cited rates or terms (41%), slow approval (35%) and lack of awareness or availability (14%) as reasons for borrowing elsewhere.

“Many banks ask whether consumer loans generate enough profit on their own to justify the investment,” said Elizabeth Gujral, director at Cornerstone Advisors. “The real question is what banks stand to lose when business owners turn elsewhere. Every loan that leaves creates an opening for a competitor to deepen the relationship, attract deposits and win future business. Consumer lending is increasingly a relationship-retention strategy.”

Other key survey findings:

72% of business owners expect to need a consumer loan within three years, up from 66% who obtained one in the previous three years.80% would consider a consumer loan from their primary business bank if it offered the product.Banks with the highest consumer lending mix outperformed those with the lowest, posting median ROA of 1.44% versus 1.15%, ROE of 13.4% versus 10.5%, and deposit growth of 9.9% versus 8.0%.

“Consumer lending is about more than the loan itself,” said Joe Ehrhardt, CEO and founder of Teslar Software. “It’s an opportunity to deepen existing relationships today and build the commercial relationships of tomorrow. By modernizing origination and automating routine processes, community institutions can make consumer lending efficient and profitable while supporting long-term growth.”

The report concludes that although consumer lending may not drive profits on a loan-by-loan basis, it plays a critical role in strengthening customer relationships and defending against growing competition.

The full report, The Most Valuable Loan Community Banks Don’t Make: The Hidden Value of Consumer Lending, is available for download here.

About Cornerstone Advisors

For more than 20 years, Cornerstone Advisors has provided advisory services and research to banks, credit unions and fintech companies. The firm helps financial institutions improve performance, modernize technology, increase efficiency and execute growth strategies.

About Teslar Software

Teslar Software helps community financial institutions modernize operations and accelerate growth while preserving relationship banking. Its unified platform supports loan origination, portfolio management, AI-powered workflow automation and exception tracking.

Media Contact
Cate Pitts, Editorial Director
Cornerstone Advisors
480-425-5203
424179@email4pr.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-cornerstone-advisors-research-reveals-community-banks-are-ceding-a-106-billion-consumer-lending-opportunity-302899390.html

SOURCE Cornerstone Advisors

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Itibari-Waynne & Partners (IWP) and VYRE Activate Partnership with Exclusive Content for VBNGtv

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43 minutes ago

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October 6, 2026

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First Projects Announced: ‘The Plug’ and Season Two of ‘self!’ as IWP prepares to open in early 2027

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Itibari-Waynne & Partners (IWP), the agentic financing platform for creator-led projects, and VYRE Network are kicking off their partnership with the launch of content created exclusively for VYRE Business News Global (VBNGtv), VYRE’s free streaming business channel.

With IWP officially opening for business in the first quarter of 2027, they are inviting creators, investors, lenders, vendors and apprentices to get a headstart where projects meet capital right now. Join their “Reserve Your Spot Today!” campaign today and Plug In to gain first access to funding.

“When we announced this partnership, the goal was to bring capital and content together on one network. Today that becomes real,” said David Hill, CEO of VYRE Network. “VBNGtv viewers get exclusive programming about business and capital, and creators get a direct line to IWP’s financing platform.”

‘The Plug’: First Proven Project

Debuting this fall, ‘The Plug’ is a video podcast series hosted by Grammy Award-winning producer Bruce Waynne, Founder and CEO of IWP, and Itibari Zulu, President of IWP and Chief Investment Officer of VYRE. It features long-form conversations with entrepreneurs, financiers, investors and entertainers about access to capital, ownership and building a company.

Named after PLUG, IWP’s dedicated funding agent, the series puts IWP’s model in front of the audience it serves: creators seeking funding, investors and lenders seeking vetted deals, and vendors and apprentices seeking funded work.

‘The Plug’ is also the first project financed under IWP’s model and serves as its proof of concept. The model layers risk protection with identifiable repayment sources; depending on the transaction, up to 80% of financing may be supported by insurance-backed credit enhancements, government incentives, tax credits, minimum guarantees, presales and distribution commitments.

‘self!’: IWP Helps Fund Second Season

IWP is contributing funding for Season Two of the successful VBNGtv original series, ‘self!’ which stands for Self-Empowerment Lessons Flourished. The recorded presentation-style talks provide an open-door look at how influential business leaders have elevated their companies to the next level.

The highest viewed episode from the first season featured a candid account from Itibari Zulu, who reveals how he found motivation and transformed it into a successful career in the financial services industry for over two decades. Watch this ‘self!’ episode now: ‘Itibari Zulu – Understanding the 4 Phases in Business’ 

“‘self!’ gave me the chance to share my story,” adds Zulu. “Season Two is about helping more people tell theirs, and that’s what IWP was built to do: put capital behind the people doing the work.”

Both ‘The Plug’ and ‘self!’ can be streamed for free at VBNGtv.com, the VYRE app, and on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Samsung and LG Smart TVs, iOS and Android.

About IWP
IWP is an agentic financing platform that provides the infrastructure layer for entrepreneurs, powered by PLUG, its dedicated funding agent. www.iwp.fund

About VBNGtv
VBNGtv is a capital markets media engine and global streaming business channel showcasing small-cap and micro-cap companies, business leaders and brand partners.

About VYRE Network
VYRE is a vertically integrated media and entertainment technology company that helps creators, studios and brands distribute, finance, market and monetize premium content worldwide.

Media Contact:
Tammy Lynn, Spotlight PR Company
310-867-1952 / 424183@email4pr.com 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/itibari-waynne–partners-iwp-and-vyre-activate-partnership-with-exclusive-content-for-vbngtv-302899709.html

SOURCE Itibari-Waynne & Partners (IWP)

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