The California State Assembly approved landmark legislation that would guarantee all Californians access to basic banking services without fees or penalties. The California Public Banking Option Act, AB 1177 (BankCal), addresses the inequities in financial services acutely felt by communities that have been hardest hit by pandemic and recession: discrimination, predatory lending, and vicious spirals of debt. AB 1177 is endorsed by SEIU California, California Reinvestment Coalition, California Public Banking Alliance, and 200 racial and economic justice groups, faith-based and climate justice organizations, businesses, and labor unions.