Relating to prohibitions on deceptive and unfair practices related to financial institutions discriminating in the provision of financial services to consumers and other persons.

SB 949, the "Equality in Financial Services Act," bans large financial institutions from using a "social credit score" to deny or restrict services based on protected activities. It specifically prohibits institutions (with $100B+ assets or processing $100B+ in transactions annually) from considering factors like religious practice, political speech, refusal to adopt environmental targets, or business ties to firearms/fossil fuels as financial risk factors. The bill requires institutions to provide written reasons within 90 days if they deny service, and explicitly excludes publicly disclosed, quantifiable financial risk assessments from the ban. It directly affects consumers and businesses interacting with major banks and payment processors in Texas.