Bank of America waded into a national debate over immigration when it announced a plan to extend credit cards to people without social security numbers. The bank argues that the plan is not about giving credit to illegal residents but rather about helping its customers build a credit history. Critics have suggested the bank is aiding illegals and possibly terrorists. Some have called for a boycott. Don't expect the bank to back down. CEO Ken Lewis has argued that the USA Patriot Act, passed after 9/11, "allows financial institutions to accept some official identification sources issued by foreign governments." In a previous Los Angeles pilot program, the banks says 84 percent of the customers provided Social Security numbers, while the rest qualified for government-issued identification. The bank plans to roll out its program nationwide. The question is whether other banks will follow.

For more:
- here's a Charlotte Observer article
- read more on BofA's new brand campaign here