Bankrate.com also said that many big banks with operations spread across several regions practiced "geographic discrimination," in which deals vary greatly by state.

But today he suggested it was appropriate for the government to penalize an institution that practiced racial discrimination.

That ruling held that private schools practicing racial discrimination could not receive federal tax exemptions.

In 1985, the judge ruled that Yonkers had practiced systematic discrimination for four decades.

"That is: Did they have this policy of practicing discrimination?"

It demands that a white laborer be refused a job because his grandfather may have practiced racial discrimination.

Ritter, intensely dedicated to racial equality, even withheld Communion from Catholics who practiced discrimination.

Roberts is quoted as saying "to make an exception would be practicing discrimination in reverse."

Other later rulings put their tax exemption status in jeopardy if they practiced racial discrimination.

If an agency that receives federal aid is found to be practicing discrimination, the government can withhold that aid.