ICBA: ICBA Opposes OCC Approval of Ripple’s National Trust Bank Charter Application
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today expressed opposition to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s reported final approval of Ripple’s application for a national trust bank charter for its Ripple National Trust Bank subsidiary. “The OCC’s approval of Ripple’s trust charter application based on the agency’s flawed chartering rule for national trust…
SBA: Agency Asks Public to Report Suspected Pandemic-Era Fraud Through DOJ Whistleblower Portal
Whistleblower Program Offers Incentives for Reporting PPP and COVID EIDL Fraud Following President Donald J. Trump’s announcement establishing the Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program (WHIP), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) today called on members of the public, federal employees, lenders, and small business owners to report suspected SBA loan and grant fraud through the new centralized federal portal at america.gov/fraud. …
OCC: Comptroller Gould Discusses Efforts to Support Community Banks
Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan V. Gould today discussed the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s (OCC) work to help community banks thrive and remain dynamic as the financial industry evolves in remarks before the Ohio Bankers League. Excerpts from Comptroller Gould’s remarks are below. His full remarks can be found here. Ohio Community Banks…
ABA: Officers and Board Elected for 2026-2027
Members attending the American Bankers Association’s annual convention in Salt Lake City have elected new ABA officers and directors to serve on ABA’s board for the 2026-2027 association year. The new officers are: CHAIR: Catherine Owen, executive chair, Eagle Bank & Trust Company, and chair and CEO, State Holding Company, Little Rock, Ark.; •CHAIR-ELECT: James C. Ryan…
HUD: Agency Announces Voluntary Compliance Agreement with Multnomah County Homeless Services Department in Oregon
Ensures Residents Have Equal Access to Housing Services Today, HUD announced that Multnomah County, Oregon, and the Multnomah County Homeless Services Department have agreed to stop dispensing assistance to the county’s homeless population based on race, color, and national origin in violation of the Fair Housing Act and Title VI of the Civil Rights…
ICBA: OpenAI & ICBA Announce Strategic Alliance to Bring Frontier AI Cybersecurity Capabilities to Community Banks
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) and OpenAI today announced a landmark strategic alliance opens in a new tabto help community banks access AI-enabled cybersecurity capabilities, training, and peer-to-peer engagement. The alliance builds on ICBA’s broader advocacy to ensure community banks are included as advanced AI capabilities are developed and deployed. Earlier this year, ICBA led…
HUD: Secretary Turner to Co-Chair the Task Force on Manufactured Housing Innovation
Following President Donald J. Trump signing an Executive Order, Secretary Turner will now co-chair the Task Force on Manufactured Housing Innovation to unleash more affordable and innovative housing. The Executive Order, Decreasing Housing Costs for the American People, established this task force to create a whole-of-government approach to ensure our nation is modernizing federal housing programs…
SBA: Nearly 700 Noncompliant 8(a) Firms Referred to GSA to Conduct Contract Audits
Firms Face GSA Contract Review After Removal from SBA 8(a) Program Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) referred 689 firms that were removed from its 8(a) Business Development Program to the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) for a comprehensive review of their previous government contract awards. Earlier this year, the firms were removed from…
ABA: Next Generation of Bank Leaders Recognized with 2026 Emerging Leader Awards
The American Bankers Association today announced the 2026 recipients of its annual ABA Emerging Leader Awards, which recognize the next generation of bank leaders who are committed to the highest standards of achievement and service to both their industry and their local communities. “The talent and dedication of this year’s ABA Emerging Leaders reflect a passion for…
SBA: Million Dollar Pitch Competition Now Streaming on YouTube and Prime Video
Celebrating 250 Years of Free Enterprise, Five Small Businesses Compete for a Share of $1 Million Cash Prize Pool Funded by Clover Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that the special broadcast event for the Million Dollar Pitch Competition is now streaming globally on Prime Video and YouTube. The high-stakes special features five small businesses competing…