Industry News

SBA: Agency Celebrates 73rd Anniversary with New SBA.gov; Streamlines Capital and Resources for Small Businesses and Manufacturers

New website realigns agency with its founding mission to power U.S. innovation, production, and Main Street job creators Today, on the 73rd anniversary of the Small Business Act of 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the official launch of its modernized website, SBA.gov, designed to streamline access to capital, counseling, and contracting. The transformation marks a…

SBA: Top Five Finalists in Freedom 250 Patriot Pitch Competition Announced

Finalists will compete in Washington, D.C. to win $1 million in total prize funding provided by Clover Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the five finalists advancing to the grand finale of the SBA Freedom 250 Patriot Pitch Competition. As part of the nation’s Freedom 250 celebrations, the competition spotlights the small businesses who leveraged…

ABA: ABA Testifies Before Senate Aging Committee on Protecting Seniors from AI-Generated Fraud

Association calls for coordinated action to combat growing threat of AI-enabled scams American Bankers Association Executive Vice President for Risk, Fraud and Cybersecurity Paul Benda will testify before the Senate Special Committee on Aging today on the growing threat of artificial intelligence-enabled scams and the need for a coordinated response to better protect older Americans…

Treasury: Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent Remarks Before the Financial Literacy and Education Commission Shared

As prepared for delivery “Good afternoon. Thank you for joining us here in the historic Cash Room. And thank you for your ongoing commitment to the work of this Commission as we meet to discuss digital financial literacy following the historic launch of Trump Accounts. I have long believed that the strength of a nation…

ICBA: ICBA Reiterates Strong Concerns with Federal Reserve Payment Account Proposal

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today expressed strong concerns with the Federal Reserve Board’s proposed special-purpose payment accounts for nonbank financial institutions and urged the agency to ensure any such program is temporary. “The Federal Reserve’s proposed payment account for eligible nonbank institutions continues to face an inescapable problem: the Fed shouldn’t extend…

OCC: Comptroller Gould Highlights OCC’s Financial Literacy Efforts at Financial Literacy and Education Commission Meeting

Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan V. Gould today highlighted the OCC’s efforts to expand financial literacy, support responsible innovation, and provide consumers with practical educational resources in remarks at the Financial Literacy and Education Commission meeting. Excerpts from Comptroller Gould’s remarks are below. His full statement can be found here. Supporting responsible innovation and digital financial…

CFPB: Deputy Director Mark Paoletta Shares Remarks at the Financial Literacy and Education Commission

“Good afternoon. I want to thank Secretary Bessent and the staff of the Treasury Department for convening this meeting, and for their leadership on digital financial literacy. Under the superb leadership of Acting Director Vought, the CFPB is advancing the Trump Administration’s expansive efforts to improve financial literacy and increase early access to financial empowerment…

Treasury: FinCEN Issues Alert on Fraud Schemes Targeting Federal Student Aid

Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued an Alert urging financial institutions to detect, prevent, and report suspicious activity connected to fraud schemes targeting student aid programs administered by the Federal government. Today’s action is the latest in Treasury’s efforts, led by President Trump and Vice President Vance, to eliminate government…

ABA: ABA & CBA Urge Federal Reserve to Strengthen Safeguards for Proposed Payment Accounts

The American Bankers Association and Consumer Bankers Association today submitted a joint comment letter supporting the Federal Reserve’s proposed Payment Account framework as a prudent approach to responsible innovation if additional safeguards are adopted to protect the safety, soundness and integrity of the U.S. payments system.  The associations said the proposal represents a measured approach to expanding…

ICBA: ThinkTECH Accelerator Showcase Returns to GSBC, Connecting Fintechs with Community Bank Leaders

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) will host the ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator Program 11 Showcase on July 23, 2026 at the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado (GSBC) in Boulder, Colo. During the event, community bank leaders will engage with growth-stage, bank-enabling fintechs and vote on the solution that best helps community banks flourish….