ICBA: Advocacy Campaign Launched to Protect Main Street Communities from Crypto Threat
New ad highlights critical role community banks serve across America The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today announced a new campaign to protect local communities and consumers from the risks posed by the accelerated adoption of crypto products and services that lack the same level of regulation and consumer protection as the banking sector. “Community banks are the backbone…
Treasury: Education Freedom Tax Credit Guidance Previewed
The U.S. Department of the Treasury previewed forthcoming Treasury and IRS guidance for the implementation of the new federal scholarship tax credit enacted as part of the Working Families Tax Cuts. “Under President Trump’s leadership, we are taking a transformative step toward an education system that fits the student rather than the other way around,” said…
ABA: Statement Issued on Nomination of Brian Johnson as CFPB Director
“We applaud President Trump’s nomination of Brian Johnson to serve as the next director of the CFPB. Brian has a distinguished track record in bank regulatory policy both at the Bureau and on Capitol Hill, and he will bring a thoughtful approach to setting the Bureau’s priorities in the years ahead if confirmed. The Bureau…
SBA: Agency-Wide Reorganization Announced to Modernize, Drive Operational Efficiency, and Enhance Accountability to Taxpayers
Reforms Strengthen SBA’s Service Levels, Technology, and Access for Small Businesses and Disaster Survivors Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced an agency-wide reorganization designed to modernize its organizational structure, improve operational efficiency to better serve small businesses, and strengthen accountability to taxpayers. By aligning employees around departmental expertise and management, the reorganization will reduce significant…
OCC: Comptroller Gould Testifies on Agency Activities
Comptroller Jonathan V. Gould today testified on the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s (OCC) priorities and activities before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services. Excerpts from Comptroller Gould’s testimony are below. The full written testimony can be found here. On risk tolerance: “After the 2008 financial crisis, Washington too often sought…
ICBA: Community Banker Guide on Artificial Intelligence Security Readiness Released
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today released a new guide opens in a new tabto help community banks navigate the artificial intelligence security landscape. Developed by community bankers on ICBA’s AI Task Force to provide practical guidance to their industry colleagues, the Community Banker AI Security Readiness Guide opens in a new taboffers an informational overview of…
SBA: First $30 Million in Loans Delivered Through SBA 90% Grocery Guarantee Announced
Early loan approvals are directing new capital across food supply chain to support lower grocery costs Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced it has approved 19 loans totaling more than $30 million in just one month through its enhanced 90% Grocery Guarantee. These early approvals mark an important step in President Trump’s effort to make groceries…
CFPB: Agency Works To Ensure Bilt Consumers Are Made Whole
The CFPB has been working to ensure consumers affected by Bilt’s transition to a new bank partner are appropriately remedied. CFPB officials met with Bilt to understand the issues caused by the transition and what steps Bilt has taken to ensure customers affected by challenges with the transition were made whole. Following our discussions and…
HUD: Agency Overhauls Federal Homelessness Assistance
Today, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for $4.04 billion to better serve America’s vulnerable populations through the Continuum of Care (CoC) homelessness assistance program. “The ‘housing first’ experiment failed Americans by warehousing the vulnerable without results. This ideology promised to end homelessness. Instead, billions…
OCC: Senior Deputy Comptroller for Regional and Midsize Financial Institutions Announced
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today announced Benjamin Eddy will serve as the Senior Deputy Comptroller for Regional and Midsize Financial Institutions, effective June 1. In this role, Mr. Eddy oversees the supervision of national banks and federal savings associations between $30 billion and $500 billion in assets. He also serves…