ICBA: In New Policy Resolution, ICBA Urges Congress to End Tax Subsidies for Credit Unions Over $1 Billion in Assets
With Congress considering legislation to reform the nation’s tax policy, the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today called on policymakers to end unwarranted federal tax subsidies for the nation’s largest credit unions. A new policy resolution that ICBA introduced at this week’s ICBA LIVE 2025 national convention in Nashville, Tenn., calls on lawmakers to…
OCC: Agency to Host Virtual Innovation Office Hours in May
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today announced virtual Office Hours with its Office of Financial Technology on May 6-8, 2025, to promote responsible innovation in the federal banking system. Office Hours are an opportunity for banks and financial technology (fintech) companies to engage with OCC staff on matters related to bank-fintech…
ABA: ABA Testifies Before Senate Ag Committee on Risk Management, Credit and the Agricultural Economy
The American Bankers Association offered the banking industry’s views on risk management, credit and the agricultural economy in testimony before the Senate Committee on Agriculture today. Caleb Hopkins, current chair of ABA’s Agricultural and Rural Bankers Committee, testified on behalf of ABA. Hopkins, based in Halbur, Iowa, has worked in agricultural banking for 13 years, including the…
SBA: Made in America Manufacturing Initiative Announced
Effort will cut $100B in regulation, expand access to capital and create dedicated infrastructure to support blue-collar boom Today, U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler announced the agency’s new Made in America Manufacturing Initiative to restore American economic dominance and national security by empowering small manufacturers. The agency’s effort will support President Trump’s agenda to create good-paying jobs,…
HUD: Innovative Housing Showcase “The American Home is the American Dream” Returns to the National Mall
Showcase to run May 30 – June 1 and celebrate 250th Anniversary of American Independence Secretary Scott Turner today announced the return of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s Innovative Housing Showcase from May 30 – June 1 to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. This year’s showcase will highlight history-defining events in…
Agencies Issue 2024 Shared National Credit Program
Federal bank regulatory agencies today reported in the 2024 Shared National Credit (SNC) report that credit risk associated with large, syndicated bank loans remains moderate. However, the agencies noted weakened credit quality trends continue due to the pressure of higher interest rates on leveraged borrowers and compressed operating margins in some industry sectors. The agencies…
OCC: Agency Clarifies Bank Authority to Engage in Certain Cryptocurrency Activities
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today took action to reaffirm that a range of cryptocurrency activities are permissible in the federal banking system. The OCC published Interpretive Letter 1183 to confirm that crypto-asset custody, certain stablecoin activities, and participation in independent node verification networks such as distributed ledger are permissible for…
ICBA: ICBA Applauds Treasury Secretary Bessent for Pro-Community Bank Remarks and Support for Independence of Prudential Banking Regulators
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today applauded Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for his remarks supporting community banks and committing to the continued independence of the nation’s prudential banking regulators and dual banking system. “ICBA and the nation’s community banks strongly support Secretary Bessent’s remarks on the positive role of community banks to Main…
SBA: Administrator Loeffler Announces SBA Reforms to Put American Citizens First
SBA will require citizenship verification for loan applications, relocate regional offices out of sanctuary cities Today, U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler announced a series of reforms to put American citizens first by ending taxpayer benefits for illegal aliens and moving SBA offices out of sanctuary cities. These actions support President Trump’s agenda to secure our…
ICBA: Statement Issued Opposing Consolidation of the Nation’s Banking Regulators
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement opposing the consolidation of the nation’s banking regulators. “While Wall Street bank executives and others have called for consolidating the nation’s banking regulators, ICBA and community bankers have long supported the independence of the federal banking agencies and our…