Industry News

FDIC: Equity Bank of Andover, Kansas Assumes All of the Deposits of Almena State Bank of Almena, Kansas

Almena State Bank of Almena, Kansas, was closed today by the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. The failed bank experienced longstanding capital and asset quality issues, operating with financial difficulties unrelated to the current economic conditions resulting from the pandemic.   To protect depositors,…

EDA: $2.5 Million Invested in Support of STEM Workforce Development Near Opportunity Zone in North Little Rock, AR

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.5 million grant to the University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College, North Little Rock, Arkansas, to update and expand its STEM-focused facilities in support of modern workforce development in Arkansas. The EDA grant, to be located near…

CDFI Fund: Webinar to Learn More About AmeriCorps and Economic Mobility Corps Announced

Mark your calendar for upcoming webinars! AmeriCorps and the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) will be hosting two live webinars to provide Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and other community development organizations with information on the new Economic Mobility Corps and applying for an AmeriCorps grant. The first webinar will provide a general overview of…

HUD: Secretary Carson Designates New EnVision Center in Houston, TX

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson announced the latest HUD EnVision Center designation, located at HUD Gulf Coast Center in Houston, Texas. This Center partners with Adaptive Construction Solutions (ACS) to assist the local community with wrap around services in Houston and the surrounding area. In less than a year,…

EDA: $2 Million Invested to Support Manufacturing Growth Near Opportunity Zone in Fayetteville, AR

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2 million grant to the city of Fayetteville, Arkansas, to make roadway infrastructure improvements needed to support expansion efforts of area manufacturers and businesses in the Commerce District Industrial Corridor and improve the area’s resilience against flooding…

Census Bureau: Household Pulse Survey Phase 2 Biweekly Data Released

The U.S. Census Bureau today released new data from the second phase of the experimental Household Pulse Survey. The Household Pulse Survey is the result of an effort by the Census Bureau and other federal statistical agencies to document temporal trends in how individuals are experiencing business curtailment and closures, stay-at-home orders, school closures, changes in the…

HUD: Secretary Carson Hosts Discussion on Federal Government’s Response to Homelessness

 U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson today held a roundtable in Austin, Texas, on the federal response to homelessness. Secretary Carson was joined by U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) Executive Director Dr. Robert Marbut and U.S. Representative Chip Roy (TX-21) for a discussion with local homelessness providers, medical experts, faith-based organization leaders,…

HUD: FHA Launches New Automated Underwriting System for Single Family Forward Mortgages

New FHA Catalyst functionality offers lenders the option to obtain automated mortgage insurance eligibility indicators directly from FHA The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today announced the launch of its new automated underwriting system (AUS) for use by lenders originating mortgages for FHA insurance. Built on the FHA Catalyst technology platform, the new FHA Catalyst: Single Family…

FHFA: Temporary Policy Allowing Purchase of Qualified Loans in Forbearance Extended

November 30, 2020 is new expiration date To support homeowners and mortgage lenders, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has approved an extension of the current temporary policy that allows for the purchase of certain single-family mortgages in forbearance that meet specific eligibility criteria as set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises). The…

EDA: $3 Million Invested to Establish Industrial Workspace in Washougal, WA Opportunity Zone

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $3 million grant to the Port of Camas-Washougal, Washougal, Washington, to make critical infrastructure improvements needed to establish an industrial workspace for use by local manufacturing firms. The EDA grant, to be located in a Tax Cuts and…