ABA: Bank Trade Associations Respond to Financial Technology Association Letter that Seeks to Mislead Trump Administration about Open Banking
The Financial Technology Association teamed up with an interesting mix of data aggregators and fintech companies to issue a letter to the President today urging the Administration to undermine free markets and engage in government price fixing. The American Bankers Association, the Bank Policy Institute and Consumer Bankers Association issued this response: Banks don’t charge consumers…
Treasury: Federal Goverment Will Phase Out Paper Checks on September 30th
The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that the federal government will stop issuing paper checks for most federal payments on September 30, 2025. If you are one of the few people who still receives a federal benefit check, it’s time to switch to an electronic payment method. “Reducing paper checks has been a longstanding…
SBA: SBA and EPA Announce New Guidance to Ease Diesel Exhaust Mandates for Small Businesses and Small Farms
Guidance expected to save family farmers $727 million annually Today, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Kelly Loeffler joined U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin in Des Moines, Iowa to announce new action to protect American farmers, truckers, and diesel equipment operators from sudden speed and power losses caused by diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) mandates. EPA’s new…
SBA: Agency Celebrates 72 Years of Service to America’s Small Businesses
Loeffler’s leadership delivers lending surge, greater accountability, and renewed focus on Main Street Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration celebrates its 72nd anniversary – and over seven decades of empowering entrepreneurs, supporting disaster recovery, and championing economic growth in every corner of our nation. “Over the course of 72 years, the SBA has grown to become the…
SBA: Agency Issues Letter of Warning to Federal Contracting Officers
Letter underscores obligation to report fraud, waste, and abuse in 8(a) Program This week, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued a formal letter to contracting officers across the federal government, strengthening oversight of the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program and reinforcing the officers’ legal responsibility to report suspected fraud, waste, and abuse. “Our 8(a) contracting officers have a legal…
CDFI Fund: Updated CDFI Fund Certification Application Frequently Asked Questions & Supplemental Guidance Issued
Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) has updated the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Certification Application Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). New content has been added to the FAQs since the CDFI Fund published a new more user-friendly web-based version of the FAQs on March 17, 2025. The…
ABA: Foundation Launches Guide for Nonprofits on Forming Bank Partnerships
The American Bankers Association Foundation today released a new resource for nonprofit organizations on how to establish and maintain bank partnerships. The guide, “The Power of Collaboration: A Guide for Nonprofits to Partner with Banks,” aims to help organizations learn more about the business of banking and how to foster strong, mutually beneficial partnerships that can lift…
CDFI Fund: Dietrich Douglas Named Acting Director of CDFI Fund Following Director Pravina Raghavan’s Resignation
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has named Dietrich Douglas as the Acting Director of the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund). Mr. Douglas currently serves as Legal Counsel for the CDFI Fund. “With the best interest of the CDFI Fund, the community development finance sector, and the communities we serve in mind, I…
HUD: Disaster Aid and Financial Flexibilty Delivered for Iowa Residents Impacted by Natural Disasters
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner announced the availability of federal disaster assistance to the State of Iowa to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by the severe winter storm on March 19, 2025. “HUD serves every American and works alongside communities to help rebuild homes, neighborhoods, and businesses…
ICBA: ICBA Urges Congress to Build on Pro-Agriculture Policies in Testimony Before House Agriculture Committee
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today testified before Congress on the importance of community banks to the nation’s agriculture credit markets and how policymakers can enhance the new farm bill. Testifying before the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit, Brian Gilbert of First National Bank in Sioux Falls, S.D.,…