Agencies Release Annual Asset-Size Thresholds Under Community Reinvestment Act Regulations
The Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation today announced the 2026 updated Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) “small bank” and “intermediate small bank” asset-size thresholds. The CRA regulations establish the framework and criteria by which the relevant agencies assess a financial institution’s record of meeting the credit needs of its entire community, including…
OCC: CRA Bank Asset-Size Threshold Amounts for 2026 Announced
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) announced revisions to the asset-size threshold amounts used to define “small bank or savings association” and “intermediate small bank or savings association” under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) regulation (12 CFR 25 (March 29, 2024)). The thresholds—which apply to any national bank, federal savings association, or…
FHFA: Final Rule Issued to Establish New Affordable Housing Goals for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
Fannie and Freddie Empowered to Support Middle-Class Homeownership Today U.S. Federal Housing issued a final rule that establishes new, better affordable housing goals for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Thanks to this fix, Fannie and Freddie will continue to fully support mortgages for families from every walk of life. “For too long, Biden distorted the…
OCC: Two Proposals Issued on Preemption of State Interest-on-Escrow Laws
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today requested comment on two proposals on national banks’ and federal savings associations’ real estate lending powers related to the payment of interest on funds held in escrow accounts. The OCC’s actions emphasize federal preemption as a critical tool for reducing unnecessary burden, enabling local and…
ABA: ABA & 52 State Bankers Associations Urge Congress to Close Stablecoin Interest Loophole
The American Bankers Association today joined 52 state bankers associations from across the country in sending a joint letter to Congress urging lawmakers to clarify and enforce the statutory prohibition on payment stablecoin issuers and affiliated platforms offering yield, rewards or interest to stablecoin holders — a core provision of the GENIUS Act — because of the…
FDIC: Board of Directors Approves Final Rule on Establishment and Relocation of Branches and Offices
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Board of Directors today approved a final rule to streamline the processes for the establishment and relocation of domestic branches and main offices. The final rule is intended to improve the speed and certainty of, and reduce the regulatory burden associated with, branch and main office filings. The final…
FDIC: Proposal Approved to Establish GENIUS Act Application Procedures for FDIC-Supervised Institutions Seeking to Issue Payment Stablecoins
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Board of Directors today approved a notice of proposed rulemaking that would implement the application provisions under the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act (GENIUS Act). The GENIUS Act allows insured depository institutions to issue payment stablecoins through a subsidiary and to engage in certain related activities. An…
Treasury: IRS & Treasury Release Final Rules on the Tribal General Welfare Exclusion Act and Entities Wholly Owned by Indian Tribal Governments
Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced at the meeting of the Treasury Tribal Advisory Committee (TTAC) two final pro-growth and deregulatory tax regulations that support the prosperity of Tribal businesses and families and recognize the sovereignty of Tribal governments. The first rule implements the Tribal General Welfare Exclusion Act…
Agencies Announce Dollar Thresholds for Applicability of Truth in Lending and Consumer Leasing Rules for Consumer Credit and Lease Transactions
The Federal Reserve Board and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau today announced the dollar thresholds used to determine whether certain consumer credit and lease transactions in 2026 are subject to certain protections under Regulation Z (Truth in Lending) and Regulation M (Consumer Leasing). By law, the agencies are required to adjust the thresholds annually based…
Agencies Announce Dollar Thresholds for Smaller Loan Exemption from Appraisal Requirements for Higher-Priced Mortgage Loans
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Federal Reserve Board, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency today announced that the 2026 threshold for higher-priced mortgage loans that are subject to special appraisal requirements will increase from $33,500 to $34,200. The threshold amount will be effective January 1, 2026, and is based on the…