Regulatory Updates

ICBA: ICBA Urges Lawmakers to Ensure Community Bank Concerns Are Addressed in GENIUS Act Before Any Senate Vote

Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement ahead of a scheduled Senate vote on the GENIUS Act, which would establish a federal regulatory framework for stablecoins. “On behalf of the nation’s community bankers, ICBA urges the Senate to ensure the GENIUS Act provides regulatory clarity while…

OCC: Interim Final Rule on Bank Mergers Issued

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today adopted an interim final rule amending its 2024 final rule related to its regulations for business combinations involving national banks and federal savings associations. The OCC also rescinded its 2024 policy statement on its review of applications under the Bank Merger Act. The interim final…

OCC: Agency Clarifies Bank Authority to Engage in Crypto-Asset Custody and Execution Services

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today clarified permissible bank activities related to crypto-asset custody and execution services. The OCC published Interpretive Letter 1184 to confirm that national banks and federal savings associations may buy and sell assets held in custody at the customer’s direction and are permitted to outsource to third…

CFPB: Agency Announces It Will Not Prioritize Enforcement Actions Related to Buy Now, Pay Later Loans

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is announcing today that it will not prioritize enforcement actions taken on the basis of the Truth in Lending (Regulation Z); Use of Digital User Accounts to Access Buy Now, Pay Later Loans, 89 Fed. Reg. 47,068 (May 31, 2024) (“Buy Now, Pay Later”). The Bureau will instead keep its…

SBA: New Legislation Will Double SBA Loan Limits and Supercharge Return of Made in America

Administrator Loeffler Applauds Congressional Proposal to Increase Capital for Small Manufacturers Today, Kelly Loeffler, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) applauded Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Congressman Roger Williams (R-TX) for introducing new legislation(Link is external) that will double the individual loan limit for 7(a) and 504 small business manufacturing loans from $5 million to $10 million….

CFPB: Agency Will Not Prioritize Enforcement or Supervisory Actions of Section 1071 Small Business Lending Requirements

CFPB Keeps Its Enforcement and Supervision Resources Focused on Pressing Threats to Consumers The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is announcing today that, with respect to the regulation titled Small Business Lending Under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (Regulation B), implementing Section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, 88 Fed. Reg….

Agencies Withdraw Joint Statements on Crypto-Assets

Today, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, together with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (collectively, the agencies), has withdrawn two joint statements regarding banking organizations’ crypto-asset-related activities. This action is intended to provide clarity that banking organizations may engage in permissible crypto-asset activities and provide products and services to persons and firms engaged…

Federal Reserve: Withdrawal of Guidance for Banks Related to Their Crypto-Asset and Dollar Token Activities and Related to Its Expectations for These Activities Announced

The Federal Reserve Board on Thursday announced the withdrawal of guidance for banks related to their crypto-asset and dollar token activities and related changes to its expectations for these activities. These actions ensure the Board’s expectations remain aligned with evolving risks and further support innovation in the banking system. The Board is rescinding its 2022 supervisory…

FDIC: Approach to Resolution Planning for Large Banks Modified

The FDIC today took action to modify its approach to insured depository institution (IDI) resolution planning. The purpose of this action is to focus the IDI resolution planning process on the operational information most relevant for the FDIC to (1) resolve a large bank through a weekend sale or (2) operate the institution for a…

ABA: Trade Groups Welcome Court Decision Vacating CFPB’s Credit Card Late Fee Rule

The American Bankers Association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Longview Chamber of Commerce, Consumer Bankers Association and Texas Association of Business issued the following statement after today’s ruling from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas approving our joint motion with the CFPB for consent judgment vacating…