SBA: Agency Encourages Americans to Shop Small on Small Business Saturday®, November 29th
Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is encouraging Americans to support Main Streets across America by “shopping small” ahead of the holiday season on Small Business Saturday, November 29th. As one of the most important economic drivers of the year, Small Business Saturday, created by American Express, has generated over $220 billion* for independent retailers, restaurants, and…
HUD: Crime Hotline Announced to Keep Americans Safe in HUD-Funded Housing
Hotline will address crime in real time, builds on commitment to uphold President Trump’s Executive Orders Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner announced a hotline for Americans to report crime tips and criminal activity in HUD-funded housing. The hotline will help to rid HUD-funded housing of gang and drug activity, illegal aliens, sex…
FHFA: Conforming Loan Limit Values for 2026 Announced
Baseline Conforming Loan Limit Value Will Increase to $832,750 U.S. Federal Housing (FHFA) today announced the conforming loan limit values (CLLs) for mortgages Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) will acquire in 2026. In most of the United States, the 2026 CLL value for one-unit properties will be $832,750, an increase of $26,250 from…
FHFA: U.S. House Prices Rise 2.2 Percent Year Over Year; Up 0.2 Percent Quarter Over Quarter
U.S. house prices rose 2.2 percent between the third quarter of 2024 and the third quarter of 2025, according to the U.S. Federal Housing (FHFA) House Price Index (FHFA HPI®). House prices for the third quarter of 2025 rose 0.2 percent compared to the second quarter of 2025. FHFA’s seasonally adjusted monthly index for September…
OCC: CRA Evaluation Schedule for First and Second Quarters 2026 Issued
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today released its schedule of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) evaluations to be conducted in the first and second quarters of 2026. The OCC encourages public comment on the CRA-related activities of the national banks and federal savings associations (collectively, banks) scheduled to be evaluated under the…
Agencies Issue Final Rule to Modify Certain Regulatory Capital Standards
The federal bank regulatory agencies today jointly issued a final rule that modifies certain regulatory capital standards to reduce disincentives a banking organization may have to engage in lower-risk activities, such as intermediating in U.S. Treasury markets. The final rule is substantially similar to the proposal issued in June, with changes at the depository institution level. Like…
Agencies Issue Proposal to Enhance Community Banks’ Ability to Serve Their Communities While Maintaining Strong Capital Requirements
The federal bank regulatory agencies today invited public comment on a proposal that would implement changes to the community bank leverage ratio framework in accordance with statutory authority. By incorporating these changes, the revisions would reduce regulatory burden and provide community banks with greater flexibility and optionality in their capital management approach. The proposal reflects…
FHFA: U.S. Federal Housing Announces 2026 Multifamily Loan Purchase Caps for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
U.S. Federal Housing announced today that the 2026 multifamily loan purchase caps for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) will be $88 billion for each Enterprise, for a combined total of $176 billion to support the multifamily market. To ensure a strong focus on affordable housing and underserved markets, U.S. Federal Housing will require…
OCC: Request for Information Issued on Community Banks’ Engagement with Core Service Providers and Other Essential Third-Party Service Providers
Today the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) released a request for information (RFI) on community banks’ engagement with their core service providers and other essential third-party service providers. Note for Community Banks This request for information applies to all banks that may want to comment on the matters in the RFI. Highlights…
HUD: Disaster Aid & Financial Flexibility Delivered for Alaska Residents Impacted by Natural Disasters
U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner announced the availability of federal disaster assistance to the State of Alaska to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected October 8-13, 2025 by severe storms, flooding, and remnants of Typhoon Halong. “HUD serves every American and works alongside communities to help rebuild homes, neighborhoods, and…