FEMA: More Than $657 Million Approved to Reimburse States, Medical Facilities for Backlog of Public Assistance
Today, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced more than $657 million in FEMA funding to reimburse states, local governments and health care facilities for their costs to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. FEMA has continued to provide funding as responsibly as possible, forecasting that the agency would be funded. The lapse in appropriations has drastically depleted…
FEMA: President Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by Super Typhoon Sinlaku from April 11-18, 2026. The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals and households throughout the entire Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, including Saipan,…
Census Bureau: New Data Released from Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey
The U.S. Census Bureau today released new data on employment, food sufficiency, housing status, difficulty of paying usual household expenses, use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and other topics from the Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey (HTOPS). These data – collected from a sample of about 30,000 households in June 2025 – cover the nation and…
ABA: Bankers Nationwide Mark Teach Children to Save Day
As part of Financial Literacy Month, bankers across the country are marking the ABA Foundation’s annual Teach Children to Save Day today by volunteering in classrooms and communities to help young people build essential money skills, reinforcing the banking industry’s long standing commitment to youth financial education. “Teach Children to Save Day highlights the powerful role bankers…
CFPB: New Report Issued on Debt Burdens Among Credit-Linked Consumers in the United States
Using consumer credit record data, CFPB researchers document how often consumers share credit with likely-household members, what types of credit they share, and what we might miss by focusing solely on individuals. The report shows that credit-linked consumers (a household-like construct the authors define) generally have better financial outcomes than consumers who are unlinked, even…
FHFA: Federal Housing Administration Joins Fannie and Freddie in Implementing VantageScore 4.0 and FICO 10T Credit Scores
Homebuying Advances into New Era of Credit Score Competition Today the U.S. government is ushering in a new era of competition in our nation’s mortgage market. In a joint announcement, HUD Secretary Scott Turner and FHFA Director William J. Pulte announced that the Federal Housing Administration and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are implementing their first…
ICBA: ICBA Commends House Financial Services Committee for Advancing 1071 Relief for Community Banks
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on the House Financial Services Committee’s passage of the Small LENDER Act (H.R. 941), ICBA-advocated legislation to exempt most community banks from small-business data collection and reporting requirements under Section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act. “ICBA and the nation’s…
SBA: National Small Business Week 2026 Cosponsors Announced
America’s SBDC to Co-Host NSBW Two-Day Virtual Summit Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced its full list of cosponsors for National Small Business Week 2026, which will take place from May 3-9. America’s Small Business Development Center (ASBDC) will cohost this year’sVirtual Summit, a free two-day online event that will take place May 5-6, featuring educational workshops presented by cosponsors, access…
HUD: Disaster Aid & Financial Flexibility Delivered for Hawaii Residents Impacted by Natural Disasters
Secretary Scott Turner announced the availability of federal disaster assistance to the state of Hawaii to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by the Kona low weather systems on March 10-24, 2026. “When disasters strike, HUD is here to support American families when they need it most,” said Secretary Scott Turner. “Our team is assisting…
EDA: U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $6.8 Million in Disaster Supplemental Funding to Support Automotive Workforce Development in Augusta, GA
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded a $6.8 million grant to the Augusta Technical Foundation, Inc. in Augusta, Georgia, for the development of a state-of-the-art automotive workforce training facility. This award will enable Augusta Technical Foundation, Inc. to renovate and refurbish a 65,000-square foot former automotive dealership, providing classrooms and…