EDA: U.S. Department of Commerce Hosts Economic Development Roundtable in Columbia, SC Highlighting Disaster Funding Opportunities
Today, Rob McLeod, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the U.S. Department of Commerce, and Ben Page, Deputy Assistant Secretary and Chief Operating Officer at the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), hosted a roundtable discussion with local officials and economic leaders in Columbia to discuss initiatives driving local economic development following natural disasters. This event highlighted…
OCC: Comptroller Gould Discusses De Novo Charters
Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan V. Gould today discussed the agency’s activities to reinvigorate the chartering of new banks following the 2008 financial crisis in remarks at the Blockchain Association Policy Summit. In his remarks, Comptroller Gould explained the importance of a robust pipeline of de novo banks to a healthy financial system and the…
SBA: All 8(a) Program Participants Ordered to Provide Financial Records by January 5th
Over 4,300 firms required to transmit financial data as part of ongoing effort to expose fraud, waste, and abuse Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued letters to all contractors within the 8(a) Business Development Program, requiring them to produce financial records as part of a comprehensive effort to protect taxpayers and legitimate small businesses by rooting…
Interagency Statement Issued on OCC and FDIC Withdrawal from the Interagency Leveraged Lending Guidance Issuances
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (collectively “the agencies”) are rescinding the “Interagency Guidance on Leveraged Lending” (“2013 Guidance”), dated March 21, 2013, and the “Frequently Asked Questions for Implementing March 2013 Interagency Guidance on Leveraged Lending” (“2014 FAQs”), dated November 7, 2014. The agencies expect banks…
ABA: Bank Economists Note That Credit Outlook Improves Amid Continued Softening
While the outlook for credit conditions over the next six months has improved, bank economists expect continued softening in credit quality and availability given the prospect of persistent labor market headwinds, according to the American Bankers Association’s latest Credit Conditions Index released today. ABA’s Credit Conditions Index is a suite of indices derived from the…
SBA: Record Holiday Spending and Consumer Turnout Underscore Rising Economic Confidence
Nearly 203 million Americans shopped over the Thanksgiving weekend Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) highlighted record-breaking consumer engagement over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend as strong evidence that confidence in the U.S. economy, which is anchored by small businesses, is returning under President Trump’s pro-growth economic agenda. According to new data released by the National Retail Federation (NRF),…
SBA: Deadline for 2026 National Small Business Week Award Nominations Extended to December 22nd
Nominations Encouraged for Exceptional Entrepreneurs in Every State Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) extended the 2026 National Small Business Week awards nominations deadline to 2 p.m. ET on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. National Small Business Week recognizes the contributions of America’s 36 million small businesses – which make up 99% of all businesses in America, create…
OCC: Comptroller Testifies on Agency Activities
Comptroller Jonathan V. Gould today testified on the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s (OCC) activities before the Committee on Financial Services of the U.S. House of Representatives. In his testimony, the Comptroller discussed the OCC’s work to reset its risk tolerance and refocus supervision on material financial risks so banks may better support…
CDFI Fund: Upcoming Window 3 CDFI Certification Deadline and Service Request Cutoff Announced
In June 2024, the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) released the General Reapplication Submission Deadlines for the CDFI Certification Application for all Certified CDFIs. The third reapplication submission window, Window 3, closes on December 31, 2025. To avoid delays or loss of Certification, organizations must act now to prepare their submissions and resolve outstanding issues. Cut-off…