OCC: Statement Issued to Clairfy Bank Authority to Engage in Certain Cryptocurrency Activities and Authority of OCC to Charter National Trust Banks

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today published a letter confirming that national banks and federal savings associations must demonstrate that they have adequate controls in place before they can engage in certain cryptocurrency, distributed ledger, and stablecoin activities. Shortly after taking office, Acting Comptroller Michael J. […]

Agencies Issue Joint Statement on Crypto-Asset Policy Initiative and Next Steps

Federal bank regulatory agencies today issued a statement summarizing their interagency “policy sprints” focused on crypto-assets and providing a roadmap of future work related to crypto-assets. In particular, the statement describes the focus of the preliminary work conducted through the sprints undertaken by the agencies. It summarizes the agencies’ plan […]

ABA: Foundation Whitepaper Released on Expanding Financial Service Access for Justice System-Involved Individuals

The ABA Foundation today released a new whitepaper entitled “Strategies to Expand Financial Services Access for Individuals Involved in the Criminal Justice System” that explores common barriers justice system-involved individuals face when trying to gain entry to the financial system following the completion of their sentence. By profiling existing bank initiatives, the […]

ABA: Survey Shows Consumers Give High Marks to their Bank’s Online and Mobile Experience for Second Consecutive Year

Ninety-nine percent of consumers rated their bank’s online and mobile app experience as “excellent,” “very good,” or “good,”—tying last year’s record mark—according to a national survey conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of the American Bankers Association. In addition, 81% of those surveyed said innovation and technological improvements by banks […]

ABA: National Survey Results Detailing Bank Efforts to Protect Seniors from Financial Exploitation Released

Banks across the country continue to dedicate extensive resources to protect older customers from financial abuse, according to the 2021 Older Americans Benchmarking Report released today by the ABA Foundation. The biennial report, the most expansive survey of the banking industry’s efforts to protect seniors, captures data on how U.S. banks are […]

ABA: National Survey Shows that Bank Customers Turn to Mobile Apps More Than Any Other Channel to Manage Their Accounts

COVID-19 accelerated move toward digital banking channels Consumers are conducting their banking via mobile apps more often than any other method, according to a new survey conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of the American Bankers Association. The national survey found bank customers preferred mobile apps both prior to and […]

ABA: National Survey Shows U.S. Consumers Give Banks High Marks on Performance and Information Security

Nine in 10 Americans with a bank account (88%) say they are “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with their primary bank, and 97% rate their bank’s customer service as “excellent,” “very good” or “good,” according to a new survey conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of the American Bankers Association. The […]

CFPB: Report Finds Declines in Credit Card Debt, New Applications and Increase in Digitial Engagement in 2020

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released its fifth biennial report to Congress today on the consumer credit card market, finding that the market’s growth over the last few years reversed course in 2020. In reviewing the market for potential consumer harm, the report presents the latest research on consumer card […]

ABA: Association Testifies on the Future of Banking

FirstBank CEO Jim Reuter offers industry perspective to House Financial Services Subcommittee The American Bankers Association testified today before the House Financial Services subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Financial Institutions, offering the industry’s perspective on the future of banking and how consolidation, nonbank competition and technology are re-shaping the industry. Jim Reuter, […]

CFPB: Report Finds Consumer Complaint Submission Patterns Vary by Demographic Characteristics of Census Tract

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today released its first in-depth report analyzing complaint submission patterns by U.S. Census tract. The report, “Consumer complaints throughout the credit life cycle, by demographic characteristics,” finds that the complaints from wealthier communities and communities with higher percentages of white, non-Hispanic residents were more […]