HUD: Agency Announces Regulatory Best Practices to Unleash Building and Increase Homeownership Across America
Deregulate Homebuilding by Reducing Costs, Unlocking Land, and Accelerating Timelines The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the State and Local Best Practices for Home Construction Report, a series of regulatory actions for state and local governments to increase efficiency and ease regulatory barriers to housing construction and affordability. “HUD is encouraging our state…
SBA: Cumulative 7(a) and 504 Loan Limit Doubled to $10 Million
Effective July 4, eligible borrowers can access record levels of SBA-backed funding Today, Kelly Loeffler, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), announced a new rule that will allow eligible borrowers to combine their 7(a) and 504 loans for up to $10 million in SBA-backed financing, increasing the cumulative loan limit from its current $5 million…
OCC: Two Final Rules on Preemption of State Interest-on-Escrow Laws Issued
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today issued two final rules on national banks’ and federal savings associations’ real estate lending powers related to the payment of interest on funds held in escrow accounts. The OCC’s actions emphasize federal preemption as a critical tool for reducing unnecessary burden, enabling local and national…
OCC: Semiannual Risk Perspective Highlights Key Risks in Federal Banking System
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today reported the key issues facing the federal banking system in the Semiannual Risk Perspective for Spring 2026. Bank earnings improved in 2025, supported by loan growth and a decline in funding costs. Balance sheets remain strong and credit risk within the federal banking system remains manageable. Earnings…
ABA: Farm Banks Remain Key Source of Credit for America’s Farmers and Rural Communities
Farm banks continued to play a central role in financing U.S. agriculture in 2025, accounting for more than one-third of all farm lending nationwide while maintaining solid capital, profitability and employment levels, according to ABA’s 2025 Farm Bank Performance Report. Banks held nearly $212 billion in farm loans at the end of 2025, representing 35.7% of total…
HUD: Environmental Reviews Streamlined to Lower Multifamily Development Costs
FHA updates remove outdated requirements, cut inefficiencies, and support housing production HUD announced updates to environmental review requirements for multifamily housing, removing outdated provisions that have increased costs and complexity for lenders and developers. These changes, issued through HUD’s Federal Housing Administration (FHA) via a Mortgagee Letter, revise the Multifamily Accelerated Processing (MAP) Guide to streamline outdated and burdensome…
Agencies Issue Host State Loan-to-Deposit Ratios
Federal bank regulatory agencies today jointly issued updated host state loan-to-deposit ratios, as required by law. Each ratio compares the total loans in a state to total deposits in the state for all banks that are legally operating in that state. These ratios replace those issued in May 2025. By law, a bank is generally prohibited…
ICBA: ICBA Congratulates House on Passage of Farm Bill
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on House passage of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567) on a 224-200 vote. “ICBA and the nation’s community bankers congratulate the House of Representatives on passage of the farm bill. This is an…
ICBA: Statement on CFPB’s Final Rule to Implement Section 1071 Small-Business Reporting Requirements Issued
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s final rule opens in a new tabto implement Section 1071 small-business reporting requirements. “ICBA commends the administration for heeding community banker concerns with the CFPB’s 1071 rule and making needed improvements to help mitigate the…
ABA: ABA Applauds House Passage of the 2026 Farm Bill
“We thank the House for passing the 2026 Farm Bill, critical legislation that supports farmers, ranchers, and rural communities across the country. Banks remain a primary source of credit for agricultural producers of all sizes, and this bill strengthens the tools lenders need to meet the evolving needs of rural America. “The Farm Bill includes…