ICBA: New Analysis Shows Sharp Decreases in Small Business and Mortgge Lending Following Credit Union Acquisitions of Community Banks
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today released the results of a new data analysis demonstrating that the growth of tax-exempt credit unions acquiring tax-paying community banks is harming small businesses and local communities while community banks outperform credit unions in high-poverty areas. In a new blog post, ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey details ICBA’s…
ICBA: ICBA Applauds Signing of Law to Restrict Mortgage “Trigger Leads”
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today applauded President Trump for signing into law the bipartisan Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act (H.R. 2808), which will help protect the financial privacy of mortgage applicants. Introduced by Reps. John Rose (R-Tenn.) and Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) and Sens. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), the Homebuyers Privacy…
SBA: First-Ever Loan Program Dedicated to American Manufacturers Launched
MARC Loans Will Expand Access to Credit Lines that Create Jobs, Onshore Production, and Support the Return of Industrial Dominance Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) launched its first-ever loan program dedicated to supporting America’s small manufacturers, which make up 98% of all U.S. manufacturers. The 7(a) Manufacturer’s Access to Revolving Credit (MARC) Loan Program will offer working capital…
SBA: Letter Issued to Lending Network Instructing Them to End Practice of Debanking
Agency Takes Decisive Action to Enforce President’s Directive to Stop Financial Discrimination Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) sent a letter to its network of over 5,000 lenders instructing them to end politicized or unlawful banking practices. Pursuant to Executive Order 14331, “Guaranteeing Fair Banking for All Americans,” SBA is requiring all lenders to stop the practice…
FHFA: U.S. Federal Housing Allows Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to Approve Rocket Acquisition of Mr. Cooper
Approval Must Adhere to Safety and Soundness Guardrails Today U.S. Federal Housing, in keeping with its statutory responsibilities as conservator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises), allowed both Enterprises to approve Rocket Companies’ proposed acquisition of Mr. Cooper Group, subject to appropriate conditions to ensure the ongoing safety and soundness of Fannie Mae…
SBA: Disaster Relief Offered to New York Businesses, Private Nonprofits and Residents Affected by Severe Storms and Flooding
Low interest disaster loans now available The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans for New York businesses, private nonprofits, and residents affected by the severe storms and flooding occurring June 22, 2025. The SBA issued a disaster declaration in response to a request received from Gov. Kathy…
Federal Reserve: Agency Announces It Will Sunset Its Novel Activities Supervison Program
Federal Reserve will return to monitoring banks’ novel activities through the normal supervisory process The Federal Reserve Board on Friday announced that it will sunset its novel activities supervision program and return to monitoring banks’ novel activities through the normal supervisory process. Since the Board started its program to supervise certain crypto and fintech activities…
FDIC: Acting Chairman Travis Hill Issues Statement on Executive Order Titled “Guaranteeing Fair Banking for All Americans”
The FDIC fully supports President Trump’s Executive Order on politicized or unlawful debanking. As I’ve said in the past, debanking law-abiding customers is unacceptable and regulators must work to end it. The FDIC has taken several actions to further that objective, and soon, we plan to issue a rulemaking that would prohibit examiners from criticizing institutions on the basis…
ICBA: Statement Issued on Executive Order on Ensuring Access to Fair Banking
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on today’s executive order from President Donald Trump on ensuring fair banking for all Americans. “Community banks are built to provide fair access to consumers given their long-standing and proven commitments to serving individuals, families, and small businesses in…
OCC: Comptroller Gould Issues Statement on Executive Order “Guaranteeing Fair Banking for All Americans”
Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan V. Gould today issued the following statement in support of the Executive Order, “Guaranteeing Fair Banking For All Americans,” issued by President Donald J. Trump: Fair access to financial services is a fundamental principle of the U.S. banking system. It is unacceptable for banks to discriminate against any customer on…