ICBA: ICBA Urges Congress to Ensure Deposit Insurance Reforms Enhance Small Business Coverage, Curb Favorable Too-Big-To-Fail Treatment
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today called on Congress to consider deposit insurance reforms that enhance coverage for small businesses, address the more favorable regulatory treatment the nation’s largest banks receive under the current framework, and ensure community banks are not penalized. In a statement for the record for today’s Senate Banking Committee hearing on…
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…
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…
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…
SBA: Nominations Open for 2026 National Small Business Week Awards
Nominate America’s Great Entrepreneurs in Every State Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) opened nominations for the 2026 National Small Business Week Awards. National Small Business Week recognizes the contributions of America’s 36 million small businesses – which make up 99% of all businesses in America, create two out of every three new jobs, and employ about…
SBA: SBA and EPA Announce New Guidance to Ease Diesel Exhaust Mandates for Small Businesses and Small Farms
Guidance expected to save family farmers $727 million annually Today, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Kelly Loeffler joined U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin in Des Moines, Iowa to announce new action to protect American farmers, truckers, and diesel equipment operators from sudden speed and power losses caused by diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) mandates. EPA’s new…
SBA: Agency Issues Letter of Warning to Federal Contracting Officers
Letter underscores obligation to report fraud, waste, and abuse in 8(a) Program This week, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued a formal letter to contracting officers across the federal government, strengthening oversight of the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program and reinforcing the officers’ legal responsibility to report suspected fraud, waste, and abuse. “Our 8(a) contracting officers have a legal…
SBA: SBA and Department of Labor Sign MOU to Support Domestic Manufacturing
Enhanced collaboration will cultivate pipeline of skilled workers, restore American industrial dominance Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to support American manufacturing. The agreement, which will enhance collaboration and data-sharing across key programs, is designed to cultivate a pipeline of skilled workers while also promoting…
SBA: Center of Faith Launched Including Removal of Ban on Disaster Relief for Faith Organizations
Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) launched its Center for Faith to empower faith-based businesses, community organizations, and houses of worship with access to capital, counselling, and government contracting opportunities. As part of its commitment to ending federal discrimination against religious entities, the agency is also eliminating a regulation, previously upheld by the Biden…