Recent News
"House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill (AR-02) today released the following statement in response to Acting FDIC Chairman Travis Hill's outline of several priorities that echo calls from Chairman French Hill's Making Community Banking Great Again (MCBGA) principles.
'I congratulate Travis Hill on his designation as Acting Chairman of the FDIC," said Chairman Hill. "The priorities Acting Chairman Travis Hill outlined this week demonstrate that he understands how critically important it is that the FDIC focus on its mission of maintaining stability and public... Read more
"Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has shut down a wide variety of operations inside the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in his new role as acting director.
Bessent ordered the CFPB to stop all rulemaking, communications, litigation, and other activities, according to a Monday email to staff obtained by Bloomberg Law.
Bessent took over the CFPB as acting director after President Donald Trump fired Biden-era Director Rohit Chopra."
"The Senate on Wednesday confirmed former Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) to take the helm of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
He was confirmed in a 56-42 vote. Democrats Mark Kelly (Ariz.), John Fetterman (Pa.) and Ruben Gallego (Ariz.) voted with Republicans in favor of his confirmation."
"The Federal Reserve has put its monetary-easing campaign on hold until further notice.
The Federal Open Market Committee opted to keep the target range for the federal funds rate between 4.25% and 4.5% during its meeting this week, ending its streak of cuts over the past three meetings.
The move, which had unanimous support from the FOMC's 12 voting members, was clearly signaled through speeches and public remarks in the weeks leading up to the meeting. Fed futures markets had largely priced in no change to the policy rate."
"President Donald Trump's budget office on Wednesday rescinded a memo freezing spending on federal loans and grants, less than two days after it sparked widespread confusion and legal challenges across the country.
The memo, which was issued Monday by the Office of Management and Budget, had frightened states, schools and organizations that rely on trillions of dollars from Washington."
"The U.S. Senate on Monday confirmed Scott Bessent to be President Donald Trump's Treasury secretary, giving the billionaire hedge fund manager a central role in shaping the new administration's policy ambitions around tax cuts and spending and managing economic relationships with allies and adversaries alike.
As the 79th Treasury secretary, Bessent will have sway over the nation's tax collections and its $28 trillion Treasury debt market, with vast influence over fiscal policy, financial regulations, international sanctions and investments from overseas.
The vote was 68-29,... Read more
"Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to establish regulatory clarity for digital financial technology and secure America's position as the world's leader in the digital asset economy, driving innovation and economic opportunity for all Americans...
...The Executive Order prohibits agencies from undertaking any action to establish, issue, or promote central bank digital currencies (CBDCs)."
"Spring Bank is proud to announce the grand opening of its newest branch in Red Hook, Brooklyn. This new location, 356 Van Brunt Street, Brooklyn, NY, will further our mission to expand access to financial services for consumers and small businesses in underserved neighborhoods.
Red Hook, a vibrant and diverse community, has faced challenges in accessing essential banking services and had previously been one of New York City's 'banking desserts.' Spring Bank aims to address this scarcity and provide residents and local businesses with financial tools and services to create wealth... Read more
"Pulaski Savings Bank of Chicago, Ill. was closed today by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Millennium Bank of Des Plaines, Ill., to assume all deposits of Pulaski Savings Bank."
During Senate confirmation hearings yesterday, both Treasury nominee Scott Bessent and HUD nominee Scott Turner highlighted the critical role of CDFIs in expanding access to capital and driving economic development in underserved communities.
These mentions reflect the growing bipartisan recognition of the essential work CDFIs and CDFI banks do every day—and it's a testament to the incredible advocacy efforts of our members.
"Bessent expressed his commitment to working with Warner and other lawmakers to enhance the role of CDFIs in underserved communities.
'The early... Read more
"Today, Chairman Tim Scott (R-S.C.) released the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs legislative and oversight priorities for the 119th Congress. As the first Black chair of a Senate standing committee, Chairman Scott will work tirelessly to increase financial inclusion and advance opportunity for Americans across the country.
'My goal for this Congress is simple: make America work for Americans. Over the last two years, we've led comprehensive solutions to serious challenges Americans face – from addressing our failed federal housing policies to increasing... Read more
Congratulations to Kent Curtis, President and CEO of First Southwest Bank and Immediate Past Chairperson of the Community Development Bankers Association Board, on being recognized in the 2024 Who's Who in Impact Investing by the Denver Business Journal and the Impact Finance Center!
Under Kent's leadership, First Southwest Bank has exemplified the mission of a Community Development Financial Institution, dedicating itself to driving economic growth and providing equitable access to capital for underserved communities across Colorado. From securing CDFI certification in 2014 to... Read more
"Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Vice Chair Travis Hill, poised to lead the agency, outlined his priorities, including minimizing the regulatory burden on banks, distancing the agency from climate-related rules and politically motivated oversight like Operation Choke Point, and fostering a friendlier environment for digital assets.
In his remarks — delivered to a crowd at the American Bar Association's Banking Law Committee Meeting on Friday — Hill shed light on the path forward for a key regulatory issue in banking: the Basel III endgame capital requirements set to be revisited... Read more
"The Federal Reserve's resident voice of dissent to Biden-era bank policy is calling for 'pragmatism as a guiding principle' to regulation and supervision under President-elect Donald Trump.
In a speech on Thursday, Fed Gov. Michelle Bowman said she was 'optimistic' that the change in administration will open the door for a more collaborative dynamic between banks and the agencies that oversee them."
"Less than two weeks from today, the Trump administration will return to power after a four-year hiatus. Keeping the potential of deep resistance movements in mind, here are seven economic justice storylines I'll be following over these next few years. There will be a lot to resist, but also some previous work to keep building on."
"The Federal Reserve Board announced on Monday that Michael S. Barr will step down from his position as Federal Reserve Board Vice Chair for Supervision, effective February 28, 2025, or such earlier time as a successor is confirmed. Barr will continue to serve as a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors."
"State Street Corp. completed its $100 million initiative launched earlier in 2024 by placing additional deposits through three Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) — New Orleans, Louisiana-based Liberty Bank and Trust Co., Denver-based Native American Bank NA and Saint Paul, Minnesota-based Sunrise Banks NA.
In February, the company announced a goal to invest $100 million to facilitate low-cost, stable deposit funding to MDIs and CDFIs. State Street said the investment aligns with its broader business strategy to expand... Read more
"Evan Weinberger, the banking reporter at Bloomberg Law, talks about the Trump administration's trial balloon to eliminate the FDIC or combine regulatory agencies. He also goes in-depth on the various fights the CFPB is engaged in, how the Trump administration could choose to tackle them, and what that would mean for banks."
"The Mission Driven Bank Fund (MDBF) today announced that all seven portfolio banks are actively participating in its technical services program, which provides targeted support to the Fund's portfolio banks to build organizational capacity. The participation rate is well above the program's 75% goal.
All MDBF portfolio banks have access to the technical services program upon a capital investment. The program, designed to be collaborative, has two key goals. The first is to promote sustainability by strengthening the bank's financial performance and building staff capacity. The... Read more
"House Republican leaders on Thursday choose Rep. French Hill (R-Ark.) to lead the House Financial Services Committee in the 119th Congress...
Hill was selected to lead the Financial Services panel, over Reps. Andy Barr (R-Ky.), Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) and Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.), according to two sources in the room of leaders who made the decision. Hill won on the second ballot after Lucas dropped off on the first ballot, one source said."