NewsWatch Today

While megabanks have been withdrawing from local communities in the wake of the financial crisis they created, a new Wall Street Journal article claims these areas can’t possibly get by without them, ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey writes. ICBA and community bankers have a more positive story to share, she wrote on Main Street Matters.

The Federal Reserve said it will stick to its “patient” approach as it determines future adjustments amid concerns of a slowing global economy and last year’s financial turmoil, according to the central bank’s annual report to Congress.

ICBA and other financial services trade associations filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court, advocating for uniformity and certainty in hearing challenges to FCC rules.

ICBA updated its Tell Your Story toolkit with a customizable press release to help community bankers encourage financial responsibility during America Saves Week, slated for Feb. 25-March 2.

Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Mo.) urged federal regulators to begin a formal rulemaking to clarify the distinctions between guidance and rules. In a letter to regulators, Luetkemeyer encouraged the agencies to adopt the principles of a September 2018 interagency statement on the role of supervisory guidance. He said the clarity will ensure banks and examiners clearly understand the grounds for enforcement actions.

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Ranking Member Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) announced the panel’s subcommittee assignments for the 116th Congress. The Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection will be led by Sens. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).

ICBA expressed disappointment in federal regulators’ insufficient proposal to reduce reporting burdens and repeated its call for a true short-form call report. Following its weeks-long grassroots advocacy campaign, ICBA said the call report for the first and third quarters should consist of a balance sheet, income statement, and statement of changes in shareholders’ equity.

ICBA expressed disappointment in federal regulators’ insufficient proposal to reduce reporting burdens and repeated its call for a true short-form call report. Following its weeks-long grassroots advocacy campaign, ICBA said the call report for the first and third quarters should consist of a balance sheet, income statement, and statement of changes in shareholders’ equity.

ICBA called on key congressional committees to hold hearings on the National Credit Union Administration’s approval of an “emergency merger” between Pentagon Federal Credit Union and Progressive Credit Union.

The December issue of Independent Banker® magazine features profiles of ICBA’s Community Bankers of the Year. The profiles of Ken LaRoe, Scott McComb, Josh Rowland, and Stan Wilmoth feature their views on values, human connections, civic partnership, and community service.

Congress extended the National Flood Insurance Program through this Friday. With the program set to expire at the end of last week, the last-minute vote averted a lapse.

ICBA Bancard’s Tina Giorgio and TCM Bank’s Damon Moorer were featured in the latest This Month In Banking podcast by the Kafafian Group. The 30-minute recording discusses how Bancard and TCM support community banks’ credit card offerings and offers insight on trends affecting payments.