Payments

The payments landscape for community banks is changing rapidly as traditional payments converge with new instant payment systems and emerging cryptocurrencies. It is critical for Community Banks to maintain awareness of developments in the payments space to assess new opportunities, mitigate risks, and ensure that their payment strategy aligns with overall business plans.

Payments News

ICBA, state groups urge opposition to Durbin Amendment expansion

Oct. 12, 2022

ICBA and 44 state community banking associations called on Congress to oppose legislation that would create new credit card routing mandates that expand on Durbin Amendment interchange restrictions.

New Letter: In a joint letter to the House and Senate, the groups said the Credit Card Competition Act of 2022 (H.R. 8874/S. 4674) would impose new costs on consumers and community banks, pose security risks, and end credit card rewards programs solely to bolster big-box retailers’ profits.

Bill Details: The ICBA-opposed bill would require banks with over $100 billion in assets to offer merchants at least two networks to process credit cards, at least one of which cannot be owned by Visa or Mastercard. Sens. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) are working to attach the measure to the pending National Defense Authorization Act.

Grassroots Action: Community bankers can use ICBA’s Be Heard grassroots action center and share its social media call to action on the bill to rally opposition in Congress.

Consumer Campaign: Separately, the Electronic Payments Coalition—of which ICBA is a member—offers a “Hands Off My Rewards” campaign with resources encouraging consumers to weigh in against the legislation.

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