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

Lawmakers push Durbin Amendment expansion in must-pass bills

Nov. 10, 2022

ICBA continues urging community bankers to speak out against a bill to expand on the Durbin Amendment as lawmakers seek to advance the measure during the lame-duck session.

Latest Developments: Sens. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) are working to attach their Credit Card Competition Act of 2022 (H.R. 8874/S. 4674) to must-pass defense and appropriations legislation—the key remaining legislative vehicles of 2022.

Bill Details: The Credit Card Competition Act 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. ICBA has repeatedly told lawmakers the bill 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.

Grassroots Campaign: Community bankers can use ICBA’s Be Heard grassroots action center to rally opposition in Congress. Additionally, 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.