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The ICBA Newsroom collects and centralizes all the NewsWatch Today articles, press releases, Main Street Matters blogs, advocacy letters and other news that impacts community bankers.

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GAO seeking PPP feedback

The Government Accountability Office will be surveying a sample of Paycheck Protection Program lenders in the coming weeks to gather feedback about their experiences with the program.
January 26, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Advocacy Crisis Preparedness Lending 

SBA working to identify potential PPP updates

The SBA on Saturday said it is working to ensure the Paycheck Protection Program appropriately accounts for the changes that businesses may have undergone since the beginning of the pandemic.
January 25, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Advocacy Crisis Preparedness Lending 

Treasury plans EIP outreach for unserved households

The Treasury Department announced plans to help the up to 8 million households that have not yet been able to access either round of Economic Impact Payments.
January 25, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Advocacy Crisis Preparedness Department of Treasury Lending 

Yellen nomination advances in Senate

The Senate Finance Committee unanimously approved the nomination of Janet Yellen for Treasury secretary. The committee vote sends Yellen's nomination to the full Senate for a final confirmation vote, which is scheduled for tonight.
January 25, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Advocacy 

ICBA seeks more gradual increase of same-day ACH limits

ICBA said it supports Nacha's plan to raise the individual same-day ACH transaction limit from $100,000 to $1 million in 2022. However, ICBA urged Nacha to assess the impact of such an increase before proceeding with its plan to remove dollar limits altogether in 2024.
January 25, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance Payments 

Biden names acting agency heads

President Joe Biden named agency heads serving in an acting capacity until permanent leadership is confirmed by the Senate.
January 22, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Federal Reserve Department of Treasury 

ICBA urges OCC to rescind CRA survey

ICBA encouraged the OCC to rescind its proposal to require national banks over $2.5 billion in assets to complete an Information Collection Survey to establish benchmarks for its 2020 Community Reinvestment Act rule.
January 22, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   CRA OCC 

Biden expected to tap Michael Barr to head OCC

President Joe Biden is expected to nominate former Treasury Department official Michael Barr for comptroller of the currency, according to reports from Politico and other news outlets citing anonymous sources.
January 22, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   OCC 

IRS confirms SBA 7(a) payments no longer taxable income

The IRS this week issued guidance clarifying that SBA payments on existing 7(a) and 504 loans under Section 1122 of the CARES Act are no longer considered taxable income to the borrower.
January 22, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Advocacy Crisis Preparedness 

Kraninger steps down from CFPB

Kathy Kraninger announced Wednesday that she resigned as Consumer Financial Protection Bureau director, as requested by President Joe Biden's administration.
January 21, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 

PPP resources available directly from SBA

Community bankers have reported problems with NewsWatch Today links to the SBA's Paycheck Protection Program resources, including application forms and rules.
January 21, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Advocacy Crisis Preparedness Lending 

Agencies issue FAQs on SARs

Federal regulators issued responses to frequently asked questions regarding Suspicious Activity Reports and other anti-money-laundering considerations.
January 20, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

Agencies finalize rules on supervisory guidance

The FDIC, OCC, and CFPB issued final rules to clarify and codify the role of supervisory guidanc
January 20, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

CFPB finalizes escrow relief

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a final rule implementing ICBA-supported relief from mandatory escrow requirements for higher-priced mortgage loans.
January 20, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

USDA finalizes hemp rule

The USDA issued its final rule regulating the production of hemp. The rule—which takes effect March 22—includes licensing and recordkeeping requirements, procedures for testing THC levels, compliance provisions, and more.
January 19, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Agriculture Compliance 

SBA issues resources as PPP fully reopens today

The SBA over the weekend issued additional resources on the Paycheck Protection Program, which will fully open to all participating lenders today
January 19, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Advocacy Crisis Preparedness Lending 

CISA issues guides with cyber best practices

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued new guides for federal agencies with best practices that can apply throughout the commercial sector.
January 19, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Cybersecurity 

CFPB issues compliance guide for debt collection rule

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a new small entity compliance guide summarizing the October 2020 debt collection rule.
January 19, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance Compliance 

PPP reopening for more lenders today

The SBA will reopen the Paycheck Protection Program loan portal to PPP-eligible lenders with $1 billion or less in assets at 9 a.m. (Eastern time) today. The reopening applies to both first- and second-draw applications.
January 15, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Advocacy Crisis Preparedness 

FBI alert, webinar offer threat update

The FBI issued an alert on violence related to the electoral certification and inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. The alert recaps investigative activity and provides a national threat picture through next week's inauguration.
January 15, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Risk Cybersecurity 

NCUA seeks expanded powers for CUSOs

The National Credit Union Administration issued a proposed rule that would expand credit union service organizations' permissible services and activities to include anything federal credit unions can currently do.
January 15, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Credit Unions 

FHFA, Treasury allow GSEs to continue retaining earnings

The Federal Housing Finance Agency and Treasury Department updated the Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements allowing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to continue to retain earnings until they satisfy the requirements of the 2020 GSE capital rule.
January 15, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Housing Finance/GSEs 

PPP reopening for more lenders tomorrow

The SBA said it will reopen the Paycheck Protection Program loan portal to PPP-eligible lenders with $1 billion or less in assets at 9 a.m. (Eastern time) tomorrow, Jan. 15.
January 14, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Advocacy Crisis Preparedness Lending 

ICBA urges OCC to withdraw CRA survey

ICBA and other groups called on the OCC to withdraw the CRA Information Collection Survey that was published in the Federal Register in December.
January 14, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   CRA OCC 

CFPB issues guidance on Limited English Proficiency consumers

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued guidance that encourages financial institutions to better serve Limited English Proficiency consumers.
January 14, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance Compliance 

ICBA backs efforts to recapitalize GSEs

ICBA said it strongly supports Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Mark Calabria’s efforts to fully recapitalize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
January 14, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Housing Finance/GSEs 

SBA reopening for more lenders Friday

The Small Business Administration just announced that it will reopen the Paycheck Protection Program loan portal to PPP-eligible lenders with $1 billion or less in assets this Friday, Jan. 15.
January 13, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Advocacy Crisis Preparedness Lending 

ICBA Statement on Conservatorship of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac

Independent Community Bankers of America President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued a statement on the conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
January 13, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Federal Housing Finance Agency Housing Finance/GSEs 

IRS redirecting, reissuing some EIP2s

The IRS said it is working with the tax-preparation industry to redirect second Economic Impact Payments that for some recipients went to temporary bank accounts established when their 2019 tax returns were filed.
January 11, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Advocacy Crisis Preparedness Lending 

SBA issues PPP resources ahead of launch

The SBA on Friday and over the weekend released a series of forms and guidance for the next round of Paycheck Protection Program lending starting for certain lenders today.
January 11, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Advocacy Crisis Preparedness Lending 

ICBA: FHFA approval process should expand GSE transparency

ICBA submitted a comment letter to the Federal Housing Finance Agency on its proposed rule that outlines the process of prior approval for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac products
January 11, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Federal Housing Finance Agency Housing Finance/GSEs 

Community Banks: The Road to Bipartisan Solutions

The Independent Community Bankers of America congratulates members of the 117th Congress for serving the nation at this critical time.
January 08, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Advocacy Crisis Preparedness Lending 

ICBA's Open Letter to the 117th Congress

ICBA believes that the policy recommendations outlined in this letter will play a critical role in creating a robust post-pandemic recovery and charting a course for inclusive growth and a more competitive economy that serves small businesses and consumers.
January 08, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Advocacy Crisis Preparedness 

SBA begins implementing next round of PPP

The Small Business Administration last night issued several documents on the next round of the Paycheck Protection Program authorized by the end-of-year stimulus package. Here's the latest.
January 07, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Advocacy Crisis Preparedness 

EIDL advance fix in effect as SBA writes new PPP rules

While the SBA writes new rules on the next round of the Paycheck Protection Program, the ICBA-advocated fix to Economic Injury Disaster Loan advances is effective immediately and retroactive.
January 05, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Crisis Preparedness Lending 

2020 in Review: ICBA members are a strong and active voice

More than 9,000 community bankers sent more than 65,000 messages to Congress and Federal regulators in 2020. Let’s review what community banks did this year on the advocacy front.
January 05, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Advocacy 

IRS: 13M EIPs going to temporary tax-prep accounts

The IRS said roughly 13 million second-round Economic Impact Payments went to temporary accounts used by the tax-preparation industry. Those payments—out of some 113 million in EIP2 ACH payments—will be returned to the IRS, the agency said in a call on Monday.
January 05, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Payments 

ICBA backs state standards for nonbank mortgage servicers

ICBA said it largely supports a Conference of State Banking Supervisors proposal to establish regulatory standards for nonbank mortgage servicers. The CSBS proposal offers prudential-like standards that states could approve for supervising servicers.
January 05, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Mortgage Rules 

CFPB issues annual threshold adjustments

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued three annual threshold adjustment final rules, effective Jan. 1, 2021.
January 04, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance Compliance 

Congress overrides defense bill veto advancing 'beneficial owner' reform

In one of the last votes of the 116th Congress, lawmakers overturned President Trump's veto of a defense spending bill advancing ICBA-advocated BSA/AML reforms.
January 04, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

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