Washington, D.C. (Jan. 22, 2026)—The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), the American Bankers Association, America’s Credit Unions, Association of Military Banks of America, Bank Policy Institute, Consumer Bankers Association, Defense Credit Union Council, Electronic Payments Coalition, Electronic Transactions Association, Mid-size Bank Coalition of America and National Bankers Association, today sent a joint letter to members of Congress strongly opposing the so-called Credit Card Competition Act and any expansion of the Durbin amendment.
The letter warns that government intervention in the U.S. credit card market would harm consumers, small businesses, and community-based financial institutions by reducing choice, increasing costs and fraud risks, and creating economic challenges for smaller institutions.
The letter highlights several key concerns:
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Small Businesses Benefit Both from Card Acceptance and as Card Users: Research shows the Durbin-Marshall bill would primarily benefit the largest retailers, leaving small businesses at a competitive disadvantage. Studies estimate that nearly all savings would accrue to merchants with over $500 million in annual sales, while small businesses could lose up to $1 billion in rewards and face reduced access to $700 billion in revolving credit lines.
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Community Banks and Credit Unions Would Be Harmed: Community-based financial institutions, which provide billions in loans and essential services, would be impaired by backdoor price controls on credit routing. Federal Reserve data confirms that similar measures under the Durbin amendment harmed exempted institutions, reducing revenue for lending and data security while increasing operational costs.
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Consumers Would Lose Choice, Security, and Rewards: The bill would diminish access to affordable credit, particularly for low-income consumers, and eliminate popular rewards programs. Studies show 77% of cardholders earning less than $50,000 rely on rewards cards. Evidence also indicates retailers are unlikely to pass savings to consumers, with 98% raising or maintaining prices after the original Durbin amendment.
The letter also underscores that the U.S. payments ecosystem is already highly competitive, offering numerous options from credit and debit cards to real-time payments and digital wallets. “The payment card system is convenient, secure, and essential to the American economy,” the groups wrote. “The Durbin-Marshall bill jeopardizes consumer protections, rewards programs, and access to credit—all to benefit a handful of the largest merchants.”
About ICBA
The Independent Community Bankers of America® has one mission: to create and promote an environment where community banks flourish. We power the potential of the nation’s community banks through effective advocacy, education, and innovation.
As local and trusted sources of credit, America’s community banks leverage their relationship-based business model and innovative offerings to channel deposits into the neighborhoods they serve, creating jobs, fostering economic prosperity, and fueling their customers’ financial goals and dreams. For more information, visit ICBA’s website at icba.org.
About the American Bankers Association
The American Bankers Association is the voice of the nation’s $25.1 trillion banking industry, which is composed of small, regional and large banks that together employ more than 2 million people, safeguard $19.7 trillion in deposits and extend $13.2 trillion in loans.
About America's Credit Unions
America’s Credit Unions is the unified voice for not-for-profit credit unions, representing more than 95% of the industry's assets and their more than 145 million members nationwide. America’s Credit Unions provides strong advocacy, resources and services to advance, empower, and protect credit unions and the people and communities they serve. For more information about America’s Credit Unions, visit AmericasCreditUnions.org.
About the Association of Military Banks of America
The Association of Military Banks of America (AMBA) is the nation’s only not-for-profit trade association of banks operating on military installations, banks not located on military installations but serving military and veteran customers, and military banking facilities designated by the United States Treasury. Founded in 1959, the association’s membership includes community banks and large multinational financial institutions, all of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. You can learn more about AMBA at www.militarybanking.org.
About Bank Policy Institute
The Bank Policy Institute is a nonpartisan public policy, research and advocacy group that represents universal banks, regional banks and the major foreign banks doing business in the United States. The Institute produces academic research and analysis on regulatory and monetary policy topics, analyzes and comments on proposed regulations, and represents the financial services industry with respect to cybersecurity, fraud and other information security issues.
About the Consumer Bankers Association
The Consumer Bankers Association represents America’s leading retail banks. We promote policies to create a stronger industry and economy. Established in 1919, CBA’s corporate member institutions account for 1.7 million jobs in America, extend roughly $4 trillion in consumer loans and provide $275 billion in small business loans annually. Follow us on Twitter @consumerbankers.
About the Defense Credit Union Council
The Defense Credit Union Council is the trusted resource for credit unions on all military and veteran matters. By maintaining a close and constant liaison with the Pentagon, Capitol Hill, and NCUA, DCUC champions the interests of credit unions serving our military and veteran communities by coordinating policy, procedures, and legislation impacting morale and welfare, financial readiness, and the delivery of quality financial products and services. Organized in 1963, DCUC’s membership is comprised of more than 180 credit unions with over 40 million members. If you would like more information, visit dcuc.org, or contact DCUC at hlaverty@dcuc.org.
About The Electronic Payments Coalition (EPC)
We are the credit unions, community banks, payment card networks, and institutions who support the backbone of our economic system: electronic payments. Click HERE to learn more.
About the Electronic Transactions Association
The Electronic Transactions Association (ETA) is the world’s leading advocacy and trade association for the payments industry. Our members span the breadth of significant payments and fintech companies in the U.S. and around the world. ETA members make commerce possible by processing approximately $56.75 trillion annually in purchases and P2P payments worldwide and deploying payments innovation to merchants and consumers. For more information: www.electran.org
About The Mid-Size Bank Coalition of America
Founded in 2010, the MBCA is a distinct and singularly focused "self-help" community for America's mid-size banks. The MBCA provides a forum to facilitate the utilization of information, market developments and best practices tailored toward mid-size banks. Our entrepreneurial culture also allows for consortium opportunities to share research and explore commercial ventures, resulting in a more resilient and competitive banking landscape that helps reduce the cost of banking services to consumers. For more information about Mid-Size Bank Coalition of America, visit www.midsizebanks.com.
About National Bankers Association
Founded in 1927, the National Bankers Association champions minority depository institutions, advocating for mission-driven banks that serve underserved and low- to-moderate-income communities. Representing community banks across 43 states and territories, NBA promotes economic empowerment, capital access, and financial inclusion. Learn more at www.nationalbankers.org.