As Senate works to take up housing bill, ICBA continues urging grassroots outreach

With the Senate working to take up housing legislation this week, ICBA is calling on community bankers to continue urging their senators to include House-passed community banking provisions in any final housing package.

Background: The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act—which the House passed last month by a bipartisan 396-13 vote—includes ICBA-advocated provisions to:

• Allow community banks to hold custodial deposits and more reciprocal deposits.

• Provide an 18-month exam cycle and other exam relief for banks with up to $6 billion in assets.

• Promote the formation of de novo community banks.

• Establish a Treasury Financial Agent program enabling partnerships between minority depository institutions, rural community banks, and other financial institutions.

Latest in the Senate: The Senate version of the bill expected to come up this week includes most of these ICBA-advocated provisions—a testament to ICBA and community banker advocacy on this legislation.

Grassroots Push: With the Senate debate continuing today, ICBA is urging community bankers to send a message to their senators urging them to preserve the community banking title. Contact your senators now.