FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Bessent outlines policy agenda to boost community bank business model
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent shared several steps the Trump administration plans to take to drive a “community bank comeback,” including a renewed push for regulatory tailoring, a review of core platform providers, friendlier capital requirements and revised requirements for bank AML/CFT programs.
Fed releases FAQ, templates to help mutual banks raise capital
The Federal Reserve has released an FAQ and two templates that mutual banks can use as they consider engaging in raising capital.
FCC set to propose changes to modernize automated calling rules, strengthen fraud protections
The Federal Communications Commission released a draft notice of proposed rulemaking that, if issued and then finalized, would adopt several trade association requests to modernize the FCC’s Telephone Consumer Protection Act rules and combat illegal call spoofing.
Survey: Net interest margins, cybersecurity top risks facing community banks
Net interest margins are the most important external risk facing community banks, according to the Conference of State Bank Supervisors’ 2025 community bank survey. Cybersecurity was the top internal risk.
FDIC proposes defining unsafe and unsound practices, removing reputational risk
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. board voted to advance two proposed rules to formally define “unsafe and unsound practices” and to remove reputational risk from bank supervision. The American Bankers Association will form a banker working group to respond to the safety and soundness proposal.
OCC to ease examination, licensing requirements for community banks
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency announced several actions to reduce the regulatory burden on community banks by tailoring the frequency and scope of bank examinations to the risk presented by bank operations, and by focusing examinations on material financial risk.
Survey: One-third of US consumers working second job to cover finances
While the percentage of U.S. consumers classified as financially unhealthy has remained stable, many also report working in a second job or side gig to stabilize their finances, according to a recent survey by J.D. Power.