STATE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Indiana election results
The 2026 midterm elections brought significant changes to the political landscape in Indiana. Democrats made notable gains, winning the Secretary of State's office for the first time since 1994, electing a Democratic State Comptroller, capturing an additional congressional seat and ending the Republican supermajority in the Indiana House of Representatives. Republicans maintained control of both chambers of the Indiana General Assembly, including their supermajority in the Senate.
Indiana General Assembly elects new leadership
The 2026 election results will bring significant leadership changes to both chambers of the Indiana General Assembly for the upcoming 2027 legislative session. In the House of Representatives, Speaker Todd Huston lost his reelection bid, prompting House Republicans to select Rep. Ben Smaltz, R-Auburn, as Speaker-elect. Rep. Matt Lehman, R-Berne, will continue serving as House Majority Leader, while Rep. Jake Teshka, R-North Liberty, will replace defeated incumbent Greg Steuerwald as Majority Caucus Chair. In the Senate, Sen. Chris Garten, R-Charlestown, has been selected to succeed Sen. Rodric Bray as Senate President Pro Tempore, following Bray's earlier decision to step down from leadership. Sen. Eric Koch, R-Bedford, has been named Senate Majority Floor Leader, and Sen. Tyler Johnson, R-Leo, will replace Sen. Travis Holdman as Majority Caucus Chair. Republicans will retain control of both chambers, although their House supermajority has ended and their Senate supermajority has narrowed. The new leadership teams are expected to be formally confirmed on Organization Day, scheduled for November 17.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Democrats win House, Senate
Democrats took a majority of seats in the House and Senate, flipping party control of both chambers. In the Senate, the Democrats are projected to have 54 seats, with 44 seats for the Republicans and races in Alaska and Mississippi too close to call.
FDIC issues relief guidance for Indiana, South Dakota banks affected by storms
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. released guidance with steps intended to provide regulatory relief to financial institutions and facilitate recovery in areas of Indiana and the Oglala Sioux Tribe of the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota affected by severe storms.
Banking agencies release CRA data on small-business, small-farm lending in 2025
A total of 720 lenders reported data about originations and purchases of small loans — $1 million or less — to businesses and farms in 2025.
OCC releases framework for supervising artificial intelligence
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency released guidance for its examiners when evaluating the use of artificial intelligence – or “super intelligence" – in banks’ business activities.
FDIC proposes eliminating deposit insurance recordkeeping requirement for large banks
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. proposed to eliminate a regulation requiring large banks to maintain certain recordkeeping systems for deposit insurance purposes.