Industry News

CDFI Fund: Nearly $25 Million in Bank Enterprise Awards Announced for Increased Investments in Highly Distressed Communities

Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) announced nearly $25 million in awards to 119 banks for increasing investments benefiting economically distressed communities across the nation. The awards were made through the fiscal year (FY) 2018 round of the Bank Enterprise Award Program (BEA Program). The BEA Program…

SBA: Upcoming Workshops on Applying for Women’s Business Center Grants

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will conduct workshops to train organizations in Idaho on best practices regarding the Women’s Business Center (WBC) grant application process. The dates and locations of the workshops will be held in mid-January with more information announced at a later date. “We know that when women get help in the…

SBA: Jihoon Kim Selected to Lead the Office of Financial Program Operations

Administrator Linda McMahon of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the selection of Jihoon Kim as the director for the SBA’s Office of Financial Program Operations (OFPO). In this role, Kim is responsible for overseeing SBA’s national lending operations, including 504 and 7(a) loan processing centers in Sacramento, Calif., and Hazard, Ky.; 504 and…

HUD: New FHA Loan Limits for 2019 Announced

Loan limits to increase in more than 3,000 counties The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today announced the agency’s new schedule of loan limits for 2019, with most areas in the country to experience an increase in loan limits in the coming year. These loan limits are effective for FHA case numbers assigned on or after…

HUD: Secretary Carson to Lead White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council

Today, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order establishing the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council and named U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson as its chairperson. The Council’s 13 Federal member agencies will engage with governments at all levels on ways to more effectively use taxpayer dollars to revitalize low-income communities….

HUD & VA: Additional Support Announced to Help Homeless Veterans Find Permanent Homes

Second Round of HUD-VASH vouchers to provide housing for veterans and their families In a continuing effort to help end veteran homelessness, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announce a second round of funding to help provide permanent homes to veterans and their…

FDIC: Affordable Mortgage Lending Guide Information Updated

Summary: The FDIC has updated the Affordable Mortgage Lending Guide, Part I: Federal Agencies and Government Sponsored Enterprises to reflect the most up-to-date information available about the mortgage products offered through federal housing programs, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Statement of Applicability to Institutions with Less Than $1 Billion in Assets: This Financial Institution Letter…

CFPB: Advisory Committees Meet to Discuss Emerging Trends in Financial Services Technology

The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau) meets Thursday with its Consumer Advisory Board, Community Bank Advisory Council, and Credit Union Advisory Council, committees of experts who advise Bureau leadership on a wide range of consumer financial issues and emerging market trends. This joint meeting is the second such gathering this year since the appointment…

HUD: $23 Million Awarded to Fight Housing Discrimination

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded more than $23 million to nearly 80 fair housing organizations working to protect consumers from housing discrimination. Provided through HUD’s Private Enforcement Initiative (PEI), these grants offer a range of assistance to the nationwide network of fair housing organizations so they can carry out…

EDA: $21 Million Invested to Accelerate Entrepreneurship Across the Nation

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross today announced that 40 organizations — including nonprofits, institutions of higher education, and entrepreneurship-focused organizations — from 28 states and two territories will receive $21 million to create and expand cluster-focused entrepreneurship and technology transfer programs, and early-stage seed fund support under the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) 2018 Regional…