Industry News

Regulated Financial Institutions to Submit Self-Assessments of Diversity Policies and Practices

The federal banking agencies today provided information on how the financial institutions they regulate may begin to submit self-assessments of their diversity policies and practices as of year-end 2015, and issued Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the process. Financial institutions are strongly encouraged to disclose on their websites their diversity policies and practices, as well…

OCC: Minority Depository Advisory Committee Charter Renewed

WASHINGTON – The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has renewed the charter of its Minority Depository Institutions Advisory Committee (MDIAC), which advises the agency on issues and opportunities facing minority depository institutions. “The Minority Depository Institutions Advisory Committee provides the OCC with an invaluable perspective on the business environment affecting minority depository…

CDFI Fund: Annual CIIS Public Data on CDFI Program Recipient Reporting Released

The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) released today twelve years of data provided by Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) through its data collection system, known as the Community Investment Impact System (CIIS). The data collected covers fiscal years (FY) 2003 through 2014. The release contains Institution Level Report (ILR) data on 777 CDFIs…

CFPB: Immigrants Facing Unique Financial Challenges

Immigrants make up a large number of consumers in America, with over 41 million living in the United States. For the subset of immigrants who don’t speak English well, accessing and using financial products and services can be a challenge. Today, the CFPB is releasing a report on financial education programs serving immigrant populations. Language barriers…

ABA to Congress: Encourage Growth, Remove Barriers to Bank Startups

  Louisiana community banker calls for creative solutions to stimulate new banks WASHINGTON — New banks help build communities and their growth is being stifled by unrealistic capital hurdles, unreasonable funding constraints and excessive regulation, according to testimony from the American Bankers Association before the House Oversight and Reform Committee today. “New entrants into any industry are…

ABA to Congress: Smart Policies Allow Banks to Innovate, Partner with FinTech Startups

Nichols says trusted customer relationships are paramount to success WASHINGTON — Banks are innovating and partnering with startups to help benefit their customers, but smart policies are key to facilitating a modern, high-tech system, according to testimony from American Bankers Association president and CEO Rob Nichols before the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer…

OCC: Comptroller Discusses Efforts to Promote Community Revitalization

NEW YORK—Comptroller of the Currency Thomas J. Curry today discussed efforts to promote community revitalization through responsibly innovative funding and other assistance to support rehabilitation of homes in distressed communities. The remarks came during his appearance at the Community Development Corporation of Long Island’s Annual Lenders Forum. Related Links Remarks (PDF) Comptroller of the Currency Thomas…

FDIC: Small Business Lending Survey Initiated

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) today announced the launch of a survey of banks regarding their small business lending practices. The web-based survey of roughly 2,000 randomly selected FDIC-insured banks will begin in late June and will be administered by the U.S. Census Bureau on behalf of the FDIC. The Small Business Lending Survey…

CDFI Fund: 2016 CDFI Prize Competition Now Open

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) is calling for interested Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) or CDFI partners to submit ideas for the fiscal year (FY) 2016 CDFI Prize Competition. Up to $1 million is available for awards through the competition. While CDFIs nationwide have made great strides…