Industry News

ABA: Association Offers Congressional Testimony on Strength of Banking Industry

FirstBank CEO Jim Reuter appears on behalf of ABA members before House Financial Services Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy The American Bankers Association today provided testimony to the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy on the banking industry’s public policy priorities, new initiatives to foster innovation and competition in financial services,…

CFPB: New Guidance Issued to Protect Mortgage Borrowers from Pay-to-Play Digital Comparison-Shopping Platforms

Financial arrangements that influence or manipulate search results are illegal Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued an advisory opinion to protect Americans from double dealing on digital mortgage comparison-shopping platforms. Companies operating these digital platforms appear to shoppers as if they provide objective lender comparisons, but may illegally refer people to only those…

CDFI Fund: Virtual Public Meeting of CDFI Fund’s Advisory Board Scheduled for February 28th

The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) is convening a meeting of the Community Development Advisory Board (the Advisory Board) from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, February 28, 2023. This meeting will be conducted virtually. The function of the Advisory Board is to advise the Director of the CDFI Fund on the policies…

HUD: New Resources Announced for Advancing Housing Protections for Survivors of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking

New Website, Technical Assistance and Enforcement Guidance Strengthen Protections for Survivors Applying for and Living in HUD-Assisted Properties Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced new resources to advance housing protections for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). These resources…

SBA: Informational Webinars Announced for 2023 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition

Agency to Host Virtual Informational Events for Qualified Applicants February 6-9. Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced virtual events will be held for applicants for its seventh Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC). The GAFC will offer $13 million in prizes awarded in 2023 and 2024 aimed at expanding growth accelerators and creating innovative partnerships with…

HUD: Community Compass Technical Assistance and Capacity-Building Program Seeking Technical Assistance Providers

Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is announcing the availability of at least $80,681,000 for the Community Compass TA Program and capacity-building activities for HUD’s customers. This program is focused on solving complex housing and community development challenges by equipping HUD customers with the knowledge, skills, tools, and systems to implement…

HUD: FHA Assistance Options Expanded for Borrowers Struggling to Make Mortgage Payments

Updated loss mitigation options will help borrowers struggling with their mortgage payments to avoid foreclosure. Today, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is announcing that it is expanding and enhancing its set of loss mitigation options used to help borrowers struggling to make mortgage payments on their FHA-insured mortgages. The enhancements extend FHA’s highly effective COVID-19 loss mitigation…

FRB: Federal Reserve Board Policy Statement Issued to Promote a Level Playing Field for All Banks with a Federal Supervisor Regardless of Deposit Insurance Status

The Federal Reserve Board on Friday issued a policy statement to promote a level playing field for all banks with a federal supervisor, regardless of deposit insurance status. The statement makes clear that uninsured and insured banks supervised by the Board will be subject to the same limitations on activities, including novel banking activities, such…

OCC: Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day Promoted

To make more eligible working families aware of the benefits of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency is promoting EITC Awareness Day on January 27. The EITC is a refundable federal income tax credit for low- to moderate-income households. “The Earned Income Tax Credit is a valuable program that…

HUD: Over 100,000 Families & Individuals Housed through “House America” Homelessness Initiative

Milestone surpasses goal set by HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge and achieved by organizing leaders from 105 communities across 31 states and territories and the District of Columbia U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia L. Fudge today announced that states, municipalities, and tribes who joined House America have housed more than…