OCC: Fintech Business Model for a National Bank Conditionally Approved
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today announced conditional approval of the application for financial technology (fintech) company SmartBiz Loans to change the business model of CenTrust Bank, N.A., Northbrook, Illinois, upon its acquisition of CenTrust Bank, N.A. Upon acquisition, CenTrust Bank, N.A. was renamed SmartBiz Bank, N.A. CenTrust further applied to…
OCC: Agency to Host Virtual Innovation Office Hours in May
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today announced virtual Office Hours with its Office of Financial Technology on May 6-8, 2025, to promote responsible innovation in the federal banking system. Office Hours are an opportunity for banks and financial technology (fintech) companies to engage with OCC staff on matters related to bank-fintech…
ABA: Banks, Credit Unions, Payments and Fintech Industries Highlight Harm APR Cap Legislation Would Have on Consumers in Letter
Leading financial groups that represent banks and credit unions of all sizes, along with the payments and fintech industries, today sent a letter to Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) to oppose their proposed legislation that would create an annual percentage rate (APR) cap for credit cards at 10 percent. This misguided legislation, which…
ABA: New Analysis Shows Vast Majority of Commenters Oppose Federal Reserve’s Changes to Debit Card Regulations
Nearly 80% of commenters find Fed’s debit card rule will negatively impact community financial institutions and consumers Nearly 80% of commenters – including academics, activists, banks and credit unions, consultants and fintechs, individuals, non-profits, payment card networks, and trade associations – oppose the Federal Reserve’s proposed rule that would lower the cap on debit card…
CFPB: Rule Finalized on Federal Oversight of Popular Digital Payment Apps to Protect Personal Data, Reduce Fraud, and Stop Illegal “Debanking”
Final rule brings supervision to Big Tech and other widely used digital payment apps handling over 50 million transactions annually The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today finalized a rule to supervise the largest nonbank companies offering digital funds transfer and payment wallet apps. The rule will help the CFPB to ensure that these companies…
FDIC: 2024 Small Business Lending Survey Report Issued
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) today released the 2024 Small Business Lending Survey Report (SBLS). Conducted in 2022, the SBLS is a nationally representative sample of U.S. banks that offers important insights into their small business lending practices and how banks meet the credit needs of the nation’s small businesses. The SBLS gathered responses from…
Agencies Extend Comment Period on Request for Information on Bank-Fintech Arrangements
The federal bank regulatory agencies announced today that they will extend until October 30, 2024, the comment period on a request for information on bank-fintech arrangements involving banking products and services. The agencies are seeking input on the nature and implications of bank-fintech arrangements and effective risk management practices. Extending the comment period will allow…
Agencies Remind Banks of Potential Risks Associated with Third-Party Deposit Arrangements and Request Additional Information on Bank-Fintech Arrangements
The federal bank regulatory agencies today issued a statement reminding banks of potential risks associated with third-party arrangements to deliver bank deposit products and services. The agencies support responsible innovation and banks engaging in these arrangements in a safe and sound manner and in compliance with applicable law. While these arrangements can provide benefits, supervisory…
ABA Joins Project Fintech Accelerator as a Founding Partner
The American Bankers Association today announced it has joined the 2023 Project Fintech accelerator as a founding partner. Through this partnership, ABA will work closely with the Project Fintech team over the next nine months to engage with nine startups developing innovative banking technology products and services. “Innovation is at the core of today’s banking industry, and…
HUD: Agency and Terner Housing Innovation Labs Announce Event Series on Impact of Technology on the Housing Field
During last Friday’s kickoff ceremony for the Innovative Housing Showcase, Secretary Marcia L. Fudge announced a new partnership between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Terner Housing Innovation Labs at UC Berkeley (Terner Labs) to convene an event series focused on the implications of new technologies for housing supply, access,…