Innovation

CFPB: No Action Letter Issued to Upstart Network, Inc. to Facilitate the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Loan Pricing and Underwriting

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) granted a no-action letter (NAL) to Upstart Network, Inc. (Upstart), regarding its automated model for underwriting and pricing applicants for unsecured, closed-end loans. Issued under the updated NAL Policy from last year, NALs provide increased regulatory certainty that the Bureau will not bring a supervisory or enforcement action against…

Census Bureau: Virtual Summit to Highlight Data Innovations Scheduled for December 9-11

What: The U.S. Census Bureau is celebrating the fifth anniversary of The Opportunity Project (TOP) at its first-ever three day virtual conference, featuring more than 35 new products from the Census Bureau and industry collaborators. There will be 24 sessions at this year’s conference including keynotes, lightning talks and discussions on government innovation, open data strategy and technology for…

EDA: U.S. Department of Commerce Launches $25 Million SPRINT Challenge to Address Coronovirus Pandemic Through Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the opening of the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) new Scaling Pandemic Resilience Through Innovation and Technology (SPRINT) Challenge, which will enable organizations across the country to address the economic, health, and safety risks caused by the coronavirus pandemic through entrepreneurship and innovation. The SPRINT Challenge is a…

SBA: $3 Million in Grants to Organizations Supporting Small Business Innovation and R&D Commercialization Awarded

The U.S. Small Business Administration granted 24 awards up to $125,000 each for specialized training, mentoring, and technical assistance for R&D-focused small businesses under the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program administered by the SBA’s Office of Innovation and Technology.  FAST seeks to improve outcomes in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)…

EDA: $10.2 Million Invested to Establish High-Tech Business Incubator at the Innovation Park in Tallahassee, FL

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $10.2 million grant to the Leon County Research and Development Authority, Tallahassee, Florida, to build a 40,000 square-foot, high-tech business incubator within the Innovation Park of Tallahassee to aid in the formation and expansion of technology businesses,…

EDA: U.S. Department of Commerce Kicks Off STEM Talent Challenge, Strengthening Regional Innovation Economies

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the opening of the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) STEM Talent Challenge, which aims to support organizations’ efforts to boost local science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) talent and workforce development models across the nation’s growing innovation economies. The $2 million STEM Talent Challenge will provide funding to…

CFPB: New Category of Qualified Mortgages Proposed to Encourage Innovation and Access to Affrodable Mortgage Credit

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) issued today a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to create a new category of seasoned qualified mortgages (Seasoned QMs) in order to encourage innovation and help ensure access to responsible, affordable in the mortgage credit market. To be considered a Seasoned QM under the proposal, loans would have to…

EDA: $2.3 Million Invested to Establish Advanced Materials Innovation Center Near Rhode Island Opportunity Zone

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.3 million grant to the University of Rhode Island Research Foundation, Kingston, Rhode Island, to establish the “401 Tech Bridge” advanced materials innovation center at two sites: the University of Rhode Island in Kingston for direct university…

FDIC: Input Sought on Voluntary Certification Program to Promote New Technologies

Public/Private standard-setting partnership could foster innovation and cut costs The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) today announced that it is seeking the public’s input on the potential for a public/private standard-setting partnership and voluntary certification program to promote the efficient and effective adoption of innovative technologies at FDIC-supervised financial institutions. Given rapid technological developments and…

CFPB: Bureau and State Regulators Launch American Consumer Financial Innovation Network

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau), working in partnership with multiple state regulators, launched the American Consumer Financial Innovation Network (ACFIN), a network to enhance coordination among federal and state regulators to facilitate financial innovation. The Bureau invited all state regulators to join ACFIN, and the initial members of ACFIN are the Attorneys General of:…