NewsWatch Today

Through tens of thousands of phone calls and direct messages to your members of Congress, you made your voices heard, community bankers, and once again Washington paid attention.

Congress is expected to vote this week on legislation designed to provide economic relief for communities, small businesses, families, and individuals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as public health measures.

Congressional leaders announced the outline of a deal for an economic stimulus package and year-end spending bill, with passage expected as soon as today.

Federal banking agencies issued a proposal that would require banks to promptly notify their primary federal regulator after a computer security incident.

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued a proposed rule to increase transparency of certain transactions involving convertible virtual currency or digital assets with legal tender status.

The cyber criminals who targeted the SolarWinds Orion Platform appear to have limited their follow-up attacks to a relatively small number of IT and government enterprises, according to a blog post from Microsoft President Brad Smith.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a final rule to implement Fair Debt Collection Practices Act requirements for certain consumer disclosures. The rule requires debt collectors to provide detailed disclosures at the outset of collection communications.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency today is hosting a follow-up call on the supply chain attack on the SolarWinds Orion Platform and subsequent customer breaches.

The National Credit Union Administration board approved an ICBA-opposed final rule that will allow the largest and most complex credit unions to issue subordinated debt to institutional investors.

Federal regulators announced the annual adjustment to Community Reinvestment Act thresholds. Effective Jan. 1, the “small bank” or “small savings association” designation applies to institutions that as of Dec. 31 of either of the prior two calendar years had assets of less than $1.322 billion.

The supply chain attack on the SolarWinds Orion Platform and subsequent customer breaches is affecting every corner of the economy, including community banking, ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey wrote.

The FDIC issued a new study that found community banks serve a critical role in providing access to credit in several key areas of the U.S. economy, particularly commercial real estate, small businesses, and agriculture.