Idaho Bankers’ Advocacy in Washington D.C., A Comprehensive Agenda

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Last week, Idaho’s bankers converged on Washington D.C., representing the state’s diverse financial interests. This delegation included bankers Jeff Huhn, Cheryl Sorensen, and Carlan McDaniel as well as IBA’s Trent Wright, and Jeni Hall, and Idaho Department of Finance Director Patti Perkins. In addition, the Idaho group comprised delegates from Umpqua Bank, U.S. Bank, Washington Trust Bank, Heritage Bank, Bank of America, and Bank of Eastern Oregon. The purpose was clear: to engage in meaningful dialogues with our Congressional Delegation and Federal Regulators, casting light on pressing legislative  and regulatory issues.

A key focal point was the “Promoting Fair Lending to Small Businesses Act” that seeks uniform oversight across all lenders, guaranteeing equitable lending terms for small enterprises. Further, there were deliberations to streamline data collection methodologies championed by the CFPB under rule 1071. Credit unions, with their distinct tax advantages, were also under the lens. Lawmakers are keenly assessing their contributions, especially in juxtaposition to community banks, to low-to-moderate-income communities. Global discussions on Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) haven’t gone unnoticed, and Idaho bankers expressed apprehensions about the potential federal competition they might pose against traditional banking mechanisms. Another pivotal discussion was on interchange fees. Idaho bankers staunchly opposed price controls on these fees, emphasizing that such measures, instead of benefiting consumers, end up disproportionately favoring a handful of large merchants while sidelining small businesses. Additionally, underscoring the heartbeat of rural America, the delegation pushed for initiatives to reduce credit costs for rural stakeholders, including farmers, ranchers, and homeowners.

This recent expedition to the nation’s capital underscores the dedication and forward-thinking approach of Idaho’s bankers. By advocating for these issues at the national level, Idaho bankers are ensuring that the unique challenges and opportunities of Idaho’s financial landscape are recognized and addressed. Idaho bankers’ endeavors in Washington D.C. are a testament to their commitment to shaping a more inclusive and progressive financial environment for all stakeholders, both in Idaho and across the nation.

State Associations Call for Continued Bipartisan Work on Reg Reform

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LEGISLATIVE NEWS

Fifty-one state bankers associations yesterday wrote to members of the Senate Banking Committee encouraging lawmakers to continue pursuing the goal of bipartisan regulatory reform. The associations called on the committee to include in its overall proposal for regulatory reform several bills that are part of ABA’s Blueprint for Growth, including those that would allow regulators to tailor actions based on banks’ business models and risk profile, revise capital and liquidity requirements and allow mortgage loans held in portfolios to be considered “qualified mortgages.”

In addition, the associations noted that several other legislative proposals for regulatory reform have support on both sides of the aisle, such as a bill to recalibrate the systemic risk designation process and a bill to allow banks to hold municipal bonds and accept municipal deposits. They also called for legislative action on stress testing and the Volcker Rule, both of which were highlighted in the recent Treasury Department report on regulatory reform.

“The cumulative weight of thousands of pages of new regulations and guidance has overwhelmed many of America’s financial institutions, resulting in the loss of 2,800 banks — most of them community banks — in the last decade,” the associations wrote. “It is of the utmost importance that our remaining member banks are able to provide products and services to consumers that are affordable and help grow communities.”

Read the letter.