Harper Left Out of Meeting Between Biden and Financial Regulators
David Baumann of the Washington CU Daily reports that the heads of the U.S. financial regulatory agencies met with President Biden on Monday. Except for one: NCUA Chairman Todd Harper, who an agency spokesman said was not invited and did not attend.
Reg Agenda: NCUA May Consider Changing Interest Rate Ceiling
The newest version of the federal regulatory agenda has been released and in it the NCUA has listed a number of possible rules it may consider. Among the list are changes to the interest rate ceiling for loans made by credit unions, as well as a number of proposals that the board has been debating, reports David Baumann of the Washington CU Daily.
Credit Unions Made $5.6 Billion in Loans During Latest PPP Round
As the PPP ends, the SBA reported that this year 859 credit unions made almost $5.6 billion in loans to businesses to help them weather the coronavirus pandemic, reports David Baumann of the Washington Credit Union Daily.
Biden Proposes Increase in NCUA’s Community Development Revolving Loan Fund
David Baumann of the Washington CU Daily reports that President Biden’s FY22 Budget proposal includes an increase to the NCUA’s Community Development Revolving Loan Fund program by $500,000 as well as a 22.2% increase for the Community Development Financial Institutions program.
NCUA Equity Ratio Dips to 1.22%, But Board Says Restoration Plan is Not Needed Yet
The National Credit Union Administration’s Share Insurance Fund’s equity ratio is expected to dip to 1.22% by the end of June, but the agency board decided Thursday not to require the development of a fund restoration plan, reports David Baumann of the Washington CU Daily. The Board also discussed its Normal Operating Level policy at its May meeting.
House Panel Hints at Field of Membership Expansion Legislation
The House Financial Services Committee has given an early indication that it may consider legislation that would allow credit unions to expand their fields of membership into underserved areas, reports David Baumann of the Washington CU Daily. Among other issues, the Committee also may discuss making changes to the NCUA Central Liquidity Facility, the difficulties starting Community Development Financial Institutions and Minority Depository Institutions and killing the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s “rent-a-bank” rule. The hearing is May 19.
PPP Runs Out of Money for Most Credit Unions
The Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program has run out of money for loans that most credit unions and banks would make, but PPP loans are still available through Community Development Financial Institutions, an SBA spokesperson said. As reported by David Baumann of the Washington Credit Union Daily.
Credit Union Trade Groups Endorse Proposed CUSO Rule While Consumer Groups Argue Would Authorize Predatory Lending
Two stories from David Baumann of the Washington CU Daily: Saying that the NCUA’s current rule governing Credit Union Service Organizations is sorely outdated and hampers innovation, CUNA and NAFCU are calling on the agency board to finalize an updated regulation. The National Credit Union Administration’s proposed Credit Union Service Organization rule would allow CUSOs to become predatory payday lenders that could make loans that far exceed the interest rate in the Federal Credit Union Act, consumer groups are warning.
House Financial Services Dems Push for $8.5 Million Boost for Credit Union Community Development Fund
David Baumann of the Washington CU Daily reports that the Democrats on the House Financial Services Committee out-voted the Republicans to pass the Views and Estimates Report, which contained requests to congressional budget writers for an $8.5 million increase for the National Credit Union Administration’s Community Development Revolving Loan Fund in FY22. It also contained strong support for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Cannabis and Credit Unions: House Passes the SAFE Banking Act
On April 19, 2021, the House officially passed the SAFE Banking Act, which aims to protect financial institutions servicing cannabis accounts. Emily Claus covers the path of the legislation, where it goes from here, and what its odds of success are.
