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of the Washington CU Daily: Saying that the NCUA’s current rule governing Credit Union Service Organizations is sorely outdated and hampers innovation, CUNA and NAFCU are calling on the agency board to finalize an updated regulation.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.
Trade Groups Say IRS Coronavirus Payment Process is Confounding Credit Unions, Members
The Internal Revenue Service’s “Get My Payment” portal to provide information to consumers about their federal coronavirus Economic Impact Payments is providing inaccurate information to many financial institutions and their customers, creating confusion for everyone involved, groups including CUNA, NAFCU, the ABA and the ICBA wrote in a letter to IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig, reports David Baumann of the Washington CU Daily.
Marijuana Banking Bill Introduced in Senate
A bipartisan group of senators introduced legislation that would make it easier for credit unions and banks to provide financial services to marijuana-related businesses, reports David Baumann of the Washington CU Daily.
Senators Introduce Legislation to Increase NCUA Loan Maturity Cap
Sens. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) have introduced legislation to increase the loan maturity cap of 15 years on credit union loans to 20 years, reports David Baumann of the Washington CU Daily.
Bankers Asking NCUA to Extend Comment Period for Proposed CUSO Rule
After the proposed CUSO lending rule change approved in January by the NCUA Board, bankers are asking for more time to comment.
House Members Introduce Legislation to Lift MBL Cap During Crisis
Reps. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) introduced legislation in Congress that would lift the credit union member business lending cap of 12.25% during the coronavirus economic emergency in order to allow credit unions to make more loans during the economic crisis, reports David Baumann of the Washington Credit Union Daily.
