Recent News
"BankPlus and FHLB Dallas awarded Gulf Coast Housing Partnership a $499,000 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant toward the construction of 27 affordable apartments, 60 percent of which are specifically set aside for special-needs residents, including people with disabilities and people who are 55 years old and older. The development is a partnership between GCHP and Midtown Partners Inc., the neighborhood-based non-profit that serves the Midtown community."
"The Federal Reserve Board on Friday announced its approval of the application by Renasant Corporation, of Tupelo, Mississippi, to merge with The First Bancshares, and thereby indirectly acquire The First Bank, both of Hattiesburg, Mississippi."
"As we gear up for the 2025 Federal Reserve CDFI Survey, this post paints a picture of the current state of CDFIs and seeks to understand why the industry may look different than it did in 2023, our last survey year. There are several key takeaways:
- The number of CDFIs certified by the CDFI Fund has grown significantly over the last 15 years but decreased slightly since the last iteration of the CDFI Survey in 2023.
- Loan funds and credit unions make up the majority of certified CDFIs, both nationally and within the Fifth District.
- The types of financial... Read more
"At a time when diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are under assault, there is an opportunity to find common ground with community development financial institutions (CDFIs). These institutions—spanning banks, credit unions, loan funds and venture capital providers—serve as crucial lifelines for both urban and rural underserved communities, ensuring that economic opportunities are not just reserved for the privileged few. From financing first-time homeowners and fueling small businesses to investing in vital community infrastructure like health centers and schools, CDFIs are an... Read more
"Over the past five years, Carver Federal Savings Bank — the largest publicly-traded, Black-owned bank in the country — has provided $225 million in loans to disadvantaged communities, representing 183 companies.
The bank has created a growing network of businesses and provided a solid stream of institutional and retail deposits. Now, as it heads into its 77th year, Carver is betting a new two-year microloan program will help the iconic Black-owned bank draw more deposits and grants to invest in New York's African American and Caribbean entrepreneurs.
'When we launched it, it... Read more
CDBA would like to congratulate one of our members, Ponce Bank, for receiving a CRA rating of "Outstanding" from the OCC!
"Under the CRA, the OCC assesses an institution's record of meeting the credit needs of its entire community, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with the safe and sound operation of such institution.
The list includes the national banks, federal savings associations, and insured federal branches of foreign banks that have received CRA ratings. Possible ratings assigned are outstanding, satisfactory, needs to improve, and... Read more
CDBA would like to congratulate one of our members, Spring Bank, for receiving a CRA rating of "Outstanding" from the FDIC!
"We're so proud to announce that we've received an 'outstanding' Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) rating from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)!
This rating was awarded to only 3 of 60 banks in a recent rating period and measures how well banks perform in meeting their responsibilities under the CRA. Passed in 1977, the CRA requires the FDIC to assess a bank's record of meeting the credit needs of its entire community, including people who... Read more
"Community banks are catalysts for local economic growth, and their bankers often also serve as civic leaders in the region...
Today, as I travel across the country to visit with bankers in just about every state, I learn about how they are driving investment, philanthropy, and financial support for the local economy. While this work is rewarding, it is also challenging. It is sometimes tedious—especially in today's regulatory environment—and it is a seven days a week job..."
"The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's new leadership on Thursday dismissed at least four enforcement lawsuits undertaken by the previous administration's director.
In legal filings, the CFPB issued a notice of voluntary dismissal for cases involving Capital One; Berkshire Hathaway-owned Vanderbilt Mortgage & Finance; a Rocket Cos. unit called Rocket Homes Real Estate; and a loan servicer named Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency."
"Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner said he would terminate the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule on Wednesday, repealing the law which was enacted to 'overcome historic patterns of segregation.'
President Trump originally terminated the rule created during the Obama administration in 2020 after he said it would 'destroy the value of houses' but it was restored by former President Biden in 2021."
Policy Map has announced new overlays to help users visualize data relevant to bank compliance under reforms to the Community Reinvestment Act. Per Policy Map:
"To enhance clarity and promote compliance, regulatory agencies have established 12 impact review factors to evaluate the impact and responsiveness of a bank's qualifying activities, particularly in community development financing...
PolicyMap's geospatial analysis and visualization tools effectively address nine of these 12 impact review factors, enabling stakeholders to identify opportunities for impactful community... Read more
[Two-time consecutive Peer Forum guest] "Mark Calabria, who headed up a key mortgage regulator during the first Trump administration, has taken a post involving financial reviews of government entities, according to multiple reports.
Calabria told members of the Exchequer Club on Wednesday that he is working with the Office of Management and Budget, and will be a liaison to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Free-market think tank Cato Institute, where he most recently was a senior advisor, confirmed he has left the organization.
[Washington Post reporter Andrew]... Read more
"Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell announced Thursday that he won't seek reelection next year, ending a decades long tenure as a power broker who championed conservative causes but ultimately ceded ground to the fierce GOP populism of President Donald Trump.
McConnell, the longest-serving Senate party leader in U.S. history, chose his 83rd birthday to share his decision not to run for another term in Kentucky and to retire when his current term ends. He informed The Associated Press of his decision before he addressed colleagues in a speech on the Senate floor.
'Seven times, my... Read more
"A group of House Republicans raised alarms Wednesday about the minimum $1.5 trillion in spending cuts required by the chamber's budget resolution, as House leadership tries to shore up support for a floor vote on the measure when the chamber returns next week.
Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, co-chair of his party's Congressional Hispanic Conference, led a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., highlighting the damage cuts to programs including Medicaid, Pell Grants and food stamps would have on their constituents and others around the country."
"The senior Republican senator negotiating a deal to avoid a government shutdown in less than one month says the Trump administration might be breaking the law — and flouting the U.S. Constitution.
As Elon Musk and the White House budget office seek to block spending that has already been approved by Congress, 'I think it's pretty clear that this violates Article One of the Constitution,' said Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said in an interview.
'You would see lawsuits' if the actions continue, Collins said. 'A lot of these... Read more
"Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order ensuring that all federal agencies are accountable to the American people, as required by the Constitution. Under this Executive Order:
- The Order notes that Article II of the U.S. Constitution vests all executive power in the President, meaning that all executive branch officials and employees are subject to his supervision.
- Therefore, because all executive power is vested in the President, all agencies must: (1) submit draft regulations for White House review—with no carve-out for so-called independent... Read more
"The Colorado Bankers Association (CBA) has named Sherry Waner, chief development officer at First Southwest Bank, a recipient of the 2025 Bankers of Distinction Award, recognizing her exceptional leadership and commitment to community development. With 32 years in banking, Waner specializes in creative business financing, public-private partnerships and complex capital stacks that drive economic growth.
At First Southwest Bank, a CDFI, she has been instrumental in bridging financing gaps for underserved businesses across Colorado. She is also CEO of HelloBello, a tech platform that... Read more
"House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill (AR-02) today released the following statement in response to Acting FDIC Chairman Travis Hill's outline of several priorities that echo calls from Chairman French Hill's Making Community Banking Great Again (MCBGA) principles.
'I congratulate Travis Hill on his designation as Acting Chairman of the FDIC," said Chairman Hill. "The priorities Acting Chairman Travis Hill outlined this week demonstrate that he understands how critically important it is that the FDIC focus on its mission of maintaining stability and public... Read more
"Peoples Bank (MS) has been awarded Coleman's SBA 7(a) Community Bank of the Year. This prestigious honor underscores the bank's commitment to supporting small businesses and fostering economic growth in underserved communities.
This award from Coleman Publishing recognizes Peoples Bank's outstanding contributions to small business lending, highlighting its role in strengthening local economies and providing crucial financial support to entrepreneurs."
"Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has shut down a wide variety of operations inside the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in his new role as acting director.
Bessent ordered the CFPB to stop all rulemaking, communications, litigation, and other activities, according to a Monday email to staff obtained by Bloomberg Law.
Bessent took over the CFPB as acting director after President Donald Trump fired Biden-era Director Rohit Chopra."