News Headlines


08/05/26

FDIC and OCC Propose to Refocus CRA Examinations on Lending

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency have jointly proposed substantial changes to their Community Reinvestment Act regulations. The proposal would retain much of the examination framework that banks have operated under since 1995 while placing greater emphasis on lending, substantially increasing the asset thresholds used to determine how a bank is examined and creating clearer standards for community development activities.

08/05/26

Federal Reserve and FDIC Propose Major Updates to Insider-Lending Rules

The Federal Reserve and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation have issued coordinated proposals to modernize the rules governing loans to bank directors, executive officers, principal shareholders and their related interests.

08/05/26

Federal Reserve Proposes Long-Awaited Modernization of Mutual Bank Capital

The Federal Reserve has proposed the first comprehensive modernization of the federal regulatory framework for mutual banking organizations in more than three decades. The proposal would update Regulation MM, reduce several procedural burdens and—most importantly—provide greater certainty regarding the ability of mutual institutions to raise regulatory capital without abandoning their depositor-owned structure.


07/29/26

Federal Reserve Holds Rates Steady as Dissent Grows

The Federal Reserve voted Wednesday to leave its benchmark federal funds rate unchanged at 3.50% to 3.75%, marking the fifth consecutive meeting without a change. While the decision was widely expected, the vote highlighted growing divisions within the Federal Open Market Committee.

Three regional Federal Reserve Bank presidents, including Cleveland Federal Reserve President Beth Hammack, dissented from the decision, favoring a 25-basis-point rate increase.

07/22/26

US House Passes Main Street Capital Access Act with Strong Bipartisan Support

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Main Street Capital Access Act, a sweeping banking package designed to promote new bank formation, modernize bank supervision and provide meaningful regulatory relief for well-managed financial institutions.

07/22/26

Another OBL Legal Victory: Ohio Supreme Court Protects Financial Institutions from Expansive Securities Liability

The Ohio Bankers League has secured another important legal victory for Ohio’s financial-services industry.

In Bitounis v. Interactive Brokers, L.L.C., Slip Opinion No. 2026-Ohio-2268, the Supreme Court of Ohio reversed the Eighth District Court of Appeals and reinstated the trial court’s dismissal of claims against Interactive Brokers. The Court held that a brokerage firm performing routine business activities for a customer after that customer unlawfully sold securities did not “participate or aid” in those sales and therefore could not be held jointly and severally liable under R.C. 1707.43(A). 

07/15/26

Tell Congress to Pass the Main Street Capital Access Act

Ohio bankers have an important opportunity to advance one of the most comprehensive community bank regulatory relief packages considered by Congress in years. The Ohio Bankers League is asking every member banker to send a grassroots email urging Congress to support and pass the Main Street Capital Access Act, H.R. 6955.

The legislation contains more than two dozen provisions designed to strengthen locally based banks, better align regulation with actual risk and allow bankers to devote more resources to serving customers and communities. While federal regulators have made positive changes during the current administration to improve the way community banks are examined, the Main Street Capital Access Act would codify those reforms in law so they remain durable through future changes in political leadership.

07/15/26

Federal Regulators Issue New Lending Guidance on Borrowers Without Work Authorization

Federal banking regulators have issued new joint guidance reminding financial institutions to carefully evaluate the credit risks associated with lending to individuals who are not legally authorized to work in the United States.

07/15/26

OBL Urges Greater Clarity in Stablecoin Legislation

The OBL continues to support responsible financial innovation while advocating for a regulatory framework that protects consumers, preserves the stability of the banking system and promotes fair competition.

As Congress considers digital asset legislation, the OBL has joined banking associations from across the country in urging lawmakers to strengthen provisions governing payment stablecoins. Specifically, the coalition is calling for targeted revisions to ensure payment stablecoins function as payment tools and not as substitutes for traditional bank deposits

07/15/26

Ohio's Tom Fraser Nominated as ABA Vice Chair

The OBL congratulates Thomas J. Fraser, President and CEO of First Mutual Holding Co. in Lakewood, on his nomination to serve as Vice Chair of the American Bankers Association. Fraser was selected by the ABA Nominating Committee as part of the association's 2026-2027 slate of officers, which will be presented for election during the ABA Annual Convention on Oct. 27 in Salt Lake City.