At a time when “buy local” resonates with many consumers, mutual banks believe their nontraditional business model is their strongest selling point. However, reaching and educating consumers about what sets mutual banks apart from other financial institutions remains a challenge for the sector. The Mutuals Matter campaign seeks to educate the public about what separates mutual banks from other financial institutions.

Despite regulatory changes and technology developments, small business lending is still a relationship-focused business requiring customization, localized expertise, and a nuanced understanding of risk characteristics. Results from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 2024 Small Business Lending Survey reaffirm the importance of relationship based-customized lending and identify challenges banks face in this space. 

For many banks, their biggest sources of cash volatility are cash flows into and out of the U.S. Treasury. Demographic shifts are likely to increase this cash balance volatility, which will, when combined with post-crisis changes to the fed funds market, have implications for bank liquidity and capital management.

As independently owned and operated small businesses, fast-food restaurant franchisees have unique business needs. On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast, Wendell Bontrager talks about how Sonata Bank is working with this unique market segment.

Cyber threat actors are already harvesting encrypted data with the goal of decrypting it once quantum computers are more widely available.

As Millbury National Bank marks its 200th anniversary in 2025, it is celebrating a legacy of independence, community service, and multigenerational stewardship — and preparing for a big transition.

The founders of two de novo banks shared with lawmakers the challenges of launching a new financial institution in the current regulatory climate, and they pushed for legislation to ease some of those burdens in the early years of a new bank.

Narrow supervisory standards, inconsistent approval timelines and other regulatory impediments are limiting new bank formation and leading to further consolidation in the financial sector, the ABA said in comments to lawmakers.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is rescinding dozens of guidance documents as part of a directive by President Trump to reduce regulation. The rescinded guidance covers topics such as fair lending, overdraft fees, disclosure policies and consumer information requests to large banks and credit unions.

The House Ways and Means Committee voted along party lines to advance a federal budget reconciliation tax package that includes several of the ABA’s policy priorities. The legislation now heads to the House Budget Committee.

The ABA strongly supports several provisions in the federal budget reconciliation tax package, including language to make permanent the Section 199A pass-through deduction, ABA President and CEO Rob Nichols said.

Legislation intended to reduce credit card interchange fees would reduce revenue for community banks and credit unions, leading to less access to credit and disproportionately harming low-income households, according to a recently published academic report.