"Treasury's Halt of Paper Checks Likely to Reduce Fraud"
This is welcome news to us. Before we found out about the fraudulent Treasury checks that were passing the verification test, we lost $15,000 on a single check.
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Mary Fowler
Chief Executive Officer
The Peoples Bank
Magnolia, AR
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-03-2025 17:35
From: Rob Blackwell
Subject: Stablecoin Bill Advances, HFSC's Deregulation Push, M&A on Hold: This Week's Top Stories
President Trump's tariff plans rocked markets, Sen. Cory Booker, D-NJ, broke the record for the longest Senate speech in history, and Val Kilmer, quite possibly the best actor to never receive an Oscar nomination, died. Here's what else you might want to read this week:
"Inside the House's Marathon Stablecoin Markup"
Stablecoin legislation passed the House Financial Services Committee by a 32-17 vote after a marathon 13-hour markup Wednesday. Democrats introduced many amendments to the STABLE Act aimed at potential conflicts of interest related to President Trump's family's crypto ambitions, but none were ultimately adopted. Six Democrat members joined Republicans in advancing the bill, which now heads to the full House for a vote.
The HFSC also approved several other bills, including a bill to repeal Section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act on credit application data, a bill to ban the Fed from creating a digital currency, and a bill to phase-in capital requirements for de novo banks.
"Republicans Spell Out Demands for Bank Regulators"
HFSC Chair French Hill and other GOP lawmakers also demanded that financial regulators alter various rules, guidance, and proposals issued under the Biden administration. Among other actions, they called for rolling back the Community Reinvestment Act final rule (which regulators have already said they would do), starting over on Basel III endgame standards, and revoking guidance on managing third-party relationships.
"'Banks Await Certainty as Trump Policies Chill M&A"
Economic uncertainty surrounding tariffs has led to a sharp decline in the equity markets, causing bank stocks to suffer their worst quarterly loss since the spring of 2023. That's creating challenges for mergers that rely on valuations, even with bankers expecting a friendlier regulatory environment under the Trump administration.
"FDIC Eases Crypto Rules for Banks"
The FDIC announced that banks may engage in crypto activities without receiving prior approval from the agency, rescinding Biden-era guidance that required banks to notify the FDIC before entering the business. "With today's action, the FDIC is turning the page on the flawed approach of the past three years," FDIC Acting Chairman Travis Hill said a statement.
"The Ultimate Community Banker Guidebook for All Things Advocacy"
Want to get an audience with the Trump administration and the new Congress? It's easier than you think. Check out Independent Banker's guide for making your story resonate with policymakers.
"Treasury's Halt of Paper Checks Likely to Reduce Fraud"
President Trump's executive order requiring the government to stop using paper checks could help banks reduce check fraud, which has risen sharply in recent years.
"What Makes Customers Trust Community Banks?"
Community bankers from Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and other areas offer advice on how to build trust with customers in an increasingly digital banking landscape.
"The Hidden Costs of a Weak Leadership Pipeline"
Many bank execs are retiring in the coming years, but few are confident that their institutions have capable individuals ready to succeed them. Read suggestions on how to build a leadership development program at your institution-without breaking the bank.
"DOJ's Appeal of CFPB Injunction Gets Trump-heavy Panel"
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit assigned a panel of three judges-two of whom were appointed by President Trump-to hear the Trump administration's appeal of an injunction that blocked it from dismantling the CFPB.
"How U.S. Bank Powers Its Growth Strategy Via 'Capital-Light' Partnerships"
U.S. Bank isn't just investing in its branch network, it's also leveraging the networks of key partners.
"Visa Offers Apple Roughly $100 Million to Take Over Credit Card from Mastercard"
Amex is also bidding for the tech giant's card, while Mastercard is scrambling to keep it. After Apple selects a network, it will pick a new issuer bank to replace Goldman Sachs, which is getting out of consumer lending.
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Rob Blackwell
Chief Content Officer and Head of External Affairs
IntraFi
Arlington, VA
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