News Headlines


04/29/26

Sign The Petition: Support OBL’s Pushback Against Credit Unions

As bankers know all too well, Credit Unions have unfair competitive advantages among financial institutions. Over time, they have expanded their operating scope well beyond their original mission, and they continually seek to expand their encroachment into conventional banking practices.

04/29/26

OBL Responds to Potential Credit Union Acquisition of Ohio Bank

The Ohio Bankers League is aware of a potential transaction involving an out-of-state credit union seeking to acquire an Ohio-chartered bank. OBL is directly informing its membership that it will oppose this transaction using all available tools, including regulatory engagement, legislative action, and, if necessary, litigation.

04/22/26

House Panel Advances Section 1071 Exemption Bill

The House Financial Services Committee has advanced legislation that would significantly scale back small-business lending data requirements under Section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act.

04/15/26

Ohio BankPac – Exclusive Donor Political Update

 

Have you started seeing political ads? 2026 is a busy Midterm Election year, and there is plenty of action for us to watch in Ohio. The Ohio Primary Election is coming up on May 5, where party nominees are officially chosen to run for the General Election in November.

Ohio BankPac is hosting a virtual Ohio Political Briefing & Election Update call - exclusive to BankPac donors - on Thursday, May 21 @ 12pm. On the call we will discuss the results of the May 5th Primary Election, and how the stage will be set heading into the November 3rd General Election.

04/15/26

Credit Union Growth, Bank Acquisitions, and the Question of Tax Exemption: A Tax Day Reality Check

April 15 is a familiar date for every taxpaying American, and for every taxpaying business. For banks across Ohio and the country, it’s a reminder of a fundamental part of operating in a regulated, competitive marketplace: contributing to the public coffers that support our communities. Increasingly, however, it is also a reminder that not all competitors operate under the same rules. 

04/08/26

FDIC, OCC Finalize Rule Eliminating Reputational Risk from Supervision

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency have finalized a joint rule eliminating the use of reputational risk as a factor in their supervisory processes

04/08/26

FinCEN, Banking Agencies Propose Overhaul of AML Compliance Under the BSA

Federal regulators are signaling a significant change in expectations around anti-money laundering compliance.

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, in coordination with federal banking agencies, has proposed new rules designed to reshape how financial institutions meet requirements under the Bank Secrecy Act. The proposal outlines more defined standards for what should be included in AML and countering the financing of terrorism programs.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury said the initiative is part of a broader push to update and strengthen the AML/CFT regulatory framework so it more effectively supports the intent of the BSA.

04/01/26

Statehouse Update: OBL Testifies in Support of HB 195 (UCC Digital Assets Modernization)

The Ohio Bankers League recently provided proponent testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on House Bill 195, bipartisan legislation sponsored by House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn (D-Cincinnati) and Representative Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) that would modernize Ohio’s Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) to address digital assets.

The bill, which previously passed the Ohio House by a strong bipartisan vote of 83–7, received its second hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee last week. OBL’s SVP of Government Relations and General Counsel, Don Boyd, provided testimony in support of the legislation.

03/25/26

Update on the Penny Phase-Out

On March 23, a subset of coin distribution locations that previously stopped fulfilling penny orders on behalf of the Federal Reserve will begin fulfilling orders again due to increased deposit activity. This increased deposit activity has increased confidence in the ability to meet orders.

03/25/26

OBL Testifies in Support of HB 560 – Protect Our Parents Act

Last week, the Ohio Bankers League (OBL) provided proponent testimony before the Ohio House Financial Institutions Committee in support of House Bill 560, the Protect Our Parents Act. The legislation is intended to provide financial institutions with additional tools to help prevent financial fraud and exploitation while maintaining appropriate safeguards to ensure customers retain timely access to their funds.