Visit us online: Website | NCBA LinkedIn | NCEL LinkedIn This Week in Banking: The Fed Enhances Its Supervisory Approach The Federal Reserve has issued new supervisory operating principles. Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle W. Bowman explained that the new principles are intended to align bank examination and ratings to material financial risks, reduce duplication between exams from different supervisors, and streamline the remediation of issues cited by supervisors.  The Federal Reserve is training examiners to help ensure prompt implementation of the principles.   Full Story ▶     Source: ncbankers.org | Read time: 1 min Guidance on Tokenized Deposits and Stablecoins  According to media reports, the FDIC is considering guidance on tokenized deposit insurance for banks that want to explore the option. In addition, the FDIC and other agencies are in the process of implementing the GENIUS Act, with the FDIC planning to issue a proposed application process for stablecoin issuers by year’s end. FDIC Acting Chairman Travis Hill cautioned that it is unclear how involved the agency will be given it will only supervise stablecoins issued by FDIC-supervised entities. Full Story ▶     Source: bankingjournal.aba.com | Read time: 1 min CFPB’s Small-Business Data Collection Rule  As it seeks to implement Section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFPB has proposed revisions to its small-business lending data rule to narrow the scope of the data collected, to ensure its quality and to limit, as much as possible, any disturbance of the provision of credit to small businesses. The proposed rule would remove the following discretionary data points added by the 2023 final rule: application recipient and method, denial reasons, pricing information, and number of workers.  Full Story ▶     Source: ncbankers.org | Read time: 1 min Weekly Highlights ‘Extra Session’ of the North Carolina General Assembly Hearing on Deposit Insurance Reform OCC on Crypto Activities CRA Data on Small-Business and Small-Farm Lending FASB Guidance on Purchased Loans Senate Banking Committee Advances Travis Hill’s Nomination CFPB Director Nominated Upcoming Training and Events Economic Forecast Forum January 12 Leadership Development Program Multiple dates launching March 3 AI in Banking Workshop January 12 - February 6 Carolinas Bank Directors & Executives Summit March 3 - March 4 NCBA/OBL Annual Convention June 29-July 2 Industry Advocacy 2025 NC BankPAC - Did You Make the Honor Roll? For more than 30 years, NC BankPAC has ensured that banking’s voice is heard by supporting candidates who understand our industry and share our policy objectives. The 2025 NC BankPAC Honor Roll recognizes bankers and businesses whose generous contributions keep our industry strong. State Legislative & Regulatory Update ‘Extra Session’ of the North Carolina General Assembly Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger and House Speaker Destin Hall have rejected efforts by Governor Josh Stein to call the General Assembly into an extra or special session. They also questioned the Governor’s explanation that Medicaid reimbursement rates urgently need to be fixed. Full Story ▶     Source: ncbankers.org | Read time: 1 min Left: NC Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger Right: NC House Speaker Destin Hall Register and Learn More ▶   View Sponsor Brochure ▶   CBS Spotlight Federal Legislative & Regulatory Update Hearing on Deposit Insurance Reform On Tuesday, the House Financial Services Committee held a hearing on deposit insurance reform. The committee is trying to gather information and get a range of views from small, medium, and large institutions as it considers what direction it should consider for possible reforms. The committee heard from bank CEOs, a state banking trade association executive, a speaker from Americans for Tax Reform, and a banking attorney with a multi-national law firm. Full Story ▶     Source: ncbankers.org | Read time: 1 min CRA Data on Small-Business and Small-Farm Lending   The federal banking agencies have released data on small business, small farm, and community development lending during 2024. About 9.1 million small-business loans totaling nearly $276.6 billion were reported. Regarding small-farm loans, about 197,000 small-farm loans were reported, totaling about $14.5 billion. Full Story ▶     Source: ncbankers.org | Read time: 1 min Crypto Activities The OCC published Interpretive Letter 1186, confirming that a national bank may pay network fees on blockchain networks to facilitate otherwise permissible activities and hold, as principal, amounts of crypto-assets on balance sheet necessary to pay network fees for which the bank anticipates a reasonably foreseeable need. The OCC also confirmed that a national bank may hold amounts of crypto-assets as principal necessary for testing otherwise permissible crypto-asset-related platforms, whether internally developed or acquired from a third party. Full Story ▶     Source: occ.gov | Read time: 2 min SAVE THE DATE: March 3-4, 2026 | UNC Charlotte Marriott  Register and Learn More ▶   Trump v. Cook The U.S. Supreme Court will hold oral arguments on January 21 as it considers whether to overturn a lower court order barring President Donald Trump from removing Governor Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve Board.  View Schedule ▶     Source: supremecourt.gov Left: President Donald Trump Right: Fed Reserve Governor Lisa Cook Fair Lending Enforcement The CFPB has issued a proposed rule that amends provisions related to disparate impact, discouragement of applicants or prospective applicants, and special purpose credit programs under Regulation B, the regulation implementing the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. Comments must be received on or before December 15, 2025. Register and Learn More ▶   FASB Guidance on Purchased Loans  The Financial Accounting Standards Board has published an accounting standards update – No. 2025-08 – that it says improves the accounting for purchased loans. Full Story ▶     Source: ncbankers.org | Read time: 1 min Senate Banking Committee Advances Travis Hill’s Nomination  The Senate Banking Committee has voted to advance the nomination of Travis Hill to be FDIC chairman. He is currently acting chairman of the agency.  Full Story ▶     Source: bankingjournal.aba.com | Read time: 1 min Acting FDIC Chairman Travis Hill CFPB Director Nominated President Trump has nominated Stuart Levenbach, a senior Office of Management and Budget (OMB) official overseeing natural resources and energy issues, to lead the CFPB. However, a CFPB spokesperson told a major media outlet that the nomination was a technical maneuver to allow OMB Director Russ Vought to continue leading the agency as acting director without a Senate confirmation as he seeks to shut it down in the coming months.  Full Story ▶     Source: politico.com | Read time: 3 min Stuart Levenbach, Senior OMB Official and CFPB Director Nominee Bank Security & Fraud Fighting Cryptocurrency Scams  Federal law enforcement agencies have created an interagency strike force to target Southeast Asian cryptocurrency-related investment scams and confidence schemes.  Full Story ▶     Source: ncbankers.org | Read time: 1 min NCBA Announcements Need Credits? Earn CRCM, CPE, SHRM and More! Build Strong Leaders. Strengthen Teams. Advance Your Career. Leadership isn't a title—it's a skill. The North Carolina Bankers Association Leadership Program is a multi-track training series designed to sharpen leadership abilities, strengthen collaboration, and accelerate professional growth across every level of your organization. Participants select one of three tracks—team, leader, or professional. Upon completing all courses associated with a track, participants will earn a certificate. Each class is capped at just 16 participants, creating an interactive, high-impact learning environment. Instructor Neal Livingston Sessions begin in 2026 at NCBA headquarters in Raleigh, NC. Class sizes are limited to 16 participants for an interactive, impactful two-day learning experience Register and Learn More ▶   Need Credits? Earn CRCM, CPE, SHRM and More! Looking to skill up? For a limited time, North Carolina Bankers Association is making it easier than ever to invest in your professional growth. Sign up for one of the upcoming webinars from our partnered providers: Beneficial Ownership for CSRs- December 2nd Bank Accounting Basics: Statement of Cash Flows - 2 Part Series- December 8th Section 1071 (Small Business Data Reporting): Where Are We Now?- December 9th AI in Banking Workshop (ABA) - January 12th - March 6th Tick Tock! One Big Beautiful Bill Act Kicks in January 1st- December 9th Deposit Year-End Wrap-Up- December 11th Need credits? Earn SHRM, AAP, APRP, CRCM, CPE and more with our partnered webinars! Industry Update F&M Bank’s Nick Means Expands Financial Empowerment Efforts Across Rowan County For more than two decades, Nick Means has been part of F&M Bank’s story, helping people, businesses, and communities reach their financial goals. As F&M Bank’s Community Banking Officer, Nick now leads the bank’s efforts to expand financial empowerment throughout Rowan County and beyond. In this role, Nick partners directly with schools, churches, and community organizations to make banking more approachable and accessible. He regularly leads workshops at places like North Rowan High School, Livingstone College, Salisbury Academy, and South Rowan High School’s L.I.F.E. program, teaching audiences of all ages how to build lasting financial habits. He is also now teaching a new financial literacy curriculum at North Rowan High, developed in partnership with F&M Bank, to help students build a strong financial foundation before graduation. Full Story ▶     Source: fmbnc.com | Read time: 1 min First Federal Bank Announces Two Promotions First Federal Bank recently promoted Dana Hamilton, Director of Residential Mortgage Lending, to Senior Vice President, and Jeff Stevens, Commercial Relationship Banker, to Assistant Vice President.  Dana Hamilton has been with First Federal Bank’s mortgage department since October 2019, where she first served as the Mortgage Operations Administrator. Dana has been dedicated and worked very hard over the past few years to achieve the position of Senior Vice President. Jeff Stevens began working at First Federal Bank in April 2021 as the Fuquay-Varina Branch Manager. Through Jeff’s hard work and dedication over the past few years, he has now reached the status of Assistant Vice President.  Pinnacle Financial Partners Hosts Grand Opening for New Concord Financial Center Pinnacle Financial Partners celebrated the grand opening of its new full-service financial center in Concord, expanding its presence in one of North Carolina’s fastest-growing economic hubs. The relocated office, now operating at 871 Church Street North, offers clients significantly improved access to Pinnacle’s associates and services while reinforcing the firm’s long-standing commitment to businesses and individuals across Cabarrus County. “Concord is experiencing tremendous growth, with strong job creation and economic development across multiple industries,” said Katie Elder, area manager at Pinnacle. “Our team is excited to be part of this momentum, helping local businesses and clients thrive with personalized financial guidance and the resources of a top financial services firm.” Pinnacle hosted a ribbon-cutting and community celebration in partnership with the NC Chamber, along with clients, neighbors, community partners, family, and friends.  NCBA President & CEO Peter Gwaltney joined the Concord team for the celebration, underscoring Pinnacle’s strong relationship with the association and its active role in supporting North Carolina’s banking community. Words of Wisdom Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. - Søren Kierkegaard NC Bankers Association | 3601 Haworth Drive | Raleigh | NC | 27609 | US If you no longer want to receive emails regarding the NCBankers Bulletin, please profile.