Environmental groups, including Dogwood Alliance, are urging an end to the subsidies that support Drax's activities, which they claim are causing forest destruction, environmental injustices, and climate damage. The call comes as Drax's annual general meeting faces criticism from various sectors around the world. Kathy Egland, an environmental advocate with the NAACP, emphasized the importance of spreading awareness about the negative impacts of wood burning for energy, stating, "Our message is the same whether we're speaking to the U.S. government as it considers tax...
The American Financial Services Association (AFSA) has recently voiced its support for Senate Bill 1076 in California, emphasizing the importance of enhancing consumer privacy rights in the state. In a joint comment letter to the California Senate Judiciary Committee, AFSA highlighted the need to broaden the scope of information provided by registered data brokers and establish mechanisms to protect consumers' privacy.According to AFSA, SB 1076 plays a crucial role in ensuring that consumers have the ability to request the deletion of their data from all registered...
Borrower engagement is crucial for maintaining healthy financial relationships and ensuring timely bill payments. According to a recent announcement, James Price, Vice President, Sales at Repay, will be hosting a webinar on Thursday, May 2nd at 2:00 p.m. EST to discuss strategies for enhancing borrower engagement in the context of bill payment methods. During the webinar, Price aims to educate businesses on how to effectively engage borrowers and streamline the bill payment process. As Price states, "Join James Price, Vice President, Sales at Repay, on Thursday, May 2nd...
The Andy Trovillion Scholarship, funded by the Association of Military Banks of America (AMBA), aims to support individuals who share Andy's passion for military banking and education. The scholarship honors the legacy of Raleigh A. "Andy" Trovillion, a former GSB faculty member and AMBA board chairman, known for his dedication to the field.According to the AMBA, the scholarship provides $1,500 per session, totaling $4,500, towards Graduate School of Banking (GSB) tuition for each of the three resident sessions. The scholarship is open to various groups, including active...
Darcy Luoma, a renowned author, speaker, and coach, shared her insights on overcoming challenges at the America’s Credit Unions' 2024 HR & Organizational Development Council Conference. Luoma emphasized the importance of viewing challenges as hurdles rather than roadblocks, stating, “The reality is we cannot eliminate hurdles. There will be more unpredictable challenges that we’re not anticipating. The key is to train to overcome them. And when you train, it helps your workplace. When your colleagues pause and think before acting, you have more meaningful discussions, and...
Talos Accelerates Expansion of its Portfolio Management System with Acquisition of CloudwallApr 23, 2024NEW YORK, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Talos, the premier provider of institutional technology for trading digital assets, has announced the acquisition of Cloudwall, a developer of sophisticated digital asset risk technology. The move aims to bolster Talos's capabilities with sophisticated risk management technology critical for the institutional adoption of digital assets.Anton Katz, CEO and Co-Founder of Talos, expressed the significance of the acquisition,...
In a moving keynote address at America’s Credit Unions’ 2024 HR & Organizational Development Council Conference in St. Pete Beach, Fla., Amy Downs, the president and CEO of Allegiance Credit Union, shared her remarkable journey of resilience and transformation following the tragic 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.Downs, who was one of the last individuals rescued from the rubble and spent eight days in the hospital, emphasized the profound realization she had during that harrowing experience, stating, "I was about to die and realized...
US Army Green Beret, gmcgurn@afsamail.org, vividly recalls a pivotal moment during his service in Afghanistan when a farmer decided to defend his home against Taliban attackers. Reflecting on the experience, gmcgurn@afsamail.org describes the transformation he witnessed in Afghan villagers, who went from a state of "inescapable shock" to actively standing up against their oppressors.Describing the unique approach of Green Berets in conflict zones, gmcgurn@afsamail.org explains how they immerse themselves in local cultures and work with indigenous populations to achieve...
Mia Perez, the chief administrative officer at Coastal Credit Union, emphasized the importance of recognizing and addressing skill gaps in the workforce during her speech at America’s Credit Unions’ 2024 HR & Organizational Development Council Conference. Perez highlighted the necessity for HR professionals to guide employees in bridging these gaps to advance their careers.Perez stressed the need for individuals to acknowledge their skill deficiencies, stating, “just because one is a really good ‘x’ doesn’t mean they’re going to be a really good ‘y.’ The gap between where...
First US Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: FUSB) announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2024 with a net income of $2.1 million, or $0.34 per diluted share. This figure compares to $2.3 million in the previous quarter and $2.1 million for the same period last year.CEO James F. House expressed satisfaction with the company's performance, stating, "We are off to a solid start for 2024." He added, "During the early months of 2024, we are taking advantage of market opportunities to improve asset yields, while simultaneously working to control expenses, and strengthen...
The Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, Patrick McHenry (NC-10), has revealed plans for an upcoming hearing focused on the merger policies of the Federal Banking Agencies. The event, titled “Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy Subcommittee Hearing Entitled: Merger Policies of the Federal Banking Agencies,” is scheduled to take place at 10:00 AM ET on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at the 2128 Rayburn House Office Building.In a statement, McHenry highlighted the importance of addressing the merger policies within the banking sector, indicating the...
The American Consumer Institute (ACI) announced their support for U.S. Rep. Andy Barr’s (R-Ky.) proposed Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to overturn the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) limit on late fees on credit cards.
Data analytics has found its way into many aspects of society—and human resources (HR) is no exception. HR leaders are using analytics to track turnover, performance, development, engagement, salaries, and more.“It’s important to start expanding HR data analytics,” stated Kathy Menditto, vice president of human resources at Buckeye State Credit Union in Akron, Ohio. Menditto was speaking at America’s Credit Unions’ 2024 HR & Organizational Development Council Conference in St. Pete Beach, Fla. She emphasized the significance of data analytics, noting that "Your C-Suite...
Senior Vice President of People Development Andria McCollough from Truity Credit Union in Bartlesville, Okla., highlighted the positive impact of involving employees in project management teams. McCollough noted a 63% better retention rate for staff involved in project teams compared to those who were not, emphasizing the success story of engaging people in the process. The credit union has run 106 teams since 2008, with 254 employees participating and gaining valuable skills that have increased their engagement and desire to stay with the organization.At America’s Credit...
In a luncheon ceremony held on August 22, 2023, during the 2023 AMBA Fall Workshop in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, three banks were recognized by the Military Departments with the 2022 Distinguished Bank Service Awards.
With the resumption of student loan repayments scheduled for October, attention is focused on a new initiative aimed at addressing student loan default issues. The Biden Administration recently announced plans to cancel $39 billion in loans for 804,000 borrowers, and the Fresh Start Program by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) offers additional pathways out of default.
The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) is a federal law aimed at encouraging banks to address the credit needs of their communities, particularly in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. On October 24, 2023, three federal agencies—the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Federal Reserve Board (FRB), and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC)—released their CRA Final Rule. This rule results from a coordinated interagency effort and modifies how banks are evaluated for CRA compliance. The new regulations will come into effect on April 1, 2024.
The American Fintech Council (AFC) has voiced concerns over the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's (FDIC) approach to innovation in financial services. The AFC, representing responsible fintech companies and major Banking-as-a-Service banks, has sent a letter to the FDIC addressing what it perceives as a lack of communication and an adverse stance towards innovation.
A potential government shutdown this weekend has raised concerns for many Americans, particularly service members, veterans, and their families. Questions about paychecks, furloughs, and managing expenses are prevalent among those affected.
As the possibility of a government shutdown looms this week, concerns rise across the nation. For service members, veterans, and their families, the uncertainty hits particularly hard, sparking questions about paychecks, furloughs, and managing expenses. With many Americans lacking substantial emergency savings, these worries intensify. In light of the potential shutdown, financial institutions are urging everyone to contact them for assistance options.