ABA Banking Journal: OCC releases report on alleged ‘debanking’ by large banks
October 14, 2026
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency today released a report alleging that reputational risk policies caused large banks to “debank” customers because of their political beliefs or business activities.
The report examined the activities of the nine largest U.S. banks, as directed by President Trump under an executive order issued last year. The OCC alleged to have found multiple examples of public and nonpublic policies that restricted access to financial activities for certain industries – such as the oil and gas sector and firearms manufacturers – as well as clients on both sides of the political spectrum.
The OCC placed much of the blame on “inexact” reputational risk policies. “This practice infused the value judgments of stakeholders into banks’ business decisions,” the agency said. “In making these decisions, banks spent considerable time discussing potential impacts to customer loyalty, the views of government entities (including the banks’ own regulators), the risks of shareholder petitions, and opinions of advocacy groups on both sides of the political spectrum.”
The OCC, FDIC and Federal Reserve have all taken steps to remove reputational risk from their bank supervision since Trump’s executive order, including issuing a final rule earlier this year banning its use by supervisors.
ABA Podcast: How community banks can keep farmers farming in turbulent times
October 14, 2026
Agriculture has never been for the faint of heart — but in an environment where global trade policy is changing rapidly, how can ag bankers help position their producers to weather the changes? The latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast — presented by Agri-Access — features Nate Franzén, head of ag banking for First Dakota National Bank and the 2026 winner of ABA’s Bruning Award.
On the podcast, Franzén discusses how ag bankers can support farmers and ranchers during turbulent times. He also how the bank is helping family farms stay viable. Its Keep Farmers Farming initiative combines ag lending with estate planning and advice to facilitate effective transitions, and its program for emerging farmers helps new producers position themselves to succeed.
Franzén also discusses his role in advocating on the Clarity Act and supporting a level regulatory playing field for digital assets that preserves community banks’ role in lending to their communities.
ABA Banking Journal: ABA, state bankers associations offer recommendations for CRA rules revisions
October 13, 2026
As banking agencies consider amending the regulations that implement the Community Reinvestment Act, they should preserve the broader framework while making changes to better tailor supervision, increase regulatory thresholds and focus on lending, the American Bankers Association and 45 state bankers associations said today in a letter to the FDIC and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
In July, the FDIC and OCC proposed a series of amendments to CRA regulations, which represent the agencies’ third attempt in eight years to update the rules. ABA and the other associations said that while many aspects of the current CRA framework should be preserved, they support amending the regulations to incorporate longstanding guidance and interpretation, as well as to ensure CRA evaluations remain appropriately tailored to the financial institutions subject to supervision. They also supported the agencies’ goal of reducing regulatory burden and appreciated the proposal’s renewed focus on credit needs and not deposit products.
Still, the associations had several recommendations for what regulators should consider as they revisit the CRA framework:
The agencies should adopt a rule that provides clear and durable expectations, thereby reducing the uncertainty and disruption associated with repeated rounds of regulatory change.
The small and intermediate bank thresholds should be increased to $1 billion and $10 billion, respectively, and they should be indexed to nominal GDP.
The final rule should preserve examination options tailored to different business models.
Retail lending evaluations should focus on material lending activity.
The community development framework should support a broad range of activities and provide greater certainty regarding CRA eligibility.
Retail service evaluations should remain focused on credit.
Assessment area requirements should preserve flexibility.
Data collection and implementation requirements should support examinations without creating unnecessary burden.
Large banks should receive at least two years before becoming subject to new data collection and reporting requirements. Banks that move to a different asset classification should have the option either to transition to the applicable framework on Jan. 1 of the following calendar year or to complete the current evaluation period under the existing rules. For all other banks, examinations should not transition between frameworks mid-cycle.
Tokenization at Scale: Turning Digital Assets into Liquidity and Revenue
November 12, 2026 | Virtual
The next wave of tokenization will be defined by scale, liquidity and integration. Most institutions still operate in fragmented environments, where tokenized assets often rely on legacy settlement processes, remain disconnected from core banking infrastructure, and cannot move seamlessly across platforms, networks and counterparties.
Leading institutions are operationalizing tokenization across deposits, securities and alternative assets and building the infrastructure, interoperability and strategic partnerships required to make assets programmable, instantly transferable and capable of moving securely across the emerging on-chain financial ecosystem.
CISA News: Chinese Government-linked Cyber Threat Actors Combine Automated and Hands-on Hacking Tools to Steal Sensitive Data
October 8, 2026
Chinese government-linked cyber threat actors, enabled by the Integrity Technology Group, are combining automated scanning tools, large-scale botnets, and hands-on exploitation techniques to target and steal sensitive data from organizations worldwide, including US critical infrastructure sectors. These actors exploit vulnerabilities by using scanning tools, cross-site scripting attacks, and password spraying on Microsoft Exchange servers, while establishing persistence through VPN software and exfiltrating emails and credentials using scripts. To help mitigate against this activity, organizations should prioritize disabling unused services and ports, sanitizing web application inputs to prevent injection attacks, implementing multifactor authentication for all services, and applying timely patches to reduce risks of compromise.
First National Bank's Craig Davis Appointed to ABA Government Relations Council
Congratulations to Craig Davis, CEO and President of First National Bank in Pierre on his appointment to the American Bankers Association's Government Relations Council for the the 2026-2027 association year!
The Government Relations Council (GRC) is the leadership committee with the exclusive responsibility for recommending annual policy priorities to ABA’s Board of Directors. The Council provides ongoing policy guidance to ABA leadership as policy issues arise during the year. Its diverse membership is reflective of the industry at large, representing banks from across the country of varying asset size, charter type, and business structure, making it a critical committee in representing both the specific interests of the industry segments and the broader industry. GRC members also participate in ABA’s political engagement programs.
Thank you for representing the SDBA and the banking industry, Craig!
Order your 2027 South Dakota Bank Directory
The South Dakota Bank Directory provides detailed information on all South Dakota banks including addresses, telephone numbers, important contact names and additional pertinent information. The directory also contains information on the SDBA, banking associations, regulatory agencies, endorsed vendors, associate members and South Dakota officials.
October 28-29, 2026 | The Lodge at Deadwood | Deadwood, SD
NEXT STEP: Emerging Leaders Summit is more than a conference—it's a leadership experience designed to cultivate, connect, engage and empower South Dakota's future bank leaders. Combining thought-provoking presentations, interactive workshops and meaningful networking, the Summit creates space for emerging leaders to step away from their daily responsibilities, invest in their personal and professional growth, and build lasting connections with peers from across the state.
Throughout the day, participants will strengthen their leadership skills, discover new perspectives, exchange ideas and gain practical tools they can immediately apply within their banks and communities. Whether developing greater self-awareness, tackling real-world challenges or expanding their professional network, attendees will leave inspired, better connected and prepared to take the next step in their leadership journey.
The IRA Update builds on the attendees’ knowledge of IRA basics to address some of the more complex IRA issues their financial organizations may handle. This course includes how the SECURE Act really changes our two biggest topics: RMDs and death distributions and discusses any pending legislation. This is a specialty session; some previous IRA knowledge is assumed. The instructor uses real-world exercises to help participants apply information to job-related situations.
COURSE HIGHLIGHTS
Death Distribution Options
Final SECURE 2.0 changed some of the options, but how can old beneficiary options can be used.
Creating Inherited IRA Accounts
Reporting to IRS in the “year of death” and then “year after death.”
Getting ready for year-end and what happens in January: Fair Market Statements, RMD notices, and 1099-Rs
Life expectancy table! RMD calculations and inherited IRA RMD calculations change
Participating in learning opportunities outside the bank can be challenging. Take advantage of the SDBA's extensive selection of webinars and on-demand training to enhance your banking expertise directly from your computer.
Marketing and Advertising Compliance - 3 Part Series
October 27, 30, November 3, 2026
3-part series on marketing and advertising legal and regulatory requirements impacting financial institutions - in-depth discussion of rules, best practices, and recommendations
Financial institutions face increasing scrutiny over how they market and advertise products and services. In today's regulatory environment, how you communicate with consumers is just as important as the message itself. Regulators continue to focus on UDAP/UDAAP concerns, sales and marketing practices, fair treatment of consumers, and the use of emerging technologies, making it essential for institutions to understand both the content and delivery of their marketing efforts.
This three-part webinar series provides a comprehensive review of the compliance requirements governing marketing and advertising. Participants will explore key UDAP/UDAAP principles, advertising requirements for deposit and lending products, fair lending considerations, privacy obligations, data usage, and third-party marketing risks. The series also examines marketing campaign rules related to email, telephone, social media, digital advertising, prescreening, and customer communications.
In addition to regulatory requirements, attendees will gain insight into emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, algorithms, personalized advertising, digital redlining, social media oversight, and evolving examiner expectations. Through practical examples, enforcement action discussions, and actionable recommendations, participants will learn how to identify compliance risks, strengthen marketing controls, and develop effective advertising programs that meet regulatory expectations while supporting business growth.
As marketing channels and compliance obligations continue to evolve, this series will help marketing, compliance, audit, and risk professionals stay informed and prepared.
Learn how to put compliance management solutions from Compliance Alliance to work for your bank, by contacting (888) 353-3933 or [email protected] and ask for our Membership Team. For timely compliance updates, subscribe to Bankers Alliance’s email newsletters.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency today 
As banking agencies consider amending the regulations that implement the Community Reinvestment Act, they should preserve the broader framework while making changes to better tailor supervision, increase regulatory thresholds and focus on lending, the American Bankers Association and 45 state bankers associations said today 
Chinese government-linked cyber threat actors, enabled by the Integrity Technology Group, are combining automated scanning tools, large-scale botnets, and hands-on exploitation techniques to target and steal sensitive data from organizations worldwide, including US critical infrastructure sectors. These actors exploit vulnerabilities by using scanning tools, cross-site scripting attacks, and password spraying on Microsoft Exchange servers, while establishing persistence through VPN software and exfiltrating emails and credentials using scripts. To help mitigate against this activity, organizations should prioritize disabling unused services and ports, sanitizing web application inputs to prevent injection attacks, implementing multifactor authentication for all services, and applying timely patches to reduce risks of compromise. 
Congratulations to Craig Davis, CEO and President of First National Bank in Pierre on his appointment to the American Bankers Association's Government Relations Council for the the 2026-2027 association year!
The South Dakota Bank Directory provides detailed information on all South Dakota banks including addresses, telephone numbers, important contact names and additional pertinent information. The directory also contains information on the SDBA, banking associations, regulatory agencies, endorsed vendors, associate members and South Dakota officials.
Over the course of 25 months, through a mix of lectures, bank simulations, case study discussions, and hands-on projects, you will learn to:
