ABA Banking Journal

The ROAD to Housing Act became law at midnight on Saturday, July 11. ABA has published a staff analysis and summary of the bill (insert link when posted). The House and Senate voted overwhelmingly at the end of last month to pass the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which combined elements of housing and banking proposals put forward by the House Financial Services Committee and Senate Banking Committee.

Oil prices have largely returned to early-2026 levels. In contrast, the implied yield on the Fed Funds Futures December 2026 contract is up 80 basis points from a year ago, suggesting a broader range of risks and uncertainty surrounding the rate path beyond the recent oil shock. One implication is that this heightened uncertainty makes it more difficult for banks to plan and execute merger-and-acquisition deals. Tags: ABA DataBankOil and gas

Kentland Federal Savings and Loan Association of Kentland, Indiana, was closed today by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as receiver. The FDIC entered into an agreement with Kentland Bank of Kentland, Indiana, (no affiliation with Kentland Federal Savings and Loan Association) to purchase substantially all assets and assume all deposits.

Roughly half of U.S. adults say money was rarely or never discussed at home while growing up, although younger parents report more willingness to teach their children financial skills, according to a new survey by U.S. Bank. Less than half (49%) of boomers said money was discussed growing up, compared with 62% of Gen Z who report having those conversations, U.S. Bank said.

Concerns about job security are growing among U.S. consumers who are already stressed about rising prices, which is affecting spending habits, according to a new survey by J.D. Power. The survey found that 18% of respondents report they are “highly stressed” about job security, with an additional 39% “occasionally” or “moderately” stressed about the prospect of losing their job. The figures are up from just six months ago, according to J.D. Power.

The Federal Reserve on Thursday announced the leadership and objectives of its task forces to advance the conduct of monetary policy. “The Federal Reserve’s commitment to price stability and maximum employment is unwavering. As is our resolve to pursue our mandate with rigor,” says Chairman Kevin Warsh. “The U.S. economy has changed significantly over the last generation, and never more so than right now.

Many small businesses are still expanding despite ongoing economic pressures and rising costs, according to a new survey by U.S. Bank. Small-business owners across generations report ongoing strain from the economic environment (90%), inflation and rising costs (88%), competition (82%) and access to capital (71%). Eighty-seven percent of owners said their business is successful, down from 96% in 2025.

Existing home sales in the United States fell 2.4% over the month to an annualized rate of 4.09 million units in June, below forecasts for 4.19 million. The June reading marked a decrease from 4.17 million in the previous month. Total existing home sales remained up 2.8% over the year. Home prices continued to rise, with the median sales price rising 1.8% over the year to $440,600.

By Kenneth Kelly As someone who completed his undergraduate degree at Auburn University, then followed it up with an MBA from the University of Alabama, you might say that I’m well acquainted with a highly competitive environment. When you think about it, that’s really a trait that all bankers share. We’re no strangers to competition.

For the first time since 2023, a majority of consumers believe it is better to buy a home rather than rent or move in with family, according to a recent survey by Bank of America. Fifty-three percent of respondents said they would prefer to buy a home, up from 48% in 2025 and 47% in 2024. Ninety percent said a home is a valuable investment, up from 79% last year. The survey also found that fewer prospective buyers are waiting for market conditions to improve before purchasing.