Farm Bill Advances

The Senate Banking Committee has voted to advance the Farm Bill. Among its provisions, the Senate version of the Farm Bill would increase Farm Service Agency (FSA) Guaranteed Farm Ownership Loan Program limits to $3.5 million and the FSA Guaranteed Farm Operating Loan Program limits to $3 million. It would also increase the FSA Direct Farm Ownership Program loan limit amounts to $850,000 and FSA Direct Farm Operating Loan Programs to $750,000.

Summary of Deposits

The FDIC has released results of its annual survey of branch office deposits for all FDIC-insured institutions as of June 30, 2026. The FDIC’s Summary of Deposits (SOD) provides branch-level deposit information for more than 75,000 domestic offices operated by more than 4,200 FDIC-insured institutions, including commercial banks, savings banks, savings associations, and U.S. branches of foreign banks.

Roxboro Savings Bank Helps Local Seniors Spot Scams

Roxboro Savings Bank brought scam awareness education to 47 attendees at the Person County Senior Center on September 16, sparking an engaged discussion about recognizing and avoiding fraud.

Roxboro Savings Bank EVP and CEO Keith Epstein opened with the ABA Foundation’s Safe Banking for Seniors presentation, “Identifying and Avoiding Scams.” Colleagues Joyce Whitfield, Sandy Clayton, Joni Womack and Pam Ferrell shared examples of scams recently encountered at the bank, followed by a review of the “Get Smart About Scams” six red flags. Sheriff Jason Wilborn joined the team for a question-and-answer session that lasted nearly 45 minutes.

Attendees also received T-shirts purchased from a student-run business at Roxboro Community School. The business launched with support from a financial literacy grant the bank provided last fall—connecting the day’s outreach with its investment in young entrepreneurs.

Lights, Camera, Save!

The ABA Foundation’s Lights, Camera, Save! contest invites teens ages 13–18 to create short videos that teach their peers about personal finance.

Participating banks host local contests and submit a winning entry to the national competition, where students can earn prizes of $10,000, $5,000 or $2,500.

The 2026 contest runs October 1 through December 1, giving banks a fun way to engage young people in financial education while letting students tell the story in their own voice.

First Citizens Renews Partnership with Carolina Hurricanes

First Citizens Bank has renewed its agreement as the official home helmet branding partner of the Carolina Hurricanes for two additional years, extending the partnership through the 2027–28 NHL season. The Raleigh-based bank said the renewed partnership will continue to include community engagement and fan experiences.

Fidelity Bank Supports Recovery Walk in Gastonia

Jessica Poteat and Fidelity Bank’s Belmont team recently participated in the Recovery Walk in Gastonia, supporting an event centered on hope, healing and community.

The team connected with participants and shared financial education resources covering budgeting, saving, reducing debt, repairing credit and preventing fraud.

State Bank Parity Rule

The FDIC has proposed a new rule that would amend the agency’s regulations to promote parity between state banks and national banks. Currently, states can opt out of the federal Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act, or DIDMCA, allowing them to establish restrictions on loans made by state-chartered banks. Colorado and Oregon have used the provision.

Under the proposed rule, when host state laws do not apply to a national bank, those laws would similarly not apply to an out-of-state, state-chartered bank providing services in the host state, regardless of whether the state bank has a branch in the host state. 

Home Loan Buyer’s Guide

The CFPB has released an updated version of its “Your Home Loan Toolkit,” which is a guide for prospective homebuyers navigating real estate settlement services and mortgage costs. CFPB regulations require updates to be announced in the Federal Register, but no official notice has been published yet, making it unclear whether the agency can mandate use of the new version. 

CSBS Tool to Assess Risks from AI 

The Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) has released a new tool to help state examiners understand and assess risks from artificial intelligence at financial institutions. Financial institutions can also use the framework to assess their own AI programs, establish sound AI governance and risk management, and prepare for examinations, CSBS said.

Common Cents Act

You will recall that President Trump last year directed the Treasury Department to stop producing pennies. The House has passed the Common Cents Act (H.R. 10167), which would memorialize that action by officially ordering the Treasury to cease penny production and requiring cash transactions to be rounded up or down to the nearest five cents.

The bill would clarify that checks, credit cards and other noncash payment methods are not subject to rounding. It includes new language requiring the Treasury Department to give Congress 60 days’ advance notice before discontinuing any circulating coin. It also allows the Treasury Secretary to explore a new metals composition for nickel manufacturing to save costs. The House passed a similar version of the bill earlier this year (H.R. 3074), which was then amended in the Senate. 

House Financial Services Committee Activity

The House Financial Services Committee has advanced legislation to prevent states from imposing interest rate caps on loans from out-of-state, state-chartered banks and credit unions (H.R. 7866). Committee members also advanced a CFPB reform bill (H.R. 10184). Representative Tim Moore is an original cosponsor of H.R. 10184.

L-to-R: Reps Pat Harrigan, Tim Moore, and Addison McDowell

Finally, the Committee advanced a bill to create a “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve” (H.R. 8957). Representatives Pat Harrigan, Tim Moore, and Addison McDowell are original cosponsors of H.R. 8957. 

CRL Analysis of Personal Bankruptcy Filings 

The Durham-based Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) has issued a new report that criticizes partnerships between high-cost fintech lenders and certain out-of-state banks. CRL said the partnerships allow nonbank lenders to “rent” an out-of-state bank’s charter to originate loans above NC state lending caps. The fintech lender then markets, services, and collects on the loans.

CRL analyzed 7,274 North Carolina bankruptcies filed between 2018 and 2023, and determined that one in seven had one or more “rent-a-bank” lenders listed as creditors. None of the institutions named in CRL’s report are North Carolina banks, nor are they NCBA member institutions. In responding to media inquiries about the report, we encouraged North Carolinians seeking credit - whether for household needs, debt consolidation, or small business expenses - to contact their local bank first.

North Carolina banks are closely supervised by state and federal regulators, operate transparently under Chapter 24 interest rate and fee limits, and provide safe, sustainable credit options designed to help borrowers succeed, not trap them in debt.

2026 Fall Compliance Update with Patti Joyner

Regulations are constantly evolving—make sure your institution is keeping pace. Join Patti Joyner for a clear, practical breakdown of the latest regulatory developments, emerging risks, and key areas of focus for financial institutions.

Designed for compliance professionals, risk leaders, and bank management, this session goes beyond theory to provide actionable insights you can immediately apply within your organization. From shifting regulatory expectations to real-world compliance challenges, you’ll gain the perspective and tools needed to stay ahead in today’s dynamic environment.

Need Credits? Earn CRCM, CPE, SHRM and More!

Looking to skill up? 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:

Fifth Third Raises Quarterly Dividend

Fifth Third Bancorp has increased its quarterly cash dividend to $0.42 per common share, up two cents, or 5%, marking its 11th consecutive year of increases. The dividend is payable October 15, 2026, to shareholders of record as of September 30.

First Carolina Financial Services Announces CFO Retirement

First Carolina Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE: FCBM), the holding company for First Carolina Bank, announced that Steven Deaton, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Risk Officer of the Company and the Bank, plans to retire, effective January 1, 2027.

“We are extremely grateful for Steven’s many contributions to First Carolina,” said Ron Day, Chairman, President, and CEO. “He has led us through a number of key milestones including recent periods of substantial expansion and growth, the acquisition of BM Technologies and our recent initial public offering. Steven has decided to retire from his banking career to focus on his family and personal pursuits. We’re thrilled for him as he steps into this next chapter and wish him much happiness.”

"You can, you should, 
and if you’re brave enough to start, you will.”

- Stephen King