By CSBS Chief Economist Thomas F. Siems, Ph.D. Community bankers indicated both greater optimism and more uncertainty in the CSBS first quarter 2025 survey. While optimism and uncertainty generally move in opposite directions, future expectations for three of the index’s components seem to create a thought-provoking narrative in these uncertain times. Community bankers’ optimism stems primarily from hopes that the

A simple change in how to view and access information in the State Examination System (SES) can lead to increased satisfaction. The ability to export exam-related data for money services businesses (MSBs) into a customized template can generate excitement. That is some of the feedback state agency users expressed after a new round of SES updates were introduced in April

Washington, D.C.- The Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) has named David Bleicken as its new senior vice president of product and business strategy. Bleicken will be responsible for advancing the strategic vision for a portfolio of regulatory technology products — most notably the State Examination System (SES), a core component of the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System® (NMLS) — to

The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) today announced the reselection of Charles G. Cooper to the FFIEC’s State Liaison Committee (SLC) for the term that runs from May 1, 2025, through April 30, 2027. Concurrently, the SLC announced Cooper’s re-election as SLC Chair for a one-year term that runs until April 30, 2026. Cooper has been a member of

Washington, D.C. – The federal financial regulatory agencies have a prime opportunity to address unnecessary, unlawful, or unduly burdensome regulations, the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) outlined in a letter to the Office of Management and Budget. CSBS highlighted several regulations that the federal financial regulatory agencies should promptly rescind or modify in light of Executive Orders 14219 and

35 teams will examine interest rates and inflation Washington, D.C. – Thirty-five student teams from 27 colleges and universities have entered to compete in the 2025 CSBS Community Bank Case Study Competition. Each team has partnered with a local community bank to explore the impact of interest rates and inflation on the business of banking, with a focus on planning

Washington, D.C. - The Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) today announced its new Catalyst Initiative , which seeks to address state financial regulatory agencies' key supervisory challenges and reduce regulatory burden. The initiative will focus on partnering with the private sector to leverage modern technology and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of financial services supervision. “The Catalyst Initiative reflects

Washington, D.C. – The Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) today announced the election of Maryland Commissioner of Financial Regulation Tony Salazar as the new chair of the CSBS Board of Directors. CSBS elected new officers for 2025-26 during its annual meeting. Chair Salazar presented his annual committee chair appointments in the CSBS board meeting that immediately followed. Newly installed