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ABA: The American Bankers Association
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What We Stand For: Economic Growth and Prosperity

Drive a healthy economy for all

America’s banks are key to economic prosperity across the country—supporting small businesses, revitalizing neighborhoods, and building wealth for American families. As cornerstones of their local economies, banks can help ensure that every American has a truly equal opportunity to prosper.

What We’re Working On

  • Advocating for pro-growth tax policy, including a competitive corporate tax rate and an extension of the Section 199A pass-through deduction, to stimulate investments that will increase opportunities for all Americans.

  • Sustaining and growing rural America by supporting the Access to Credit for our Rural Economy Act, which will lower the cost of credit for farmers and ranchers financing agricultural real estate, as well as the cost of homeownership in 17,000 rural communities.
  • Strongly supporting the Bank On movement to reduce the number of unbanked households. ABA encourages every bank in the nation to offer simple, low-cost Bank On-certified accounts, which are now accessible to 97.4% of low- to moderate-income households across the country.

  • Supporting policies, programs and innovations that encourage financial inclusion, including increased funding for minority depository institutions (MDIs) and community development financial institutions (CDFIs)—institutions that have a long history and proven track record of providing economic investment and resources to financially underserved communities. Expanding and preserving homeownership opportunities by supporting policies that ensure homeownership is an affordable and viable option and that help close the homeownership gap in underserved communities.  
  • Leading efforts in calling for an “all of government” approach to countering financial fraud focusing on protecting consumers and decreasing the number of Americans who are victimized by scams. Providing training and education that helps bankers in every role understand and meet the needs of an increasingly diverse customer base, so everyone feels comfortable and welcome at their bank.
  • Improving the financial well-being of consumers at every age. The ABA Foundation provides free financial education programs and resources for banker volunteers to help them strengthen the financial well-being of their communities. Every year, the Foundation works with more than a thousand banks across the country to enhance the financial wellness of over a half million consumers.

 

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