ICBA Commends Final Rule to Lower Community Bank Leverage Ratio

Washington, D.C. (April 24, 2026) - Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on federal regulators' issuance of a final rule to reduce the Community Bank Leverage Ratio.

"ICBA and the nation's community bankers commend federal regulators for issuing a final rule to lower the Community Bank Leverage Ratio, as we've advocated since regulators rescinded CBLR relief at the end of 2021.

"As ICBA said in a letter to the federal banking regulators and in a separate letter to the Federal Reserve last year, reducing the CBLR from 9% to 8% will provide community banks additional room on their balance sheets to meet the credit needs of their local communities to support ongoing economic growth.

"Meanwhile, ICBA continues to support Rep. Young Kim's (R-Calif.) House Financial Services Committee-passed Community Bank LIFT Act (H.R. 5276), which would lower the CBLR to a range of 6-8% and allow banks with up to $15 billion in assets to use the CBLR.

"Helping community banks build capital and lend in their communities is a key ICBA priority. We look forward to continuing to work with policymakers on these efforts."

About ICBA

The Independent Community Bankers of America® has one mission: to create and promote an environment where community banks flourish. We power the potential of the nation's community banks through effective advocacy, education, and innovation.

As local and trusted sources of credit, America's community banks leverage their relationship-based business model and innovative offerings to channel deposits into the neighborhoods they serve, creating jobs, fostering economic prosperity, and fueling their customers' financial goals and dreams. For more information, visit ICBA's website at icba.org.