MESSAGE FROM THE OBA PRESIDENT Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) to advocate for balanced, growth-oriented statutory and regulatory reforms. Key federal initiatives include: y Advancing credit union transparency: The OBA supports a congressional transparency hearing in 2025, the first of its kind in nearly 20 years, to shine a light on credit union operations and their evolving roles. y Supporting the ACRE Act: Aiming to bolster access to credit and resources for rural economies. y Promoting pro-business tax policies: As Congress tackles a major tax bill, we will advocate for measures that support economic growth, job creation and a robust banking industry. Guarding Against Reactionary Policies While we pursue these goals, we must also remain vigilant against reactionary policies stemming from national political shifts. We saw something like this in December in California when Governor Newsom called a special session of its legislature to “safeguard California values and fundamental rights in the face of an incoming Trump administration.” Your OBA will closely monitor Oregon’s policymakers and policy process to ensure that changes at the federal level do not lead to unnecessary state-level tax hikes or new and overly complicated regulatory measures. Oregon already has some of the highest taxes and highest cost regulatory burdens in the country1 and does not need to protect or “safeguard” itself through even more burdensome rules or statutes based on misperceptions. The bottom line is that our focus should instead be on fostering a competitive, dynamic and growth-oriented economy that works to support families and communities in Oregon. A Vision for Success In 2025, your OBA’s mission is clear: to advocate for policies that strengthen Oregon’s banking sector and support the broader economy by improving our state’s business climate. By addressing financial-system inequities, fostering growth and promoting a balanced approach to regulation and taxation designed to support competitiveness, we can ensure that Oregon’s banks—and the communities and businesses they serve—thrive in the years ahead. 1. 2024 Oregon Competitiveness Book, published by Oregon Business & Industry Research and Education Foundation (see Oregon “Red Book” at https://oregonbusinessindustry.com/wp-content/uploads/RedbookOR-2024-v12-1.pdf). Winter 2025 • BANKING MATTERS 5
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