Washington killed 3,700 community banks — and refuses to let tech fix it

Published August 13, 2026 11:00am ET



For generations, local bank branches served as the center of the community where people could safely hold their deposits, secure a mortgage, or obtain financing to launch a business. 

Times have changed. Today, more banking than ever occurs online. Onerous federal regulations have shuttered thousands of banks. As the industry evolves, policymakers must ensure regulations evolve too, so the U.S. financial system is modern, competitive, and accessible to all consumers.

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