Democrats are closing in on control of congress and the oval office. Now that it's looking like congress might actually be able to pass some laws this year, I would like to bring to everyone's attention the little known "Banking For All Act", introduced by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH). With no other sponsors, it's is unclear whether or not this bill will have bi-partisan support or when new hearings will occur.
This bill requires Federal Reserve member banks to provide digital pass-through accounts (i.e., digital dollar wallets) to residents and citizens, and to businesses domiciled in the United States. Among other things, these accounts must provide specified banking services to eligible persons who elect to deposit funds into these accounts, including access to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) aid payments. These accounts may not charge fees or have balance requirements, and must provide a specified interest rate. In areas with limited access to Federal Reserve member banks, these banks must partner with postal retail facilities to provide services. Federal Reserve banks must permit state nonmember banks and credit unions to open master accounts for the purpose of offering digital pass-through accounts. Postal retail facilities and certain small banks must be reimbursed by the appropriate Federal Reserve bank for operational costs incurred by offering the accounts.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/3571
Posted by Kyle Bruder on Jan. 6, 2021, 2:56 p.m. from Ridgecrest, CA
Last updated on Jan. 6, 2021, 2:57 p.m.