Community banks, Credit Unions Urge Congress to Reject Durbin-Marshall Credit Card Mandates

Washington, D.C. (Jan. 15, 2026) — The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), America’s Credit Unions, and Defense Credit Union Council wrote to express strong opposition to Durbin-Marshall credit card mandates, warning the proposal would harm consumers, small businesses, and community financial institutions while delivering a windfall to the nation’s largest retailers.

In the letter, the organizations cautioned that the bill would expand the failed Durbin routing requirements to credit cards, a move that history shows does not benefit consumers.

“These misguided mandates would expand the failed Durbin routing requirements to credit cards, harming consumers, small businesses, and community financial institutions while delivering a windfall to corporate megastores,” the groups wrote.

The letter points to evidence from the original Durbin amendment showing consumers did not see promised savings, as well as studies on how the proposed Credit Card Competition Act could impact the economy:

• According to the Government Accountability Office, absent Durbin, 65 percent of noninterest checking accounts at covered banks would have been free. After the amendment took effect, 98 percent of merchants raised prices or kept them the same.

• 77 percent of cardholders earning under $50,000 carry a rewards card that could be jeopardized under the proposal.

• Oxford Economics estimates the Durbin-Marshall bill could cost the U.S. economy $228 billion and 156,000 jobs by undermining rewards programs that support travel and tourism.

• Federal Reserve data shows community financial institutions experienced a 30 percent drop in interchange revenue after the original Durbin amendment.

• A Texas A&M study estimates the bill could double card fraud to $20 billion over the next decade while reducing the ability of financial institutions to invest in fraud prevention and data security.

“In short, the Durbin-Marshall mandates would benefit corporate megastores at the expense of consumers, small businesses, and community financial institutions,” the letter concludes. “We urge Congress to reject this harmful amendment in any form.”

About America’s Credit Unions

America’s Credit Unions is the unified voice for not-for-profit credit unions, representing more than 95% of the industry's assets and their more than 144 million members nationwide. America’s Credit Unions provides strong advocacy, resources and services to advance, empower, and protect credit unions and the people and communities they serve. For more information about America’s Credit Unions, visit AmericasCreditUnions.org.

About Defense Credit Union Council

The Defense Credit Union Council is the trusted resource for credit unions on all military and veteran matters. By maintaining a close and constant liaison with the Pentagon, Capitol Hill, and NCUA, DCUC champions the interests of credit unions serving our military and veteran communities by coordinating policy, procedures, and legislation impacting morale and welfare, financial readiness, and the delivery of quality financial products and services. Organized in 1963, DCUC’s membership is comprised of more than 180 credit unions with over 40 million members. If you would like more information, visit dcuc.org, or contact DCUC at hlaverty@dcuc.org.

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.