2026-05546NoticeWallet

Treasury Asks: Keep Tracking COVID Bank Aid to Communities?

Published Date: 3/20/2026

Notice

Summary

The Treasury Department is asking for public feedback on keeping two important reports for the Emergency Capital Investment Program (ECIP) going. This program gave about $8.7 billion to community banks that help small and minority-owned businesses, especially in low-income areas hit hard by COVID-19. The reports track how these banks use the money to support their communities, and comments are due by May 19, 2026.

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

ECIP supported small and minority businesses

Under the Emergency Capital Investment Program, Treasury provided approximately $8.70 billion in capital directly to certified Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and minority depository institutions (MDIs) to provide loans, grants, and forbearance to small businesses, minority‑owned businesses, and consumers in low‑income and underserved communities impacted by the COVID‑19 pandemic.

Quarterly report burden on ECIP recipients

Recipients of ECIP investments (estimated 165 respondents) must submit Quarterly Supplemental Report schedules A and B four times per year and annual schedules C and D; Treasury estimates 660 annual submissions for Schedules A & B and 165 for Schedules C & D, with an estimated total annual burden of 28,143 hours. Treasury estimates 10 hours annually for Schedules A & B and 120 hours for Schedules C & D.

Rate reductions tied to reported lending increases

ECIP capital is eligible for a reduction in the dividend or interest rate payable on the instruments depending on a Recipient's reported increase in lending within minority, rural, and urban low‑income and underserved communities and to low and moderate‑income borrowers over a baseline amount; Treasury uses the Initial and Quarterly Supplemental Reports to determine the increase and therefore qualification for rate reductions.

Initial supplemental report for mergers & acquisitions

Treasury will continue to use a variation of the Initial Supplemental Report to collect additional or restated baseline lending data in connection with mergers, acquisitions, or other business combinations; Treasury estimates 10 initial supplemental reports with an estimated 160 hours per response.

Treasury continues ECIP reporting

The Treasury is proposing to continue collecting an Initial Supplemental Report and a Quarterly Supplemental Report for the Emergency Capital Investment Program (ECIP). Comments on this information collection are due by May 19, 2026.

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Key Dates

Published Date
Comments Due
3/20/2026
5/19/2026

Department and Agencies

Department
Independent Agency
Agency
Treasury Department
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