Consumers Page

This page is designed to offer information on the banking industry. Please contact the MBA if you have any further information.

Go Direct Community Ambassador Program

Gain recognition from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Go Direct campaign by participating in its third installment of the Go Direct Community Ambassadors Program. Registration is now open and it’s free to participate. The program, which runs from October 2010, through March 2011, identifies and officially recognizes community- and medium-sized financial institution partners that go the extra mile to promote direct deposit to senior citizens, people with disabilities, veterans and others who still receive federal benefits by paper check. All financial institutions with fewer than 100 branches are invited to register online by visiting the Partners section of www.GoDirect.org.

The Go Direct Community Ambassadors Program is simple to implement and provides a flexible way to demonstrate a commitment to your community’s financial health. To be recognized as a Go Direct Community Ambassador, your financial institution must implement at least two Go Direct campaign activities between October 2010, and March 2011. Financial institutions that successfully participate in the Community Ambassadors Program will receive a letter of recognition and certificate from the Treasury Department’s Go Direct campaign.

Participation provides benefits to your financial institution and your community. You will:

• Gain recognition from the Treasury Department’s Go Direct campaign for your efforts.
• Underscore your commitment to community service.
• Increase loyalty and satisfaction among your customers or members by helping them simplify their lives, protect their identity and gain more control over their money.
• Learn how your success in driving direct deposit compares with your industry peers.
• Reduce your amount of paper-based transactions.
• Receive a web banner and suggested newsletter copy you can use to announce your recognition as a 2010/2011 Go Direct Community Ambassador to your staff, customers or members.

Thanks in large part to the efforts of more than 1,800 partners – financial institutions and community-based organizations – the Go Direct campaign has helped more than four million Americans make the switch from paper checks to direct deposit for their federal benefit payments. Through participation in the Community Ambassadors program, your financial institution can help keep this momentum going.

Participants in the Community Ambassadors Program will have access to a variety of free Go Direct materials for promoting the benefits of direct deposit. For more information about the Community Ambassadors Program or the Go Direct campaign contact campaign representative, Ashley Czernis at 312.988.2419 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Walking Away From a Mortgage Could be Costly

Recent media reports describe the increasing tendency of financially stressed homeowners to simply “walk away” from their mortgage, a practice called a “strategic default” whereby the owner simply stops making mortgage payments and forces the bank to foreclose on the property.  While turning in the keys and stopping payments to your bank may seem like an easy solution, homeowners should know that strategic defaults can result in costly consequences.

Low Interest Rates Make Homeownership Possible

With mortgage interest rates at their lowest levels since World War II, a plentiful housing stock and prices still low, buying a home may now be easier for many Americans than it has been in years.

Banking and the Economy

Learn what banks are doing to help support their local communities.

Home Affordable Program Page

This page outlines the Home Affordable Modification Program and offers additional resources and information.

Scams Page

Learn what to look out for with common banking and investment fraud and scams.

Federal Government Agencies Page

A listing of agencies.

State Government Agencies Page

A listing of agencies.

National Trade Associations Page

A listing of associations.

Commerce Web Site Intended to Help Consumers Avoid Forecloses, Find Jobs and Protect Savings.

Click here to view the Web site.

Tips for Small Business Owners: Surviving Today’s Financial Crisis

Click here for more information.

Editorial: Is it a bank bailout? Separating fact from fiction

Read an editorial describing the TARP and CPP.

FDIC News Release

Legislation Raises FDIC Coverage: Bank Customer Deposits Secure to $250,000 news release.

State Banking Laws

Here, you will find bills, acts and other law resources at the Michigan Legislature Web site www.michiganlegislature.org . At this site, you can search for bills using key words or bill numbers. It contains pending bills, old bills and public acts for Michigan. Contact the Advocacy Department at 517-485-3600 if you have questions.

Do Not Call List

For questions about compliance or registration to the Do Not Call list refer to the Federal Trade Commission Web site www.ftc.gov .

FAQs on Prepaid Assessments

This information was provided by the FDIC. 

Michigan Secretary of State FAQs on Snowmobile Registration

Click here for FAQs on Snowmobile Registration.

Testimony of Art Johnson

On behalf of the American Bankers Association before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the Committee on Financial Services United State House of Representatives. Click here to view the testimony.

Testimony of Doug Chaffin 

On behalf of the Michigan Bankers Association before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the Committee on Financial Services United State House of Representatives. Click here to view the testimony.