Capital Briefs: CRA Protesters Besiege IBAA's Head Office

WASHINGTON - The Independent Bankers Association of America was besieged Monday by a group of angry community activists.

The protesters, members of a group called the National Peoples Action Coalition, were riled that the trade group is supporting legislation to exempt banks with less than $250 million of assets from complying with the Community Reinvestment Act.

The activists chanted, "We want Guenther," calling out IBAA executive director Kenneth A. Guenther, sources said. Mr. Guenther was out of the office Monday.

Sources said six busloads of protesters showed up. Between 300 and 500 people gathered at the headquarters building, and 30 activists managed to make it up to the trade group's ninth-floor office before the elevators were shut off.

Ron Ence, director of legislative affairs for the IBAA, said he met with 10 of the group's representatives to discuss their complaints.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
MORE FROM AMERICAN BANKER