(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — In a letter this week to Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Chairman Sheila C. Bair, Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke , Acting Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision John Bowman and Comptroller of the Currency John C. Dugan, Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray joins 23 other state attorneys general in asking for further support on behalf of community banks.

In the letter, the attorneys general ask the federal agencies to make every effort to fairly regulate community banks as these banks continue to weather the economic crisis. Noting that the federal government’s recent recovery programs have focused primarily on large banks, the letter states, “it is essential that the problems facing community banks also receive due attention.”

“Ohio’s community banks are a critical resource for our neighborhoods and small businesses,” said Cordray. “Now is the time to show them the same diligent consideration as we have the larger banks.”

The letter specifically asks the federal agencies to continue to look for ways to assist banks in raising capital and to apply banking standards consistently throughout the regions.

To read the letter in full, visit: www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/CommunityBanksLetter.
 

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