Bill to Allow Interest on Business Checking Introduced

WASHINGTON- Credit unions get access to the SBA's 7(a) program to help their business lending efforts and banks may be getting a boost too. Representatives Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Paul Kanjorski (D-Pa.) introduced a bill recently to permit banks to pay interest on business checking accounts. A hearing in the House Financial Services Committee on the bill is expected during the week of CUNA's Governmental Affairs Conference. The bill passed the House overwhelmingly last congressional session. Credit unions already have the ability to pay interest on business checking accounts, whereas banks have to maneuver funds through costly, complicated `sweeps.'