The Conference of State Bank Supervisors recently told the CFPB it is concerned that a rule expected from the bureau could erode the relationship lending model that community banks use with small businesses. “The proposed new data collection requirements will require lenders to compile and report a variety of data points regarding small business applications and loans,” the state regulators said in a recent comment letter to the bureau. “At a minimum, these new data collection requirements will impose additional and disproportionate compliance costs on smaller financial institutions with limited resources and unnecessarily raise the cost of originating small business loans by all lenders.” According to the CSBS, community banks exercise a substantial amount of discretion and expertise in the ...