Congressman Meuser Hosts Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman for Banking Roundtable at Yuengling Brewery

POTTSVILLE, PA – Today, Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09) welcomed Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman to Pennsylvania’s Ninth District for a roundtable discussion with community and regional banking leaders. Held at the historic Yuengling Brewery in Pottsville, the roundtable focused on promoting a regulatory environment that supports responsible lending, protects consumers, and encourages financial innovation without imposing unnecessary burdens on banks that serve Main Street.

Congressman Meuser and Vice Chair Bowman were joined by Pennsylvania Secretary of Banking and Securities Wendy Spicher, Congressman Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07), and more than two dozen financial leaders from across the state. The discussion covered a range of key issues, including bank supervision and regulation, consumer fraud prevention, digital asset integration, and the need for tailored oversight that reflects the real-world challenges faced by community banks.

“Pennsylvania’s banking sector reflects the strength and diversity of our national financial system—from rural community banks to regional institutions,” said Congressman Meuser. “Vice Chair Bowman brings valuable experience as both a former community banker and state regulator, and her visit today reinforces our shared commitment to getting regulation right. We need supervision that encourages innovation, supports local economies, and protects consumers—without driving small banks out of the market. That starts with streamlining bank applications, encouraging smart capital rules, and tailoring risk based on bank size and business activities. Not a one-size-fits-all approach. As well, consumer fraud is a top issue facing banks and their customers across the country. Congress will continue to work in coordination with the Administration to find real solutions to consumer fraud.”

“I'm honored to join Vice Chair Bowman and Congressman Meuser to highlight the vital role of our community banks,” said Congressman Mackenzie. "Local banks are essential to our communities – providing Pennsylvania’s small businesses and families with the capital and support they need to grow and thrive. I’m proud to be working with leaders at all levels to strengthen America’s community banks and advance policies that support economic growth across Pennsylvania and the nation.”

The roundtable was held in coordination with Duncan Campbell of the Pennsylvania Bankers Association and Kevin Shivers of the Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers. Attendees engaged in an open conversation with Vice Chair Bowman on how federal policy can better reflect local realities—especially in areas such as regulatory tailoring, fintech competition, and fraud prevention.

Key themes included:

• Clear Regulatory Guidance: Meuser’s SAFE Guidance Act was discussed, which would ensure that nonbinding guidance is clearly labeled as such and not enforced as de facto regulation.
• Tailored Regulation: The Financial Institution Regulatory Tailoring Enhancement Act was also discussed, which would exempt banks under $10 billion from CFPB supervision and certain capital requirements.
• Fraud Prevention: Attendees echoed concerns about rising check fraud and consumer scams, and welcomed Vice Chair Bowman’s recent Request for Information as a step toward coordinated action.
• Digital Assets: Participants discussed the GENIUS Act, recently signed into law, which establishes stablecoins as payment tools while reaffirming the importance of the bank charter to protect consumers and ensure a level playing field.

The event concluded with a tour of Yuengling’s facility—America’s oldest operating brewery—and lunch with attendees. Congressman Meuser thanked Vice Chair Bowman for her leadership and for taking time to visit Pottsville and hear directly from Pennsylvania bankers.

“This roundtable was an opportunity to take a fresh look at how federal oversight can better serve the communities and institutions it’s meant to protect,” Congressman Meuser added. “I look forward to continuing to work with Vice Chair Bowman and other Trump administration regulators to deliver commonsense solutions that strengthen both our financial system and our local economies.”

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