TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (January 11, 2024)--Last week, Senator Erin Grall (R-Vero Beach) and Representative Robert Brackett (R-Vero Beach) introduced SB 1336 and HB 1253, respectively, legislation that would reform Florida’s current Interest on Trust Accounts (IOTA) program.  The bills seek to provide a more appropriate index and interest rate rather than the 2023 rule, which inappropriately based the rate on the Prime Index and has imposed a 3000% increase from the prior rate.  The bills direct Florida’s CFO to release the interest rate quarterly, which amounts to 68% of the upper bound of Fed Funds as a safe harbor rate and then allows an option for banks to provide information on their products that show that they are paying comparable IOTA rates to other similarly situated accounts at their financial institutions.

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Oct 25, 2023 - FOX Business

Florida Bankers Association President and CEO Alex Sanchez discusses the impact of high interest rates on the market, the push for state-level regulations on stable coin and the regulatory environment for banks.

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The Florida Bankers Association is excited to announce Kathy Kraninger, former director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Kraninger will start on November 6, 2023, taking over from FBA's long-serving CEO Alex Sanchez. 

"We are delighted to welcome Kathy as our new CEO. She is a proven leader who operates with the utmost professionalism and integrity," said FBA Chair Jose Cueto. "The FBA has a strong foundation, cemented through Alex's tenure, and we feel confident that Kraninger has the skills and experience to lead the FBA forward, building on our legacy of advocacy for the Florida banking industry." 

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July 27, 2023 - FOX Business

Florida Bankers Association President and CEO Alex Sanchez joins ‘Mornings with Maria’ to discuss the House Financial Services Committee’s recent push for a stable coin regulation bill.

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In keeping with tradition, the FBA recently presented awards to a select group of deserving bankers at its 135th Annual Meeting, which took place in Orlando earlier this month. The distinguished awards recognize individuals for their dedication and contributions to the FBA and Florida’s banking industry. The 2023 award winners are...

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May 5, 2023 - FOX Business

Florida Bankers Association President and CEO Alex Sanchez discusses the regional bank rebound and the Biden administration's new credit regulations. 

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May 5, 2023 - FOX Business

In FBA President and CEO Alex Sanchez's op-ed published by Fox Business, he writes about the Biden Administration's mortgage redistribution plan, which imposes a monetary penalty on borrowers with good credit. 

"Mr. Biden, we should help our country's truly needy, but don't penalize those who have worked hard and sacrificed." 

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Mar 29, 2023 - FOX Business

Florida Bankers Association President and CEO Alex Sanchez rips Fed Vice Chair Michael Barr's Senate testimony and calls for 'safety and soundness' from regulators.

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Mar 14, 2023 - Bay News 9

Florida Bankers Association President and CEO discusses the impact of the Silicon Valley Bank failure and the association's outlook on the safety and soundness of the banking industry. 

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Feb 15, 2023 - FOX Business

Florida Bankers Association President and CEO Alex Sanchez argues the banking industry should not be the 'climate police.' 

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Florida Bankers Association President and CEO Alex Sanchez will retire at the end of 2023 after 30 years of service to the association and the Florida banking industry. Sanchez announced his upcoming retirement at the recent FBA board meeting in Miami on Thursday, December 8th, surrounded by several former FBA Past Chairs, his wife Patsy, and daughter Carolina.
 
Sanchez is only the 3rd CEO in the FBA’s 135-year history, preceded by strong leaders Floyd Call and John Milstead. Sanchez joined the FBA in 1993 as a lobbyist and became CEO in 1998 following Milstead’s passing.

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Dec 7, 2022 - FOX Business

Florida Bankers Association President and CEO Alex Sanchez on Sen. Dick Durbin working to expand debit regulations to credit cards, the impact of ESG on small businesses and Deutsche Bank’s warning to European companies. 

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Dec 7, 2022 - FOX Business

“The deceptively named Credit Card Competition Act purports to increase competition in the credit card industry. In reality, it would do just the opposite.” In FBA President and CEO Alex Sanchez’s op-ed published by Fox Business, he writes about the partnership between lawmakers and big-box retailers to lower interchange fees, and the potential consequences for community and regional banks and consumers. 

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Following the devastation of Hurricane Ian, which made landfall on the southwest coast of Florida as a powerful Category 4 storm, the American Bankers Association (ABA) Foundation is soliciting donations from across the country to help with relief efforts. President and CEO of the Florida Bankers Association (FBA) Alex Sanchez encourages Florida's banking industry - and colleagues across the country - to help in this time of need by donating to the ABA's Disaster Relief Program. 

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