Proclamation celebrates community banks’ vital role in supporting local economies and embracing responsible innovation

Salem, OR (October 27, 2025) – The American Fintech Council (AFC), the premier industry association representing responsible fintech companies and innovative banks, commended Oregon Governor Tina Kotek for proclaiming the week of October 20–24, 2025, as Oregon Community Bank Week. The proclamation highlights the essential role community banks play in Oregon’s economy and their growing efforts to expand access to modern, inclusive, and affordable financial services.

“Community banks are the backbone of local economies, helping small businesses grow, families achieve stability, and communities thrive,” said Phil Goldfeder, CEO of the American Fintech Council. “By embracing responsible innovation, Oregon’s community banks are proving that progress and tradition can coexist – pairing the trust of relationship banking with new technologies that better support customers and help community banks compete nationwide.”

Community banks across Oregon are increasingly leveraging technology to reach new customers, improve efficiency, and enhance financial inclusion. Through partnerships with responsible fintech companies, these institutions are expanding access to credit and delivering secure, user-friendly financial tools that serve consumers in every corner of the state, and beyond.

“Governor Kotek’s recognition underscores what makes Oregon’s financial ecosystem so special,” said Ashley Urisman, Director of State Government Affairs at the American Fintech Council. “Community banks are not only anchors of their neighborhoods, they are leaders in responsible innovation. By working hand in hand with fintech partners, community banks are extending opportunity to rural and underbanked Oregonians, helping ensure that financial progress truly reaches everyone.”

A standards-based organization, AFC is the premier trade association representing the largest financial technology (Fintech) companies and innovative banks offering embedded finance solutions. AFC’s mission is to promote a transparent, inclusive, and customer-centric financial system by supporting responsible innovation in financial services and encouraging sound public policy. AFC members foster competition in consumer finance and pioneer products to better serve underserved consumer segments and geographies.

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