‍AFC’s federal and state advocacy on fintech lending, EWA, payments, bank-fintech partnerships, AI, and emerging technologies is driving change nationwide

Increased webinars, network roundtables, and working groups foster partnership and collaboration amongst the largest and most diverse membership of responsible innovators

AFC added 22 new members and strategic partners so far in 2026

Washington, D.C. (August 19, 2026) – The American Fintech Council (AFC), the largest industry association representing both responsible fintech companies and innovative banks, today publicly released its 2026 Mid-Year Report, highlighting its successful advocacy, growth, and engagement across the rapidly evolving financial services landscape. AFC has worked across Congress, federal regulators, state legislatures, and the courts to advance responsible innovation, promote regulatory clarity, and support a more transparent, consumer-centered financial system.

“The financial services landscape is changing rapidly, and policy needs to evolve with it,” said Phil Goldfeder, CEO of the American Fintech Council. “I am continuously humbled by the ecosystem we have built to drive pragmatic change for emerging and innovative financial services. In the first half of 2026, AFC has advanced clear frameworks to protect consumers and address market risks without standing in the way of responsible innovation. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and remain focused on building a more consistent regulatory environment that expands access to safe and affordable financial products.”

In Washington, D.C., AFC engaged Congress and federal regulators on bank-fintech partnerships, EWA, stablecoins, artificial intelligence, data privacy, credit reporting, student lending, and payments modernization. AFC also strengthened its legal advocacy, leading seven amicus briefs challenging novel interpretations of the Truth in Lending Act and efforts to apply it to EWA products, while continuing its DIDMCA litigation in the Tenth Circuit and supporting related action in the Ninth Circuit.

AFC also engaged across more than a dozen statehouses, defeating 24 remittance tax bills it opposed and securing victories against harmful lending proposals, including a True Lender bill in Virginia and a DIDMCA opt-out bill in Rhode Island. Additionally, AFC engaged in 16 states on EWA legislation, supported payments modernization in Louisiana and Michigan, and advocated for pragmatic AI governance frameworks in Connecticut and Colorado.

“Our advocacy thus far this year has delivered meaningful progress across a wide range of issues, including defending responsible bank-fintech partnerships and promoting practical frameworks for emerging technologies,” said Ian P. Moloney, Chief Policy Officer of the American Fintech Council. “We will continue working with policymakers at the federal and state levels to promote regulatory clarity and ensure financial innovation can deliver real benefits for consumers.”

AFC continued to expand its membership and partnerships during the first half of 2026. AFC welcomed 18 new members, added GreenSky and Pathward to its Board of Directors, and welcomed the Canadian Lenders Association, the Israel Fintech Center, Oliver Wyman, and PwC as strategic partners. Together, this growing network is helping AFC shape policy and advance responsible innovation across the financial services industry.

A standards-based organization, the American Fintech Council (AFC) is the largest and most diverse trade association representing financial technology (fintech) companies and innovative banks. On behalf of over 150 member companies and partners, AFC promotes 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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