The U.S. economy continued to add jobs at a steady pace in July, and the unemployment rate remained low. Analysts have been looking for signs that wage growth might pick up, but it held steady, too. Payrolls grew by 157,000 in July and the unemployment rate edged down to 3.9 percent according to the latest Labor Department report. (NPR)

Payroll card users represent a diverse section of the American workforce, including both banked and underbanked consumers, according to a new study by the Center for Financial Services Innovation. The study found that the majority of payroll card users use the cards in addition to other bank products — suggesting that many are actively choosing to have their paychecks delivered via a payroll card. (ABA Banking Journal)

According to a new report from CareerBuilder, 58 percent of employers plan to give out raises by the end of 2018, likely due in large part to a tight labor market and companies increasingly competing to attract and retain qualified workers. (CNBC)

ABA is hoping to work with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. to make it easier to open a bank. A task force formed by the association earlier this year just completed a report on the challenges and opportunities for de novos. (American Banker)

With members of Congress heading home during August, it’s a perfect opportunity for bankers to host lawmakers in their banks using ABA’s Take Your Lawmaker to Work program. For a little more inspiration, listen to Jennifer Luce’s story of building a grassroots advocacy network at her Colorado bank. (ABA Banking Journal)

The Conference Board announced this week that its index of U.S. consumer confidence rose to 127.4 in July from 127.1 in June, though economists had expected a decline. More broadly, the index has eased a bit since February, when it hit its highest level since November 2000. (Wall Street Journal)

Today’s CRE market is hot, with few signs of cooling in the near term. From feeding the multifamily housing boom to building brick-and-mortar retail projects that fit consumers’ shifting shopping habits, construction loans are an increasingly attractive sector for community banks. But it takes market know-how and some careful strategy to attract the best customers. (ABA Banking Journal)

July 31 was a big day in the fintech policy world. First, the Treasury Department released a long-awaited report with recommendations on enhancing the regulatory environment to promote financial innovation. Later that day, the OCC announced that it will begin accepting applications for special-purpose national bank charters, which would allow fintech companies to become non-depository banks. (ABA Banking Journal)

ABA and several other financial trade groups have urged the House Energy and Commerce Committee to advance legislation with the Financial Services Committee that would set strong data security standards and data breach notification requirements. (ABA Banking Journal)

Earlier this week, the Senate passed an ABA-supported measure extending the National Flood Insurance Program through Nov. 30, providing certainty for lenders and borrowers during this year’s hurricane season. The 86-to-12 vote sent the extension to President Trump ahead of the program’s scheduled expiration. (ABA Banking Journal)

Seven members of the Senate Commerce Committee have urged the Federal Communications Commission to issue new rules to ensure that consumers can receive important communications from their banks and other businesses. The letter was submitted as the FCC considers issuing new Telephone Consumer Protection Act rules after a federal appellate court in March struck down two key aspects of the FCC’s prior rules. (ABA Banking Journal)