ICBA Newsroom
The ICBA Newsroom collects and centralizes all the NewsWatch Today articles, press releases, blog posts, advocacy letters and other news that impacts community bankers.
ICBA Names René Shonerd as Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer
The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) announced today that René Shonerd has joined as executive vice president and chief information officer (CIO).
September 30, 2024 |
Press Release
FHFA advises FHLBanks on credit risk and liquidity
The Federal Housing Finance Agency issued an advisory bulletin to the Federal Home Loan Banks that details expectations for providing members with access to advances in a safe and sound manner.
September 30, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Housing Finance Agency
FDIC announces relief for Georgia, Vermont banks
The FDIC announced regulatory relief to facilitate recovery in areas of Georgia affected by Tropical Storm Debby and areas of Vermont affected by severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides.
September 30, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA urging community banker participation in EGRPRA review
ICBA recently issued a guide to help community bankers participate in the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act review process launched by banking regulators this year.
September 30, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Will AI Supercharge Regtech for Community Banks?
By harnessing artificial intelligence’s power, regtech has greater potential to streamline regulatory compliance and offer cost savings for community banks that use it, say experts.
September 27, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Compliance
FinCEN sanctions Russian virtual currency cybercriminals
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network sanctioned PM2BTC, a Russian virtual currency exchanger associated with Sergey Sergeevich Ivanov, as being a money-laundering concern in connection with illicit finance.
September 27, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
FinCEN
ICBA Community tops 4,000 users
The ICBA Community online platform continues to grow and has now surpassed 4,000 members.
September 27, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA push on credit union deals garners more media attention
ICBA’s campaign opposing credit union acquisitions of tax-paying community banks continued generating headlines with a new Bloomberg report on the FDIC’s recent policy update on bank mergers.
September 27, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
Out of Office: Kaitlyn Dummitt
As a seasoned painter, AVP of marketing at $1.73 billion-asset Waterford Bank, N.A. in Toledo, Ohio, continues to discover new ways to enhance her artistic prowess.
September 26, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Blog post: Community bankers find solutions, connections at ICBA LIVE
The challenges community bankers face—from compliance issues to cybersecurity and staffing concerns—require the industry to come together to amplify its voice and find solutions at ICBA LIVE 2025, according to a new ICBA blog post.
September 26, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Community bankers report reg burden during EGRPRA outreach meeting
Community bankers voiced discontent with excessive regulatory burdens during an ICBA-advocated outreach meeting under the current Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act review.
September 26, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
OCC
OCC: Banks affected by Hurricane Helene can close
The OCC said national banks, federal savings associations, and federal branches and agencies of foreign banks can close in areas of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee affected by Hurricane Helene.
September 26, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
United Bank Helps a Plant Nursery Grow
As of 2024, United Bank in Atmore, Ala., has worked with Slay’s Nursery in nearby Elberta, Ala., for two decades, having helped its owners launch and grow their nursery and gardening store.
September 25, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Senator Moran: Help needed for agriculture
The current farm bill is not adequate to provide relief or safety nets for U.S. farmers, nor is it reflective of the current state of the farm economy, said Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), a lead sponsor of the ICBA-advocated ACRE Act (S. 2371/H.R. 3139).
September 25, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Farm Bill
CFPB sets up webpage for standard-setting organizations
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau set up a webpage for public comment applications to become a recognized standard setter under the Personal Financial Data Rights Rule.
September 25, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
CFPB
ICBA: Record-tying credit union acquisition comes amid increased scrutiny
Following this year’s 16th credit union acquisition of a community bank — which ties the record for most in a single year — ICBA continued its call for Congress to investigate credit union policies.
September 25, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
Powering Potential: Strengthening Community Banking State by State
ICBA’s links with state banking associations help shape organizational growth and drive powerful collaborations.
September 24, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Advocacy
ICBA files appellate brief in CRA rule legal challenge
ICBA and other groups filed an appellate brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit as part of their legal challenge to federal banking regulators’ Community Reinvestment Act final rule.
September 24, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance CRA
Another Community Bank Acquisition by Tax-Exempt Credit Union as Policymakers and Taxpayers Increase Scrutiny
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey today issued the following statement after this year’s 16th acquisition of a tax-paying bank by a tax-exempt credit union.
September 24, 2024 |
Press Release
Credit Unions
Survey shows rise in sophisticated fraud tactics
Sixty-two percent of institutions reported a rise in sophisticated fraud tactics, according to a new survey by the Center for Payments, Nacha, and ICBA.
September 24, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Fraud
ICBA continues urging participation in EGRPRA review
ICBA recently issued a guide to help community bankers participate in the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act review process launched by banking regulators this year.
September 24, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Agencies/Regulators
5 Ways to Make a Good Digital Impression on Your Bank Website
A website isn’t just for location, hours and product information. It’s often a prospective customer’s first view of your community bank. Here’s how to tell your bank’s story online in an engaging and compelling way.
September 23, 2024 |
Independent Banker
ICBA briefing today ahead of EGRPRA outreach meeting
With the federal banking agencies hosting a virtual outreach meeting this week under their latest Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act review, ICBA is hosting a briefing at 1 p.m. (Eastern time) today for bankers delivering oral comments.
September 23, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Agencies/Regulators
ICBA files appellate brief in CRA rule legal challenge
ICBA and other groups filed an appellate brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit as part of their legal challenge to federal banking regulators’ Community Reinvestment Act final rule.
September 23, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
CRA
CFPB proposes amendment to remittance transfer rule
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a proposed rule with an amendment to disclosure requirements for certain international money transfers.
September 23, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
CFPB Compliance
Charles Potts: How Fintech Relationships Can Lessen Compliance Burdens
What bank compliance benefits can fintechs provide?
September 20, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Payments
FinCEN publishes beneficial ownership toolkit
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network published a toolkit for small-business owners with beneficial ownership reporting requirements.
September 20, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
FinCEN
Independent Banker breaks down instant payment adoption
The latest Independent Banker magazine details community banks’ uptake of instant payment systems such as FedNow and Real-Time Payments.
September 20, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA urging community banker participation in EGRPRA review
ICBA recently issued a guide to help community bankers participate in the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act review process launched by banking regulators this year.
September 20, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Is Your Community Bank Ahead of the Pack on Instant Payments?
Whether it’s through RTP or FedNow, many community banks are still exploring how instant payments rails can fulfill the needs of and benefit their customers.
September 19, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Payments
CFPB releases FAQs on ‘buy now, pay later’ products
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released frequently asked questions to help industry participants understand, implement, and comply with the requirements in Regulation Z for “buy now, pay later” products.
September 19, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
CFPB Compliance
Fed cuts rates by 50 basis points
The Federal Open Market Committee voted to cut target interest rates by 50 basis points due to improved confidence that inflation is moving sustainably toward its 2% goal.
September 19, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Reserve
ICBA testifies before Congress on community bank support for small business
ICBA Rural America and Agriculture Committee Chairman Gus Barker told Congress that community banks have served rural America well for decades and play a vital role in the economic prosperity of small businesses, farms, and families in thousands of local communities.
September 19, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Agriculture
ICBA urges policymakers to take on crypto scams, improve information sharing
The persistent growth of romance confidence scams emphasizes the urgent need for policymakers to prioritize national security, counter illicit finance uses of cryptocurrency, and improve information sharing with community banks, ICBA told Congress.
September 19, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
Michael Benedict: Too Much of a Good Thing?
Balance is key when it comes to capital and profitability.
September 18, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
Following ICBA advocacy, FDIC includes credit unions in merger guidance
As advocated by ICBA, the FDIC approved a new statement of policy on bank mergers that for the first time explicitly states that additional scrutiny may be needed for deals involving tax-exempt credit unions.
September 18, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
CFPB: Banks need to keep proof of consent for certain overdraft fees
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a circular that says a financial institution violates the Electronic Fund Transfer Act and Regulation E if “there is no proof that it has obtained consumers’ affirmative consent before levying overdraft fees for ATM and one-time debit card transactions.”
September 18, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
CFPB Compliance
OCC approves separate rule, guidance on bank mergers
The OCC approved a final rule updating its regulations for business combinations involving national banks and federal savings associations and a policy statement clarifying its review of applications under the Bank Merger Act.
September 18, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
DOJ rescinds bank merger guidelines in favor of generic standards
The Justice Department announced that it is withdrawing its 1995 bank merger guidelines, saying its 2023 merger guidelines for all industries will be its sole and authoritative policy.
September 18, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Endeavor Bank Turns Business Banking into a Conversation
Endeavor Bank’s consultative banking model boosts business banking with tailored meetings, onboarding roadmaps and community connections.
September 17, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Tips For Sending Transactions Over The FedNow® Service
SPONSORED | By enabling customers to send instant payments via the FedNow® Service versus only receive, banks can gain a faster, stronger ROI. Find out how and get tips on ways you can take a measured approach to offering this capability.
September 17, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Payments
Private-sector companies join tokenization project
More than 40 private-sector companies will join a group of central banks in Project Agorá, which will explore how tokenization and a wholesale central bank digital currency could enhance cross-border payments.
September 17, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
As FDIC Includes Credit Unions in Merger Statement Following ICBA Advocacy, Most Americans Support Investigation of Credit Union Bank Acquisitions
Thanks to Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) advocacy, the FDIC today approved a new statement of policy on bank mergers that for the first time explicitly states that additional scrutiny may be needed for deals involving tax-exempt credit unions.
September 17, 2024 |
Press Release
Credit Unions
ICBA testifying this week on supporting rural businesses
ICBA Rural America and Agriculture Committee Chairman Gus Barker is scheduled to testify before Congress this week on streamlining and coordinating support for rural small businesses.
September 17, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Congressional Matters
FinCEN to small businesses: Don’t wait to file beneficial owner reports
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network called on small businesses to begin filing initial beneficial ownership reports under the Corporate Transparency Act.
September 17, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Lindsay LaNore: The 5 Ws of Goal Setting
How can you effectively set attainable goals?
September 16, 2024 |
Independent Banker
ICBA releases EGRPRA guide for community banker outreach
ICBA issued a guide to help community bankers participate in the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act review process launched by banking regulators this year.
September 16, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
EGRPRA s.2155
FDIC board meeting tomorrow on custodial deposits, mergers
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York releases its Empire State manufacturing survey for September at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern time).
September 16, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Agencies announce ICBA-requested comment extension on bank-fintech arrangements
Federal banking regulators extended until Oct. 30 the comment period on a request for information on bank-fintech arrangements.
September 16, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Fintech Regulation
How Community Banks Can Nurture Relationships With Next-Gen Customers
With the “great wealth transfer” approaching, now’s the time for community banks to plan with individuals passing on their generational wealth and to connect with those who will receive it.
September 13, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Treasury sanctions Cambodian scam centers
The Treasury Department sanctioned Cambodian businessman Ly Yong Phat, L.Y.P. Group Co., and O‑Smach Resort for their role in human rights abuse related to the treatment of trafficked workers subjected to forced labor in online scam centers.
September 13, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
House committee chair calls for interview with Gruenberg
House Financial Services Committee Chairman Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) called for a transcribed interview with FDIC Chairman Martin Gruenberg after Gruenberg refused to testify at a planned hearing on FDIC workplace misconduct.
September 13, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Independent Banker details SCOTUS decisions affecting community banking
The latest Independent Banker magazine spotlights three Supreme Court decisions that may curb the administrators that oversee community banks.
September 13, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Umpqua Bank Supports Affordable Housing Initiatives
Umpqua Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines recently partnered to award $160,000 in grant money to 13 affordable housing nonprofits in Oregon.
September 12, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Poll shows growing demands for credit union policy reform
ICBA released new polling data showing Americans are growing increasingly uneasy with credit unions’ regulatory exemptions and support reforms to policies that arbitrarily favor these tax-exempt financial firms.
September 12, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
Today is deadline to file claims for Wawa data security incident
Today is the deadline for financial institutions to file claims in a settlement between financial institutions (including community banks) and Wawa arising out of a 2019 data security incident at the company.
September 12, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Security
ICBA advocacy briefing next week
ICBA next week is hosting a complimentary community bank briefing on key congressional and regulatory developments.
September 12, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Lucas White: Tenacity for the Regulatory Win
Going to Washington, writing letters and sharing our stories are our only opportunities to affect the rules we operate under. If we don’t tell our story, no one else will.
September 11, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Advocacy
FDIC board meeting on custodial deposit accounts, bank mergers
The FDIC board of directors scheduled a meeting for next week on a notice of proposed rulemaking on custodial deposit accounts with transaction features and to issue a final statement of policy on bank merger transactions.
September 11, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA: Nonbank payments firms benefit from regulatory imbalance
ICBA said it agrees with a Financial Stability Board report that nonbank service providers involved in cross-border payments are not subject to the same regulatory scrutiny as banks.
September 11, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Independent Banker
Independent Banker is the award-winning monthly member publication of ICBA. Continually rated the best news source by community bankers, IB provides timely, relevant information and insights to help community banks continue to flourish.
Marketing Resource Center
Visit this page regularly for new customizable press releases, opeds, tutorials, sharable videos, tip sheets, and sample social media posts which are available exclusively for ICBA members.
Access the toolkit
Example Text
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA offers numerous specialty newsletters related to the community banking industry. Sign up for ICBA's daily email news bulletin for current and breaking industry news
Read Articles
Example Text
Subscribe to Independent Banker Magazine
Independent Banker® is the monthly publication of the Independent Community Bankers of America, recognized as the number one source ICBA members rely on for community banking news.
Subscribe Now
Example Text
Manage Your Email Notifications and Subscriptions
Sign up to receive or manage your email messages from ICBA. Questions? Contact ICBA.
Subscribe Now
Example Text