The December cover story of Independent Banker magazine, the award-winning publication of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), spotlights this year’s Best Community Banks to Work For recipients. These honorees were selected for their outstanding dedication to fostering positive and rewarding workplace environments that inspire their teams to excel and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

While some industry watchers might apply the term “community bank” to the nation's largest financial institution, the truth is community banks cannot be replicated by megabanks, ICBA Chairman Lucas White wrote in a new American Banker op-ed (subscription required).

The OCC announced its fees and assessments for calendar year 2025.

ICBA this month is hosting a complimentary community bank briefing on key congressional and regulatory developments.

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today announced it has expanded its Wolters Kluwer Preferred Service Provider relationship to include its BizFilings Beneficial Ownership Information Filing platform and its OneSumX Reg Manager offerings.

The latest Independent Banker magazine highlights the substantial influence of Gen Z—those born between 1997 and 2012—whose spending power now totals $44 billion and represents a key demographic for community banks.

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network announced that is has joined a multi-sector national task force dedicated to the prevention of fraud and scams.

The FHFA announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will seek to extend housing access in rural underserved markets, enhance their support for manufactured housing, and continue addressing liquidity needs for first-time homebuyers.

ICBA urged the FDIC to withdraw its proposed rulemaking on brokered deposits to avoid harming community banks.

The Federal Reserve announced that the 2025 periodic review of its monetary policy strategy, tools, and communications will include public outreach events.

ICBA’s recent Preferred Service Provider Engagement Forum brought together 15 PSPs, seven ThinkTECH Accelerator alumni, and community bankers for an exchange of insights and opportunities to advance community bank innovation, according to a new Main Street Matters blog post.

Community bankers who register for ICBA LIVE 2025 by Friday, Nov. 29, will be entered into a drawing for one of three prizes.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule to supervise the largest nonbank companies offering digital funds transfer and payment wallet apps.

ICBA’s Check Fraud Task Force this week published a new guide that explains how and when community banks should contact regulators about check fraud.

ICBA’s Check Fraud Task Force published a new guide that explains how and when community banks should contact regulators about check fraud.

ICBA is encouraging community bankers to use its guide to submit unique comment letters on the FDIC’s notice of proposed rulemaking on brokered deposit restrictions ahead of today’s deadline.

ICBA’s ThinkTECH Connect—which offers community bankers a fast-paced introduction to innovative fintech companies—is scheduled for noon (Eastern time) today. Community bankers can attend the session live or get the recording.

When assessing new technology, community bankers should ask themselves what requires the most human interaction but is tedious or repetitive work, according to the latest Independent Banker magazine.

FDIC Chairman Martin Gruenberg told colleagues he will retire on Jan. 19, according to media reports of his message to agency staff.

If a poorly designed cross-border payments system were widely adopted, it could do significant harm to international financial stability and economic security, according to a senior Treasury Department official.