ICBA Newsroom
The ICBA Newsroom collects and centralizes all the NewsWatch Today articles, press releases, Main Street Matters blogs, advocacy letters and other news that impacts community bankers.
Your 2021 physical security assessment checklist
While social distancing measures may be eased in many areas, they’ve had a large effect on branch security over the past year. Here’s what to look for when doing a physical security assessment to account for the latest trends in customer—and criminal—behavior.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Compliance
What’s a special-purpose credit program?
In an effort to help financial institutions expand access to credit, the CFPB recently addressed regulatory uncertainty around special-purpose credit programs, or SPCPs. These programs are intended to help those who would not otherwise have access to credit.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Compliance Lending
Why community banks are acquiring nonbanks
Acquiring a wealth management firm, fintech, title business or other nonbank organization can unlock new opportunities for community banks. These acquisitions can add new revenue generators, specialized employees and other assets to a community bank in place of organic growth. But experts say that finding the right business to acquire can be tricky.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Starting a new chapter
As we enter a new chapter and start a new financial statement cycle, know that ICBA will be there to support you with tools, resources and advocacy efforts.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
First Home Bank’s PPP pivot
First Home Bank doubled down on Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) lending, dedicating its entire SBA lending division and dozens of other employees to delivering much-needed funds to businesses. The result? More than $1.2 billion in PPP loans.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Lending
Is CRE lending bouncing back?
Commercial real estate lenders had a stellar year in 2019, but the pandemic hurt that momentum. According to experts and the latest data, however, some sectors of the CRE lending market are beginning to move full steam ahead, and deposit-laden community banks, like Cadence Bank, are primed to fulfill that demand.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Lending
Robert Fisher: Accelerating ahead
In today’s marketplace, we can’t be afraid to experiment and fail. Let’s embrace some out-of-the-box, entrepreneurial thinking to attack our problem areas.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Jim Reber: Pick and roll
Multiple institutional relationships influence bond yields.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Charles Potts: Embrace the digital experience
Consider ICBA your partner and advocate on the digital transformation journey. That’s why ThinkTECH exists and why we continually innovate to introduce new resources as the industry evolves.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Payments
What young borrowers want in the loan journey
Younger borrowers have different expectations when it comes to how they bank and do business. The needs of these digital-first customers are leading some community banks to prioritize digital loan processes that make the loan journey more efficient.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Lending
Meet 2021’s ThinkTECH Accelerator finalists
Starting in 2018, ICBA’s ThinkTECH Accelerator has helped create a new ecosystem of community bank-friendly fintechs through a rigorous incubator boot camp involving hundreds of community bankers serving as mentors. Read on to learn about this year’s fintech cohort and their diverse mix of lending, cybersecurity and other solutions.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Payments
Who made ICBA's 2021 list of Top Lenders?
Last year, community bank loan producers were faced with both record-low interest rates and a glut of deposits. But as they always do, they came through for individuals and businesses in their communities with a combination of personalized service and prudent risk management practices. Here, we highlight some of last year’s most successful loan producers in the areas of agriculture, commercial and consumer/mortgage lending.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Lending
CFPB reports on 2020 consumer reporting, servicing violations
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a report highlighting legal violations identified by bureau examinations in 2020.
June 30, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
HUD proposes restoring ‘disparate impact’ rule
The Department of Housing and Urban Development recently proposed rescinding its 2020 rule interpreting the Fair Housing Act’s "disparate impact" standard and restoring its 2013 rule on discriminatory effects.
June 30, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
As Credit Union-Bank Acquisitions Accelerate, ICBA Urges Congressional Hearings
The Independent Community Bankers of America today reinforced its call for Congress to investigate tax-exempt credit unions acquiring taxpaying community banks following a resurgence in interstate acquisitions.
June 18, 2021 |
Press Release
Credit Unions
Ransomware renewing agency crypto response: blog
Escalating attacks against critical infrastructure are bringing renewed focus to the role of cryptocurrencies in facilitating criminal activity, which has implications for community banks, ICBA’s Brian Laverdure writes in a new Main Street Matters post.
June 18, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Cybersecurity Digital Assets
Blog: Faster payments have arrived — now what?
The pandemic has accelerated the implementation of instant payments and the need for community banks to have a strategy in place, according to the latest Main Street Matters post.
June 18, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Payments
HMDA relief reflected in 2020 reporting data
The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council released 2020 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data showing the impact of regulatory relief on HMDA reporting.
June 18, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance Mortgage Rules Housing Finance/GSEs
ICBA Services Network Announces New Community Banker Board Members
ICBA Services Network, the business services subsidiary of ICBA, today announced the appointments of several high-profile community banker board members.
June 15, 2021 |
Press Release
Advocacy
ICBA Provides Tips for Preventing Elder Financial Abuse
June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, and the Independent Community Bankers of America and its subsidiary, the Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation are providing tips for preventing the disturbing trend of elder financial abuse.
June 15, 2021 |
Press Release
Advocacy
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