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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.

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Texas district court sets aside FTC’s non-compete ban

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas issued a decision setting aside the Federal Trade Commission’s non-compete ban and prohibiting the FTC from enforcing the rule.
August 22, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

Powering Potential: Special Assessment Success Sparks Membership Momentum

ICBA’s success in achieving a community bank exemption from the FDIC’s special assessment leads to expanded membership.
August 22, 2024 | Independent Banker  

Fed’s Bowman: Community banks are the key to financial inclusion

Community banks are indispensable in providing access to financial products and services, especially in remote or rural areas, according to Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman.
August 21, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

Fed shares five steps to discount window borrowing

Community banks need to take formal actions to ensure discount window access, and bank management needs to understand the mechanics of discount window borrowing even if there is no immediate need for liquidity, according to the Federal Reserve.
August 21, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

Independent Banker recognizes community banks celebrating milestones

The latest issue of Independent Banker magazine highlights ICBA-member community banks that are celebrating their 150th, 125th, or 100th anniversary.
August 21, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

7 Steps to a Successful Regulatory Audit

Preparation is key to passing a regulatory exam with flying colors. These tips for the stages before, during and after an audit will ensure your bank and management impress regulators.
August 21, 2024 | Independent Banker   Growing the Community 

FDIC podcast: Community banks performed well in 2023

Community banks saw weakened liquidity at the end of 2023 but had favorable asset quality and loan numbers, according to the latest FDIC podcast.
August 20, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

ICBA: Policymakers must examine credit unions’ tax status

Urgent congressional action is needed to preserve community banks and the communities that depend on them, ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey said.
August 20, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Credit Unions 

Fed’s Waller: Non-banks and stablecoins pose risks

Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller voiced concern about the risks from emerging payment technologies, especially non-banks and stablecoins.
August 20, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Digital Assets 

Charles Potts: 4 Natural Advantages of Solution Provider Partnerships

How do your partners contribute to your bank's overall success?
August 20, 2024 | Independent Banker   Payments 

Credit Unions Exploit Federal Tax Exemption to Acquire Tax-Paying Community Banks; Congress Must Act

Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement after another community bank acquisition by a tax-exempt credit union.
August 19, 2024 | Press Release   Credit Unions 

CFPB updates small business lending instructions

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau updated its 2025 Small Business Lending Filing Instructions Guide.
August 19, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Compliance 

IRS forms coalition to combat growing scams

The Internal Revenue Service announced it has formed a coalition with state tax agencies and the tax industry to combat the growth of scams and schemes threatening taxpayers and tax systems.
August 19, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 

FDIC publishes Q&As on official signage

The FDIC published questions and answers related to its final rule governing the usage of official FDIC signs, advertising, name, logo, and more.
August 19, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

When Should Your Community Bank Use a Staffing Agency?

If your community bank doesn’t have the time or resources to recruit for open or hard-to-fill positions, a staffing agency is one way to take the burden off your shoulders. Here’s what you should know about finding the right one.
August 19, 2024 | Independent Banker  

Credit union acquisitions generating new headlines

The ICBA-opposed trend of tax-exempt credit unions acquiring taxpaying community banks generated a new round of headlines.
August 16, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Credit Unions 

Lawmakers: CFPB’s medical debt proposal will make health care more expensive

Republican members of the House Financial Services Committee said the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s proposal to remove medical debt from credit reports will make health care more expensive for those who need it most.
August 16, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 

FinCEN says it will only enforce willful beneficial ownership violations

Small-business owners doing their best to comply with beneficial ownership requirements should not lose sleep over the new reporting requirements, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Deputy Director Jimmy Kirby said.
August 16, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Financial Crimes Enforcement Network 

Jim Reber: Moving on Up

Bond portfolios’ yields are beginning to catch up.
August 16, 2024 | Independent Banker   Growing the Community 

Fed: Instant payments require enhanced risk management

Banks moving to an instant payment environment need a strategy that considers fraud, liquidity, compliance, and third-party risks, according to a blog post from the Federal Reserve.
August 15, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

Lawmakers call on Gruenberg to resign or testify

Republican members of the House Financial Services Committee called on FDIC Chairman Martin Gruenberg to appear before the committee next month if he has not stepped down before then.
August 15, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

Credit unions use loopholes to undercut community banks: former exec

Credit unions use their tax-exempt status to weaken community banks and their capacity to meet the credit needs of local communities, according to a former credit union executive who now works for a community bank.
August 15, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Credit Unions 

Elkhorn Valley Bank & Trust: The Bankers Behind the Screen

Elkhorn Valley Bank & Trust strikes a balance between personalized service and quick convenience with its growing collection of Teller On Demand kiosks.
August 15, 2024 | Independent Banker  

Independent Banker offers ideas to budget strategically

The 2025 budgeting season will be difficult because of the current interest rate environment, according to a new Independent Banker article, but there are opportunities for community banks to budget strategically.
August 14, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

CFPB: federal rules apply to contract-for-deed arrangements

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued an advisory opinion and research report on contracts for deed, a form of home seller financing.
August 14, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Compliance 

FDIC issues notice on asset manager exemption notice

The FDIC issued a Financial Institution Letter on an amended Labor Department rule governing how qualified professional asset managers handle exemption requests under the Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption rule.
August 14, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

Lindsay LaNore: 7 Essentials for Your Leadership Backpack

Be prepared as you learn, teach and lead.
August 14, 2024 | Independent Banker  

ICBA: Removing medical debt information from credit reporting won’t work

ICBA told the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that its proposed rule to remove medical debt information from credit reporting will lead to inaccurate reports and hinder community banks’ ability to comply with other regulations.
August 13, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 

ICBA: Agencies don’t need specific regulations on AI

ICBA said the Treasury Department and federal banking agencies do not need to issue specific regulations to govern artificial intelligence usage because overly prescriptive regulations may stifle the use of AI in the banking sector.
August 13, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Artificial Intellegence Department of Treasury 

Fed’s Bowman: Bankers and regulators aren’t on the same page about M&A

When it comes to process reform for mergers and acquisitions, it can feel like bankers and regulators are living in different worlds, according to Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman.
August 13, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

A Compelling Employee Perk: Education Benefits

Investing in employees’ professional growth has proven to contribute to both their success and retention rates. What steps can community banks and their leadership take to help employees along their career paths?
August 13, 2024 | Independent Banker  

ICBA: FHFA overstepping with FHLBank inquiry

The Federal Housing Finance Agency does not have the authority to redefine the mission of the Federal Home Loan Banks, ICBA told American Banker.
August 12, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Federal Housing Finance Agency 

FDIC issues guidance on interactive teller machines

The FDIC issued guidance on whether the use of interactive teller machines at a location other than an established branch facility would require banks to file a domestic branch application.
August 12, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

ICBA requests comment extension on bank-fintech arrangements

ICBA and other groups requested a 30-day extension to the comment period for the regulatory agencies’ request for information on bank-fintech arrangements.
August 12, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Fintech Innovation 

Richwood Bank Cultivates Community with Each Cup

Richwood Bank brews up both coffee and funding for the community through its one-of-a-kind bank-owned coffee chain. Here’s how it worked with the Fed to make it happen.
August 12, 2024 | Independent Banker  

FDIC announces initial dates for new resolution filings

The FDIC announced initial submission dates for its final rule requiring resolutions plans for banks with at least $100 billion in assets and “informational filings” for banks over $50 billion.
August 09, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

Independent Banker deciphers FHFA credit score transition

A new Independent Banker article breaks down the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s new credit scoring requirements for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and ICBA’s concerns with the models.
August 09, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

OCC: Banks affected by Hurricane Debby can close

The OCC issued a proclamation allowing national banks, federal savings associations, and federal branches to close offices in areas of Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., affected by Hurricane Debby.
August 09, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Climate 

Lucas White: Getting Comfortable With Fintechs

With fintechs, the more you get involved, the more you learn. There’s a whole continuum of fintechs out there that support community bank needs.
August 09, 2024 | Independent Banker   Advocacy 

ICBA continues call for 1033 exemption in new article

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau should exempt banks with less than $850 million in assets from its pending rule on sharing consumer financial data, ICBA told American Banker.
August 08, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 

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