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.
Latest ILC application brings total pending bids to three
With auto company Stellantis last week applying to form an industrial loan company in Utah, the number of pending ILC applications now stands at three.
February 21, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
New op-ed urges Illinois lawmakers to rethink credit union tax exemption
A new op-ed from Community Bankers Association of Illinois Chairman David Stanton calls on policymakers to tax credit unions like every other business in the state.
February 20, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
ICBA and U.S. Postal Inspection Service Partner to Help Community Banks Combat Check Fraud
The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) today announced a partnership with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to combat the threat of check fraud.
February 20, 2025 |
Press Release
Fraud Postal Service Banking
FinCEN: BOI reporting requirements back in effect with extended deadline
Following a court decision, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network announced that beneficial ownership information reporting requirements are back in effect, with a new deadline of March 21 for most companies.
February 20, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
Trump directs independent agencies to run proposals through White House
President Donald Trump issued an executive order requiring independent agencies to submit rules to the White House before publishing them in the Federal Register.
February 20, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Agencies/Regulators
Independent Banker: ICBA speaks out against one-size-fits-all regulations
The latest Independent Banker magazine details how ICBA is advocating for threshold changes that would lighten community banks’ regulatory burden.
February 19, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Hood: OCC will push to include credit union data in merger reviews
Acting Comptroller of the Currency Rodney Hood said he wants to revisit how credit unions affect regulatory reviews of bank mergers, as advocated by ICBA.
February 19, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
OCC
ICBA, farm groups continue to urge support of crop insurance
Farm and rural groups joined ICBA in urging the new leaders of the Agriculture Department and Office of Management and Budget to protect crop insurance from harmful cuts that would undermine U.S. farmers and ranchers and rural economies.
February 19, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Agriculture
New blog post offers steps to a smooth ISO 20022 transition
After the Federal Reserve delayed the Fedwire Funds Service’s conversion to the ISO 20022 message format until July 14, a new ICBA blog post spotlights resources to help community banks prepare.
February 18, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Reserve
ICBA supports resolutions to scrap CFPB overdraft rule
ICBA expressed support for a new congressional effort to invalidate the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s final rule on overdraft protection programs, saying it is a deeply flawed and harmful rule.
February 18, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
ICBA: Community banks need be integral part of cyber incident response
ICBA commended the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s efforts to create a better framework for responding to significant cyber incidents, but said community banks need to be an integral part of a coordinated cyber defense plan.
February 18, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Cybersecurity
How Community Banks Are Fighting AI-Powered Elder Fraud
Generative AI has made scamming vulnerable people alarmingly simple. Banks must raise awareness among their senior customers of the dangers and help build financial security.
February 18, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Compliance
Romero Rainey: Community bank-focused hearings show ICBA message is resonating
Last week’s simultaneous congressional hearings featuring ICBA witnesses spotlighted the industry’s policy priorities while demonstrating that community banks are being heard in Washington, ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey wrote in a new op-ed.
February 14, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Deadline today to register to speak during EGRPRA meeting
Community bankers interested in speaking during the next Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act regulatory review must register by today.
February 14, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
EGRPRA s.2155
Report: Romance scams grew 40% in 2024
Revenue from romance scams—also known as “pig butchering”—grew 40% last year and accounted for more than a third of all crypto-related scams, according to a report by Chainalysis.
February 14, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
Romero Rainey: Community bank-focused hearings show ICBA message is resonating
Last week’s simultaneous congressional hearings featuring ICBA witnesses spotlighted the industry’s policy priorities while demonstrating that community banks are being heard in Washington, ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey wrote in a new op-ed.
February 13, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA: Any changes to regulatory structure require community bank input
ICBA said any change to the structure of the nation’s banking agencies must involve careful study and input from all stakeholders, including community banks.
February 13, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Agencies/Regulators
Deadline tomorrow to register to speak during EGRPRA meeting
Community bankers interested in speaking during the next Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act regulatory review must register by tomorrow, Feb. 14.
February 13, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
EGRPRA s.2155
ICBA Congratulates Jonathan McKernan on CFPB Director Nomination
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on President Donald Trump’s nomination of Jonathan McKernan to serve as director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
February 12, 2025 |
Press Release
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
ICBA Congratulates Jonathan Gould on Comptroller of the Currency Nomination
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on President Donald Trump’s nomination of Johnathan Gould to serve as comptroller of the currency.
February 12, 2025 |
Press Release
OCC
ICBA Statement on Media Reports of CFPB Actions, Banking Agency Consolidation
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on media reports related to actions at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and potential consolidation of banking regulators.
February 12, 2025 |
Press Release
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
SEC reverses course on ICBA-opposed climate rule
Acting Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Mark Uyeda said his agency will seek to freeze court proceedings in a legal challenge to its final rule requiring climate-related investor disclosures, citing his opposition to the rule.
February 12, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Climate
ICBA weighs in on stablecoin debate
ICBA told Congress that current stablecoin arrangements are not subject to comprehensive supervision and lack many critical consumer and anti-money laundering protections—a regulatory gap that allows risks to the financial system to multiply, provides opportunities for financial crimes, and creates an unequal playing field with highly regulated community banks.
February 12, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
Powell: No CBDC while he leads the Fed
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said the U.S. will never have a central bank digital currency as long as he leads the Fed.
February 12, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Reserve
Independent Banker features ICBA Minority Bank Advisory Council insights
The latest edition of Independent Banker magazine provides insights on minority depository institutions from ICBA’s Minority Bank Advisory Council.
February 11, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA CRA Solutions Selects Ncontracts for Community Bank Compliance Offering
ICBA CRA Solutions, an ICBA subsidiary, announced a strategic alliance with Ncontracts, which provides integrated vendor, risk, and compliance management solutions to help community banks address Community Reinvestment Act requirements using precise, actionable insights.
February 11, 2025 |
Press Release
McKernan leaving FDIC
FDIC Director Jonathan McKernan announced he was stepping aside from the FDIC board of directors.
February 11, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
ICBA releases customizable language addressing depositor concerns
With some community bank customers inquiring about the security of their bank deposits amid government efforts related to federal spending and bureaucracy, ICBA released customizable language its members can use to answer customer questions.
February 11, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Deposit Operations
CFPB’s 1071 rule again paused by court in ICBA case
A U.S. court of appeals temporarily paused the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s 1071 small-business rule and extended its compliance deadlines until further notice, as advocated by ICBA.
February 10, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Compliance
ICBA releases customizable language addressing depositor concerns
With some community bank customers inquiring about the security of their bank deposits amid government efforts related to federal spending and bureaucracy, ICBA released customizable language its members can use to answer customer questions.
February 10, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Deposit Insurance Deposit Operations
ICBA Statement on Rodney Hood’s Appointment as Acting Comptroller of the Currency
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on the appointment of Rodney Hood to serve as acting comptroller of the currency.
February 08, 2025 |
Press Release
OCC
ICBA Thanks Russell Vought for Serving as Acting CFPB Director
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on President Donald Trump’s designation of Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought as acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
February 08, 2025 |
Press Release
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
ICBA’s congressional testimonies available
Recordings and full text of the testimonies ICBA leaders provided this week on Capitol Hill are available online.
February 07, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Congressional Matters
Independent Banker highlights what banks need to know about the open banking rule
Community banks with $850 million or more in assets will soon need to comply with the new open banking regulation, and smaller institutions might want to prepare for data sharing if their customers demand it, according to the latest Independent Banker magazine.
February 07, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Community Banks to Convene in Nashville to Celebrate Community Banking at ICBA LIVE
The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) will host ICBA LIVE 2025, the most comprehensive educational and networking event for community bankers. The event brings together thousands of community bank leaders to discuss key policies, and emerging technologies that shape the local banking landscape.
February 07, 2025 |
Press Release
Independent Banker shares ICBA LIVE’s can’t-miss events
When community bankers from across the country gather in Nashville next month for ICBA LIVE, a remarkable agenda awaits them, according to the latest Independent Banker magazine.
February 07, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
At congressional hearing, Romero Rainey urges regulatory transformation
At the first House Financial Services Committee hearing of the new Congress, ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey called on lawmakers to transform the regulatory environment for community banks to promote locally based economic growth.
February 06, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Congressional Matters
ICBA urges regulatory and tax relief at House Small Business Committee hearing
In separate testimony on Wednesday at the first House Small Business Committee hearing of the 119th Congress, ICBA called on lawmakers to advance regulatory and tax relief that will further enhance small-business lending.
February 06, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Congressional Matters
ICBA supports bill to scrap CFPB’s 1071 rule
ICBA expressed strong support for new legislation to overturn the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s small-business data collection and reporting requirements under Section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act.
February 06, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Marching to the Beat of Community Banking
“Community banks set the tempo for our communities, serving as the constant drum line that anchors those around them.”
February 05, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Jacob Eisen: The Difference Between Direct and Agent Bank Credit Card Programs
Preparing and Nurturing Future Bank Leaders
How can community banks foster future leaders and make sure they’re prepared to take on a managerial role? It takes a healthy dose of attention, understanding and room for trial and error.
February 05, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Kick Lending Up a Notch With Digital Solutions
Increased efficiency and fewer errors are just two of the benefits of digitalizing your loan production process.
February 05, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Payments
Lucas White: Tackling Fraud With Technology and Education
“[Fraud] must be a business priority, because our employees and customers truly are our first line of defense.”
February 05, 2025 |
Independent Banker
United Community Bank Helps Veterans Take Flight
On Oct. 4, United Community Bank in Perham, Minn., hosted a Tailgate for Troops event in the nearby city of Frazee to raise money for the Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN.
February 05, 2025 |
Independent Banker
What Banks Need to Know About the CFPB's Open Banking Rule
ICBA’s advocacy efforts have affected the outcome of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s open banking rule. Learn about these changes and understand which guidelines apply to your bank.
February 05, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Compliance
Jim Reber: Spreading the Good News
Incremental yield can indicate relative value.
February 05, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
Michael Emancipator: ICBA Speaks Out Against One-Size-Fits-All Regulations
In the face of disproportionate compliance requirements, ICBA is advocating for threshold changes that would lighten community banks’ regulatory burden.
February 05, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Advocacy
Find Your Rhythm at ICBA LIVE 2025
Do you hear that? That’s the sound of community bankers across the nation heading to Nashville to learn, network and enjoy all Music City has to offer. From March 11 to 14, ICBA LIVE 2025 will bring your peers together for the world’s largest gathering of community bankers. There, you’ll be able to learn from experts in their fields about how to stay competitive, listen to dynamic and thought-provoking guest speakers, participate in roundtables and celebrate this great industry. Here’s a sneak peek of what you can expect from this year’s incredible agenda.
February 05, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Is Data the Key to Enhancing Bank Customer Relationships?
Conversion data from social media, websites and marketing platforms can help prove whether banks are successful in their personalization, outreach and differentiation. That—and other forms of data—could play a significant role in your marketing strategy.
February 05, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
Amplifying Nashville's Booming Businesses
ICBA members are coming to Nashville, Tenn., from across the nation for ICBA LIVE, but there are plenty of community banks already in Music City. From restaurants and bars to contracting firms and museums, Nashville’s small businesses are a top priority for community banks.
February 05, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Lending
OneUnited Bank Uses Tech to Bridge the Racial Wealth Gap
OneUnited Bank’s AI-powered financial wellness tool is enabling the bank’s customers to make better financial decisions and build generational wealth.
February 05, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Relief From the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene
Community banks around the country came together to help those affected by Hurricane Helene, assisting with cleanup, donating supplies and more.
February 05, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Out of Office: Aaron Hines
The commercial loan manager and SVP of $500 million-asset Denali State Bank in Fairbanks, Alaska, has ridden his snowmobile through the state’s vast landscapes, kicking up powder in untouched snowy areas.
February 05, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Insights from ICBA's Minority Bank Advisory Council
Whether it’s by providing education, supplying down payments or jump-starting generational wealth, minority depository institutions ensure their communities have access to the financial services that will help them succeed in the long term. Members of ICBA’s Minority Bank Advisory Council tell us how they do it.
February 05, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Powering Potential: Rethinking Your Payments Strategy With ICBA Payments
ICBA Payments—formerly ICBA Bancard—hasn’t just rebranded. It has begun a multiyear phased investment strategy to modernize its technology and service offerings, which are designed to elevate your bank’s payments strategy.
February 05, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Payments
Future-Proofing Community Banks: Upgrading Check Processing to Enhance Security, Efficiency, and Remain Competitive
SPONSORED | Despite digital payment growth, checks remain vital, requiring banks to consolidate systems for better efficiency and fraud mitigation. Modern solutions enhance security, streamline processing, and provide real-time fraud detection, helping community banks reduce risks and stay competitive.
February 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Payments
7 Lessons Learned by FedNow® Service Participants
SPONSORED | Financial institutions live on the FedNow Service have shared valuable lessons they learned along their instant payment journeys.
February 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Payments
Mitigating Risk in Construction Draw Loans
SPONSORED | Construction projects hold great potential but also come with risks, especially when it’s time to draw funds. Addressing these challenges head-on with timely & accurate inspections through proactive and engaging communication will help mitigate each loans risk.
February 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Lending
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.
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