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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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Fed clarifies account access guidelines

The Federal Reserve provided a technical clarification that its account access guidelines also apply to excess balance accounts.
December 10, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Federal Reserve 

ICBA’s Romero Rainey, Merski recognized as top lobbyists

ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey and Group Executive Vice President of Congressional Relations and Strategy Paul Merski were featured on The Hill’s 2024 list of the nation’s top lobbyists.
December 09, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

Independent Banker shares top compliance issues of 2024

Guidance and proposed rules from regulatory agencies this year kept community banks on their toes, according to the latest Independent Banker magazine.
December 09, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

Report: Banking system is sound but faces challenges

The U.S. banking system remains resilient—supported by sound levels of regulatory capital, adequate liquidity buffers, and healthy levels of profitability—but the industry must address emerging vulnerabilities, according to the Financial Stability Oversight Council’s 2024 annual report.
December 09, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Digital Assets 

Forum next week on using tech to protect seniors

ICBA’s ThinkTECH Solutions Forum: AgeTech is scheduled for noon (Eastern time) Thursday, Dec. 12.
December 06, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

Romero Rainey, Merski Recognized Among The Hill’s Top Lobbyists for 2024, Showcasing ICBA’s Advocacy Leadership

Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey and Group Executive Vice President of Congressional Relations and Strategy Paul Merski make their seventh consecutive appearance on The Hill’s Top Lobbyists List of association executives.
December 06, 2024 | Press Release   Advocacy 

Independent Banker shares farm bill prospects

A new five-year farm bill will run about 1,000 pages and include a vast array of programs, so the most likely action is an extension of the current bill and possibly an emergency aid package, according to the latest Independent Banker magazine.
December 06, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Farm Bill 

Fiserv chief nominated to lead Social Security

Frank Bisignano—chairman, president, and CEO of Fiserv, a global provider of payments and financial services technology solutions—was nominated by President-Elect Donald Trump to be commissioner of the Social Security Administration.
December 06, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Government Banks 

Treasury sanctions money laundering network using digital assets

The Treasury Department sanctioned five individuals and four entities associated with the TGR Group, an international network of businesses and employees that act on behalf of Russian elites.
December 05, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Department of Treasury 

ICBA: CFPB’s 1071 rule exceeds its authority

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s 1071 small-business rule exceeds the agency’s statutory authority and is arbitrary and capricious, ICBA said in a new court filing.
December 05, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 

Agencies issue statement on financial exploitation of elderly

Five federal financial regulatory agencies, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, and state financial regulators issued a joint statement to provide supervised institutions with examples of risk management and other practices that may be effective in combatting elder financial exploitation.
December 05, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Financial Crimes Enforcement Network 

What to Say to Customers When They Are Being Scammed

On a daily basis, my team identifies, investigates, and responds to fraud, including customer scams. While our fraud monitoring systems flag unusual activity, the bulk of our time is spent evaluating the situation and then discussing it with the customer to get to the bottom of what really happened.
December 04, 2024 | Payments Quarterly  

Agencies seek further comment on regulatory burden

The federal bank regulatory agencies announced the third notice requesting comment to reduce regulatory burden as required by the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996.
December 04, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   EGRPRA s.2155 

CFPB proposes rule on consumer reporting

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a notice of proposed rulemaking related to consumer reporting and the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
December 04, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Compliance 

OCC updates unfair practices booklet

The OCC issued version 1.1 of the “Unfair or Deceptive Acts or Practices and Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts or Practices” booklet of the Comptroller’s Handbook.
December 04, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

Relationship Managers Are Here for You

Community banks have a strong history of offering their customers personalized service. Our relationship management team has the same philosophy and supports community bank payment needs one-on-one. We know bankers wear many hats, and sometimes taking the time to understand the ins and outs of your card portfolio, or answer critical payments-related questions, can take longer than expected.
December 04, 2024 | Payments Quarterly  

The Card Trends to Watch in 2025

What 2025 holds for payments remains to be seen. Decreasing interest rates may fuel larger spending and comfort with revolving credit, but some businesses have begun limiting their acceptance of cards or passing fees along to customers, which could drive decreased use. Couple those developments with a shifting regulatory environment, and the future of card payments gets a bit murky.
December 04, 2024 | Payments Quarterly  

Regulators hosting fair lending webinar today

Federal regulators are slated to host an interagency webinar on fair lending at 2 p.m. (Eastern time) today. The webinar will cover redlining, Community Reinvestment Act rules, the relationship between CRA and fair lending, and more.
December 04, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

Independent Banker honors best community banks to work for

This month’s Independent Banker magazine recognizes the best community banks to work for, selected by the input of full-time employees.
December 03, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

Fed’s Waller expects rate cuts to continue over next year

Monetary policy is still restrictive and putting downward pressure on inflation without creating undesirable weakness in the labor market, according to Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller, who added that he expects rate cuts to continue over the next year.
December 03, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Federal Reserve 

FDIC updates Q&As on official signage

The FDIC updated questions and answers related to its final rule governing the usage of official FDIC signs, advertising, name, logo, and more.
December 03, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 

ICBA op-ed: Megabanks aren't—and never will be—community banks

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).
December 02, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

Q4 community bank briefing this month

ICBA this month is hosting a complimentary community bank briefing on key congressional and regulatory developments.
December 02, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

OCC announces 2025 fees and assessments

The OCC announced its fees and assessments for calendar year 2025.
December 02, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   OCC 

ICBA Independent Banker Honors 2024 Best Community Banks to Work For Winners

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.
December 02, 2024 | Press Release  

Equip Your Leasing Finance Operations

SPONSORED | Discover how lenders can navigate the evolving landscape of equipment lease financing with insights on risk mitigation and operational readiness.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker   Compliance Lending 

Rebeca Romero Rainey: Nurturing the Community Bank Ecosystem

“Community bankers are focused on the long term. ... We focus on building connections that will stand the test of time.”
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker  

Charles Potts: Banking and Staffing Gen Z Into the Future

As Gen Z graduates into the full-time workforce, they are looking to community banks as financial partners as well as potential employers.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker  

Jim Reber: Will the Wave Return?

Falling rates should boost cash flows.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker   Growing the Community 

First Citizens Bank: Playing the Talent Development Long Game

First Citizens Bank’s internship initiative underscores the importance of offering students valuable hands-on industry exposure and nurturing the next generation of banking professionals.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker  

Lucas White: The Heart of the Community Bank

[Community banks] put people first and challenge ourselves to grow for the betterment of our teams, customers and communities.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker  

The Hidden Risks of Legacy Technology: A Community Banker’s Guide

SPONSORED | IBT Apps’ newest ebook is available now! Explore the critical risks of legacy systems and learn about a modern solution that helps future-proof your bank. Essential reading for bank executives, risk officers, and operations leaders alike!
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker   Compliance Payments 

Mark Scanlan and Scott Marks: Is a Favorable New Farm Bill on the Horizon?

In the wake of the farm bill’s expiration, ICBA is advocating for updates that will benefit the agriculture industry and rural communities across the U.S.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker   Advocacy 

Northwestern Bank's Podcast Brews Up Community Conversation

Enjoying a cold one at work may not be the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of community banking, but that’s the premise of a podcast series from Northwestern Bank in Chippewa Falls, Wis.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker  

Out of Office: Michael Hatfield

The applications analyst at $2.2 billion-asset First Western Bank and Trust in Minot, N.D., and his wife, Carissa, co-own Hatfield Handmade, a woodworking business.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker  

Gen Z's Top 5 Financial Goals and How You Can Help

Many Gen Zers are now in their 20s, which means they're facing new financial tasks and dilemmas. Now is a great time for community banks to help these young individuals better understand and meet their financial goals.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker  

Lindsay LaNore: How to Be a Memorable Employee

December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker  

The CFPB is Planning Sweeping Changes to Small Business Lending

SPONSORED | Prepare for DFA 1071 data collection, reporting and compliance. Finastra’s SBDC module is a cloud-native solution that seamlessly integrates with Finastra’s retail lending products. Built on LaserPro’s Compliance Reporter, it streamlines small business data collection, review, and reporting.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker   Lending 
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The Year in Compliance: 6 Notable Updates for Community Banks

New guidance and proposed rules from regulatory agencies in 2024 have kept community banks on the alert for forthcoming changes to compliance processes.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker   Compliance 

Can Software Solve Your Bank's Board Management Woes?

From scheduling and information-sharing to bolstered security, board management software could smooth the bumps in the road that come with manual management processes.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker   Payments 

Tips to Better Bank Vendor Management

The more services you add for customers, the more vendors you’re likely to work with. Managing what could be hundreds of relationships calls for organization and the personal touch.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker  

How Community Banks Can Build a Better Branch

Bank branch design is more than just aesthetics. It’s what sets the tone for every customer who visits that location. These community banks have thought outside the teller line to build spaces that make room for both technology and the human touch.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker  

High Plains Bank: Making Banking Easier for Spanish Speakers

In partnership with ICBA preferred service provider Jack Henry, High Plains Bank is working to remove financial barriers and enhance the banking experience for Colorado’s large Hispanic community.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker  

Powering Potential: How ICBA Membership Cultivates a Network of Support

ICBA’s reach extends from the U.S. government all the way to the smallest member bank. We hear from two community bank leaders at Jonestown Bank & Trust Co. and Bank of Cattaraugus about how their ICBA membership has helped them further their banks’ missions, operations and customer advocacy.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker  

ICBA Expands Preferred Service Provider Agreement with Wolters Kluwer to Include BizFilings Beneficial Ownership Information Filing and OneSumX Reg Manager

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.
November 27, 2024 | Press Release  

Independent Banker: How community banks can attract Gen Z customers

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.
November 26, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

FinCEN joins public-private partnership to combat fraud and scams

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network announced that is has joined a multi-sector national task force dedicated to the prevention of fraud and scams.
November 26, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Financial Crimes Enforcement Network 

FHFA releases plans to improve housing opportunities for the underserved

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.
November 26, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Federal Housing Finance Agency 

New blog post shares insights from PSP Engagement Forum

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.
November 25, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

ICBA calls on FDIC to withdraw brokered deposit proposal

ICBA urged the FDIC to withdraw its proposed rulemaking on brokered deposits to avoid harming community banks.
November 25, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 

Fed to conduct public outreach on monetary policy review next year

The Federal Reserve announced that the 2025 periodic review of its monetary policy strategy, tools, and communications will include public outreach events.
November 25, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Federal Reserve 

ICBA LIVE registrants eligible for special drawing

Community bankers who register for ICBA LIVE 2025 by Friday, Nov. 29, will be entered into a drawing for one of three prizes.
November 22, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

CFPB finalizes rule on oversight of digital payment apps

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule to supervise the largest nonbank companies offering digital funds transfer and payment wallet apps.
November 22, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 

ICBA releases new check fraud guide

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.
November 22, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Fraud 

ICBA releases guide on contacting 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.
November 21, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Fraud 

Comments on FDIC brokered deposit rule due today

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.
November 21, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 

ThinkTECH Connect today

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.
November 21, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

Independent Banker highlights technology trends

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.
November 20, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

Treasury notes risks in cross-border payments

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.
November 20, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Department of Treasury 

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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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