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.
ICBA: Record-tying credit union acquisition comes amid increased scrutiny
Following this year’s 16th credit union acquisition of a community bank — which ties the record for most in a single year — ICBA continued its call for Congress to investigate credit union policies.
September 25, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
United Bank Helps a Plant Nursery Grow
As of 2024, United Bank in Atmore, Ala., has worked with Slay’s Nursery in nearby Elberta, Ala., for two decades, having helped its owners launch and grow their nursery and gardening store.
September 25, 2024 |
Independent Banker
ICBA files appellate brief in CRA rule legal challenge
ICBA and other groups filed an appellate brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit as part of their legal challenge to federal banking regulators’ Community Reinvestment Act final rule.
September 24, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance CRA
Another Community Bank Acquisition by Tax-Exempt Credit Union as Policymakers and Taxpayers Increase Scrutiny
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey today issued the following statement after this year’s 16th acquisition of a tax-paying bank by a tax-exempt credit union.
September 24, 2024 |
Press Release
Credit Unions
Survey shows rise in sophisticated fraud tactics
Sixty-two percent of institutions reported a rise in sophisticated fraud tactics, according to a new survey by the Center for Payments, Nacha, and ICBA.
September 24, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Fraud
ICBA continues urging participation in EGRPRA review
ICBA recently issued a guide to help community bankers participate in the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act review process launched by banking regulators this year.
September 24, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Agencies/Regulators
Powering Potential: Strengthening Community Banking State by State
ICBA’s links with state banking associations help shape organizational growth and drive powerful collaborations.
September 24, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Advocacy
ICBA briefing today ahead of EGRPRA outreach meeting
With the federal banking agencies hosting a virtual outreach meeting this week under their latest Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act review, ICBA is hosting a briefing at 1 p.m. (Eastern time) today for bankers delivering oral comments.
September 23, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Agencies/Regulators
ICBA files appellate brief in CRA rule legal challenge
ICBA and other groups filed an appellate brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit as part of their legal challenge to federal banking regulators’ Community Reinvestment Act final rule.
September 23, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
CRA
CFPB proposes amendment to remittance transfer rule
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a proposed rule with an amendment to disclosure requirements for certain international money transfers.
September 23, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Compliance
5 Ways to Make a Good Digital Impression on Your Bank Website
A website isn’t just for location, hours and product information. It’s often a prospective customer’s first view of your community bank. Here’s how to tell your bank’s story online in an engaging and compelling way.
September 23, 2024 |
Independent Banker
FinCEN publishes beneficial ownership toolkit
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network published a toolkit for small-business owners with beneficial ownership reporting requirements.
September 20, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
Independent Banker breaks down instant payment adoption
The latest Independent Banker magazine details community banks’ uptake of instant payment systems such as FedNow and Real-Time Payments.
September 20, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA urging community banker participation in EGRPRA review
ICBA recently issued a guide to help community bankers participate in the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act review process launched by banking regulators this year.
September 20, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Charles Potts: How Fintech Relationships Can Lessen Compliance Burdens
What bank compliance benefits can fintechs provide?
September 20, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Payments
CFPB releases FAQs on ‘buy now, pay later’ products
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released frequently asked questions to help industry participants understand, implement, and comply with the requirements in Regulation Z for “buy now, pay later” products.
September 19, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Compliance
Fed cuts rates by 50 basis points
The Federal Open Market Committee voted to cut target interest rates by 50 basis points due to improved confidence that inflation is moving sustainably toward its 2% goal.
September 19, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Reserve
ICBA testifies before Congress on community bank support for small business
ICBA Rural America and Agriculture Committee Chairman Gus Barker told Congress that community banks have served rural America well for decades and play a vital role in the economic prosperity of small businesses, farms, and families in thousands of local communities.
September 19, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Agriculture
ICBA urges policymakers to take on crypto scams, improve information sharing
The persistent growth of romance confidence scams emphasizes the urgent need for policymakers to prioritize national security, counter illicit finance uses of cryptocurrency, and improve information sharing with community banks, ICBA told Congress.
September 19, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
Is Your Community Bank Ahead of the Pack on Instant Payments?
Whether it’s through RTP or FedNow, many community banks are still exploring how instant payments rails can fulfill the needs of and benefit their customers.
September 19, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Payments
Following ICBA advocacy, FDIC includes credit unions in merger guidance
As advocated by ICBA, the FDIC approved a new statement of policy on bank mergers that for the first time explicitly states that additional scrutiny may be needed for deals involving tax-exempt credit unions.
September 18, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
CFPB: Banks need to keep proof of consent for certain overdraft fees
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a circular that says a financial institution violates the Electronic Fund Transfer Act and Regulation E if “there is no proof that it has obtained consumers’ affirmative consent before levying overdraft fees for ATM and one-time debit card transactions.”
September 18, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Compliance
OCC approves separate rule, guidance on bank mergers
The OCC approved a final rule updating its regulations for business combinations involving national banks and federal savings associations and a policy statement clarifying its review of applications under the Bank Merger Act.
September 18, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
DOJ rescinds bank merger guidelines in favor of generic standards
The Justice Department announced that it is withdrawing its 1995 bank merger guidelines, saying its 2023 merger guidelines for all industries will be its sole and authoritative policy.
September 18, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Michael Benedict: Too Much of a Good Thing?
Balance is key when it comes to capital and profitability.
September 18, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
Private-sector companies join tokenization project
More than 40 private-sector companies will join a group of central banks in Project Agorá, which will explore how tokenization and a wholesale central bank digital currency could enhance cross-border payments.
September 17, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
As FDIC Includes Credit Unions in Merger Statement Following ICBA Advocacy, Most Americans Support Investigation of Credit Union Bank Acquisitions
Thanks to Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) advocacy, the FDIC today approved a new statement of policy on bank mergers that for the first time explicitly states that additional scrutiny may be needed for deals involving tax-exempt credit unions.
September 17, 2024 |
Press Release
Credit Unions
ICBA testifying this week on supporting rural businesses
ICBA Rural America and Agriculture Committee Chairman Gus Barker is scheduled to testify before Congress this week on streamlining and coordinating support for rural small businesses.
September 17, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Congressional Matters
FinCEN to small businesses: Don’t wait to file beneficial owner reports
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network called on small businesses to begin filing initial beneficial ownership reports under the Corporate Transparency Act.
September 17, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Endeavor Bank Turns Business Banking into a Conversation
Endeavor Bank’s consultative banking model boosts business banking with tailored meetings, onboarding roadmaps and community connections.
September 17, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Tips For Sending Transactions Over The FedNow® Service
SPONSORED | By enabling customers to send instant payments via the FedNow® Service versus only receive, banks can gain a faster, stronger ROI. Find out how and get tips on ways you can take a measured approach to offering this capability.
September 17, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Payments
ICBA releases EGRPRA guide for community banker outreach
ICBA issued a guide to help community bankers participate in the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act review process launched by banking regulators this year.
September 16, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
EGRPRA s.2155
FDIC board meeting tomorrow on custodial deposits, mergers
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York releases its Empire State manufacturing survey for September at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern time).
September 16, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Agencies announce ICBA-requested comment extension on bank-fintech arrangements
Federal banking regulators extended until Oct. 30 the comment period on a request for information on bank-fintech arrangements.
September 16, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Fintech Regulation
Lindsay LaNore: The 5 Ws of Goal Setting
How can you effectively set attainable goals?
September 16, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Treasury sanctions Cambodian scam centers
The Treasury Department sanctioned Cambodian businessman Ly Yong Phat, L.Y.P. Group Co., and O‑Smach Resort for their role in human rights abuse related to the treatment of trafficked workers subjected to forced labor in online scam centers.
September 13, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Department of Treasury
House committee chair calls for interview with Gruenberg
House Financial Services Committee Chairman Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) called for a transcribed interview with FDIC Chairman Martin Gruenberg after Gruenberg refused to testify at a planned hearing on FDIC workplace misconduct.
September 13, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Independent Banker details SCOTUS decisions affecting community banking
The latest Independent Banker magazine spotlights three Supreme Court decisions that may curb the administrators that oversee community banks.
September 13, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
How Community Banks Can Nurture Relationships With Next-Gen Customers
With the “great wealth transfer” approaching, now’s the time for community banks to plan with individuals passing on their generational wealth and to connect with those who will receive it.
September 13, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Poll shows growing demands for credit union policy reform
ICBA released new polling data showing Americans are growing increasingly uneasy with credit unions’ regulatory exemptions and support reforms to policies that arbitrarily favor these tax-exempt financial firms.
September 12, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
Today is deadline to file claims for Wawa data security incident
Today is the deadline for financial institutions to file claims in a settlement between financial institutions (including community banks) and Wawa arising out of a 2019 data security incident at the company.
September 12, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Security
ICBA advocacy briefing next week
ICBA next week is hosting a complimentary community bank briefing on key congressional and regulatory developments.
September 12, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Umpqua Bank Supports Affordable Housing Initiatives
Umpqua Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines recently partnered to award $160,000 in grant money to 13 affordable housing nonprofits in Oregon.
September 12, 2024 |
Independent Banker
FDIC board meeting on custodial deposit accounts, bank mergers
The FDIC board of directors scheduled a meeting for next week on a notice of proposed rulemaking on custodial deposit accounts with transaction features and to issue a final statement of policy on bank merger transactions.
September 11, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA: Nonbank payments firms benefit from regulatory imbalance
ICBA said it agrees with a Financial Stability Board report that nonbank service providers involved in cross-border payments are not subject to the same regulatory scrutiny as banks.
September 11, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Poll: Growing Majority of Americans Demand Equal Consumer Protections for Credit Union Customers
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today released new polling data showing Americans are growing increasingly uneasy with credit unions’ regulatory exemptions and support reforms to policies that arbitrarily favor these tax-exempt financial firms.
September 11, 2024 |
Press Release
Credit Unions
ICBA: Credit unions shouldn’t use Wall Street to acquire community banks
ICBA called on the National Credit Union Administration to bar tax-exempt credit unions from using funds raised from Wall Street investors to finance acquisitions of tax-paying community banks.
September 11, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
Lucas White: Tenacity for the Regulatory Win
Going to Washington, writing letters and sharing our stories are our only opportunities to affect the rules we operate under. If we don’t tell our story, no one else will.
September 11, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Advocacy
ICBA: Policymakers Should Bar Credit Unions from Using Wall Street Funds to Acquire Community Banks
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today called on the National Credit Union Administration to bar tax-exempt credit unions from using funds raised from Wall Street investors to finance acquisitions of tax-paying community banks.
September 10, 2024 |
Press Release
Credit Unions
Mitigating Instant Payments Risk to Reap Rewards
Today’s fraud attacks don’t seek out a faster transaction; they look for a chink in the armor and the path of least resistance. That’s why I’m a big believer in cross-channel fraud detection. In this landscape, we must look at a customer and their transactional behavior across platforms, using it as a comparison to identify out-of-character actions and payments.
September 10, 2024 |
Payments Quarterly
ICBA, groups urge Congress to advance farm bill this year
ICBA and other agricultural stakeholders called on Congress to advance a meaningful farm bill in 2024 that addresses worsening conditions in farm country.
September 10, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Farm Bill
FBI: Crypto fraud complaints rise 45% in 2023
The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center said it received more than 69,000 complaints from the public regarding financial fraud involving the use of cryptocurrency last year.
September 10, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
FinCEN: Banks lead in reporting mail-related check fraud
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network said it received more than 15,000 reports from financial institutions on mail theft-related check fraud in the six months after it issued an alert on the issue last year.
September 10, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
Community Banks Support Ag Lending, Rain or Shine
Farming is never without its ups and downs, but whatever the weather, ag-focused community banks are there for farmers.
September 10, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Lending
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Leveling the Playing Field
At the end of the day, it’s the customer who will ultimately pay the price if unbalanced regulations are allowed to continue.
September 09, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Agencies issue guidance on Cybersecurity Assessment Tool sunsetting
The FDIC and OCC issued bulletins on last week’s interagency announcement that regulators are sunsetting the Cybersecurity Assessment Tool on Aug. 31, 2025.
September 06, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
CFPB targets rental, medical debt in latest report
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued its annual report to Congress on debt collection, which focuses on medical debt and rental debt.
September 06, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Compliance
ICBA honors National Community Bank Service Award recipients
ICBA announced the winners of the 2024 National Community Bank Service Awards in recognition of the creative and exemplary efforts of the nation’s community banks to help their local communities.
September 06, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
How Bigger Community Banks Maintain a Local Feel
It’s in the name—community banks are all about building community. So, when they expand into other markets, how do they continue to make the authentic connections they’re known for? Four growing banks share how they made a name for themselves after opening new branches.
September 06, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
ICBA: AML/CFT modernization should not expand reg burden
ICBA told the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network that its proposed rule to update anti-money-laundering and countering-the-financing-of-terrorism programs would create additional burdens on banks without benefitting FinCEN’s efforts to reduce financial crimes.
September 05, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
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