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 2024 National Community Bank Service Award Recipients Recognized for Community Impact and Dedication
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today announced the winners of its 2024 National Community Bank Service Awards, recognizing the innovative and exceptional efforts of the nation’s community banks to support and uplift their local communities. Stories are featured in the September issue of ICBA's Independent Banker magazine.
September 05, 2024 |
Press Release
ICBA: Credit unions are violating the limits established by Congress
After the announcement of the 15th credit union acquisition of a community bank this year, ICBA said the acquisition trend shows credit unions have expanded beyond the limits established by Congress to justify their federal tax exemption.
September 05, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
ICBA: Proposed expansion of Fedwire/NSS operating hours not necessary
ICBA said the Federal Reserve’s proposed expansion of Fedwire Funds Service and National Settlement Service hours to 22 hours per day, seven days a week would place significant burdens on community banks for what is likely to be a low volume of transactions.
September 05, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Reserve
3 Major Community Bank Compliance Challenges (and Solutions)
The regulatory compliance burden is a big and growing consideration for community banks. Thankfully, there are plenty of techniques and resources for keeping on top of this ever-changing task.
September 05, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Compliance
CNBC features opposition to credit union acquisitions of community banks
ICBA’s campaign spotlighting credit union tax and regulatory inequities generated new coverage this week with a CNBC segment on acquisitions of community banks.
September 04, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
Latest Acquisition of Tax-paying Community Bank Comes Amid Increased Attention to Credit Union Tax Exemption
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey today issued the following statement after this year’s 15th acquisition of a tax-paying bank by a tax-exempt credit union.
September 04, 2024 |
Press Release
Credit Unions
ICBA Supports Acting Comptroller Michael Hsu’s Remarks on Supervising the Largest Banks
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey today issued the following statement on Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael Hsu’s remarks on evolving bank supervision.
September 04, 2024 |
Press Release
OCC’s Hsu: Supervision must contend with more large banks
Supervision must adapt to the growth of the largest banks, Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael Hsu said.
September 04, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
FBI: North Korea targeting crypto industry
According to an FBI alert, teams of North Korean malicious cyber actors are targeting specific decentralized finance or cryptocurrency-related businesses with social engineering to gain unauthorized access to the companies’ networks to deploy malware and steal cryptocurrency.
September 04, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
Jenna Burke: The Supreme Court of the United States Is Reshaping Administrative Law
Three recent SCOTUS decisions could affect the community banking sector.
September 04, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Advocacy
ICBA urges CFPB to simplify rule on earned wage access products
ICBA told the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that its proposed interpretive rule on “earned wage access” products defines “debt” too broadly.
September 03, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
ICBA appealing court ruling on CFPB’s 1071 rule
Following a district court decision denying ICBA’s lawsuit challenging the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s 1071 small-business rule, ICBA is now appealing the ruling.
September 03, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
FDIC publishes CRA exam schedules
The FDIC issued the lists of institutions scheduled for a Community Reinvestment Act examination during the fourth quarter of 2024 and first quarter of 2025.
September 03, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
2024 National Community Bank Service Awards
Phelps County Bank in Rolla, Mo., and Woodsboro Bank in Woodsboro, Md., know their deep community roots require continual tending. That’s why their outstanding charitable work has earned them recognition as ICBA’s 2024 National Community
Bank Service Award winners.
September 03, 2024 |
Independent Banker
2024 Summer Internship Diaries - Vol. 1
Last week, we began our internship program here at ICBA. Starting a new position is an exciting time, but it comes with unique challenges that we must face together. The first week is critical, where we learn, work, and create with others for the first time.
September 01, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA recognizes National Preparedness Month
ICBA recognized National Preparedness Month in September by issuing tips to help Americans secure their financial documents before disaster strikes.
August 30, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Crisis Preparedness
Banking regulators update IT Examination Handbook
The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council issued the Development, Acquisition, and Maintenance booklet as part of its Information Technology Examination Handbook.
August 30, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Agencies sunsetting Cybersecurity Assessment Tool
Federal banking regulators said they are sunsetting the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council the Cybersecurity Assessment Tool on Aug. 31, 2025.
August 30, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA Shares Financial Preparedness Tips for Consumers as National Preparedness Month Approaches
With National Preparedness Month scheduled for September, the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) and the nation’s community banks urge consumers to take essential steps to bolster their financial readiness. In 2024 alone, there have been 19 confirmed weather and climate disaster events in the United States, devastating families and costing billions in damages.
August 29, 2024 |
Press Release
ICBA: Bill targeting financial fraud would increase scams
ICBA and other groups told members of Congress that their legislation to shift liability for authorized transactions to financial institutions would increase scams.
August 29, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Fraud
Fed’s Waller: Domestic networks for fast payments need to be developed before international links
Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said global networks for fast payments would have to be founded on well-developed domestic networks or it “could end up being a road to nowhere.”
August 29, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Reserve
CISA warns of Iran-based ransomware attacks
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the FBI and the Department of Defense issued a joint advisory that warns of cyber actors known as Pioneer Kitten, UNC757, Parisite, Rubidium, and Lemon Sandstorm are targeting and exploiting U.S. and foreign organizations across multiple sectors.
August 29, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Cybersecurity
CFPB report: Retail chains charging cash-back fees to customers using debit cards
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a report that said Americans are paying tens of millions of dollars in fees to access their own money when getting cash back at large retail stores when making a purchase with a debit or prepaid card.
August 28, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
ICBA: Credit union buying stadium naming rights highlights tax inequity
ICBA said that a credit union paying for NFL stadium naming rights is the latest example of how credit unions are violating the limits established by Congress to justify their federal tax exemption.
August 28, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
FinCEN: Financial institutions should remain vigilant to transactions associated with synthetic opioids
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network reminded financial institutions to monitor for and report suspicious transactional activity related to the illicit fentanyl supply chain and the trafficking of illicit fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.
August 28, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
CFPB releases beta test of small business lending platform
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced the availability of the beta platform for the small business lending data collection rule pursuant to section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act.
August 27, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
SEC files charges against crypto firm
The Securities and Exchange Commission announced that it filed charges against a “crypto bank” that claimed depositors could earn returns “auto-magically.”
August 27, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
ICBA: Washington Commanders Stadium Naming Rights Deal Illustrates What Is Wrong with Credit Union Policy
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey today issued the following statement on today’s announcement from Northwest Federal Credit Union and the Washington Commanders.
August 27, 2024 |
Press Release
Credit Unions
ICBA will continue the fight after court denies motion challenging 1071 rule
ICBA will continue fighting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s 1071 small-business rule after a U.S. District Court denied ICBA’s legal challenge to the agency’s rulemaking.
August 27, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Ease Reporting with Automation
Routine reporting can be time- and paper-intensive—but automation can take mundane tasks off your team’s plate and create all kinds of other efficiencies.
August 27, 2024 |
Independent Banker
ICBA LIVE 2025 registration is open
Registration is open for ICBA LIVE 2025, slated for March 11-14 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville.
August 26, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Community bank CFOs: It’s about managing your margin
Even as rates stay higher and competition for deposits remains strong, fueling margin pressure, community bank chief financial officers don’t see impending doom and focus instead on increasing other areas of income, according to the latest Independent Banker.
August 26, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Fed Chair: Dialing back policy restraint will bring down inflation
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said “with an appropriate dialing back of policy restraint, there is good reason to think that the economy will get back to 2% inflation while maintaining a strong labor market.”
August 26, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Reserve
Out of Office: Ben Nelson
The senior vice president of residential mortgage lending at $3.1 billion‑asset D.L. Evans Bank in Burley, Idaho, found community theater in 2017 after taking on an acting role alongside his daughter.
August 26, 2024 |
Independent Banker
ICBA LIVE 2025 registration is open
Registration is open for ICBA LIVE 2025, slated for March 11-14 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville.
August 23, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
FHFA proposes housing goals for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
The Federal Housing Finance Agency issued a proposed rule on the housing goals for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) for 2025-27.
August 23, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Housing Finance Agency
Q3 community bank briefing in September
ICBA is hosting a complimentary community bank briefing on key congressional and regulatory developments.
August 23, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Members Tee Up at ICBA PAC's 19th Annual Golf Classic
On June 17, the ICBA political action committee (PAC) hosted its 19th Annual Golf Classic at the Minneapolis Golf Club in St. Louis Park, Minn.
August 23, 2024 |
Independent Banker
ICBA asks FDIC to withdraw brokered deposits proposal
ICBA and 10 industry associations requested that the FDIC withdraw its proposed rulemaking relating to brokered deposit restrictions. If the FDIC does not withdraw the proposed rule, the associations requested that the FDIC publish its brokered deposits data and extend the comment period by 60 days.
August 22, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA requests extended comment period for RFI on deposits
ICBA and 10 industry associations requested that the FDIC extend by 60 days the comment period for its request for information on deposits. The comment deadline is currently October 7, 2024.
August 22, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
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
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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