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.
FDIC nominee: Community banks are the lifeblood of many communities
The Biden administration’s nominee for FDIC chair—Christy Goldsmith Romero—told Congress she gained a great appreciation for community banks during her time at the Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program.
July 12, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Input on FHLBank system mission review due Monday
Monday is the deadline for community bankers and others to submit comments on the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s request for input on the mission of the Federal Home Loan Bank System.
July 12, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
FHLB Federal Housing Finance Agency
FHFA releases VantageScore 4.0 credit scores
The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are making historical VantageScore 4.0 credit scores available to approved users to support the transition to updated credit score and credit report requirements.
July 12, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Secondary Mortgage Market Secondary Mortgage Market Federal Housing Finance Agency
Lindsay LaNore: Practical Tips for Knowledge Transfer
When community bankers with decades of experience retire, they take with them a precious commodity: their knowledge. But it doesn’t have to be that way. By being purposeful and deliberate about knowledge transfer, a bank can minimize disruption and confusion, while also creating a culture of mentorship and learning.
July 12, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Advocacy
CFPB proposes mortgage servicing rule
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a proposed rule to amend mortgage servicing rules under Regulation X.
July 11, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Megabank group urges IG to investigate community bank assessment exemption
The Bank Policy Institute called on the FDIC Office of the Inspector General to investigate the FDIC’s recent special assessment, which exempted the vast majority of community banks.
July 11, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Comptroller lauds ICBA’s check fraud efforts
Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael Hsu highlighted the formation of ICBA’s Check Fraud Task Force as an important step in addressing financial fraud.
July 11, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Checks Fraud
Keeping in Line With Equal Lending Practices
Regulators continue to crack down on unfair lending practices and redlining.
July 11, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Compliance Lending
CFPB says it will consider eliminating credit card late fee safe harbor
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said it plans to assess whether to eliminate the credit card late fee safe harbor under Regulation Z.
July 10, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Compliance Credit Cards
Fed’s Powell: Regulators should issue new Basel III Endgame proposal
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell told Congress that regulators should issue a revised Basel III Endgame proposal.
July 10, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Bowman: Banks well-positioned to support financial inclusion
The U.S. banking system is well-positioned to bring consumers into the financial mainstream by providing innovative solutions to meet their credit needs, Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman said.
July 10, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Rockland Trust Turns Small Business Dreams Into Reality
Through its annual Small Business, Big Dreams contest, Rockland Trust offers small businesses a chance to win up to $20,000 in funding.
July 10, 2024 |
Independent Banker
FinCEN updates beneficial ownership FAQs
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network updated its beneficial ownership information frequently asked questions to include responses to questions about entities that have ceased to exist.
July 09, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
NCUA budgets far fewer exam hours than FDIC: inspector general
Credit unions have a much easier time with exams, according to a report by the National Credit Union Administration’s inspector general.
July 09, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Grassroots/Be Heard Credit Unions
Treasury proposes expanded jurisdiction over transactions near military installations
The Treasury Department proposed a rule to add military installations across 30 states to its jurisdiction over transactions by foreign persons in the U.S., following President Joe Biden’s ban of a Chinese cryptocurrency mining facility within a mile of Francis E. Warren Air Force Base.
July 09, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Department of Treasury Digital Assets
Lucas White: Showing Pride In Independence
We need to hold onto our independence at all costs. At the same time, we must continue to look for opportunities to level the playing field.
July 09, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Advocacy
Independent Banker spotlights importance of change management
As new technologies and solutions ebb and flow, change-management strategies are critical to ensure community bank success, according to the latest Independent Banker.
July 08, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Fed to Congress: No rate cut until inflation comes down
The Federal Reserve does not plan to reduce target interest rates until inflation comes down more, according to its latest Monetary Policy Report to Congress.
July 08, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Inflation
Senate hearing this week on FDIC chair nomination
Senate hearing this week on FDIC chair nomination
July 08, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator Showcase Hosted at Graduate School of Banking at Colorado
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) announced its upcoming ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator program Showcase will take place at the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado (GSBC). The showcase, which marks the culmination of the latest Accelerator program (AP7), is part of ICBA’s commitment to fostering collaborative community bank-fintech partnerships that reflect current market dynamics and future customer needs.
July 08, 2024 |
Press Release
How To Drive Auto Loan Opportunities
By working with local car dealers and using new lending technology, community banks can boost their presence in the auto lending sector.
July 08, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Lending
ICBA to CISA: Exempt community banks from cyber reporting proposal
ICBA called on the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to exempt community banks from new cyber reporting rules.
July 05, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
Basel Committee moves forward on crypto standards
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision announced that it has reviewed the comments on its proposed crypto asset exposure disclosure and amendments to its standard on banks’ exposure to crypto assets.
July 05, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
Best Community Banks to Work For nominations due today
Nominations for Independent Banker magazine’s 2024 Best Community Banks to Work For awards are due today. Eligible community banks must submit nominations by 11:59 p.m. (Eastern time).
July 05, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Connected As Independent Community Banks
It’s up to us [community bankers] to amplify our voices far and wide and make sure the leaders of this nation pay attention.
July 05, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Advocacy
The Importance of Change Management at Community Banks
As new technology and solutions ebb and flow, community bankers have to manage the change that comes with them. While change can be hard, offering a hand and lending an ear can ease the transition.
July 04, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
ICBA: FinCEN underestimates suspicious activity reporting burden
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network underestimates the amount of time and resources community banks dedicate to reporting suspicious activity, ICBA told the agency.
July 03, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
CISA adds cyberattack vulnerability to catalog
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency added the Cisco NX-OS Command Injection Vulnerability to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog.
July 03, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Cybersecurity
CFPB spotlights violations from recent exams
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said that its recent examinations revealed unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts at companies servicing auto loan and student loans; Fair Debt Collection Practices Act violations by debt collectors; and issues with medical payment products.
July 03, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Compliance
ICBA Independent Banker Recognizes Community Banks in Top Lenders List
Independent Banker magazine, the award-winning monthly publication of the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA), has announced its 2024 Top Lenders. This accolade recognizes outstanding agriculture, commercial, and consumer and mortgage loan producers across three asset size categories.
July 03, 2024 |
Press Release
Technology
Maximize Your Community Bank's Digital Experience
A high-functioning digital platform is no longer an added perk for bank customers—it’s the standard. That’s why these community banks made the jump and revamped their digital experiences to meet the needs of a wider customer base.
July 03, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Payments Growing the Community
Independent Banker showcases top lenders of 2024
This month’s Independent Banker magazine recognizes the top lenders of 2024, the top community bank loan producers based on 2023 FDIC data.
July 02, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA: Government Underestimates Suspicious Activity Reporting Burden
The federal government underestimates the amount of time and resources community banks dedicate to reporting suspicious activity, the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) told the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.
July 02, 2024 |
Press Release
BSA/AML
Op-ed: Credit unions unfairly using tax breaks
Large credit unions are using the savings from their federal tax exemption to acquire taxpaying community banks at an alarming rate, Mississippi Bankers Association President and CEO Gordon Fellows writes in a new op-ed.
July 02, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
Agencies release updated mortgage survey data
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Federal Housing Finance Agency published updated loan-level data collected through the National Survey of Mortgage Originations.
July 02, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Kianga Lee and Michael Emancipator: MDI and CDFI Designations Elevate Community Banks' Influence
A Treasury Department report shows the positive effect minority depository institutions and community development financial institutions have on their served markets. Does your community bank qualify for certification?
July 02, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Advocacy
Who are ICBA's Top Lenders of 2024?
Whether it’s navigating tumultuous markets or providing employees with remote work options, flexibility is a key component in the success of this year’s ICBA top lenders. These community banks have stepped up to thoughtfully support customers’ goals from application to completion.
July 01, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Lending
ICBA Services Network Appoints Ohio Community Banker as New Chairman
ICBA Services Network, the business-services subsidiary of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), today announced the election of Shon Myers, chairman, president and CEO of Farmers & Merchants Bank in Miamisburg, Ohio, as chairman of the board of directors.
June 28, 2024 |
Press Release
Fed’s Bowman cites concerns with credit union bank acquisitions
Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman raised concerns with credit union acquisitions of banks, noting the tax-exempt financial firms are exempt from the Community Reinvestment Act.
June 28, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA urges senators to co-sponsor bill to close ILC loophole
ICBA urged senators to co-sponsor ICBA-advocated legislation to permanently close the industrial loan company loophole.
June 28, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Grassroots/Be Heard
Data privacy bill markup canceled
The House Energy and Commerce Committee canceled the scheduled markup of the American Privacy Rights Act following concerns about the bill.
June 28, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Climate
GM withdraws ILC charter application
General Motors withdrew its ICBA-opposed application for deposit insurance, suspending its bid to form an industrial loan company.
June 27, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Sen. Stabenow: It’s time to pass a farm bill
Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) called for negotiations on the next farm bill.
June 27, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Farm Bill
Fed’s Bowman recommends Basel III Endgame changes
Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman said she sees a path forward for implementing proposed Basel III Endgame capital rules that addresses concerns with their effectiveness and efficiency.
June 27, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Could Freelancers Solve Your Bank's Staffing Problems?
During staff shortages, leaves and short-term projects, freelancers can fulfill the needs of your community bank in a variety of areas and concentrations—but there are risk-management considerations to be aware of.
June 27, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Compliance
New ICBA podcast on check fraud
The latest episode of ICBA’s “Independent Banker” podcast, sponsored by FIS, discusses why check fraud has become such a problem.
June 26, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
CFPB extends compliance dates for 1071 rule
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued an interim final rule to extend compliance deadlines for its 1071 small-business rule following a Supreme Court ruling that ended a temporary injunction on the rule.
June 26, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Compliance
Credit Analyst Institute heads to Texas
ICBA's Credit Analyst Institute, scheduled for Aug. 11-14 in Grapevine, Texas., will examine the evolving role of the credit analyst and dive into the intricacies of financial analysis, business risk, legal liability, and customer relationship needs.
June 26, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Out of Office: Mark Jones
The president and CEO of $1.3 billion-asset Saco & Biddeford Savings Bank in Saco, Maine, lives to capture the moment through photography—not only as an outlet for his creativity but also as a way to support his community.
June 26, 2024 |
Independent Banker
ICBA opposes Freddie Mac pilot to purchase second mortgages
ICBA announced its opposition to the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s conditional approval of Freddie Mac’s proposal to engage in a pilot program to purchase certain single-family closed-end second mortgages.
June 25, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Housing Finance Agency
Q2 Community Bank Briefing on Thursday
ICBA this week is hosting a complimentary community bank briefing on key congressional and regulatory developments.
June 25, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Treasury announces push to lower housing costs
The Treasury Department announced initiatives to increase the supply of housing.
June 25, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Department of Treasury
KS Bank Invests in Tomorrow's Bankers
Last summer, $613 million-asset KS Bank of Smithfield, N.C., partnered with the Career and Technical Education center at Johnston County Public Schools to hire its first summer intern via the JoCo Works Now internship program.
June 25, 2024 |
Independent Banker
ICBA opposes approval of new industrial loan company
Following the FDIC’s approval of the formation of Thrivent Bank, a new industrial loan company based in Utah, ICBA reiterated its strong opposition to the ILC loophole.
June 24, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
ICBA Opposes Approval of Freddie Mac Plan to Enter Market Already Well Served by Private-Sector Community Banks
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s conditional approval of Freddie Mac’s proposal to engage in a pilot program to purchase certain single-family closed-end second mortgages.
June 24, 2024 |
Press Release
Federal Housing Finance Agency
CDFI Fund extends deadlines for certification application
The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund extended the application deadlines outlining when current CDFIs must reapply for CDFI certification using the revised version of the application.
June 24, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
CDFI
Fed issues ICBA-requested extension on Fedwire comment period
The Federal Reserve extended until Sept. 6 the comment period on its proposal to expand Fedwire Funds Service and National Settlement Services operating hours. Comments on the proposal were originally due by July 8.
June 24, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Powering Potential: Start Planning for the August Recess
In August, your member of Congress will be back in your district looking for things to do. Help them fill their schedule with a visit to your bank.
June 24, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Advocacy
ICBA Opposes FDIC Approval of Industrial Loan Company Application
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on today’s Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. approval of the formation of Thrivent Bank, a new industrial loan company, or ILC.
June 21, 2024 |
Press Release
ICBA Payments Appoints Three New Members to its Board of Directors
ICBA Payments, the payments-services subsidiary of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), today announced the election to its board of directors of Jack A. Hartings, chairman of the Peoples Bank Co., in Coldwater, Ohio; Kraig Lounsberry, president and CEO of the Community Bankers Association of Illinois; and Andrew Silsby, president and CEO of Kennebec Savings Bank in Kennebec, Maine.
June 21, 2024 |
Press Release
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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