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.
Consumers lose protections with credit union-bank acquisitions: NCUA official
Consumers receive fewer financial protections from tax-exempt credit unions than they do from tax-paying banks and lose protections when credit unions acquire banks, according to a top National Credit Union Administration official.
March 05, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
5 Tactics to Turbo Boost Your Marketing
It can feel impossible to keep up with shifts in social media and other digital marketing channels. Community bankers and other experts provide guidance on how you can not only keep up but also hone your tactics in a way that works for your bank and, importantly, your customers.
March 05, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
ICBA poll shows Americans support changing credit union policies
With credit union representatives meeting with members of Congress in Washington this week, ICBA today is releasing new polling data showing Americans support reforms to policies that arbitrarily favor credit unions.
March 04, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
Regulators meeting this week at Community Reinvestment Conference
Regulators meeting this week at Community Reinvestment Conference
March 04, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Agencies/Regulators
ICBA-backed bill would codify program supporting minority banks
Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) introduced ICBA-supported legislation to codify a Treasury Department program to support minority depository institutions and other community banks.
March 04, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Department of Treasury
Anne Balcer: What Have We Learned One Year After the SVB Failure?
For the past year, ICBA has remained steadfast in advocating for community banks in the wake of Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse. Here are the results of those advocacy efforts.
March 04, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Advocacy
Poll: Americans Support Changing Policies Favoring Tax-Exempt Credit Unions
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today released new polling data showing Americans support reforms to policies that arbitrarily favor credit unions.
March 01, 2024 |
Press Release
Credit Unions
CFPB issues guidance on financial comparison-shopping sites
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued guidance to law enforcement agencies and regulators explaining how companies operating comparison-shopping tools can break the law when they steer consumers to certain products or lenders because of kickbacks.
March 01, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Compliance
FHFA changes timeline for new credit score models
The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced updates to the implementation of new credit score requirements for single-family loans acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
March 01, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance Federal Housing Finance Agency
‘Pig butchering’ scams have nabbed $75B: study
A new academic paper found “pig butchering” scams—in which victims invest increasing sums in supposedly legitimate virtual currency enterprises before being conned out of their money—claimed $75 billion since January 2020.
March 01, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
Global group warns of crypto intermediary, stablecoin risks
The head of the Financial Stability Board warned of the risks posed by multifunction crypto intermediaries and stablecoins.
March 01, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
Meet Lucas White, 2024/25 ICBA Chairman and Fourth-Gen Community Banker
Lucas White, fourth-generation family banker and president of The Fountain Trust Company in Covington, Ind., will draw on his experience of the family business and beyond as he begins his term as the 2024/25 ICBA chairman.
March 01, 2024 |
Independent Banker
ICBA urging opposition to Florida credit union bill
ICBA is encouraging Florida community bankers to respond to the Florida Bankers Association’s request for phone calls opposing state legislation to expand the powers of tax-exempt credit unions.
February 29, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
Independent Banker magazine, podcast honored
ICBA’s Independent Banker magazine took home top honors in its category for this year’s Association Trends 2024 TRENDY Awards, while the Independent Banker podcast also received recognition in the best podcast category.
February 29, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Navy Federal fallout continues on Capitol Hill
The fallout of reports on discriminatory lending at Navy Federal Credit Union continued Wednesday with new congressional leaders seeking an inquiry.
February 29, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
Fed’s Bowman: CRA rule would constrain community banks
The Community Reinvestment Act final rule issued last fall is unnecessarily complex and would impose disproportionate regulatory burdens on community banks, Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman said.
February 28, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
CRA
ICBA Independent Banker Named Best Monthly Magazine by Association Trends
The Independent Community Bankers of America’s (ICBA) Independent Banker magazine took home top honors in its category for this year’s Association Trends 2024 TRENDY Awards, while the Independent Banker podcast also received recognition in the best podcast category.
February 28, 2024 |
Press Release
Barr: Fed monitoring large banks’ hedge fund risks
Large banks should be doing more to account for the counterparty risks posed by hedge funds and other nonbanks, Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr said.
February 28, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA urging outreach on new farm bill
ICBA is urging community bankers to call and write their members of Congress on the pending farm bill.
February 28, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Farm Bill
Honoring Our Past, Embracing Our Future
As ICBA Bancard transitions to ICBA Payments, reflecting on our past will help to fuel our future success. While our name has changed, the goal of serving community banks has remained a constant since ICBA’s payments subsidiary’s inception in 1985.
February 27, 2024 |
Payments Quarterly
A Renewed Commitment to Our Mission
Today’s dynamic payments landscape comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities. From deploying instant payments to enhancing the customer experience to competing with Bigtech, community banks face complex decisions about priorities amidst current fiscal realities.
February 27, 2024 |
Payments Quarterly
Bill to bar U.S. CBDC introduced in Senate
ICBA-advocated legislation that would restrict the ability of the federal government to introduce a U.S. central bank digital currency was introduced in the Senate after passing the House Financial Services Committee last fall.
February 27, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Reserve
Grassroots Alert: Time to weigh in on new farm bill
ICBA is urging community bankers to both call and write their members of Congress today on the pending farm bill using ICBA’s newest grassroots advocacy materials.
February 27, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Grassroots/Be Heard
Novel bank denied Fed master account
A novel financial institution that would pass deposits directly into a Federal Reserve master account announced it was denied access to a Fed master account.
February 27, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Reserve
What Makes a Good Manager?
Even though taking on managerial duties often comes part and parcel with a promotion, not everyone is suited to it. Here are some steps community bankers can take to successfully identify, support and train future management staff.
February 27, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Global AML watchdog warns of lagging crypto standards
The Financial Action Task Force—a global anti-money-laundering watchdog—said many countries have not implemented its recommended standards on virtual assets, allowing criminals to exploit gaps in crypto regulation.
February 26, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance Digital Assets
Treasury sanctions Russia’s national payment system
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced sanctions on nearly 300 Russian individuals and entities, including the operator of the Mir National Payment System.
February 26, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance Department of Treasury
IG: FDIC human capital challenges affecting exams
The FDIC Office of the Inspector General said strategic human capital management is the FDIC’s top challenge and is affecting the agency’s ability to conduct exams.
February 26, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Out of Office: Curtis Anderson
The executive vice president of $12.6 billion-asset Veritex Community Bank in Dallas, Texas, relives his childhood through his collection of unique vending and self-service machines from decades past.
February 26, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Hsu: Crypto industry slowing progress on supervision
Crypto industry resistance and jurisdictions competing for crypto business have held up progress on consolidated supervision of cryptoassets, Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael Hsu said.
February 23, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
ICBA urges agencies to ensure reg review provides substantive relief
ICBA called on federal banking regulators to ensure their latest regulatory review under the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act provides substantive regulatory relief for community banks—which previous reviews have failed to do.
February 23, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
EGRPRA s.2155
Jefferson: Fed must prep for economic shocks
Federal Reserve Vice Chair Philip Jefferson said policymakers should remain “vigilant and nimble” on monetary policy in case of adverse shocks to the economy.
February 23, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Reserve
Legends Bank Gives Local Charities a Real Shot
Thanks to Legends Bank, local charities have financial support to bolster their efforts. Since 2020, the $824 million-asset bank in Clarksville, Tenn., has hosted its annual Game Changer Charity Clay Shoot event to raise funds for organizations that are making a difference in the community.
February 23, 2024 |
Independent Banker
ICBA to Agencies: Latest Regulatory Review Should Provide Substantive Relief to Community Banks
The Independent Community Bankers of America today called on federal banking regulators to ensure their latest regulatory review under the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act provides substantive regulatory relief for community banks, which previous reviews under the law have failed to do.
February 22, 2024 |
Press Release
EGRPRA s.2155
Bowman: Regulators should not dictate bank strategy
The role of the Federal Reserve and other regulators in overseeing banks is not to make credit allocation decisions, but to ensure institutions manage their material risks, Fed Governor Michelle Bowman wrote in a recent essay.
February 22, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Reserve
2024 Bank Director Forum series begins April 4
Registration is open for ICBA’s Bank Directors Forums—exclusive sessions tailored for busy directors. Offered quarterly via livestream, these half-day sessions offer insights and tools to navigate the highly regulated financial services industry, with savings for those who register for all four. Register here.
February 22, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
CFTC panel to meet on crypto taxonomy
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission said its Global Markets Advisory Committee will meet next month on digital assets and other issues.
February 22, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
Member Benefits: Be Proactive With Crisis Preparedness
ICBA’s Crisis Preparedness website offers resources to help community bankers plan for and mitigate the effects of a catastrophe, whether it’s a natural disaster, a cyberattack or an in-person threat.
February 22, 2024 |
Independent Banker
ICBA Announces New ThinkTECH Accelerator Sponsors to Support Innovation in Community Banking
The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) announced three-year agreements with Fiserv, TrueNorth, Wipfli, and Ncontracts to sponsor ICBA’s acclaimed ThinkTECH Accelerator and other innovation programming.
February 21, 2024 |
Press Release
CFPB revises supervisory appeals process
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a procedural rule updating the process by which financial institutions can appeal supervisory findings.
February 21, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Fed researchers say CBDC wouldn’t disrupt U.S. dollar’s role
Federal Reserve researchers said a U.S. central bank digital currency would likely have only a marginal impact on the international role of the U.S. dollar and the role of U.S. payment systems in cross-border payments.
February 21, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Reserve
Agencies disrupt LockBit ransomware group
The U.S. and U.K. governments said they have successfully disrupted LockBit, one of the world’s most active ransomware groups.
February 21, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Cybersecurity
Final Updates to Debit Cards Rules
In October 2022, the Federal Reserve Board finalized updates to the Board’s rule for debit card transactions, which went into effect July 1, 2023. Learn about the background of this ruling and its importance for banks and their customers.
February 21, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Advocacy
Blog post highlights ICBA innovation milestones
ICBA’s Charles Potts highlighted several recent innovation milestones, including the opening of its Center for Innovation, which coincided with ThinkTECH Regulator Day on Feb. 15, and its inaugural ThinkTECH Core Day event, held earlier in the month, in a new blog post.
February 20, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
CFPB: Credit card data shows small issuers offer lower rates
A Consumer Financial Protection Bureau report on credit card data show that smaller credit card issuers have "significantly lower" median annual percentage rates than the largest 25 credit card companies.
February 20, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Barr: Larger banks face increased scrutiny in the wake of SVB
Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr said Friday that bank supervisors are increasing scrutiny for larger banks in the wake of Silicon Valley Bank’s failure due in part to large unrealized losses.
February 20, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA continues grassroots push on several bills
While Congress is out for the Presidents’ Day recess, ICBA continues calling on community bankers to use its Be Heard grassroots action center to urge lawmakers to support several pro-community bank bills.
February 20, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Grassroots/Be Heard
Charles Potts: Convening With the Spirit of More
Innovator Thomas Edison once said, “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” The message resonates, but the standout word for me is “more.” It signals the desire to not just explore a version of what has already been attempted, but also to take it to the next level.
February 20, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Payments
Sharing the Load With Participation Loans
When a bank wants to provide a loan above its lending limits, it’s time to turn to participation loans. But what are the benefits and risks involved for community banks?
February 19, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Lending
ICBA Celebrates Success of Regulator and Core Days in Advancing Community Banking Innovation
The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) recently celebrated the successful conclusion of two important events during its current ThinkTECH Accelerator cohort (AP6), Regulator Day and Core Day.
February 16, 2024 |
Press Release
Payments
Waller discounts crypto, Chinese threats to dollar dominance
Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said he does not expect the U.S. dollar to lose its status as the world's reserve currency due to challenges from cryptocurrencies and the Chinese renminbi.
February 16, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
Fed’s Bowman: Policymakers have key role in payments improvements
The pursuit of improvements in the payments system to expand access to the financial system must avoid the temptation to exclusively rely on new technology, Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman said.
February 16, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
FDIC committee on misconduct encourages outreach
More than 350 people have contacted the law firm conducting an independent review of the FDIC’s workplace culture, according to the FDIC board’s special committee overseeing the review.
February 16, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Jim Reber: The Big Chill
Might the bond market be range-bound in 2024?
February 16, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
ICBA endorses bill to coordinate beneficial ownership rulemakings
ICBA called on Congress to advance legislation to coordinate and strengthen recent Financial Crimes Enforcement Network anti-money laundering rulemakings.
February 15, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
Barr: No signs of liquidity problems in banking system
A single bank missing its revenue expectations and increasing its provisioning does not change the fact that the overall banking system is strong, Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr said.
February 15, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Vilsack testifies as farm bill questions loom
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack testified before the House Agriculture Committee as questions loom about the timing of a new farm bill.
February 15, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Agriculture
ICBA PAC auction tickets available
Tickets are available for ICBA PAC’s 35th Annual Auction Fundraiser, which is scheduled for Saturday, March 16, during ICBA LIVE in Orlando.
February 15, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
SouthState Bank Unlocks the Doors to Homeownership
The annual income required of potential homebuyers recently experienced its largest increase on record. To help more Americans get on the property ladder, SouthState Bank developed a new program to support low- to moderate-income individuals.
February 15, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Durbin announces hearing on credit card routing bill
With Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) announcing a hearing on ICBA-opposed legislation to impose credit card routing restrictions, ICBA is calling on community bankers to urge their members of Congress to oppose the bill.
February 14, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance Interchange
Independent Banker
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