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 Opens Center for Innovation in Atlanta
The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) today announced the opening of the new ICBA Center for Innovation in Atlanta, establishing a permanent home for its world-class community bank innovation initiatives.
February 14, 2024 |
Press Release
Technology Fintech Innovation
ICBA seeking referrals for seventh ThinkTECH Accelerator
ICBA is now accepting applications for its seventh ThinkTECH Accelerator program, which promotes growth-stage companies that serve or wish to serve community banks and their customers.
February 14, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Payments
FinCEN proposes BSA standards for investment advisers
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued a proposed rule to add investment advisers to the list of businesses classified as “financial institutions” under the Bank Secrecy Act.
February 14, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
BSA/AML Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
ICBA supports bill to coordinate FinCEN rulemakings
ICBA today is calling on Congress to advance legislation to coordinate and strengthen recent Financial Crimes Enforcement Network anti-money laundering rulemakings.
February 14, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Fintech Regulation
Lindsay LaNore: Developing Drive
Drive. It’s a quality we all need and a characteristic we look for when hiring new employees, considering who to promote and identifying leaders within the bank. Yet, it’s often elusive.
February 14, 2024 |
Independent Banker
ICBA seeking referrals for seventh ThinkTECH Accelerator
ICBA is now accepting applications for its seventh ThinkTECH Accelerator program, which promotes growth-stage companies that serve or wish to serve community banks and their customers.
February 13, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Op-ed: Credit union CRA exemption helped sink Navy Federal
Had Navy Federal Credit Union been subject to the Community Reinvestment Act, it might have avoided reputation disaster with reports of its discriminatory lending, according to a new op-ed.
February 13, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
Agency council issues exam principles on valuation discrimination
The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council issued a statement of principles related to valuation discrimination and bias for member agencies to consider when examining financial institutions.
February 13, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
FFIEC Compliance
Fed’s Bowman urges fair rules for community banks
Fairness for community banks often appears to be a non-factor when considering which proposals make the regulatory agenda, Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman said.
February 13, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Schooling Customers on Student Loan Fraud
With student loan payments recently unpaused, cybercriminals have new ways of scamming banks and their customers. Here’s what community banks and their customers need to know.
February 13, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Compliance Growing the Community
ICBA, state groups to FDIC: Withdraw corporate governance proposal
ICBA and state community banking associations expressed strong opposition to the FDIC’s proposed corporate governance and risk management guidelines for covered institutions with $10 billion or more in assets.
February 12, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
ICBA continues grassroots push on several bills
ICBA is calling on community bankers to use its Be Heard grassroots action center to urge Congress to support several pro-community bank bills.
February 12, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Grassroots/Be Heard
ICBA files protest of largest-ever credit union bank acquisition
ICBA filed a Community Reinvestment Act protest in the acquisition of First Financial Northwest Bank in Renton, Wash., by Global Credit Union of Anchorage, Alaska. If approved, it would be the largest credit union acquisition of a community bank.
February 12, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
CRA Credit Unions
ICBA, groups urge VA to streamline home loan program
ICBA and other groups called on the Department of Veterans Affairs to align the minimum property requirements under its Home Loan Guaranty Program with the standards established by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
February 12, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Secondary Mortgage Market Secondary Mortgage Market
Welcome Our Newest Field Rep, Ayana Bass-Myers
Please join us in welcoming our newest field rep, Ayana Bass-Myers. Ayana will be serving Maryland, Delaware, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
February 12, 2024 |
News
Countybank's Half-Century of Charitable Giving
In a show of unwavering support, Countybank founded the Countybank Foundation more than 50 years ago to fulfill its mission to improve every community it serves.
February 12, 2024 |
Independent Banker
ICBA-advocated ‘trigger leads’ bill introduced in House
The House version of bipartisan legislation designed to help protect the financial privacy of mortgage applicants was introduced Thursday.
February 09, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Congressional Matters
ICBA continues hearing push following latest credit union acquisition
ICBA continued its calls for Congress to investigate credit union acquisitions of tax-paying community banks following another new acquisition.
February 09, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
USDA projects ag income decline amid farm bill talks
The USDA is projecting further sharp declines in farm-sector income in 2024, which could have implications for ongoing farm bill negotiations.
February 09, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Farm Bill
ICBA Extends Multiyear Deal with Endorsed Broker-Dealer Stifel for Community Bank Portfolio Services
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) announced a multiyear deal with Stifel to continue offering investment products and services to community banks through a partnership with ICBA’s broker-dealer subsidiary, ICBA Securities® Inc.
February 09, 2024 |
Press Release
Due today: Comment letters opposing corporate governance proposal
ICBA is urging community bankers to send letters to the FDIC by today’s deadline opposing proposed guidelines to establish new corporate governance and risk management standards.
February 09, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Derek Williams: The Meaning of "Here for Good"
We are committed to making the lives of those around us better, to serve and to truly be here for good.
February 09, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Advocacy
Study: Credit card routing bill would harm small businesses
ICBA-opposed legislation to impose credit card routing restrictions would disproportionately benefit the nation’s top five businesses and put small retailers at a further competitive disadvantage, according to a new study.
February 08, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Cards
Due tomorrow: Comment letters opposing corporate governance proposal
ICBA is urging community bankers to send letters to the FDIC by tomorrow’s deadline opposing proposed guidelines to establish new corporate governance and risk management standards.
February 08, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
ICBA to FTC: Exclude community banks from fee rulemaking
ICBA urged the Federal Trade Commission to explicitly exclude community banks from a proposed rule requiring commercial businesses to include all mandatory fees when advertising their prices.
February 08, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Treasury details crypto risks to terrorist, proliferation financing
New Treasury Department reports spotlight the role of digital assets in terrorism and proliferation financing.
February 08, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Department of Treasury Digital Assets
Parsing the Proliferation of Payments
Remaining competitive in the banking industry doesn’t mean you have to have your hand in every bucket and offer every available payment solution. With a wide variety of choices, experts discuss how community banks can decide which to prioritize.
February 08, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Payments
ICBA urging letters on corporate governance proposal
ICBA is calling on community bankers to send letters to the FDIC opposing proposed guidelines to establish new corporate governance and risk management standards.
February 07, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Credit union regulator: lack of third-party oversight ‘Achilles’ heel’
National Credit Union Administration Chairman Todd Harper said his agency’s lack of oversight of credit union service organizations is an Achilles’ heel for the credit union system.
February 07, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
As agencies launch reg review, ICBA urges meaningful results
With the federal banking agencies launching their latest regulatory review under the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act, ICBA urged the agencies to advance more meaningful relief than they have enacted under previous reviews.
February 07, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Yellen calls for federal floor on stablecoin regulations
While federal agencies have some regulatory authority to oversee digital assets, Congress should develop a framework to close gaps in oversight, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told the House Financial Services Committee.
February 07, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
Rebeca Romero Rainey: The Spirit of Community
When we come together at ICBA LIVE, it becomes an uplifting time where we collectively tackle issues and leave feeling excited for new opportunities.
February 07, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Lawmakers urge House hearing on Navy Federal lending practices
House Financial Services Ranking Member Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) and other Democratic committee members urged Chairman Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) to hold a hearing on reports of discriminatory lending at Navy Federal Credit Union.
February 06, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
FinCEN renewing Currency Transaction Report control numbers
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network published a 60-day notice to renew the Office of Management and Budget control numbers assigned to Currency Transaction Reports.
February 06, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
ICBA Urges Federal Banking Agencies to Ensure Meaningful Regulatory Review
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on the start of the interagency review of federal banking regulations under the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act.
February 06, 2024 |
Press Release
Regulatory Relief
ICBA, groups file lawsuit against CRA final rule
ICBA, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas, Texas Bankers Association, Amarillo Chamber of Commerce, American Bankers Association, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Longview Chamber of Commerce filed a lawsuit against the federal banking regulators for exceeding their statutory authority with their recent Community Reinvestment Act final rule.
February 06, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance CRA
Grassroots campaigns pushing ILC, ‘trigger leads’ bills
ICBA continues calling on community bankers to urge their members of Congress to support bills that would close the industrial loan company loophole and protect the financial privacy of mortgage applicants.
February 06, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Grassroots/Be Heard
The Status of De Novos Going Into 2024
De novos breathe new life into the banking sector, but activity is still far below its historic highs. That said, a new crop of community banks shows there’s great potential for success—especially with the power of experienced bankers behind them. Here, de novos tell us how they got their start, the challenges they addressed and what the future looks like for this section of community banking.
February 06, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Tax Foundation calls for end of credit union tax exemption
The nonpartisan Tax Foundation released a new report calling on policymakers to wean credit unions off taxpayer subsidies.
February 05, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
ICBA continues grassroots on ILC, ‘trigger leads’ bills
ICBA is calling on community bankers to urge their members of Congress to support bills that would close the industrial loan company loophole and protect the financial privacy of mortgage applicants.
February 05, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Grassroots/Be Heard
Trade Associations Sue Regulators for Exceeding Statutory Authority in New Community Reinvestment Act Rules
ICBA and others today filed a joint lawsuit in the Northern District of Texas against the Federal Reserve, FDIC and OCC for exceeding their statutory authority and acting arbitrarily and capriciously with their recent amendments to the CRA rules.
February 05, 2024 |
Press Release
CRA
FS-ISAC offers identity theft tips for commercial customers
The Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center’s latest weekly risk summary offers tips for educating commercial customers on identity theft.
February 05, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Fraud
Bowman: Regulators should focus more on third-party providers
Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman said she is concerned that federal regulators respond to financial industry risks by focusing too much on regulated banks.
February 05, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
From Vision to Reality: How CDFIs and MDIs Fund Their Important Efforts
Minority-owned banks are a lifeline to their communities—but their needs often outstrip deposits. From partnering with other banks, receiving ECIP funds and even working with the NFL, these MDIs are securing the capital and resources to LIFT UP their communities.
February 05, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Senate committee discusses ICBA check fraud concerns
The Senate Banking Committee spotlighted ICBA concerns with how check fraud enabled by large financial institutions and the U.S. Postal Service is affecting community banks and their customers.
February 02, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Fraud
Tennessee court allows credit union bank acquisition to proceed
A Tennessee appellate court overturned a decision by the state’s banking regulator to block a credit union acquisition of a bank.
February 02, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
Grassroots push for bill to close ILC loophole
ICBA is calling on community bankers to urge their senators to support Senate legislation to permanently close the industrial loan company loophole.
February 02, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Grassroots/Be Heard
FinCEN issues alert on West Bank settler violence
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued an alert to U.S. financial institutions related to financing Israeli extremist settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
February 02, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
Paul Merski: ICBA Advocacy and the Year Ahead
Learn about the legislative issues ICBA is prioritizing in 2024—and how you can help.
February 02, 2024 |
Independent Banker
Advocacy
Fed holds rates steady, citing inflation target
The Federal Open Market Committee voted to hold target interest rates steady, citing a solid expansion of economic activity and inflation uncertainty.
February 01, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Inflation
ICBA to Congress: Community banks seeking cooperation to combat check fraud
ICBA today is raising concerns to Congress about how check fraud enabled by the U.S. Postal Service and large financial institutions is affecting community banks and their customers.
February 01, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Congressional Matters Fraud
Agencies propose revised call report to reflect capital reforms
Federal banking regulators proposed revising the call report consistent with their proposed rule to update regulatory capital standards.
February 01, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Agencies/Regulators
Fed strengthens investing standards on senior officials
The Federal Open Market Committee said its policy on senior officials’ investment and trading activity will apply to more Federal Reserve System staff.
February 01, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Reserve
Get Ready for ICBA LIVE 2024
Connect with your fellow bankers at this year’s ICBA LIVE in Orlando and gain new tools, further your knowledge and witness the undeniable truth that community bankers are here for good.
February 01, 2024 |
Independent Banker
ICBA pressing grassroots on bill to close ILC loophole
ICBA is calling on community bankers to urge their senators to support Senate legislation to permanently close the industrial loan company loophole.
January 31, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Grassroots/Be Heard
Advocacy dashboard updated ahead of Capital Summit
ICBA updated its “Advocacy in Action” government relations dashboard for the first quarter with the latest community banking advocacy successes and priorities.
January 31, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Advocacy
The impact of CRA modernization
Could the final rule cause thoughts of early retirement? Have you read the new best-seller co-authored by the FDIC, the Federal Reserve and the OCC? It’s been as slow as molasses but it’s finally here, so put on your bifocals.
January 31, 2024 |
News
ICBA supports Basel Committee work on crypto disclosure framework
ICBA expressed support for the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision’s work to draft a regulatory framework for disclosing cryptoasset exposures in banking entities’ financial statements.
January 31, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
FHFA scorecard doesn’t address 15-year conservatorship: ICBA
A new Federal Housing Finance Agency scorecard on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac fails to address the 15-year conservatorship of the government-sponsored enterprises, ICBA said.
January 31, 2024 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Housing Finance Agency
FinCEN seeks comments on beneficial ownership info requests
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network requested comments on the information it will collect from entities requesting access to beneficial ownership information under a framework it issued last month.
January 30, 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.
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