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.
Sixth ThinkTECH Accelerator open for registration
Community bankers can now register to participate in the sixth ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator program to meet with six emerging fintech companies advancing community bank innovation.
November 21, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
How to Boost Your Bank's Digital Payment Security
Now more than ever, cybercrime is a top priority for banking leaders. We spoke to experts on how community banks can prevent bad actors from infiltrating their systems.
November 21, 2023 |
Independent Banker
Payments
Fed announces pricing for payment services
The Federal Reserve Board announced pricing for payment services offered by the Federal Reserve Banks, effective Jan. 2.
November 20, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
FS-ISAC issues report on LockBit ransomware group
The Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center released a white paper on LockBit, one of the most prolific ransomware groups since 2019.
November 20, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Cybersecurity
ICBA supports community bank exemption from FDIC special assessment
ICBA expressed support for the FDIC’s final rule exempting the vast majority of community banks from its special assessment to replenish the Deposit Insurance Fund.
November 20, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA issues comprehensive CRA summary, reschedules briefing
ICBA released a comprehensive summary of the recently released interagency final rule to reform Community Reinvestment Act regulations.
November 20, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
CRA
Charles Potts: The Great Digital Strategy Reset
Digital first. How many times have community banks heard that refrain over the past few years? It’s been a repetitive beat in an ongoing banking evolution, and with it comes ever-increasing pressures on the technology stack.
November 20, 2023 |
Independent Banker
Payments
FDIC finalizes community bank special assessment exemption
The FDIC board of directors voted 3-2 to approve its special assessment to replenish the Deposit Insurance Fund with an ICBA-supported exemption for the vast majority of community banks.
November 17, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA meets with Fed on re-presentment concerns
ICBA leadership community bankers and staff met with Federal Reserve officials on banking regulators’ supervisory approach to how banks assess fees on items that are repeatedly rejected for insufficient funds.
November 17, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA Supports FDIC Special Assessment’s Community Bank Exemption
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s final rule implementing special assessments for the resolutions of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank of New York.
November 17, 2023 |
Press Release
Deposit Insurance
Global group finalizes crypto policy recommendations
The International Organization of Securities Commissions finalized its recommended policies to govern digital assets markets.
November 17, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
ICBA issues comprehensive CRA summary, reschedules briefing
ICBA released a comprehensive summary of the recently released interagency final rule to reform Community Reinvestment Act regulations.
November 17, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
CRA
Tips For Community Bank Mentorship Programs
Mentorship programs benefit both mentors and mentees—and it doesn’t have to be an overly formal undertaking. We give tips for getting started.
November 17, 2023 |
Independent Banker
ICBA issues comprehensive CRA summary, reschedules briefing
ICBA released a comprehensive summary of the recently released interagency final rule to reform Community Reinvestment Act regulations.
November 16, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance CRA
Congress continues pressing regulators on community bank reg burden
Members of Congress continued to press prudential regulators about the impact of their rulemakings on community banks during a second day of oversight hearings.
November 16, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Congressional Matters
IMF makes case for ICBA-opposed CBDC
Global policy groups continued making their case for central bank digital currencies with the release of a new International Monetary Fund guidebook on digital dollars.
November 16, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
FDIC board meeting today on special assessment
The FDIC board of directors is scheduled to meet at 10 a.m. (Eastern time) today to finalize the agency’s special assessment to replenish the Deposit Insurance Fund following large bank failures earlier this year.
November 16, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Jim Reber: Mortgage Mélange
Volatile rates create a feast of MBS options.
November 16, 2023 |
Independent Banker
ICBA, groups: CFPB should reject petition for arbitration rerun
ICBA and other groups urged the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to deny a recent petition seeking a rulemaking that would ban pre-dispute arbitration provisions in contracts for consumer financial services.
November 15, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Regulators emphasize community bank exemptions during Senate hearing
Federal banking regulators emphasized community bank exemptions from various regulations while testifying before the Senate Banking Committee.
November 15, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Regulatory Compliance
Cyber agency releases AI roadmap
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency released an artificial intelligence roadmap designed to support the secure development and implementation of AI capabilities.
November 15, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Technology
Introducing ICBA Payments
ICBA Bancard, ICBA’s payments subsidiary, unveiled its new brand—ICBA Payments. The name change reflects its expanded offerings beyond card services and a broader focus on the larger payments landscape.
November 15, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Moultrie Bank & Trust Makes Its Mark
Moultrie Bank & Trust opened in 2022 outside of a large metropolitan area and already has more than 400 investors and $21 million in capital. Here’s how they did it.
November 15, 2023 |
Independent Banker
ICBA launching survey on recent regulatory changes
ICBA this week is launching a survey on the value of community banks, small-business lending, and the regulatory environment. The survey will inform a forthcoming ICBA report on the impact of recent regulatory changes, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Section 1071 rulemaking.
November 14, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Regulatory Compliance
ICBA Bancard Rebrands to ICBA Payments
ICBA Bancard, the payments subsidiary of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), today unveiled its new brand—ICBA Payments.
November 14, 2023 |
Press Release
ICBA supports proposed tax treatment for digital assets
ICBA expressed support for an Internal Revenue Service proposal designed to clarify the tax treatment of digital assets.
November 14, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
ICBA briefing on CRA rule this week
ICBA is slated to hold a complimentary briefing this week on the interagency final rule to reform Community Reinvestment Act regulations.
November 14, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
CRA
Lindsay LaNore: Relishing Anticipation
There’s something about this time of year. The changing of the seasons, the anticipation of time spent with family and friends, the chance to pause and create memories. And when it comes to making positive changes, the end of the calendar year is also approaching, bringing with it resolutions.
November 14, 2023 |
Independent Banker
Grassroots key as Congress debates spending bills
With Congress working this week to advance funding bills to avoid a government shutdown ahead of Friday’s deadline, ICBA is calling on community bankers to contact their members of Congress on pressing legislative issues.
November 13, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Congressional Matters Compliance
Bowman reiterates CRA, interchange, climate concerns
Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman reiterated her concerns with the community bank impact of regulators’ Community Reinvestment Act final rule and other recent agency actions.
November 13, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Reserve
Luetkemeyer raises concerns with GSE credit score change
A key member of the House Financial Services Committee raised concerns with the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s plan to change credit report requirements for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgages.
November 13, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Housing Finance Agency
8 Ways Community Banks Can Boost Small Business Lending
Small businesses and community banks are a perfect pairing. Community banks play a key role in giving small businesses needed capital and guidance so they can survive and thrive.
November 13, 2023 |
Independent Banker
Lending
Bank of Anguilla Weathers the Storm
In the wake of a destructive tornado in Mississippi, Bank of Anguilla continues to develop initiatives that will help people recover from the damage and return home.
November 10, 2023 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
FinCEN issues final rule on beneficial ownership identifiers
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued a final rule that specifies the circumstances in which a reporting company may report an entity’s FinCEN identifier in lieu of information about individual beneficial owners.
November 09, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
FinCEN issues new SAR term for reporting export control evasion
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and the Bureau of Industry and Security issued a joint notice highlighting a new Suspicious Activity Report key term.
November 09, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
Regulators target CRA, interchange, climate standards
Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman expressed concerns with the community bank impact of regulators’ Community Reinvestment Act final rule and other recent agency actions.
November 09, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
ICBA, state groups request comment extension on 1033 proposal
ICBA and its affiliated state community banking associations called on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to extend the comment deadline on its proposal to implement standards for sharing consumer financial data under Section 1033 of the Dodd-Frank Act.
November 09, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
ICBA briefing next week on CRA final rule
ICBA is slated to hold a complimentary briefing next week on the interagency final rule to reform Community Reinvestment Act regulations.
November 09, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
Derek Williams: The Human Side of Banking
When I think about my blessings as a community banker, it comes down to our relationship model. In a society that has become increasingly disconnected, our model puts the human back into banking.
November 09, 2023 |
Independent Banker
Advocacy
How to Talk to Customers About Crypto
Most of your customers might not be investing in crypto, but their money is at risk if they do. That’s why community banks should stay current on cryptocurrency developments and be prepared to offer information and advice.
November 08, 2023 |
Independent Banker
Payments
ICBA Statement on Federal Home Loan Bank Report
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on today’s Federal Housing Finance Agency report on the Federal Home Loan Banks.
November 07, 2023 |
Press Release
Federal Housing Finance Agency
Community Banker University now ICBA Education
ICBA announced the rebranding of Community Banker University to ICBA Education as part of the new ICBA brand, which launched last week.
November 07, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA opposes Labor Department overtime proposal
ICBA expressed strong opposition to a Labor Department proposal that would increase the number of employees who are entitled to overtime compensation.
November 07, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Department of Labor
House Ag ranking member calls for one-year farm bill extension
House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member David Scott (D-Ga.) called for a one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill while lawmakers continue to develop a five-year reauthorization.
November 07, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Farm Bill
Out of Office: Kenesha Davis
Kenesha Davis, a Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) specialist at $1.4 billion-asset Lincoln Savings Bank in Reinbeck, Iowa, has turned her hobby of crocheting into a successful side business. Now, she creates handmade crochet goods that allow her to express her creativity and develop her skills as a small business owner.
November 07, 2023 |
Independent Banker
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Is Crypto Needed?
“While we have heard a wide range of rationale [for cryptocurrency], those concepts don’t seem founded in need as much as in justification.”
November 07, 2023 |
Independent Banker
ICBA expresses concerns with SBA 7(a) expansion
ICBA expressed concerns with a Small Business Administration announcement that it has licensed three new Small Business Lending Companies for its 7(a) loan program.
November 06, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Small Business Administration
New ICBA podcast on rising cybercrime
The latest episode of ICBA’s “Independent Banker” podcast spotlights rising cybercrime and the importance of community banks fortifying their cybersecurity operations.
November 06, 2023 |
Podcast
Watchdog warns of money-laundering threats
The Financial Action Task Force—a global anti-money-laundering watchdog—updated its list of jurisdictions with strategic AML, terrorist-financing, and weapons-proliferation deficiencies.
November 06, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
ICBA offers high-level CRA summary ahead of briefing
ICBA released a high-level summary of the recently released interagency final rule to reform Community Reinvestment Act regulations ahead of an upcoming ICBA briefing on the rule.
November 06, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Reserve Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
How Community Banks Can Support Self-Employed and Gig Workers
Gig workers and self-employed individuals make up a growing sector of the workforce in the U.S. This group of workers has specific needs when it comes to banking. Here’s how community banks are embracing, working with and creating new services for this group.
November 06, 2023 |
Independent Banker
ICBA Statement on New SBA 7(a) Lending Companies
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on the Small Business Administration’s expansion of its 7(a) loan program.
November 03, 2023 |
Press Release
Small Business Administration
4 Emerging Bank Technologies (That Aren't AI)
With rapid new developments in bank technology, it’s easy to feel stressed about keeping up with them. Read on to learn what’s new and upcoming in tech and how to determine what’s worth exploring.
November 03, 2023 |
Independent Banker
Payments
OCC publishes revised Telephone Consumer Protection Act procedures
The OCC published revised interagency examination procedures for the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
November 02, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
ICBA issues high-level summary of CRA final rule
ICBA released a high-level summary of the recently released interagency final rule to reform Community Reinvestment Act regulations ahead of an upcoming ICBA briefing on the rule.
November 02, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Final rule on Treasury check liability will not mandate verification system
The Treasury Department’s Bureau of Fiscal Service issued a final rule governing the payments of Treasury checks.
November 02, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance Department of Treasury
The 15 Latest Holiday Scams To Watch Out for in 2023
Holiday scams can happen at any time — from Black Friday and Cyber Monday to the weeks and months leading up to the end of the year.
November 02, 2023 |
News
Please join us in welcoming our newest field rep, Jean Taddonio
Please join us in welcoming our newest field rep, Jean Taddonio. Jean will be serving Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, New York and New Jersey.
November 02, 2023 |
News
Ron Haynie: The GSE Conservatorship Should End Now
After 15 years, the federal government should end its conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The conservatorship prevents these government-sponsored enterprises from operating like a privately run corporate entity.
November 02, 2023 |
Independent Banker
Advocacy
ICBA: Additional beneficial ownership reporting changes needed
ICBA said that while it supports the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s plan to amend its proposed beneficial ownership information reporting form, it is concerned the proposal would require database users to determine whether submitted information is accurate.
November 01, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Congressional Matters
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