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 Launches New Brand - Reflects differentiation and momentum of ICBA and community banks
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today unveiled its new brand — reflecting the continued strength, differentiation, and momentum of ICBA and its one mission: community banks.
November 01, 2023 |
Press Release
How the crypto policy debate affects community banks: blog
A new ICBA blog post breaks down the policy debate over treating cryptoassets as securities or commodities and the implications for community banks.
November 01, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
Central bank group reports stablecoin risks, CBDC benefits
A Bank for International Settlements panel said the risks of using stablecoins for cross-border payments could outweigh the benefits.
November 01, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
Risk or Reward: A Community Bank's Guide to AI
AI is the topic of conversation, particularly after generative AI tools like ChatGPT burst onto the landscape in late 2022. AI technology is developing at a dizzying pace, so what do community banks need to know about how to get started with AI, how it can be used to boost efficiency across departments—and how to manage the risks?
November 01, 2023 |
Independent Banker
Payments
White House releases executive order on AI standards
President Joe Biden signed an executive order to establish new safety, privacy, and equity standards for artificial intelligence.
October 31, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Technology
Ag tech solutions forum this week
ICBA’s next ThinkTECH Solutions Forum will spotlight ag tech solutions that can help community banks keep pace with the competition.
October 31, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
IRS extends flexibilities on e-signatures, encrypted email
The Internal Revenue Service extended certain temporary flexibilities enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic, including its acceptance of digital signatures.
October 31, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Technology
New blog post breaks down AI for community banks
A new ICBA blog post separates artificial intelligence hype from reality and spotlights what AI means for community banks.
October 30, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Technology
Treasury pledges to continue cracking down on crypto terrorist-financing
The Treasury Department pledged to continue targeting the use of crypto-assets to finance terrorism amid increased scrutiny in the wake of Hamas’ attack on Israel.
October 30, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Department of Treasury
Agency webinar tomorrow on ransomware mitigation
Regulators are hosting a webinar at 2 p.m. (Eastern time) tomorrow to provide updates on recent ransomware trends and mitigations.
October 30, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Agencies/Regulators
Barr: Fed backs cross-border harmonization efforts
The Federal Reserve supports international efforts to make cross-border payments faster, cheaper, more transparent, and more accessible globally, Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr said.
October 30, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA advocacy leads to nationwide 1071 injunction
A federal court granted an ICBA request to expand injunctive relief from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Section 1071 final rule to all community banks nationwide.
October 27, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Compliance
Lawmakers ask DOJ to target crypto’s role in terrorist financing
Two key members of Congress urged the Justice Department to evaluate the extent to which the Binance and Tether crypto firms are supporting terrorism by violating sanctions and the Bank Secrecy Act.
October 27, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
Fed’s Waller: CBDC pitch unconvincing
Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said he has yet to be convinced there is a market failure that a central bank digital currency would resolve.
October 27, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA Advocacy Leads to Nationwide Community Bank Relief from 1071 Small-Business Rule
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas has granted their request to expand injunctive relief from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Section 1071 final rule. Today’s court decision provides a nationwide injunction to all community banks and covered financial institutions, ensuring relief is not limited by trade association membership.
October 26, 2023 |
Press Release
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Fed proposes debit card interchange cuts
The Federal Reserve Board issued a proposal to lower the maximum interchange fee that covered debit card issuers may receive for debit card transactions.
October 26, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Gensler: Crypto investors no less deserving of securities protections
There is nothing about the crypto-asset securities markets that suggests investors and issuers are less deserving of the protections of U.S. securities laws, Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler said.
October 26, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
House GOP elects Rep. Mike Johnson as new speaker
House Republicans elected Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) as the 56th speaker of the House of Representatives.
October 26, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Congressional Matters
CFPB targets credit card interest, fees in latest report
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said total outstanding credit card debt eclipsed $1 trillion last year for the first time since the CFPB began collecting this data.
October 26, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
Can Third-Party Vendors Ease Wealth Management?
Community banks with wealth management programs can access a new source of revenue, but starting from scratch can be a major undertaking. We take a look at how these banks have looked to third-party vendors to smooth the way.
October 26, 2023 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
ICBA Statement on Federal Reserve Proposal on Debit Card Interchange
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on today’s Federal Reserve Board proposal to update Regulation II rules on debit card interchange fees and routing.
October 25, 2023 |
Press Release
Cards Debit Cards Interchange
Agencies finalize climate risk guidance for large banks
The federal banking regulators published interagency principles for climate-related financial risk management for financial institutions with $100 billion or more in total consolidated assets.
October 25, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
ICBA launching survey on recent regulatory changes
ICBA in the coming days will launch a survey on the value of community banks, small-business lending, and the regulatory environment.
October 25, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Regulators approve Community Reinvestment Act final rule
Federal regulators issued an interagency final rule to reform Community Reinvestment Act regulations.
October 25, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance CRA
Fed meeting today on revising debit interchange fee cap
The Federal Reserve Board is scheduled to meet at 1 p.m. (Eastern time) today on proposed revisions to the agency’s debit interchange fee cap.
October 25, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Out of Office: Kris Ausborn
The CEO of $488 million-asset Iowa Trust & Saving Bank in Emmetsburg, Iowa, spends his free time waterskiing. Whether it’s with friends and family or as part of his club, he enjoys every second.
October 25, 2023 |
Independent Banker
ICBA Statement on Interagency Climate Risk Guidance for Large Banks
Independent Community Bankers of America President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on today’s release of interagency guidance for climate-related financial risk management for large financial institutions.
October 24, 2023 |
Press Release
Advocacy Climate
ICBA Statement on Community Reinvestment Act Final Rule
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on today’s interagency final rule on Community Reinvestment Act modernization.
October 24, 2023 |
Press Release
CRA
Agencies acting today on CRA, climate rulemakings
Federal agencies today are set to act on Community Reinvestment Act reform and climate risk.
October 24, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
New risk management subgroup on ICBA Community
ICBA launched a new risk management subgroup on its ICBA Community online platform.
October 24, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Blog post: the evolving domestic regulatory environment for digital assets
A new ICBA blog post discusses the pursuit of policy initiatives around digital assets by prudential regulators, the White House, and the Treasury Department.
October 24, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
A Happy Halloween from First National Bank & Trust
First National Bank & Trust in Iron Mountain, Mich., sponsors the second annual Downtown Iron Mountain Pumpkin Walk event.
October 24, 2023 |
Independent Banker
AI webinar bundle starts this week
ICBA this week kicks off a new webinar series to provide community bankers a primer on artificial intelligence.
October 23, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Fintech Innovation
ICBA, groups urge Fed to reject changes to debit card interchange fees
ICBA and other groups urged the Federal Reserve Board to reject merchant requests for further changes to Regulation II governing debit card interchange fees during this week’s board meeting.
October 23, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Agencies set to act on CRA, climate rulemakings
Federal agencies this week are set to act on Community Reinvestment Act reform and climate risk.
October 23, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Reserve Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Regulators extend comment deadlines on megabank capital proposals
Federal regulators extended the comment deadline on their proposal to implement stricter regulatory capital standards on banks over $100 billion in assets while the Federal Reserve collects additional data on the impact of the proposal.
October 23, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Reserve
Member Benefits: Breaking Down Best Cybersecurity Practices
Bad actors continually find ways to commit cybercrimes. By using the ICBA Cyber Security Toolkit, community banks can make sure they’re prepared for cyber incidents.
October 23, 2023 |
Independent Banker
Payments
New Letter: ICBA, Financial Trades Call on Fed to Reject Requests for Changes to Debit Card Interchange Fees
In a new letter sent to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, ICBA and a coalition that includes organizations representing the vast majority of federally-regulated financial institutions across the country, urged the Fed to reject merchant requests for further changes to Regulation II governing debit card interchange fees.
October 20, 2023 |
Press Release
Interchange
FinCEN proposes designating crypto mixers as money-laundering concern
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued a proposed rule that identifies international convertible virtual currency mixing as a primary money-laundering concern.
October 20, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
CFPB issues 1033 proposal on sharing consumer data
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released its proposal to implement standards for sharing consumer financial data under Section 1033 of the Dodd-Frank Act.
October 20, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Compliance
Agencies issue anti-ransomware guidance
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and other agencies released an updated version of the joint #StopRansomware Guide. The update includes new prevention tips, revised response steps, and added threat hunting insights.
October 20, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Cybersecurity
Is Cybersecurity Insurance Worth the Higher Premiums?
Cybersecurity should be a foundational element of any community bank, but do you really need to be insured for it, especially as premiums rise? We spoke to experts to learn more about cyber insurance.
October 20, 2023 |
Independent Banker
Payments Growing the Community
ICBA Statement on Today’s CFPB Proposed Rule on Sharing Consumer Financial Data
ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on today’s Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposal to implement Section 1033 standards for sharing consumer financial data.
October 19, 2023 |
Press Release
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Senate passes ICBA-advocated resolution to scrap CFPB 1071 rule
ICBA commended the Senate for passing an ICBA-advocated resolution to nullify the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Section 1071 small-business data collection and reporting requirements.
October 19, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Administration, Congress target crypto role in terror attacks
Policymakers announced efforts to address the role of crypto-assets in the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.
October 19, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
ICBA backs DeFi policy recommendations
ICBA expressed support for the International Organization of Securities Commissions’ recommendations for establishing policies on decentralized finance.
October 19, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Regulatory Compliance
Charles Potts: Put Innovative Thinking to Work in Risk Mitigation
Risk mitigation—supported by innovative thinking—drives reward for our banks, our customers and our communities.
October 19, 2023 |
Independent Banker
Payments
ICBA Commends Senate for Passing Resolution to Scrap CFPB’s 1071 Small-Business Reporting Rule
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today commended the Senate for passing an ICBA-advocated resolution (S.J.Res.32) to nullify the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Section 1071 small-business data collection and reporting requirements. The 53-44 Senate vote included five Democratic senators voting yes and follows July’s House Financial Services Committee passage of the House version of the resolution.
October 18, 2023 |
Press Release
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Senate slated to vote today on 1071 reversal
With the Senate scheduled to vote today on a resolution to block the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Section 1071 rule, ICBA is urging community bankers to urge their senators to support the measure.
October 18, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Fed meeting next week on revising debit interchange fee cap
The Federal Reserve Board scheduled a meeting for next week on proposed revisions to the agency’s debit interchange fee cap.
October 18, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Agencies meeting next week on CRA reform, climate risk
The Federal Reserve Board and FDIC board of directors scheduled meetings for next week on two high-profile regulatory issues: the Community Reinvestment Act and climate risk.
October 18, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Fed’s Bowman: CBDC benefits remain unclear
Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman said she has yet to see a compelling argument that a U.S. central bank digital currency could address payments system problems more effectively, efficiently, or with fewer risks than alternatives.
October 18, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Tech Solutions That Can Help Stop Elder Fraud
Elder financial abuse is a rising crime across the country. Using technology, community bankers can help detect this type of fraud and protect their customers.
October 18, 2023 |
Independent Banker
Compliance Payments
New blog post: Crypto concerns renew digital assets policy debate
A new ICBA blog post recaps the significant upheaval in the digital assets market over the past year and what it means for Washington’s response.
October 17, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
FHFA’s Thompson addresses rise in enterprise repurchase requests
Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Sandra Thompson recognized mortgage lenders’ concerns with rising repurchase requests from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, though she said requests have declined since their peak in early 2022.
October 17, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Housing Finance Agency
FHFA expands ‘rep and warrant’ relief to loans with COVID-19 forbearance
The Federal Housing Finance Agency said it will revise the treatment of active single-family mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for which borrowers elected a COVID-19 forbearance under the enterprises' representations and warranties framework.
October 17, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Housing Finance Agency
FHFA issues new set of appraisal data
The Federal Housing Finance Agency published a new set of data points and trends found in appraisal reports.
October 17, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Housing Finance Agency
Jim Reber: Don't Discount Discounts
Below-market coupons could be your friends in 2024.
October 17, 2023 |
Independent Banker
ICBA plan to promote mortgage affordability makes news
ICBA’s joint proposal to reduce mortgage rates by an estimated 100 to 150 basis points is making news.
October 16, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Mortgage Rules
The Community Bankers Association of Kansas endorses CRA Partners
The Community Bankers Association of Kansas recently endorsed CRA Partners as a means to help reduce incidents of crime in area nursing homes, while offering banks the opportunity to earn CRA credit. CRA Partners is a subsidiary of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA).
October 16, 2023 |
News
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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