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.
Jim Reber: The Rule of Three
Bond portfolio yields are at multiyear highs.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Growing the Community
Specialty Lending That Strengthens Communities
Community banks continue to be the engines of their local economies. Doing what they do best, these three community banks offer financing in specialty areas for organizations that contribute to the well-being of their served markets.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Lending
ICBA Congratulates Travis Hill on Nomination as FDIC Chairman
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on President Donald Trump’s nomination of Travis Hill to serve as chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
October 01, 2025 |
Press Release
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
ICBA shares Cybersecurity Awareness Month marketing tools
ICBA offers ready-to-use marketing tools that community bankers can use in October via its Marketing Resource Center.
October 01, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Cybersecurity
Treasury issues consumer guidance as federal paper checks end
The Treasury Department shared options for consumers who receive federal payments by check as the government officially ceased issuing checks.
October 01, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Department of Treasury
CDFI Fund announces first awards of 2025
The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund announced it has awarded 56 organizations $8.8 million in technical assistance awards under the fiscal 2025 funding round.
October 01, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Your Handshake is Your Promise. Less Complexity is Ours.
SPONSORED | Rocket Pro is built for financial institutions that believe home loans shouldn’t feel like an obstacle course. Learn more about partnering with Rocket Pro at rocketpro.com.
September 30, 2025 |
News
Lending
The New Era of Risk: Why GRC Is a Strategic Imperative
SPONSORED | As governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) challenges evolve, you must adapt. Discover how emerging GRC trends are shaping the future – and how Jack Henry™ can help your stay compliant, resilient, and ready for what’s next.
September 30, 2025 |
News
Compliance Payments
Outdated Positive Pay Leaves Banks Exposed
SPONSORED | Over 90% of banks report rising fraud attacks, yet most remain dissatisfied with Positive Pay adoption—while fintechs win business customers with modern tools. Here’s how community banks can protect accounts, strengthen loyalty, and create new revenue.
September 30, 2025 |
News
Compliance
Shutdown would affect SBA USDA programs
Several programs that community banks rely on would be affected by a federal shutdown if Congress can’t agree on a short-term funding resolution before midnight tonight.
September 30, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Congressional Matters Government Banks
ICBA FDIC should raise reporting requirement threshold
ICBA called on the FDIC to raise the threshold for auditor attestation and reporting requirements under its proposal to adjust and index certain regulatory thresholds.
September 30, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Former NCUA official calls for transparency in credit union bank acquisitions
A new blog post spotlights the lack of information that credit union member-owners are privy to when their credit union decides to acquire a bank.
September 29, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
Revising community bank capital framework a key priority Bowman
Revising community bank capital standards and addressing check fraud are top priorities for the Federal Reserve, Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman said.
September 29, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA state groups urge broad implementation of ACRE Act tax exclusion
ICBA and its affiliated state community banking associations called on the Treasury Department to ensure an ICBA-advocated tax exclusion passed under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act applies to as many agricultural loans as possible.
September 29, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Department of Treasury
Cybersecurity coordination law to lapse next week if Congress doesn t act
ICBA continues working with Congress to advance an extension of a law that strengthens public-private cybersecurity coordination before the law expires next week.
September 25, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Cybersecurity
ICBA raises profile of payments fraud at interagency commission meeting
ICBA spotlighted payments fraud trends in a presentation to the Financial Education and Literacy Commission, a statutory commission chaired by the Treasury secretary and comprising the heads of 24 federal agencies.
September 25, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Fraud
ICBA groups request Treasury comment extension on GENIUS Act
ICBA and other groups called on the Treasury Department to extend the 30-day comment period for its advance notice of proposed rulemaking on the implementation of the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act.
September 25, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
Credit union acquisitions of community banks continue garnering media attention
Credit union acquisitions of community banks received renewed media attention this week with a new article on the largest acquisition so far this year.
September 24, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
Feds prepare for Sept 30 transition from paper checks
The federal government launched an updated webpage with information on its Sept. 30 transition away from issuing paper checks for most federal payments, while the IRS said it will publish guidance before the 2026 filing season begins.
September 24, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Checks Government Banks
ICBA community bankers meet with banking agencies on core processors
Ten ICBA community bankers and several staff members met with federal regulators to discuss community bank experiences and concerns with core service providers.
September 24, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Agencies/Regulators
Fed s Miran Interest rates too restrictive
New Federal Reserve Governor Stephen Miran said the Fed’s target interest rate is roughly 2 percentage points too tight, risking unnecessary layoffs and higher unemployment.
September 23, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Reserve
ICBA Community tops 6 000 members
ICBA Community, the exclusive digital network for ICBA members, has surpassed 6,000 members.
September 23, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA CISA hosting Cybersecurity Awareness Month tabletop exercise
ICBA and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency are scheduled to host a members-only tabletop exercise to support community bank cybersecurity at noon (Eastern time) Thursday, Oct. 16.
September 23, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Cybersecurity
ICBA urges FDIC to reject risky ILC applications
ICBA told the FDIC that it has a statutory duty to reject the applications of industrial loan companies that pose undue risks to the Deposit Insurance Fund and fail to serve the convenience and needs of their community.
September 22, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
ICBA urging comments to FDIC on raising regulatory thresholds
ICBA is calling on community bankers to submit comments this week on the FDIC’s proposal to adjust and index certain regulatory thresholds, most notably Part 363 independent audit and reporting requirements.
September 22, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Treasury seeks comments on implementing GENIUS Act
The Treasury Department issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking seeking public comment related to its implementation of the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act.
September 22, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Department of Treasury
ICBA Urges FDIC to Reject Applications Under Industrial Loan Company Loophole to Prevent Risks to Consumers
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today told the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) that it has a statutory duty to reject the applications of industrial loan companies (ILCs) that pose undue risks to the Deposit Insurance Fund and that fail to serve the convenience and needs of their communities.
September 19, 2025 |
Press Release
Advocacy FDICIA
ICBA Urges FDIC to Reject Applications Under Industrial Loan Company Loophole to Prevent Risks to Consumers
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today told the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) that it has a statutory duty to reject the applications of industrial loan companies (ILCs) that pose undue risks to the Deposit Insurance Fund and that fail to serve the convenience and needs of their communities.
September 19, 2025 |
Press Release
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
ICBA Community banks lead the fight against fraud
ICBA told Congress that community banks are on the front lines of fraud mitigation and are leading the response but cannot solve the problem alone.
September 19, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Congressional Matters
OCC announces ICBA advocated supervision restructuring
Following ICBA advocacy, the OCC announced it will reverse its ICBA-opposed plan to merge its community, midsize, and large bank supervision functions into a single unit.
September 19, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
OCC
ICBA AI can help community banks if regulated properly
ICBA told Congress it believes artificial intelligence has the potential to help community banks meet regulatory burdens and expand access to credit, but thoughtful regulation is needed to ensure that innovation does not come at the expense of consumer protection or financial stability.
September 19, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Artificial Intellegence
FedNow delivering instant payments for disaster relief disbursements
FedNow announced that participants recently started receiving instant disaster-relief disbursements for their account holders.
September 18, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Department of Treasury
ICBA Supervisory appeals reviewers should have community banking experience
ICBA told the FDIC that in revising the agency’s supervisory appeals process, the FDIC should ensure that reviewers have significant community banking experience.
September 18, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Fed lowers interest rates by 25bp
The Federal Open Market Committee voted to lower target interest rates by 25 basis points to a range of 4.0% to 4.25%.
September 18, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA Applauds OCC for Announced Updates to Organizational Structure
ICBA today expressed its strong support for the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s announcement that it will reverse its ICBA-opposed decision to merge its community, midsize, and large bank supervision functions into a single unit.
September 18, 2025 |
Press Release
OCC
FedDetect announces new payment fraud tool
The Federal Reserve announced a new reporting feature for its FedDetect Anomaly Notification for FedACH Services, which helps financial institutions quickly address potential fraud.
September 17, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Reserve
House committee advances ICBA supported bills
The House Financial Services Committee voted to advance five ICBA-supported bills designed to support community banks.
September 17, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Congressional Matters
Miran sworn in as Fed governor
The Federal Reserve announced that Stephen Miran was sworn in as a Fed governor.
September 17, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Reserve
FDIC seeking input on AML CFT compliance costs
The FDIC requested comment on a proposal to survey banks about the costs to comply with the Bank Secrecy Act and related anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism requirements.
September 16, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
ICBA supported bills slated for House committee markup today
ICBA urged the House Financial Services Committee to vote to advance several pro-community banks bills that the committee is scheduled to mark up today.
September 16, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Congressional Matters
Senate confirms Miran for Fed post
The Senate voted 48-47 to confirm the nomination of Stephen Miran to be a Federal Reserve governor.
September 16, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Reserve Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation OCC
Nacha to automate ACH audit proof process
Nacha announced that, starting next month, the process of requesting proof of an ACH Rules compliance audit will be automated through its Risk Management Portal.
September 15, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ACH Compliance
ICBA Welcomes BankTech Ventures As Latest ThinkTECH Sponsor To Support Community Banking Innovation
The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) announced today BankTech Ventures, a leading strategic investment fund focused on financial technology companies serving community banks, is the newest sponsor for ICBA’s acclaimed ThinkTECH Accelerator and related innovation programming. The sponsorship supports ICBA’s ongoing efforts to further advance community bank innovation and foster an environment where community banks flourish.
September 15, 2025 |
Press Release
Compliance question on SAFE Act requirements
The ICBA Compliance Center Question of the Week page features a new Q&A on SAFE Act education requirements for loan originators.
September 15, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
SAFE Act
OCC, FDIC heads discuss plans for community bank relief
OCC and FDIC leaders said they plan to focus on improving the regulatory framework for community banks, including making changes to the community bank leverage ratio.
September 12, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation OCC
ICBA meets with Treasury, FHFA on ending GSE conservatorship
Senior ICBA staff this week participated in two meetings with federal officials related to getting the government-sponsored enterprises, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, out of conservatorship.
September 11, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Department of Treasury
ICBA Urges Congress to Ensure Deposit Insurance Reforms Enhance Small Business Coverage, Curb Favorable Too-Big-To-Fail Treatment
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today called on Congress to consider deposit insurance reforms that enhance coverage for small businesses, address the more favorable regulatory treatment the nation’s largest banks receive under the current framework, and ensure community banks are not penalized.
September 10, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Congressional Matters Deposit Insurance Small Business Lending
ICBA releases data showing credit union acquisitions harm communities
ICBA released the results of a new data analysis demonstrating that credit union acquisitions of community banks are harming small businesses and local communities.
September 10, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
ICBA Urges Congress to Ensure Deposit Insurance Reforms Enhance Small Business Coverage, Curb Favorable Too-Big-To-Fail Treatment
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today called on Congress to consider deposit insurance reforms that enhance coverage for small businesses, address the more favorable regulatory treatment the nation’s largest banks receive under the current framework, and ensure community banks are not penalized.
September 10, 2025 |
Press Release
Congressional Matters
New op-ed from ICBA leadership banker Ken Hale: Local communities stand to lose millions in local tax revenue
The latest op-ed from ICBA leadership community banker Ken Hale on the negative impact of the credit union tax exemption details the direct impact that credit unions purchasing banks in Louisiana will have on local governments.
September 10, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
New ICBA Analysis: Sharp Decreases in Small-Business, Mortgage Lending Follow Taxpayer-Subsidized Credit Union Acquisitions of Community Banks
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today released the results of a new data analysis demonstrating that the growth of tax-exempt credit unions acquiring tax-paying community banks is harming small businesses and local communities while community banks outperform credit unions in high-poverty areas.
September 09, 2025 |
Press Release
Credit Unions
ICBA: FinCEN should fix BSA thresholds, BOI collection
ICBA said community bankers strongly support the role of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network while recommending updates to beneficial ownership information collection and Bank Secrecy Act thresholds.
September 09, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
Treasury sanctions networks targeting Americans with cyber scams
The Treasury Department sanctioned a large network of scam centers across Southeast Asia that steal billions of dollars from Americans.
September 09, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Department of Treasury
OCC clarifies policy on politicized or unlawful debanking
The OCC issued two bulletins clarifying its policies on politicized or unlawful debanking in accordance with last month’s executive order on ensuring fair banking for all Americans.
September 09, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
OCC
FinCEN issues guidance on cross-border information sharing
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued guidance to encourage and promote appropriate, voluntary cross-border sharing of information between and among financial institutions, including appropriate foreign financial institutions.
September 08, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
ICBA-supported bill restricting mortgage ‘trigger leads’ signed into law
President Donald Trump signed into law the bipartisan Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act, ICBA-supported legislation that will help protect the financial privacy of mortgage applicants.
September 08, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Mortgage Lending Federal Housing Finance Agency
SEC forms cross-border task force to combat fraud
The Securities and Exchange Commission announced the formation of a task force that it said will strengthen and enhance efforts to identify and combat cross-border fraud harming U.S. investors.
September 08, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Fraud
ICBA, other groups call on Congress to renew cybersecurity law
ICBA and other groups called on Congress to extend the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act before its Sept. 30 expiration date, saying that failure to do so would impede public-private sector coordination during cyberattacks and weaken the nation’s cyber defenses.
September 05, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Cybersecurity
ICBA Applauds Signing of Law to Restrict Mortgage ‘Trigger Leads’
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today applauded President Trump for signing into law the bipartisan Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act (H.R. 2808), which will help protect the financial privacy of mortgage applicants.
September 05, 2025 |
Press Release
Congressional Matters Mortgage Rules
CISA, partners release software guidance
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, National Security Agency, and 19 international partners released a software bill of materials for cybersecurity.
September 04, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Cybersecurity
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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