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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.

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ICBA requests comment extension on overtime proposal

ICBA and other groups asked the Labor Department to extend by 60 days the comment period on its proposal to increase the number of employees who are entitled to overtime compensation.
September 27, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Small Business Administration 

Fed joins crackdown on re-presented transactions

The Federal Reserve has joined the FDIC and OCC in targeting how banks treat single items that are repeatedly rejected for insufficient funds.
September 26, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 

Out of Office: Rich Moldenhauer

The vice president of operations and information technology at $185 million-asset New Market Bank in Elko New Market, Minn., carries on the beekeeping legacy of his father and grandfather.
September 26, 2023 | Independent Banker  

Introducing ICBA Payments’ New Chairman: Ruth Christopher

When she launched her career as a certified public accountant (CPA), Ruth Christopher wasn’t necessarily envisioning a role at a community bank. But after a few years at a regional CPA firm, a partner encouraged her to apply as an internal auditor at one of their client banks, Citizens Bank of Las Cruces, N.M.
September 25, 2023 | Payments Quarterly  

Unlock Your Portfolio’s Potential with Credit Card Marketing

Marketing programs are critical to portfolio health and expansion. The key to success is simple: get started and take action! The steps below should help you start your journey.
September 25, 2023 | Payments Quarterly  

Key stakeholders join opposition to credit card routing bill

A key member of the House along with major airlines and transportation unions last week announced their opposition to legislation that would impose credit card routing restrictions, which ICBA continues urging community bankers to speak out against.
September 25, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Credit Cards Payments 

Fed’s Bowman urges community banks to weigh in on agency rulemakings

Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman encouraged community bankers to provide feedback on agency rulemakings.
September 25, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Climate CRA Risk 

Branding on Purpose

There’s been a lot of chatter lately about brand power and how brand drives an organization’s outward expression of its mission and values by being at the heart of great client and employee experiences.
September 25, 2023 | Payments Quarterly  

Rethinking Merchant Services

Banks have traditionally relied on interest income from loans and deposits, but non-traditional financial services companies are providing competition for these core products. To survive long term, banks must find alternative revenue streams and recognize the demand for innovative products and services.
September 25, 2023 | Payments Quarterly  

Mid-year Checkpoint on Digital Payments Transformation

With over half of 2023 now firmly in the rearview mirror, we’re hoping community banks have put our digital payments transformation resources (icba.org/digital-transformation) to good use—leveraging our whitepaper and workbook to refresh (or create) a digital payments strategy and accompanying roadmap.
September 25, 2023 | Payments Quarterly   Payments 

Grassroots urgent as Senate prepares to act on 1071 reversal

With the Senate set to act as soon as this week 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.
September 25, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

SBA Advocacy roundtables on new overtime proposal

The Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy this week is hosting roundtable discussions on the Labor Department’s proposal to increase the number of employees who are entitled to overtime compensation. Banks with less than $850 million in assets—which are defined as small businesses by the SBA—are invited to join.
September 25, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Small Business Administration 

Football, Fun and Fundraising at One Community Bank

On Oct. 21, One Community Bank in Waunakee, Wisconsin, will host an outdoor viewing party for the University of Wisconsin-Madison football game. The event is a fundraiser for the Waunakee School District Student Financial Assistance Fund.
September 25, 2023 | Independent Banker  

CFPB outlines proposals to remove medical bills from credit reports

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said it is beginning a rulemaking process to remove medical bills from Americans’ credit reports.
September 22, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

ICBA opposing latest effort to advance credit card routing bill

ICBA continues calling on community bankers to urge their senators to oppose legislation that would impose credit card routing restrictions amid renewed efforts to attach it to government funding measures.
September 22, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Credit Cards Payments 

Consumer groups press CFPB for arbitration crackdown

Several consumer groups recently petitioned the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for a rulemaking on pre-dispute arbitration.
September 22, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

FDIC’s Hill cites credit unions in discussion of bank merger review

If the FDIC reopens its policies on bank mergers, it should consider competition from credit unions and other nonbank institutions that perform bank-like functions, FDIC Vice Chairman Travis Hill said.
September 22, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance Credit Unions De Novo Banks 

Member Benefits: Tips for IT Outsourcing

For community banks that are considering or are already working with a third-party IT vendor, ICBA’s IT Outsourcing Toolkit has a collection of resources that address the process and considerations.
September 22, 2023 | Independent Banker   Compliance 

Modernizing the Community Reinvestment Act

To meet the needs of today’s world, the Community Reinvestment Act is getting an update. Here’s what to know about it.
September 21, 2023 | Independent Banker   Advocacy 

ICBA Commends House Committee Passage of Bill Barring Creation of U.S. Central Bank Digital Currency

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today commended the House Financial Services Committee for passing ICBA-advocated legislation to restrict the ability of the federal government to introduce a U.S. central bank digital currency.
September 20, 2023 | Press Release   Digital Assets Payments 

CFPB issues guidance on credit denials by lenders using AI

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued guidance about certain legal requirements that lenders must adhere to when using artificial intelligence and other complex models.
September 20, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance Technology 

Charles Potts: How Curiosity Leads to Innovation

How many times have you asked your customers what they need or how you can serve their needs? Asking these questions is crucial to improving the customer experience and ultimately ensuring lifelong relationships.
September 20, 2023 | Independent Banker  

ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator Alum Chimney Wins “Best of Show” Honors at FinovateFall 2023

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) celebrates this year’s FinovateFall 2023 Best of Show winner, Chimney, a member of the 2022 ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator cohort.
September 19, 2023 | Press Release   Technology 

Generative AI in Community Banking: What's the Risk?

Generative AI, such as ChatGPT and Jasper, is growing and evolving rapidly. How can community banks leverage this technology while avoiding scams?
September 19, 2023 | Independent Banker   Compliance Payments 

Another court rules against CFPB’s 1071 rule

Another federal district court has ruled that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau may not enforce its Section 1071 small-business rule until the Supreme Court rules on the constitutionality of the bureau’s funding structure.
September 18, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

ICBA, groups oppose effort to slip credit card bill into military funding package

ICBA and other groups expressed united opposition to efforts by Sens. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) and Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) to attach their ICBA-opposed credit card routing bill to a must-pass appropriations bill.
September 18, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Credit Cards Payments 

Senate panel to mark up cannabis banking bill this month

The Senate Banking Committee said it would meet Sept. 27 to consider ICBA-advocated legislation to establish a safe harbor from federal sanctions for financial institutions that serve cannabis-related businesses in states where cannabis is legal.
September 18, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Cannabis banking 

Jim Reber: Monetary Policy for the WIN

The Fed was battling inflation 50 years ago, too.
September 18, 2023 | Independent Banker  

ICBA ThinkTECH Solutions Forum Spotlights Faster Payments Offerings for Community Banks

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) hosted its first ThinkTECH Solutions Forum yesterday. This forum, which was designed to foster industry collaboration in support of community bank adoption of faster payments, is the first of three such forums planned for this year.
September 15, 2023 | Press Release   Payments Technology Fintech Innovation 

Financial Services Industry Opposes Effort by Senators Durbin & Marshall to Force Credit Card Routing Mandates into Military Construction, Veterans Affairs Funding Bill

Today, 11 trade associations representing virtually all banks and credit unions, including those primarily serving military-affiliated customers and members, released the following joint statement opposing the effort by Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Roger Marshall (R-KS) to attach their proposed credit card routing legislation (S. 1838) to the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 4366):
September 15, 2023 | Press Release   Payments 

CFPB updates FAQs on 1071 rule

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau updated its frequently asked questions on its Section 1071 small-business rule.
September 15, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

Innovation and relationship banking define community bank value proposition: ICBA leaders

Data show that consumers and small businesses value the symbiotic relationship between innovation and relationship banking that community banks offer, ICBA community bankers wrote in a new LinkedIn post.
September 15, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Fintech Innovation 

ICBA urges CBDC opposition at House hearing

ICBA reiterated to Congress its opposition to the creation of a U.S. central bank digital currency.
September 15, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Digital Assets 

Romero Rainey: ICBA campaigns targeting credit union policies

With credit union executives in Washington this week for advocacy meetings, ICBA launched several campaigns to raise questions about credit union policies among lawmakers, ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey announced.
September 15, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Credit Unions 

Senator renews push to advance ICBA-opposed credit card routing bill

ICBA is calling on community bankers to voice strong opposition to renewed efforts by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) to force Senate consideration of legislation to advance credit card routing restrictions.
September 15, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Payments 

Primis Bank Brings Banking to Your Front Door

Inspired by a fateful food delivery, Primis Bank launched V1BE, a banking delivery service that serves both individuals and businesses.
September 15, 2023 | Independent Banker  

ICBA meets with OCC on re-presentment concerns

ICBA leadership community bankers and staff this week met with OCC officials on the agency’s supervisory approach to how banks treat single items that are repeatedly rejected for insufficient funds.
September 14, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 

ICBA Statement on Swearing-in of Federal Reserve Board Members

Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on today’s swearing-in of members of the Federal Reserve Board.
September 14, 2023 | Press Release   Federal Reserve Agencies/Regulators  

Lindsay LaNore: Look for Learning Everywhere

Learning happens everywhere, and those lessons can have a big impact on our work performance, perspective and team culture.
September 14, 2023 | Independent Banker  

ICBA grassroots campaigns continue with Congress back in Washington

With Congress back in Washington following the August recess, ICBA continues its grassroots campaigns on key advocacy issues.
September 13, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

SEC’s Gensler to Congress: Securities laws apply to crypto industry

Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler told Congress that most crypto tokens and intermediaries are subject to U.S. securities laws despite the industry’s “wide-ranging noncompliance.”
September 13, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Cybersecurity 

Judge vacates ICBA-opposed CFPB exam manual update

A federal judge vacated last year’s ICBA-opposed Consumer Financial Protection Bureau actions expanding the bureau’s authority to examine banks for discrimination.
September 13, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

FHFA plans stakeholder forums on new credit score models

The Federal Housing Finance Agency said it will hold stakeholder forums and listening sessions in the coming weeks on its plans to transition Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to new credit score models.
September 13, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance Federal Housing Finance Agency 

FS-ISAC spotlights MinIO threat targeting corporate networks

The Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center’s latest weekly risk summary covers an unknown threat actor exploiting vulnerabilities in the MinIO Object Storage system to remotely execute arbitrary code on vulnerable servers.
September 13, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Cybersecurity 

What Does Pay by Bank Mean for Community Banks?

Now that FedNow has launched, it’s time to put some focus on a new payments form: Pay by Bank.
September 13, 2023 | Independent Banker   Payments 

Veritex Community Bank Throws a Fastball for Financial Literacy

This baseball season, every strikeout thrown by Houston Astros pitcher Ryan Pressly spurs a $100 donation to Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas—courtesy of Veritex Community Bank.
September 12, 2023 | Independent Banker  

Rakuten credit union application confirmed following ICBA outreach

The National Credit Union Administration reportedly confirmed that Rakuten Inc. has applied for a federal credit union charter after ICBA asked the agency for confirmation.
September 11, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Credit Unions 

Barr: Fed program on novel activities will continue to grow

The Federal Reserve’s new program to supervise novel, technology-driven activities in the banks it oversees will continue to grow as new technologies emerge, Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr said.
September 11, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Technology 

ICBA urges bipartisan response to SBA 7(a) changes ahead of House markup

ICBA and other groups urged the House Small Business Committee to work toward a bipartisan response to recent Small Business Administration changes to its 7(a) loan program.
September 11, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Small Business Lending Small Business Administration 

ICBA community bankers discuss navigating challenges in new video

ICBA leadership community bankers discussed the vital role of community banks in a video discussion with the Travillian executive search and talent advisory firm.
September 11, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Community Bank Awareness 

Derek Williams: At the Heart of Service

There’s a commitment to the community that’s based on one fact: Service is not something we strive for; it’s simply a part of who we are.
September 11, 2023 | Independent Banker  

ICBA rejects Kevin O’Leary’s inaccurate message on bank lending

ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey pushed back against erroneous claims from television personality Kevin O'Leary that banks are not lending to small businesses in the current economic environment.
September 08, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Lending 

Chopra: CFPB’s 1033 proposal coming next month

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau next month will propose standards for sharing consumer financial data, CFPB Director Rohit Chopra said.
September 08, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

Community bank net income rises 3.4% in Q2

Community banks reported a 3.4% second-quarter increase in net income from the previous quarter and a 0.7% increase from the same period a year ago, according to the FDIC’s latest Quarterly Banking Profile.
September 08, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Community Bank Awareness 

How Technology Can Simplify Banks' Workflow

As compliance obligations mount, community bankers reveal the benefits regtech brings to their banks and offer tips for finding the right partners.
September 08, 2023 | Independent Banker   Compliance Payments 

Rebeca Romero Rainey: Advocate for a Positive Environment

We advocate for community bankers to continue to have an environment where they can help their customers, and we respond creatively to ensure our customers still have access to solutions that meet their needs.
September 07, 2023 | Independent Banker  

FDIC launching new site for consumer compliance, CRA exam activities

The FDIC said it will launch a new Banker Engagement Site through FDICconnect this month for examination-related activities.
September 06, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

ICBA conducting Marketing and Communications Toolkit survey

ICBA is conducting a survey to learn how member community bankers use its "Tell Your Story" Marketing and Communications Toolkit to help elevate and distinguish community banking in the hearts and minds of the public.
September 06, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Marketing 

FDIC promotes tips to prevent elder financial abuse

The latest FDIC Consumer News offers tips for spotting and preventing elder financial abuse. The publication encourages consumers to choose advisors carefully, be careful with powers of attorney, protect personal financial information, and more.
September 06, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Elder Abuse Prevention 

ICBA Honors 2023 National Community Bank Service Award Recipients

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today announced the winners of its 2023 National Community Bank Service Awards in recognition of the creative and exemplary efforts of the nation’s community banks to help their local economies flourish. Stories are featured in the September issue of ICBA Independent Banker.
September 06, 2023 | Press Release  

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