Skip to Main Content
ICBA
ICBA
  • Member Login
  • Member Login

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.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter Example Text Press Resources Example Text

Member Milestones: Keeping the Community Bank Spirit Alive

Each year, ICBA recognizes member banks celebrating significant anniversaries: 100, 125, 150 or 175 years. Each has a story that proves why these community banks remain staples of their towns and cities to this day.
August 04, 2023 | Independent Banker  

Regulators update BSA/AML exam manual

The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council announced updated sections and related examination procedures in its Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering Examination Manual.
August 03, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

CFOs' Tips on a Changing Environment

Community bank chief financial officers are currently facing one of the most challenging environments in decades. Rising interest rates have raised the cost of funds considerably, inflation remains stubbornly high and many economists believe that a recession is likely either late this year or next year. Independent Banker recently spoke with community bank CFOs to see how they are helping their banks flourish in this environment.
August 03, 2023 | Independent Banker  

Romero Rainey: ICBA continues advocating community bank 1071 relief

ICBA is taking steps to ensure that a recent court decision granting temporary injunctive relief from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Section 1071 final rule applies to all community banks, ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey said in a message to ICBA members.
August 02, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

Nonbank Figure withdraws OCC charter application

Figure Technologies, a nonbank consumer lender looking to expand into payments services, withdrew its application for a national bank charter.
August 02, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   State-Owned/Public Banks 

Fed survey: Plurality of banks seek to maintain current balance sheet size

Nearly one-third of respondents to a Federal Reserve survey of senior financial officers said their banks plan to take actions to maintain the current size of their balance sheets over the next six months.
August 02, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Federal Reserve 

CISA warns of Ivanti system vulnerabilities

Threat actors are exploiting vulnerabilities in the Ivanti Endpoint Manager Mobile device management system, according to a cybersecurity advisory from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
August 02, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Cybersecurity 

Susan Sullivan: Staking a Claim in the Digital Assets Debate

As Congress and other federal agencies discuss the evolving marketplace of cryptocurrency and a CBDC, ICBA is ensuring the voice of community banks are being heard.
August 02, 2023 | Independent Banker   Advocacy 

Troy Bank & Trust Banks Carries the Torch for its Founder

Charles Henderson’s legacy as a businessman, politician and philanthropist continues to guide Alabama’s Troy Bank & Trust nearly a century after his death.
August 01, 2023 | Independent Banker  

Member Benefits: ICBA Career Center

ICBA’s Career Center serves bankers who are both hiring and looking for jobs, connecting them to the financial institution careers and talent that they desire.
August 01, 2023 | Independent Banker  

How Choice Bank Used Tech to Recapture Ag Business

When ag retailers started offering financing options from national companies at the point of sale, Choice Bank hit back with the development of an innovative POS digital origination platform.
August 01, 2023 | Independent Banker   Lending 

OceanFirst Bank's Financial Literacy Push

With a goal of improving financial literacy statewide and within its served communities, OceanFirst Bank N.A. in Toms River, N.J., donated $10,000 to Junior Achievement (JA) of New Jersey, which is part of a national nonprofit that provides millions of students across the country with career readiness skills.
August 01, 2023 | Independent Banker  

Out of Office: JD Bubel

The vice president and CIO of $240 million-asset Security First Bank in Center, N.D., is retiring from his second career as a rodeo stock contractor, a job he did with his father for the love of rodeo.
August 01, 2023 | Independent Banker  

Compensation and Benefits for Community Banks' C-Suite

When selecting benefits for your executive employees, their wants and needs may differ depending on the state of the market, where they are in life and other factors. Learn how to tune into those needs and retain your top employees.
August 01, 2023 | Independent Banker  

ICBA Names Faith Lutat Vice President of Member Relations

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today announced the hire of Faith Lutat as vice present of member relations.
July 31, 2023 | Press Release  

Committee passes ICBA-advocated resolution to block CFPB’s 1071 rule

The House Financial Services Committee voted 29-21 to advance an ICBA-advocated resolution to block the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Section 1071 rule.
July 28, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

ICBA Commends House Committee for Passing Resolution to Nullify CFPB’s Small-Business Reporting Rule

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today commended the House Financial Services Committee for advancing an ICBA-advocated resolution to nullify the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Section 1071 small-business data collection and reporting requirements.
July 28, 2023 | Press Release   Compliance 

Nearly 1,000 ICBA Community members in first week

The numbers show this month’s launch of the ICBA Community online platform has been well-received by community bankers, ICBA’s Vanessa Hanson writes in a new blog post.
July 28, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Community Bank Awareness 

Agencies release proposal on large bank capital standards

The FDIC, Federal Reserve, and OCC released an interagency proposed rule to strengthen capital standards on the largest banks and explicitly said they would not apply to community banks.
July 28, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Capital Compliance 

New ICBA podcast on 2023 top lenders

The latest episode of ICBA’s “Independent Banker” podcast features community bankers from Independent Banker magazine’s lists of 2023’s top community bank lenders.
July 28, 2023 | Podcast   Lending 

CFPB report targets consumer financial products

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released a new Supervisory Highlights report on unfair, deceptive, and abusive acts or practices across various consumer financial products.
July 27, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

New compliance note on sanctions-related self-disclosures

The Treasury, Commerce, and Justice departments issued a joint compliance note focusing on voluntary self-disclosure policies that apply to U.S. sanctions, export controls, and other national security laws.
July 27, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

Romero Rainey: ICBA support for special assessment exemplifies its mission

ICBA’s support for the FDIC’s proposed special assessment exemption for community banks illustrates its unique mission, ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey wrote in a new blog post.
July 26, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 

Committee slated to vote tomorrow on blocking 1071 rule

With the House Financial Services Committee slated to take up an ICBA-advocated resolution to block the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Section 1071 rule, ICBA called on the committee to pass the measure.
July 26, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 

Same Day ACH continues expansion

The value of Same Day ACH payments grew 51.7% in the first half of 2023 from a year earlier, while payments volume rose 13.7%, Nacha reported.
July 26, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   ACH 

Out of Office: Dick Behl

The president of $35 million-asset Farmers & Merchants State Bank in Scotland, S.D., doubles as a weekend scuba instructor.
July 26, 2023 | Independent Banker  

ICBA polling campaign on interchange bill running this week

With Sens. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) working to attach credit card routing restrictions to the National Defense Authorization Act, ICBA this week is promoting its new polling results showing voters oppose the policy change.
July 25, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Credit Cards 

80% of FDIC special assessment comment letters from community bankers

Community bankers responded in force to ICBA’s grassroots advocacy campaign supporting the FDIC’s proposal to exempt community banks under $5 billion in assets from its special assessment.
July 25, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 

First Community Bank Paints the Town Pink for Charity

First Community Bank raised more than $16,000 for breast cancer research. Throughout October 2022, the community bank in Batesville, Ark., participated in White River Health System’s Paint the Town Pink initiative to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research and the medical organization’s equipment.
July 25, 2023 | Independent Banker  

Fed’s Barr: Fair lending oversight needs to adapt to technological change

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued its fair lending annual report to Congress describing its fair lending enforcement priorities and statistics.
July 24, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance Lending 

In Pictures: The ICBA Capital Summit 2023

To advocate for community banks across the nation, ICBA and participating bankers went straight to the source: Capitol Hill. See what these bankers got to experience during ICBA’s annual in-person advocacy event as they lobbied for important industry changes and regulations.
July 24, 2023 | Independent Banker   Advocacy 

As Lawmakers Push to Include Credit Card Restrictions in Defense Bill, New ICBA Polling Shows Voter Opposition

With Sens. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) working to attach their controversial credit card routing restrictions to the pending National Defense Authorization Act, the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today released new polling results showing voters oppose the policy change.
July 23, 2023 | Press Release   Credit Cards 

ICBA Urges FDIC to Finalize Special Assessment Rule as Proposed

ICBA said it strongly and emphatically supports the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s proposed rule to exempt community banks with less than $5 billion in uninsured deposits from its special assessment following the failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank of New York.
July 21, 2023 | Press Release  

Community banker cautions Congress on deposit insurance reform

ICBA community banker Thomas Fraser—CEO of First Mutual Holding Co. in Lakewood, Ohio—testified on deposit insurance reform before the Senate Banking Committee on behalf of his banks.
July 21, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Deposit Insurance 

Court ruling opens door to more legal disputes over debts

A U.S. appeals court this week issued a decision that widens the avenue for consumers to challenge their debt under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
July 21, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance Credit Cards 

How Banks Can Approach Cannabis Compliance

For community banks that are interested in or are already working with cannabis-related businesses, understanding compliance guidelines surrounding that sector is vital. We spoke with experts on how to navigate the specific requirements of this industry.
July 21, 2023 | Independent Banker   Compliance 

ICBA Commends Federal Reserve for FedNow Launch

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today commended the Federal Reserve for its launch of the FedNow Service, the Fed’s instant payment service that ICBA has staunchly advocated for years.
July 20, 2023 | Press Release  

Charles Potts: The Myth, Lure and Reality of AI

AI has become more advanced, but in a cost-effective manner, making it available to the masses.
July 20, 2023 | Independent Banker   Payments 

ICBA Commends Senate Small Business Committee for Advancing Legislation Addressing SBA 7(a) Changes

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today commended the Senate Small Business Committee for advancing legislation to address ICBA-opposed Small Business Administration changes to its 7(a) small-business loan program.
July 19, 2023 | Press Release   Small Business Administration 

With Bipartisan ACRE Act Introduced in Senate, ICBA Polling Shows Strong Support Among Voters

Following today’s Senate introduction of bipartisan legislation to support farmers, ranchers, and rural homeowners, the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) released new polling conducted by Morning Consult showing broad support for the legislation.
July 19, 2023 | Press Release   Agriculture 

Q&A: Computer-Security Incident Notifications

To prevent cyber incidents, new computer-security incident notification requirements were established in late 2021, changing the way community banks need to react in case of a cybersecurity event.
July 19, 2023 | Independent Banker   Compliance 

Jim Reber: Portfolio Power

Barbell structure may be the right regimen.
July 18, 2023 | Independent Banker   Growing the Community 

ICBA: Community banks not ‘furnishers’ under fair credit law

Community banks should not be classified as data furnishers when data brokers obtain consumer information from a bank, ICBA told the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
July 17, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 

ICBA, groups oppose effort to tie credit card bill to defense legislation

ICBA and other financial services groups expressed strong opposition to an attempt to advance credit card routing restrictions via this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, while ICBA continues its grassroots campaign against the measure.
July 17, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Credit Cards 

Minnesota's First Black-Owned Bank

In 2022, Detroit-based First Independence Bank became the first Black-owned bank to open a branch in Minnesota, with the goal of creating greater economic prospects for underserved people.
July 17, 2023 | Independent Banker   Advocacy 

Lindsay LaNore: 5 Skills to Master Early in Your Career

What are the career skills you need to learn in your twenties?
July 14, 2023 | Independent Banker  

CRA Partners Launches Forum for Community Bank CRA Professionals

CRA Partners, an ICBA affiliate, today announced the formation of CRA Collaborative, a peer group that provides community bankers with opportunities to engage in discussion around Community Reinvestment Act related topics.
July 13, 2023 | Press Release   CRA 

How Community Banks Can Better Protect Their ATMs

Branches aren’t the only bank properties that bad actors target. The number of ATM robberies is steadily increasing, and your security around them should, too.
July 13, 2023 | Independent Banker   Compliance 

ICBA launches online community for members

ICBA announced the launch of ICBA Community—an online platform that provides professional networking and discussion opportunities exclusively for community bankers.
July 12, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Growing the Community 

CFPB: Most consumer complaints target credit reports

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said more than three-quarters of its consumer complaints in 2022 focused on credit or consumer reporting, primarily related to inaccurate information on consumer credit reports.
July 12, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Compliance 

ICBA, state associations urge opposition to credit card routing bill

ICBA and 44 state community banking associations called on members of Congress to oppose the Credit Card Competition Act (S. 1838/H.R. 3881) while ICBA continues its grassroots campaign against the measure.
July 12, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Credit Cards 

CFPB, OCC penalize BofA for re-presentment fees, other practices

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and OCC announced penalties against Bank of America for assessing multiple overdraft and non-sufficient-funds fees against customers for a single transaction, among other practices.
July 12, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Compliance 

Tompkins Community Bank Nurtures Youth Programs

Tompkins Community Bank has a long history of helping fund youth programs, making a difference in the lives of future leaders, game changers and creatives.
July 12, 2023 | Independent Banker  

ICBA Announces Launch of Online Community Exclusively for Members

ICBA today announced the launch of ICBA Community—an online platform that provides professional networking and discussion opportunities exclusively for community bankers.
July 11, 2023 | Press Release   Growing the Community 

Derek Williams: A Show of Support

By supporting the people and businesses we know and understand, we are supporting our employees and our shareholders, and making our communities better places to live.
July 11, 2023 | Independent Banker  

ICBA Commends Fed Vice Chair Barr for Targeting Regulatory Capital Reforms on Largest Institutions

ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr’s remarks on pending regulatory capital rules.
July 10, 2023 | Press Release   Federal Reserve Regulatory Compliance 

ICBA urging community banker comment letters on FDIC assessment proposal

ICBA is calling on community bankers to send individual comment letters to the FDIC to support the agency’s proposal to exempt community banks under $5 billion in assets from its proposed special assessment.
July 10, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

Why FedNow isn't a Payments App

FedNow launches this month. That’s why it’s critical that community bankers understand the payments rail and how it differs from widely used payment apps.
July 10, 2023 | Independent Banker   Payments 

Texas Community Banker Elected to ICBA Securities Board

ICBA Securities Inc.®, the broker-dealer subsidiary of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), today announced the election of Gabriel Guerra, president and CEO of Kleberg Bank in Corpus Christi, Texas, to the ICBA Securities board of directors.
July 07, 2023 | Press Release  

ICBA to CFPB: Guidance on abusive conduct doesn’t acknowledge other regulations

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s policy statement that explains the legal prohibition on abusive conduct in consumer financial markets fails to acknowledge the myriad rules and regulations that apply to insured depository institutions, ICBA said.
July 07, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 

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

Subscribe to Independent Banker Magazine