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.
House panel passes ICBA-supported cybersecurity bill
The House Homeland Security Committee unanimously passed the Widespread Information Management for the Welfare of Infrastructure and Government Act (H.R. 5079), ICBA-supported legislation that aims to modernize and extend the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015.
September 04, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Congressional Matters Cybersecurity
CFPB confirms plan to issue new rule on 1071
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reiterated that the agency’s new leadership has directed staff to initiate a new Section 1071 rulemaking.
September 03, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
ICBA honors National Community Bank Service Award recipients
ICBA announced the winners of the 2025 National Community Bank Service Awards in recognition of the creative and exemplary efforts of the nation’s community banks to help their local communities.
September 03, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Philly Fed updates confidence scam information
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia details types of confidence scams in the Fed’s latest Consumer Compliance Outlook.
September 03, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Reserve
FDIC removes disparate impact references from exam manual
The FDIC announced that it will evaluate potential discrimination under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Fair Housing Act only through evidence of disparate treatment.
September 02, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
ICBA 2025 National Community Bank Service Award Recipients Honored for Efforts to Create Resilient Communities
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today announced the winners of its 2025 National Community Bank Service Awards, recognizing the innovative and exceptional efforts of the nation’s community banks to support and uplift local communities. Stories are featured in the September issue of ICBA's Independent Banker magazine.
September 02, 2025 |
Press Release
ICBA: Latest credit union acquisition fueled by tax exemption
Following the latest acquisition of a community bank by a tax-exempt credit union, ICBA said the deal demonstrates why the growing skepticism of credit union tax and regulatory exemptions must evolve into policymaker action.
September 02, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
OCC decreases assessment rates
The OCC announced a decrease in assessment rates for the Sept. 30 semiannual assessment that will apply to all OCC-regulated institutions—its fifth decrease in assessments since 2017.
September 02, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
OCC
Yes, You CAN Offer Government-Guaranteed Lending Without Burdening Staff
SPONSORED | Government-guaranteed lending isn’t just smart—it’s essential for community banks looking to serve more local businesses, add non-interest income, and stay competitive. See how the right qualified Lender Service provider can help—without burdening your team.
September 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Lending
Q&A: Growth-Related Challenges for the Evolving Community Bank
Whether growing organically or through mergers and acquisitions, even positive change can present challenges. We talked to two community bankers about considerations and issues they’ve noticed as their banks have grown.
September 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
Rob Birgfeld: Amplify Community Banking With Local Influencers
Influencer marketing doesn’t have to target social media stars with millions of followers. It can start at a local level, with community banks reaching out to trusted individuals known within the community.
September 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
Jack E. Hopkins: Riding the Pendulum of Regulatory Compliance
“Even in the face of optimism, we recognize that with regulation, the only constant is change.”
September 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Out of Office: Skyler Kanipe
The project manager at $1.4 billion-asset Community Financial Services Bank (CFSB) in Benton, Kentucky, is always on the lookout for her next vintage find.
September 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
CedarStone Bank Recognizes and Thanks Local Teachers
Through its annual Teacher of the Year program, CedarStone Bank recognizes the dedication of Wilson County educators who inspire students and make a difference in their schooling every day.
September 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Reduce Collateralization: A Path to Greater Efficiency and Depositor Satisfaction
SPONSORED | Banks can use a reciprocal deposit network to make large deposits eligible for millions in aggregate FDIC insurance across network banks — replacing the need for collateral or repos.
September 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Making a Difference, One Act at a Time
“We live, thrive and face challenges in lockstep with our communities.”
September 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Addressing Operational Pain Points With Regtech
Community banks face a variety of challenges day to day—risk, fraud, cybersecurity, etc.—that are perpetuated by a lack of time or staff. Regtech can help take the weight off bankers’ shoulders.
September 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Building Bright Futures with Financial Education
High school financial literacy courses are an opportunity for community banks to set local youth up for success. See how some community banks are making a difference in financial education today.
September 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Charles Potts: How the Regtech Revolution Represents Banking Today
In many ways, ICBA’s core pillars—advocacy, education and innovation—define today’s community bank priorities. Extending those areas to the products and services driving bank investments, regulatory technology solutions emerge as a major player.
September 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Payments
2025 National Community Bank Service Awards
Gulf Coast Bank in Abbeville, Louisiana, and Legends Bank in Clarksville, Tennessee, run thoughtful and strategic programs that support their neighbors. That’s why they’ve been named the winners of the 2025 National Community Bank Service Awards. We talk to them and the runners-up about why and how they do the good work they do.
September 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Katahdin Trust Company Shoots and Scores for Youth Athletes
In March, $1 billion-asset Katahdin Trust Company (KTC) in Houlton, Maine, teamed up with Big Time Hoops to host its All Star Weekend. The event features a free youth skills clinic that gives young athletes across Maine a chance to sharpen their basketball skills.
September 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Powering Potential: Inside the ThinkTECH Accelerator
ICBA’s ThinkTECH Accelerator readies participating companies that have early-stage solutions and helps them tailor their products for community banks.
September 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
What Should Community Banks Know About Cross-Border Payments?
As cross-border payments reforms take shape, community banks must navigate promising opportunities and significant adjustments in this evolving space.
September 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Payments
How to Balance Collections With Compassion for Customers
Community banks face the delicate task of collecting past-due loans while maintaining a compassionate approach, There are ways to be successful at both, experts say.
September 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Lending
Amy Ledig: Setting Deregulatory Priorities to Help Community Banks
A rundown of five areas where ICBA’s advocacy is making an impact.
September 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Advocacy
How the MPF® Program Keeps Community Banks Competitive
SPONSORED | Through the Mortgage Partnership Finance® (MPF®) Program, community banks gain access to the secondary mortgage market while benefiting from key competitive advantages including strengthened relationships with borrowers, more attractive pricing, and a reputation for consistency and reliability.
September 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Lending
Starion Bank Targets New Depositors Through Gig Economy Program
Starion Bank’s pioneering finance program for contract workers is designed to empower DoorDash drivers with seamless payments and exclusive rewards.
September 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Lindsay LaNore: How to Play Well Without the Ball
There’s a rule that applies on the basketball court that can also be applied in the workplace. It’s called the 95% rule, and this is how it works.
September 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
4 Regulatory Challenges Community Banks Face Today
The regulatory environment for banks feels like it’s being turned upside down, but the fundamentals of compliance and risk management remain the same. We look at a few of the challenges community banks face today and hear from ICBA experts on what’s next.
September 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Compliance
How Community Banks Can Build a Risk-Savvy Board
For community bank board members to mitigate risk effectively throughout the organization, each director needs to understand their role. Learn about how these board members are taking a risk-informed approach that still leads with innovation.
September 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Still Processing Checks Like It’s 1995? Fraudsters Are Counting on It
SPONSORED | Outdated check processing systems expose community banks to rising fraud and compliance risks. Modernizing check processing enhances fraud detection, streamlines operations, and strengthens legal resilience—making it a critical risk management strategy, not just an efficiency upgrade.
September 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Compliance
Michael Benedict: Putting the 'Strategy' in 'Portfolio Strategy'
How can you use your portfolio to create operating leverage?
September 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
ICBA urging community bankers to provide comments on fraud
ICBA continues calling on community bankers to use its grassroots guide to submit comment letters on an ICBA-supported interagency request for information on mitigating payments fraud.
August 29, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Fraud
FinCEN issues advisory on Chinese money laundering networks
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued warnings on the threats posed by Chinese money laundering networks to the U.S. financial system.
August 29, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
Following Latest Community Bank Acquisition Fueled by Credit Union Tax Exemption, ICBA Continues Call for Policy Response
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on the latest acquisition of a tax-paying community bank by a tax-exempt credit union.
August 29, 2025 |
Press Release
Credit Unions
ICBA: GLBA is a solid framework that needs to be modernized
ICBA urged Congress to reduce duplicative Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act requirements for community banks while modernizing the law to ensure nonbank entities are subject to equivalent consumer data privacy standards.
August 29, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Congressional Matters
Op-ed: Credit unions are draining Louisiana communities
A new op-ed from ICBA leadership community banker Ken Hale says lawmakers must investigate whether credit unions’ tax-exempt status is still necessary in light of their significant growth, which is leaching revenue from state and local governments and setting the stage for higher taxes on local communities.
August 28, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
ICBA publishes guide to help community banks work with influencers
ICBA released the Guide to Local Influencer Marketing for Community Banks, which provides community bankers with step-by-step guidance and tools to successfully reach and attract the next generation of customers through trusted local voices.
August 28, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
SBA orders lenders to submit reports on debanking compliance
The Small Business Administration ordered the banks in its network to halt the practice of debanking certain individuals and businesses and to submit reports to the agency on their compliance with President Donald Trump’s executive order on fair banking.
August 28, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Small Business Administration
Community bank net income increases in Q2
Community banks reported a 12.5% second-quarter increase in net income from the previous quarter and a 22.9% increase from the previous year, according to the FDIC’s latest Quarterly Banking Profile.
August 27, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA opposes changes to megabank leverage ratio
ICBA opposed the federal banking regulators’ proposal to modify the enhanced supplementary leverage ratio standard that applies to the largest banking organizations.
August 27, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
CFPB proposes boundaries on nonbank supervision
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposed adopting a standard that says it can supervise nonbanks if it determines that the nonbank’s products or services pose a risk to consumers.
August 27, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
New op-ed: Credit unions shouldn’t qualify as CDFIs
A new op-ed says credit unions should not be designated as community development financial institutions due to their tax exemption.
August 25, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
Community Bankers of Michigan: Apply CRA to state’s credit unions
The Community Bankers of Michigan called on state lawmakers to subject credit unions to sound regulations such as the Community Reinvestment Act.
August 25, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
Faulkender leaving Treasury Department
Deputy Treasury Secretary Michael Faulkender is leaving the Treasury Department, according to media reports.
August 25, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Department of Treasury
CFPB releases new 1033 proposal on sharing consumer financial data
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released an advance notice of proposed rulemaking to collect information on how it should implement Section 1033 standards on sharing consumer financial data, and ICBA urged the agency to focus its rulemaking on including needed protections for community banks and their customers.
August 22, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
ICBA supports inclusion of CDFI amendments in defense bill
ICBA said it supported four pieces of legislation aimed at strengthening community development financial institutions that are being considered as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act.
August 22, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Sessions next month on leadership, retention, growth
ICBA next month is hosting three Let’s Chat sessions on how community banks are using ICBA’s talent development solutions to support leadership succession, employee retention, and team growth.
August 22, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA Statement on the CFPB’s Proposed Rule to Implement Section 1033 Standards on Sharing Consumer Financial Data
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on today’s Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposed rule to implement Section 1033 of the Dodd-Frank Act.
August 21, 2025 |
Press Release
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Solid labor market, stalling disinflation led to rate decision: minutes
Disinflation appeared to stall during the first half of the year while labor market conditions remained solid, according to the minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee’s July 29–30 meeting.
August 21, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Reserve
ICBA meets with FDIC chair on de novo banks
Senior ICBA staff and ICBA’s De Novo Working Group met with FDIC Acting Chairman Travis Hill to discuss regulatory challenges that de novo banks face.
August 21, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
De Novo Banks Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
ICBA urging community banker grassroots letters on fraud
ICBA is calling on community bankers to use its newly published grassroots guide to submit comment letters on an ICBA-supported interagency request for information on mitigating payments fraud.
August 20, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Grassroots/Be Heard
FDIC proposes changes to sign and advertising requirements
The FDIC proposed amending regulations governing the display of the FDIC official digital sign and non-deposit signage.
August 20, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
ICBA, others urge Congress to keep interchange amendments out of defense bill
ICBA and other groups urged Congress to reject the Marshall-Durbin interchange legislation—formally known as the Credit Card Competition Act—and a related “commissary interchange” study proposed as amendments to the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act.
August 20, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Cards
Independent Banker shares CD growth tips
The latest Independent Banker magazine details how some community banks are revamping their certificate of deposit strategies.
August 19, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Treasury requests comments on GENIUS Act
The Treasury Department issued a request for comment on its implementation of parts of the GENIUS Act stablecoin law.
August 19, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
CDFI Fund to resume acceptance of CDE applications
The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund announced it will resume acceptance of new applications for Certification as a Community Development Entity effective Sept. 9.
August 19, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
CDFI
ICBA urges Fed not to finalize proposed revisions to the large financial institution rating system
ICBA urged the Federal Reserve not to finalize the proposed revisions to the large financial institution rating system and framework for the supervision of insurance organizations.
August 18, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Reserve
Fed will sunset novel activities supervision program
The Federal Reserve announced it will sunset its novel activities supervision program and return to monitoring banks' novel activities through the normal supervisory process.
August 18, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Reserve
ICBA move strengthens industry presence
ICBA is relocating its national headquarters to a new space in Washington, D.C.
August 18, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
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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