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.
Federal agencies target transnational cybercrime networks
The Treasury and Justice departments announced several actions against criminal networks responsible for scams and money laundering, including an ICBA-supported final rule targeting the Cambodia-based Huione Group.
October 15, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Cybersecurity
Powell: Fed navigating data delayed due to shutdown
While some important government data have been delayed due to the federal government shutdown, available data indicate the outlook for employment and inflation has not changed much since the Federal Open Market Committee’s September meeting, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said.
October 15, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Reserve
Nacha approves rules on enhancing international ACH transactions
Nacha voting members approved five Nacha Operating Rules changes aimed at increasing the awareness and efficiency of international ACH transactions.
October 15, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ACH
ICBA urges policymakers to support CDFIs
ICBA expressed concerns with actions to dismantle the Community Development Financial Institution Fund following reports of Treasury Department actions to abolish the fund.
October 14, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
CDFI
ICBA supports bill to improve deposit insurance system
ICBA expressed support for deposit insurance reform legislation it said is an important start to strengthening the nation’s deposit insurance system that minimizes additional costs for community banks.
October 14, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Deposit Insurance
Senate votes down ICBA-opposed amendment to ban interest on reserves
The Senate last week voted against adding an ICBA-opposed ban on interest on reserves to the National Defense Authorization Act.
October 14, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Congressional Matters
ICBA Urges Policymakers to Continue to Support Local Communities Served by Community Development Financial Institutions
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on actions to dismantle the Community Development Financial Institution Fund.
October 11, 2025 |
Press Release
CDFI
ICBA Thanks Secretary Bessent Vice Chair Bowman for Pro Community Bank Remarks at Fed Conference
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on the Federal Reserve’s Community Bank Conference.
October 10, 2025 |
Press Release
Federal Reserve Community Bank Awareness
ICBA Supports Bill to Strengthen Deposit Insurance While Minimizing Costs to Community Banks
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) expressed support for legislation to strengthen the nation’s deposit insurance system while minimizing additional costs for community banks.
October 10, 2025 |
Press Release
Deposit Insurance
ICBA Names Wayne Miller Executive Vice President Chief Innovation Officer
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today announced the promotion of Wayne Miller to executive vice president, chief innovation officer. In this expanded role, Miller will help drive ICBA’s innovation strategy, helping to source, refine and scale offerings that deliver real-world solutions to the nation’s community banks.
October 09, 2025 |
Press Release
FFIEC releases second version of 2025 CRA software
The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council announced that the second version of the 2025 Community Reinvestment Act Data Entry Software Release is now available on the FFIEC CRA website.
October 08, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
ICBA Urges Congress to Preserve Access to Credit by Extending Prohibition on Yield Bearing Stablecoins
As the Senate considers legislation to establish a regulatory framework for digital assets markets, the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today is calling on lawmakers to ensure the legislation prohibits digital asset exchanges and affiliates from paying interest or yield to payment stablecoin holders.
October 08, 2025 |
Press Release
Digital Assets
FDIC OCC announce proposals to streamline regulatory oversight
ICBA commended the FDIC and OCC for issuing proposed rules to prohibit the use of reputation risk by regulators and to revise the supervisory framework for “unsafe or unsound” banking practices.
October 08, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation OCC
ICBA briefs Indiana community bankers
ICBA briefed Indiana Bankers Association members in Washington ahead of meetings with regulators and congressional offices.
October 08, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Fed s Bowman vows to continue improving regulatory framework for community banks
Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman said the Fed will continue to prioritize changes to the community bank regulatory and supervisory framework that will allow community banks to continue to thrive.
October 08, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Reserve
ICBA urges Treasury to restart production of pennies
ICBA called on the Treasury Department to restart production of the penny and develop a formal plan to phase out production of the one-cent coin.
October 07, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Department of Treasury
OCC announces regulatory relief for community banks
The OCC announced several ICBA-supported efforts to reduce regulatory burden for community banks.
October 07, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance OCC
ICBA Commends FDIC OCC on Proposals to Improve Regulatory Oversight
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey released the following statement on today’s Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) proposed rules to prohibit the use of reputation risk by regulators and to revise the supervisory framework for “unsafe or unsound” banking practices.
October 07, 2025 |
Press Release
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation OCC Regulatory Compliance
ICBA urging EGRPRA grassroots comment letters
ICBA is urging community bankers to submit comment letters by Oct. 23 on the final round of the banking agencies’ Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996 review.
October 07, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
EGRPRA s.2155
ICBA Applauds OCC s Commitment to Regulatory Relief for Community Banks
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) expressed strong support for today’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) announcement of a series of regulatory relief measures aimed at empowering community banks to continue serving their customers and communities.
October 06, 2025 |
Press Release
OCC
Compliance questions on National Flood Insurance Program end of penny production
The ICBA Compliance Center Question of the Week page features several new Q&As on the National Flood Insurance Program and the Treasury Department’s decision to end production of the penny.
October 06, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Climate
ICBA calls for farm aid package favorable community bank treatment
ICBA called on the Treasury and Agriculture Departments to provide farmers a large aid package and ensure that community banks are treated favorably when they help facilitate farm aid.
October 06, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Agriculture
SEC permits trust companies to custody cryptoassets
The SEC indicated it would permit registered funds and advisers to use state trust companies to custody cryptoassets.
October 06, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
ICBA updates advocacy dashboard
ICBA updated its “Advocacy in Action” government relations dashboard for the fourth quarter with the latest community banking advocacy successes and priorities.
October 03, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Independent Banker shares tips for tackling cyber threats
The latest Independent Banker magazine shares ways that community banks can fight cyber attacks that are being supercharged by AI and other technological capabilities.
October 03, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Cybersecurity
FDIC issues Q2 state profiles
The FDIC issued its state profiles for the second quarter. The series provides quarterly summaries of banking and economic conditions for each state.
October 03, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
SBA releases form to help community banks report on debanking compliance
As requested by ICBA, the Small Business Administration released a streamlined form to help community banks comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order on ensuring access to fair banking.
October 02, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Small Business Administration
Agencies share shutdown information
Federal agencies shared information on their programs and functionality during the government shutdown.
October 02, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Government Banks
President nominates Travis Hill as FDIC chairman
President Donald Trump nominated FDIC Acting Chairman Travis Hill to be FDIC chairman.
October 02, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Jacob Eisen: Playing Offense in Today's Fraud Environment
They say the best defense is a good offense, and with payments fraud, nothing rings truer. A proactive fraud strategy is a necessity.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Compliance
Scott Anchin: Keeping Up with Instant Payments Fraud
With instant payments becoming more mainstream, there are more opportunities for fraud.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Compliance
ICBA Certification Q&A: Susan McLaughlin
Susan McLaughlin is assistant vice president, auditor and financial reporting analyst at Merchants National Bank in Logan, Ohio. As a certified community bank internal auditor (CCBIA), McLaughlin shares how internal auditors play a vital role in community banking.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Fighting Fraud with Tech and Training
Community banks have to take a heavy hand when it comes to fraud. Amid both high-tech and check fraud, these banks are encouraging a watchful eye through technology and education.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Compliance
The Secret to Engaging Customers Through Podcasts
With the popularity of podcasts, these community banks are riding the sound waves. Learn how they plan and produce episodes and build up engaged audiences.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Growing the Community
Mickey Marshall: Why National Trust Bank Charters Sparked a Growing Policy Fight
Fintech and crypto firms continue to seek out trust charters for deposit-like products,
raising policy questions and competitive risks for community banks.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Advocacy
The Key to People-Focused Insurance Strategies
People make mistakes, but insurance can help ensure the bank doesn’t foot the bill for them.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Bank of the Pacific Strikes Up Support for a Local Nonprofit
In March, Bank of the Pacific in Aberdeen, Washington, sponsored the Bowl-A-Thon fundraiser for Friends of the Children Portland.
October 01, 2025 |
News
MainStreet Bank Empowers the Community, One Employee At a Time
Through its Making Change program, MainStreet Bank implores its employees to engage in and contribute to community work.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Powering Potential: How ICBA's Letters Influence Congress
When a member of Congress introduces a bill that would affect the community banking industry, ICBA analyzes its implications, provides guidance and begins putting pen to paper. Here’s how ICBA uses letters to try to influence Congress.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Advocacy
Out of Office: Brad Henion
The executive vice president and chief lending officer at $4.4 billion-asset ChoiceOne Bank in Sparta, Michigan, has trained hunting dogs for decades.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Balancing Innovation & Cost Control: A Community Banker’s Guide
SPONSORED | IBT Apps' newest ebook is available! Shopping for new technology can often feel like a lose-lose situation. With this guide, you’ll learn how to innovate smarter and spend wiser. A high-level, must-read for bank executives, operations, finance, and technology leaders.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Payments
Jack E. Hopkins: Employing a Multilayered Cybersecurity Approach
“We address cybersecurity from day one; our new employee orientation includes cyber training.”
October 01, 2025 |
News
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
Patriots Bank Goes Pink to Fight Breast Cancer
Patriots Bank launched a special debit card to generate emotional and financial support for breast cancer patients, and it has generated over $20,000 so far.
October 01, 2025 |
News
What Role Do Wealth Managers Play Amid Economic Uncertainty?
Community banks that offer wealth management can play a notable role in easing customers’ anxiety amid economic and financial uncertainty.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Growing the Community
FHFA Updates Enable Faster, Fairer Mortgages
The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced updates that it says are designed to deliver more efficiency, cost savings and a fairer appraisal process for borrowers and lenders alike.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Compliance
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
How Each Bank Department Contributes to a Core Conversion
Core conversions are a huge undertaking, which is why every bank employee, from IT to HR, plays a critical role in the transition.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Payments
Tackling Familiar Cyber Threats with Smarter Tools
Cyber attack methods remain the same, but they’re being supercharged by AI and other technological capabilities. Learn how your community bank can fight back using tools and education that are evolving, too.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Payments
Jim Reber: The Rule of Three
Bond portfolio yields are at multiyear highs.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Growing the Community
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Battling the Many Faces of Fraud, Together
“When community bankers alert their peers to a new type of fraud or a rise in a particular form of attack, they empower the community to act.”
October 01, 2025 |
News
How Bridge Loans Can Bolster Your Mortgage Offerings
In a complex real estate environment, these community banks are providing bridge loans and other offerings to supplement their mortgage services.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Lending
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
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