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.
Grassroots key amid interchange amendment push
With lawmakers working to include ICBA-opposed credit card legislation in a must-pass defense bill, ICBA is urging community bankers to continue the grassroots campaign against the interchange measure.
October 07, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Cards Interchange
Financial Services Trades to Congress: NDAA Shouldn’t Be a Payday for Retailers
Ten leading financial services trade associations sent a letter to U.S. House and Senate leadership and the top members of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees warning them that attaching the so-called Credit Card Credit Card Competition Act of 2022 to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) “will rob military families of their credit card rewards, reduce the availability of safe credit, and undermine the nation’s data security.”
October 06, 2022 |
Press Release
ICBA Offers Tips to Help Consumers Protect Financial Data During Cybersecurity Awareness Month
In recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) and the nation’s community banks are reminding consumers of practical steps to help safeguard their sensitive data and mitigate losses in the event of a data breach or compromise.
October 05, 2022 |
Press Release
Cybersecurity
ICBA Statement on Recent Report on Zelle Fraud
Independent Community Bankers of America President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on a recent report from Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) on Zelle.
October 04, 2022 |
Press Release
Cybersecurity Fraud
Grassroots critical as lawmakers seek to advance interchange bill
With Sens. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) working to include their ICBA-opposed credit card legislation in a must-pass defense bill, ICBA is urging community bankers to continue the grassroots campaign against the interchange measure.
October 04, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Interchange
ICBA seeking Digital Assets Task Force nominations
ICBA is seeking submissions from volunteers to serve on a new Digital Assets Task Force to examine and deliberate issues related to central bank digital currency and digital assets, such as stablecoins.
October 04, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets Technology
Gruenberg: Community bank climate strategies successful
Community banks have successfully employed strategies for managing climate-related financial risk, though the prevalence of risk will increase with climate change, FDIC Acting Chairman Martin Gruenberg said.
October 04, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Climate Community Bank Awareness
Should you offer financial planning services?
Offering financial planning services is one way to expand a community bank’s footprint and deepen customer relationships. We spoke with several banks about why and how they offer wealth management services to new and existing clients.
October 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
How fraudsters target different generations
Financial fraud and cyber attacks aren’t a one-age-fits-all scenario. By identifying the preferred banking and spending habits of different generations, scammers can tailor how they reach their targets. We look at community banks’ options for fighting this type of crime.
October 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Compliance Payments
Entering the cannabis banking market
While the legal status of banking cannabis-related businesses remains fuzzy at the federal level, community banks in some states are finding that, with proper controls, they’re able to enter this niche market and offer banking services to these local businesses.
October 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Advocacy Growing the Community
Data privacy: How to keep customer data safe
Shielding sensitive customer information from prying eyes remains a chronic industry challenge. But as the prevalence of security breaches grows, so do the opportunities for community banks to position themselves as guardians of their customers’ personal data through compliance, technology and relationship building.
October 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Compliance Payments
How New England banks are supporting the tourism industry
Welcome, leaf peepers! Now that autumn is here, it’s time to take a road trip and meet the community banks that call New England home, making an impact on their communities and helping local tourism survive and thrive, year-round.
October 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Lending
Improve your community bank’s core with APIs
Application programming interfaces enable community banks to improve and upgrade elements of their core architectures without extensive and costly system overhauls. Banks and core processing providers are now leveraging and integrating APIs to modernize services.
October 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Payments
Brad M. Bolton: Protect customers against fraud
The knowledge we have cultivated over years of circumventing attacks means that we have a depth of understanding about cyber and data security that the general population doesn’t—and those are lessons we can share.
October 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Compliance
Jim Reber: New trials, new tricks
Proactive investment strategies are appearing in bank portfolios.
October 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Aaron Stetter: ICBA fighting Durbin amendment credit card expansion
The newly proposed Credit Card Competition Act could severely restrict community banks’ freedom regarding credit card payments, with cost hikes unfairly passed along to the consumer and the greater likelihood of security risks.
October 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Advocacy
Why Community Banks Need a Digital SBA Lending Platform [Checklist]
SPONSORED | Community bankers can take advantage of digital technologies to help improve SBA lending operations and generate more revenue from their SBA lending program. Find out why your bank should switch your SBA lending to digital with this easy checklist.
October 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Lending
How Do Banks Mitigate the Risk of Data Breaches?
SPONSORED | Cybercriminals target your employees daily, coercing them to expose credentials and protected data. This is why a cybersecurity awareness training program is no longer a check-the-box compliance standard for community banks. Discover the current cybersecurity challenges and solutions banks are facing.
October 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Payments
Does your bank need cyber insurance?
As digital crime evolves, cyber insurance could be part of the solution. We explore how it can protect banks against financial losses and provide resources in the event of a cyber attack.
October 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Payments Growing the Community
Charles Potts: Fighting cybercrime one innovation at a time
Community banks are at a critical juncture when it comes to cybersecurity. ICBA has extensive knowledge, expertise and education you can tap into to help you chart the path ahead.
October 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Payments
Lindsay LaNore: How to beat burnout
The leading causes of burnout include dealing with unclear expectations, and feeling overworked, underappreciated or unsupported by a manager or team. Combat burnout by renewing your bank’s focus on well-being.
October 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
More With Less: Managing Risks With Limited Resources
SPONSORED | With risk teams often facing resource constraints, digitizing the risk management process is a great way to improve efficiency. Not only does this save resources, but it improves risk managers’ ability to focus on the insights and actions that matter.
October 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Compliance
How to Protect Banks from Cyber Threats and Ransomware Attacks
SPONSORED | During this Dialogue on Demand session, we will explore advanced cyber threats and the critical technologies and services you need to protect your bank.
October 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Payments
FinCEN issues final rule on beneficial ownership reporting
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued a final rule establishing a beneficial ownership information reporting requirement.
September 30, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
Wayne Miller Named SVP, Innovation Programs as ICBA Brings ThinkTECH Accelerator Program In-House
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today announced Wayne Miller will join ICBA as senior vice president, innovation programs, effective October 17.
September 29, 2022 |
Press Release
As Hurricane Ian makes landfall, ICBA offers community bank resources
With Hurricane Ian making landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, ICBA offers updates on its Hurricane Preparedness resource center.
September 29, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Crisis Preparedness
Gruenberg: Community banks lead during downturns
FDIC Acting Chairman Martin Gruenberg reiterated his recent remarks that community banks have an outsized role in lending during times of distress and providing equitable access to financial services.
September 29, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Community Bank Awareness
Fed’s Bowman: Credit union acquisitions indicate need for merger rethink
Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman said the increase in credit union acquisitions of taxpaying community banks indicates regulators should rethink how they evaluate bank mergers.
September 29, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
ICBA Brings Successful ThinkTECH Accelerator Innovation Program In-house
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today announced plans to bring its award-winning, community banker-led ThinkTECH Accelerator program in-house with a new, dedicated office based in the innovation hub of Atlanta.
September 27, 2022 |
Press Release
Technology
ICBA offers hurricane resources as Ian approaches
ICBA updated its Hurricane Preparedness resource center with the latest on Hurricane Ian. With Ian on pace to make landfall with the west coast of Florida early Friday, the page offers community bankers tools to help weather the storm.
September 27, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Crisis Preparedness
CFPB ending no-action-letter, sandbox policies
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is allowing its ICBA-supported policies on no-action letters and compliance assistance sandboxes to expire, cementing the agency’s transition away from Office of Innovation programs.
September 27, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Compliance
Gooden-Welch Bill Prioritizes Big Box Retailers over Consumers
ICBA and other groups today sent a letter to House leaders warning that pending interchange legislation would reduce access to credit, increase security risks associated with credit card use, and limit credit card rewards programs.
September 27, 2022 |
Press Release
Interchange Fraud
States demand crypto lender cease interest-bearing accounts
Several states announced cease-and-desist actions against cryptocurrency lender Nexo alleging that its interest-bearing accounts function as an unlicensed security.
September 27, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets Technology
CFPB looks to spur automated mortgage refinancing, forbearance
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau requested feedback on ways to spur new mortgage products that streamline and automate loan refinancing.
September 23, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
Nacha announces framework to fight credit-push fraud
Nacha released a new strategy for payments industry participants to address scams that deceive consumers into sending payments to fraudsters under false pretenses.
September 23, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Cards Cybersecurity Technology Fraud
ICBA urging grassroots messages opposing Durbin Amendment expansion
With ICBA-opposed legislation to expand on the Durbin Amendment now introduced in both the House and Senate, ICBA is calling on community bankers to continue the grassroots campaign against the anti-consumer bill.
September 23, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Lending Payments
ICBA urges House to reject Durbin Amendment expansion
ICBA told House leaders it strongly opposes the Credit Card Competition Act of 2022 (H.R. 8874), controversial legislation to create new credit card routing mandates that expand on Durbin Amendment interchange restrictions.
September 22, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Lending Payments
Fed raises rates as projections reflect impact
The Federal Open Market Committee raised the federal funds rate target by another 75 basis points and released updated projections reflecting the impact of its campaign against inflation.
September 22, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Inflation
Treasury announces Emergency Capital Investment Program recipients
The Treasury Department announced that it has made over $8.28 billion of investments in 162 community financial institutions across the country through the Emergency Capital Investment Program.
September 22, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Department of Treasury
Liang: Treasury-led CBDC group a work in progress
The Treasury Department is still working out the details of a Treasury-led interagency work group on considering the adoption of a U.S. central bank digital currency, Treasury Undersecretary Nellie Liang said.
September 21, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Payments
ICBA Strongly Opposes Gooden-Welch Credit Card Bill
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on the House introduction of the Credit Card Competition Act.
September 20, 2022 |
Press Release
Credit Cards Lending Payments
As feds report on digital assets, ICBA poll suggests consumer skepticism
Following the Biden administration’s release of reports on digital assets policy, ICBA released new polling conducted by Morning Consult indicating consumers support a regulatory framework for digital assets and are skeptical of the creation of a U.S. central bank digital currency.
September 19, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets Technology
Article, campaign spotlight harmful impact of Durbin Amendment expansion
ICBA-opposed legislation to create new credit card routing mandates that expand on Durbin Amendment payments interventions would dramatically affect credit card rewards programs, according to a new report from The Points Guy.
September 19, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Lending Payments
ICBA ThinkTECH alums earn Finovate honors
ICBA and The Venture Center recognized this year’s Finovate Fall 2022 Best of Show winners, LemonadeLXP and Quilo, both of which were 2022 ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator participants.
September 19, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
As Feds Report on Digital Assets, New ICBA Polling Points to Consumer Skepticism with Crypto, CBDC
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) released new polling conducted by Morning Consult indicating consumers support a regulatory framework for digital assets and are skeptical of the creation of a U.S. central bank digital currency.
September 17, 2022 |
Press Release
Digital Assets
CFPB planning standards for nonbank ‘buy now, pay later’ lenders
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said it is developing consumer protections for “buy now, pay later” products similar to those that apply to credit cards.
September 16, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator Alumni LemonadeLXP, Quilo Win “Best of Show” Honors at Finovate Fall 2022
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) and The Venture Center celebrate this year’s Finovate Fall 2022 Best of Show winners, LemonadeLXP and Quilo, both of which were members of the 2022 ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator cohort.
September 16, 2022 |
Press Release
ICBA urges National Flood Insurance Program extension
ICBA called on Congress to extend the National Flood Insurance Program authorization before it expires Sept. 30 to avoid further disruptions to the housing market.
September 16, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Flood Insurance Compliance Housing Finance/GSEs
House members urge SBA to change PPP loan forgiveness policy
A group of House members led by Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) sent an ICBA-supported letter to the Small Business Administration calling for common-sense reform to Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness.
September 16, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Crisis Preparedness
Senate bill would bar Fed from issuing CBDC
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) introduced legislation to prohibit the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency.
September 16, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets Technology
A Note from the Chairman - Bancard Amplifies Our Voices
From digital transformation to the ramp up to instant payments with FedNow and beyond, payments have become the hot topic du jour. However, as community banking executives, we’re juggling multiple balls in the air, and a laser focus on payments can be challenging.
September 15, 2022 |
Payments Quarterly
Payments
Increase Credit Card Income with Comprehensive Marketing Programs
Card programs make significant contributions to banks’ revenue through interchange fees, interest charges on credit card balances, and balance transfer fees. Large financial institutions with deep pockets bombard consumers with card marketing campaigns to garner adoption and ideally gain top-of-wallet status.
September 15, 2022 |
Payments Quarterly
Payments
Cannabis banking co-sponsors in talks on compromise Senate bill
Lead co-sponsors of ICBA-advocated legislation to allow legal cannabis-related businesses to access banking services said they are working with key senators to advance the House-passed bill in the Senate.
September 15, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Cannabis banking
CFPB: Credit report furnishers must investigate disputes
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said the Fair Credit Reporting Act requires credit report furnishers to investigate potential inaccuracies in consumer credit reports.
September 15, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
Durbin Amendment expansion grassroots continues
Community bankers can continue using ICBA’s Be Heard grassroots action center to oppose legislation that would create new credit card routing mandates that expand on Durbin Amendment payments interventions.
September 15, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Lending Payments
Marketing Your Credit Card Program: A Community Bank in Alabama Weighs In
Ecommerce credit card spend is expected to surpass $500 billion in 2022 for the first time, according to insiderintelligence.com. Community bank marketers will need to be strategic in their outreach efforts, however, if they hope to capture a piece of the pie.
September 15, 2022 |
Payments Quarterly
Payments
Knowledge is Power – Turn Your Customers into Defenders
Falling victim to fraud or a scam can be an embarrassing and costly experience. According to a CNBC report published earlier this year, consumers reported fraud losses of more than $5.8 billion in 2021, with imposter fraud and investment scams leading the pack.
September 15, 2022 |
Payments Quarterly
Payments
Marketing in the round: Using a 360-degree marketing strategy to reach today’s prospects
In the pre-digital age of marketing, connecting with potential new customers was relatively simple. Everyone watched the same TV channels, listened to the same radio stations, and read the same local newspapers.
September 15, 2022 |
Payments Quarterly
Payments
Start simple: free marketing assets for community banks
There are several resources available to community bankers who want to market their credit or debit card program. Below are sites we recommend, which all house free marketing and educational materials to increase awareness and card usage.
September 15, 2022 |
Payments Quarterly
Payments
OCC announces chief climate risk officer
The OCC announced the appointment of Yue (Nina) Chen as chief climate risk officer. Chen will lead the agency’s Office of Climate Risk and development of climate risk management frameworks for the federal banking system.
September 13, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Climate
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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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