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.
FinCEN underestimating burden of info-sharing requests: ICBA
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network underestimates the regulatory burden of information sharing requests between banks and law enforcement under the USA PATRIOT Act, ICBA told the agency.
September 13, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Data Security/Fraud Technology Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
Farm Credit System reports favorable results despite headwinds
The Farm Credit Administration reported that tight labor markets, rising interest rates, a strong dollar, high energy prices, and drought conditions are creating uncertainty in rural economies and farm input prices—though the Farm Credit System is reporting favorable financial results.
September 13, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Agriculture
FDIC Second-Quarter Deposit Data Show Proposed Assessment Rate Hike Not Needed
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on the FDIC’s latest Quarterly Banking Profile.
September 08, 2022 |
Press Release
Deposit Insurance
ICBA Statement on Federal Home Loan Bank Review
ICBA statement on the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s comprehensive review of the Federal Home Loan Bank System.
September 06, 2022 |
Press Release
FHLB Federal Housing Finance Agency
ICBA: Two-Thirds of Voters Support Cannabis Banking Access
Two-thirds of voters (65%) support allowing cannabis-related businesses to have access to banking services in states where cannabis is legal, the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) announced.
September 02, 2022 |
Press Release
Cannabis banking
OCC announces assessment rate cuts targeting community banks
The OCC will reduce assessment rates on OCC-chartered community banks by 40% starting next year, Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael Hsu announced.
September 02, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
ICBA recognizes National Preparedness Month
ICBA recognized National Preparedness Month in September by issuing tips to help Americans secure their financial documents before disaster strikes.
September 02, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Risk
ICBA voices opposition to Durbin Amendment expansion
ICBA this week expressed strong opposition to legislation that would create new credit card routing mandates that expand on Durbin Amendment payments interventions.
September 02, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Lending
Fed raises order limits for nickels, dimes, quarters
The Federal Reserve said it will raise order limits for nickels, dimes, and quarters, effective Tuesday. Limits for pennies are unchanged.
September 02, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Crisis Preparedness
ICBA Shares Financial Preparedness Tips for Consumers During National Preparedness Month in September
In recognition of National Preparedness Month in September, the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) and the nation’s community bankers are reminding Americans to create a plan to ease their worries and speed their financial recovery in the wake of a natural disaster.
September 01, 2022 |
Press Release
Community Bank Awareness
Brad M. Bolton: Compliance as a focal point
Managing compliance is a role that community bankers take more seriously than any other segment of the financial services industry.
September 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Compliance
Charles Potts: Agtech’s innovation opportunities
Agtech—the application of technology to every aspect of the food production process, from farm to table—is growing in importance to the mission of ICBA and community banks.
September 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
Lindsay LaNore: Lessons from an escape room
As teams, how well do we work under pressure? The ICBA Community Banker University team recently had a chance to think about that when, at our annual strategy and teambuilding meeting, we found ourselves locked in an escape room.
September 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Tailor-made community banking
These community banks tailor their products and services not just to their neighborhood demographics but to everyone’s needs, from bank accounts for gig economy workers to microloans for consumers. In short, they do what community banks do best.
September 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Advocacy
Capitalize on social payments
Social payments methods like Venmo and Cash App continue to grow in popularity, and the data is there to prove it, creating an opportunity to give customers what they want: 24/7 access to cashless, P2P and mobile transactions. So how do social payments fit in community banks’ long-term future?
September 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
How to reach customers with disabilities
Some people living with disabilities eschew banking services because they feel financially underserved or physically barred. Through sensitive customer service, affordable products and ADA-compliant accessibility, community banks can make them feel welcomed and accommodated.
September 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Compliance
Rebeca Romero Rainey: The spirit of service
Community banks stand out in today’s financial services space because our business model depends on an ecosystem where the bank only benefits when customers do.
September 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Aaron Stetter: ICBA's fall legislative outlook
Legislation addressing everything from farm lending to credit union overreach is set to go before Congress this autumn. Now’s the time to make your voice heard on the issues that affect community banks and their customers.
September 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Advocacy
A Loan So Good, Borrowers Can’t Stop Talking About It
SPONSORED | See what real borrowers are saying about the Kasasa Loan® — and why its flexibility, control, and transparency are changing the loan game for consumers and community banks alike.
September 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Lending
Banking Milestones: Celebrate Yesterday’s Innovations, and Embrace Tomorrow’s Opportunity
SPONSORED | For many banks, it may seem difficult to keep pace with innovation, given the number of solutions that power each line of business within your institution. Rather than being held back by aging platforms, let’s celebrate yesterday’s innovations, but look ahead towards opportunity.
September 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Gamification’s Place in Community Banking
SPONSORED | How can gamification benefit your community bank? In more ways than you might realize. Zogo has mastered the art of incentivizing gamification that bolsters loyalty, engagement, activity, and more. Thanks to gamification, finance can be fun - find out how!
September 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
How OnBoard’s Board Governance Solution Helps Banks Be Their Best
SPONSORED | First Citizens Bank, an Iowa state-chartered bank, uses OnBoard’s board management software to increase efficiency and deliver a consistent, improved process for its boards, committees, and loan approval processes.
September 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Why Today’s Innovation Is Tomorrow’s Normal—With Tim Shangle, AVP, Innovation and Data Analytics, ChoiceOne Bank
Jim Reber: Buying time (maybe)
A sell-off in 2022 isn’t following previous bear markets.
September 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
ICBA Names 2022 National Community Bank Service Awards Winners
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today announced the winners of its 2022 National Community Bank Service Awards, which celebrate the outstanding service and creative volunteer efforts of the nation’s community banks. Stories are featured in the September issue of ICBA Independent Banker.
August 31, 2022 |
Press Release
Community Bank Awareness
Romero Rainey: ICBA opposing bill to expand Durbin Amendment
ICBA continues speaking out against policymakers’ efforts to expand on harmful Durbin Amendment interventions on payment card systems, ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey wrote in a recent blog post.
August 30, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Lending
FedNow rollout set for May-July
The Federal Reserve said it plans to roll out its FedNow instant payments service between May and July of next year.
August 30, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Payments Instant Payments
ICBA-CISA cyber exercise twice this week
ICBA and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency are hosting a tabletop exercise today and tomorrow to support community bank cybersecurity.
August 30, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Cybersecurity
Biden announces student debt forgiveness plan
The Biden administration announced plans to provide up to $20,000 in student debt forgiveness and extended the federal student loan repayment moratorium, first implemented under the Trump administration, through Dec. 31.
August 25, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Lending
USDA announces up to $550M in American Rescue Plan funding
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide up to $550 million in funding to support projects that enable underserved producers to access land, capital, and markets, and train the next generation of agricultural professionals.
August 25, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Agriculture
ICBA-CISA cybersecurity exercise next week
With cybersecurity topping community bankers’ list of risk concerns, ICBA has partnered with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to host two tabletop exercise dates next week designed specifically for community bankers.
August 25, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Cybersecurity
ICBA Opposes FDIC’s One-Size-Fits-All Hike in Deposit Insurance Assessment Rates
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today called on the FDIC to reconsider its proposal to dramatically increase the rates banks pay to fund the nation’s deposit insurance system, which would disproportionately affect community banks.
August 19, 2022 |
Press Release
Deposit Insurance
ICBA Urges FDIC to Reject Ford Bank Application
ICBA today called on the FDIC to reject the deposit insurance application of Ford Credit Bank as an industrial loan company, or ILC, which would allow the company to skirt regulatory oversight and violate U.S. policy separating banking and commerce.
August 19, 2022 |
Press Release
Lending
ICBA Announces Close of First BankTech Ventures Investment Fund
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) announced the closing of the BankTech Ventures Fund, which raised more than $115 million in committed capital in its first fund to accelerate technology opportunities and adoption at community banks.
August 16, 2022 |
Press Release
Technology
ICBA urging comments on deposit insurance assessments
ICBA is calling on community bankers to submit personalized comments to the FDIC opposing its proposal to raise deposit insurance assessment rates by 2 basis points on all insured institutions.
August 15, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Deposit Insurance
House approves spending bill that excludes ICBA-opposed policies
The House passed budget reconciliation legislation that excludes several proposed tax provisions strongly opposed by ICBA.
August 15, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Taxes & Budget
CFPB planning inquiry on credit card interest rates
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released a blog post targeting the growing divergence between credit card interest and charge-off rates—and previewing an inquiry into industry practices.
August 15, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
ICBA Urges Policymakers to Prioritize National Security in New Crypto Rules
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) told the Treasury Department that policymakers developing new rules for cryptocurrency should prioritize protecting national security amid catastrophic developments in the crypto markets this year.
August 09, 2022 |
Press Release
Digital Assets
ICBA urges uniform CRA rule that minimizes reg burdens
ICBA called on federal banking regulators to issue a uniform final rule on Community Reinvestment Act modernization that minimizes new data collection and reporting burdens for community banks.
August 08, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
CRA
ICBA guide supports August recess meetings
With Congress breaking for the August recess, ICBA offers an updated version of its “Meetings on Main Street” guide to help community bankers host members of Congress.
August 08, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Advocacy Community Bank Awareness
FS-ISAC covers Robin Banks phishing platform
The Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center’s latest weekly risk report spotlights the new phishing-as-a-service platform, Robin Banks.
August 08, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Cybersecurity Technology
ICBA: Uniform Community Reinvestment Act Rule Should Minimize Burdens on Community Banks
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today called on federal banking regulators to issue a uniform final rule on Community Reinvestment Act modernization that minimizes new data collection and reporting burdens for community banks.
August 05, 2022 |
Press Release
CRA
House lawmakers press FDIC on appeals office change
Republican members of the House Financial Services Committee pressed the FDIC on its ICBA-opposed decision to eliminate the Office of Supervisory Appeals and reinstate the Supervision Appeals Review Committee.
August 04, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit union field of membership application blocked in Virginia
The Virginia State Corporation Commission denied Virginia Credit Union Inc.’s application to expand its field of membership to include the Medical Society of Virginia—the latest setback to the credit union industry’s efforts to increase its taxpayer-subsidized authority.
August 04, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
ICBA: Ford ILC application shows need to close loophole
The Ford Motor Co. plan to apply for an industrial loan company charter shows why the ILC loophole should be closed, ICBA’s Chris Cole told American Banker.
August 04, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Lending
Trades Petition CFPB to Ensure Data Aggregation Services Market is Fair, Transparent and Competitive
Eight national trade groups petitioned the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to initiate a rulemaking that will strengthen the privacy and security of consumer financial data held by fintechs, Big Tech and data aggregators.
August 02, 2022 |
Press Release
Cybersecurity
CFPB, DOJ issue reminder on servicemember auto finance protections
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Justice Department issued a joint letter reminding auto finance companies of their responsibility to recognize legal protections for military families under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.
August 01, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Lending Military Lending
Fed: Stablecoin growth poses structural vulnerabilities
The value of outstanding stablecoins grew roughly fivefold last year, the Federal Reserve said in its 2021 annual report.
August 01, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets Technology
FDIC issues fact sheet, advisory on crypto deposit insurance claims
The FDIC published a fact sheet to consumers and an advisory to financial institutions on FDIC deposit insurance and crypto companies.
August 01, 2022 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets Technology
Jenna Burke: Leading the climate risk charge
As lawmakers and regulatory bodies discuss their approach to managing climate-related rules, disclosures and oversight, ICBA pushes back against regulations that could prove disadvantageous to community banks, advocating for alternative measures.
August 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Advocacy
Commercial real estate outlook
The commercial real estate market is changing, as demand for new construction grows along with rising costs and interest rates. How do community banks fit in the bigger CRE picture? Lenders share some of their insights into operating in this fluid market.
August 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Lending
4 trending social media tips to know
The Social Bankers, a collective of community bank marketers, offers inspiration, information and professional development advice to community bankers focused on marketing and social media. We asked them for their need-to-know social tips.
August 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
Efficiency now: 8 smart strategy tips
Fallout from recent global events presents an obstacle to generating revenue for community banks. How can they counteract these effects and maximize financial efficiency? As we enter budgeting season, the answers might be found in a mix of strategies.
August 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
SouthState Bank turns swag into art
After a recent merger, SouthState Bank had hundreds of unused T-shirts featuring its old logo. Rather than send them to the landfill, it donated them to a community textile arts project that continues to inspire others.
August 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Jim Reber: Floating rate assets are back
Floaters are gaining popularity. Again.
August 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Lindsay LaNore: Strategic training initiatives
The workplace is in constant flux, business goals are growing and employee preferences are evolving. Aligning these factors is critical to a community bank’s success, and a great way to start doing that is by ensuring your professional development programs support your strategic goals.
August 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Charles Potts: Strengthening human connections
Community banks are the lifeblood of communities, but people are the lifeblood of community banks.
August 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Brad M. Bolton: Retaining the best
Community bank employees fill a special role, unlike no other position in the market today, and we must do a better job of telling that story.
August 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Budget prioritization
Community banks stand out in today’s financial services space because our business model depends on an ecosystem where the bank only benefits when customers do.
August 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
The community banks beating the Great Resignation
A mass exodus of the U.S. workforce during the pandemic brought challenges in recruiting entry- to mid-level staff. These community banks share how they have (or haven’t) altered their hiring strategies.
August 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
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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