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.
De novos in the time of COVID
The 2008 financial crisis kept the number of de novos low for years, but that trend has started to reverse. Then, the pandemic happened. Today, de novos and beginner banks report that they’ve faced a unique set of challenges—and opportunities—while launching their financial institutions.
January 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
Community Bank CEO Outlook 2022: Your priorities for the new year
If 2020 was the year no one expected, 2021 was a year of resetting expectations. Between a smoldering pandemic, the divisive political landscape and strong, albeit uneven, growth, there was a lot to account for in 2021, and some uncertainty remains. What changes will 2022 bring? Independent Banker’s annual Community Bank CEO Outlook survey reveals how community bank leaders plan to leverage today’s deposit-laden banking environment to grow this year.
January 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Our first Innovation Conversation
Citizens Bank of Edmond evolves its innovation strategy by working with—and for—its community partners. We spoke to two of its business customers for the first article in a new series.
January 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Payments
FNB Community Bank is conquering TikTok
FNB Community Bank’s investment in social media has paid off. Marketing manager and assistant vice president Julie Waddle has excelled at making fun and informative videos that engage the bank’s customers and occasionally reach a viral audience of millions.
January 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
Paid social media's place in your marketing strategy
As social media platforms tinker with their algorithms, marketing experts say one trend is clear: Paid social campaigns are becoming increasingly necessary to cut through the noise and reach customers. They share tips for how community banks can get started.
January 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
Rebeca Romero Rainey: The spirit of innovation
A spirit of innovation and can-do attitude will serve you well this year, helping you remain ahead of the curve and address issues that arise.
January 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Lindsay LaNore: Revisiting recruitment
There’s much talk these days about talent acquisition and retention, with the three Rs—Recruit, Retain and Reward—taking center stage. Let’s start the year by looking at Recruit.
January 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Compliance changes coming this year
Driven by uncertainty around the pandemic, few compliance reforms were realized in 2021. This year, regulators are considering reforms centered on the Community Reinvestment Act, the Fair Housing Act and more.
January 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Advocacy Compliance
Robert Fisher: The nimbleness of community bankers
Let’s rediscover what it means to be community bankers. Let’s exercise our nimble natures to exceed customer expectations. Because as community bankers, it’s what we do.
January 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Advocacy
Charles Potts: Challenging the status quo
ICBA has preached the importance of innovation, not as a project or something to silo inside a department but as an inclusive cultural and philosophical endeavor that should be part of an organization’s DNA.
January 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Payments
Jim Reber: Supply chain histrionics
To start the year, here are my thoughts on the municipal bond market.
January 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Aaron Stetter: Nonstop advocacy
ICBA stands at the ready to protect the franchise value of the nation’s community banks and develop tools to empower them to speak up and be heard.
January 01, 2022 |
Independent Banker
Advocacy
ICBA Statement on Community Bank Leverage Ratio Guidance
Independent Community Bankers of America President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on new interagency guidance that indicates temporary relief from the 9% Community Bank Leverage Ratio will expire on Dec. 31.
December 22, 2021 |
Press Release
Advocacy Crisis Preparedness
ICBA updates marketing communications toolkit for 2022
ICBA updated its complimentary "Tell Your Story" Marketing Communications Toolkit for 2022 to help community banks plan for the year ahead.
December 22, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Advocacy
1071 comment letter deadline nears
The deadline for ICBA’s grassroots comment letter campaign on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s 1071 data collection and reporting requirements is rapidly approaching.
December 22, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance Lending
New ICBA podcast recaps opposition to Omarova nomination
The latest episode of ICBA’s Communities of Innovation podcast focuses on ICBA’s public opposition to professor Saule Omarova’s nomination to lead the OCC.
December 21, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
OCC
OSHA updates employer mandate compliance dates following court ruling
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration updated the compliance dates for its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for employers with 100 or more employees following a court ruling allowing it to proceed.
December 21, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance Crisis Preparedness
New ICBA podcast focuses on fraud prevention
The third episode of ICBA’s Communities of Innovation podcast focuses on fraud-prevention strategies and partnerships.
December 20, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Technology
OCC issues revised HMDA exam procedures
The OCC issued revised interagency Home Mortgage Disclosure Act examination procedures for determining HMDA compliance. The new procedures update interagency procedures issued in April 2019.
December 20, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
Court rules in favor of employer vaccine mandate
A federal appeals court ruled that the Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for employers with 100 or more employees may proceed, reversing a separate court’s administrative stay of enforcement.
December 20, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Advocacy Crisis Preparedness
Taking Bold and Brave Action for Community Banks – with Rebeca Romero Rainey, President and CEO of ICBA
ICBA on American Banker podcast: New IRS reporting still a threat
ICBA continues its battle against the IRS bank reporting proposal, ICBA’s Paul Merski says on a new American Banker podcast.
December 17, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Taxes & Budget
Complete 1071 grassroots resources available
ICBA offers comprehensive resources for its grassroots comment letter campaign on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s 1071 data collection and reporting requirements.
December 17, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance Lending
OCC seeks feedback on climate principles for large banks
The OCC requested feedback on draft principles designed to help identify and manage climate-related financial risks at OCC-supervised institutions with more than $100 billion in assets.
December 17, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Advocacy
Agencies adjust CRA asset thresholds
Federal regulators announced the annual adjustment to Community Reinvestment Act thresholds.
December 17, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
ICBA, The Venture Center Announce 2022 Fintech Cohort Lineup for Kickoff Event
ICBA and The Venture Center, in partnership with the State of Arkansas, will formally introduce the 11 growth-stage fintech companies selected for the 2022 ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator program.
December 16, 2021 |
Press Release
Technology
Senate, House continue pushback on SBA direct lending
ICBA’s grassroots campaign against efforts to authorize SBA direct lending under its 7(a) loan program got a boost Tuesday in the Senate and House.
December 15, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Lending Small Business Lending
McWilliams denies including merger review vote in FDIC minutes
FDIC Chairman Jelena McWilliams denied a request by Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra to include in the agency’s official minutes a vote to request public feedback on its bank-merger framework.
December 15, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
As Senate meets on stablecoins, ICBA urges coordinated approach
Policymakers should take a comprehensive, coordinated regulatory approach to stablecoins and other digital assets, ICBA told the Senate Banking Committee.
December 15, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Cybersecurity Digital Assets Technology
CFPB updates electronic fund transfer FAQs
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau updated its frequently asked questions on electronic fund transfers.
December 15, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
FinCEN seeks comments on modernizing AML/CFT regime
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network requested comments on updating the U.S. anti-money-laundering and countering-the-financing-of-terrorism regime.
December 15, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
OCC issues final rule rescinding CRA rule
The OCC issued a final rule to rescind its June 2020 Community Reinvestment Act rule and reinstate the 1995 interagency CRA rule.
December 15, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
1071 campaign now open to small-biz customers
ICBA is calling on community bankers to enlist their small-business customers in the industry’s comment letter campaign on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s 1071 data collection and reporting requirements.
December 15, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Lending
1071 leads CFPB rulemaking agenda
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released its fall 2021 agenda of regulatory matters it plans to pursue through Oct. 31, 2022.
December 15, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance Lending
Small-biz customers can now join 1071 campaign
ICBA is calling on community bankers to enlist their small-business customers in the industry’s comment letter campaign on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s 1071 data collection and reporting requirements.
December 14, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Lending
CISA warns of Java logging library vulnerability
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency urged the private and public sectors to actively address a critical vulnerability that a growing set of threat actors are exploiting.
December 14, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Cybersecurity
ICBA Urges Fed to Accelerate Flow of FedNow Information
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) asked the Federal Reserve to accelerate the flow of information about the FedNow instant payments service to ensure community banks have the data they need to maximize participation ahead of the 2023 launch.
December 13, 2021 |
Press Release
Payments Faster Payments
From the CEO: ICBA and Community Banker Leadership Prevails Again
Amid an outsized response to the pandemic’s economic implications, community bankers have in 2021 once again proven to be formidable leaders both in your communities and in Washington — with ICBA by your side and leading the way.
December 13, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Advocacy
2021’s Best Community Banks to Work For
Premium benefits packages, professional development and TLC during the pandemic—this year’s winners do everything in their power to keep their community bankers happy and fulfilled. We asked both leaders and staffers to tell us what makes their community banks stand out as employers.
December 12, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Recording of 1071 grassroots briefing available
Community bankers can access an on-demand recording of yesterday’s ICBA briefing on its campaign targeting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Section 1071 proposal.
December 10, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance Lending
CFPB report spotlights mortgage, payday, remittance violations
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released its Supervisory Highlights report for the first half of 2021, which spotlights legal violations identified during exams of financial institutions with more than $10 billion in assets.
December 10, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
IMF researchers urge global crypto regulatory regime
A new International Monetary Fund article urges regulators across the globe to develop comprehensive international standards for digital assets.
December 10, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Cybersecurity Digital Assets
ICBA backs bill to extend CBLR relief
ICBA expressed support for legislation to allow federal banking regulators to implement a community bank leverage ratio of 8-8.5% through 2024.
December 10, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Advocacy Crisis Preparedness
House passes ICBA-backed LIBOR transition bill
The House passed ICBA-supported legislation to support the transition from LIBOR to alternative reference rates.
December 09, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Lending Mortgage Rules
ICBA 1071 advocacy briefing today
ICBA is hosting a complimentary briefing on its campaign targeting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Section 1071 proposal at 3 p.m. (Eastern time) today, Dec. 9.
December 09, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance Lending
As crypto CEOs testify, ICBA urges coordinated regulatory approach
With cryptocurrency CEOs testifying before Congress, ICBA called on policymakers to enact a comprehensive, coordinated regulatory approach to digital assets that ensures innovation is undertaken safely.
December 09, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Cybersecurity Digital Assets Payments
ICBA-opposed Omarova nomination withdrawn
Law professor Saule Omarova withdrew her nomination to lead the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency following public opposition by ICBA and affiliated state community banking groups.
December 08, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
OCC
CFPB issues final rule on LIBOR transition
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule facilitating the transition away from the LIBOR interest rate index for consumer financial products.
December 08, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
HUD issues guidance on special-purpose credit programs
The Department of Housing and Urban Development released guidance clarifying that special-purpose credit programs that conform with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B generally do not violate the Federal Fair Housing Act.
December 08, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
FinCEN proposes rule to implement beneficial owner reforms
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued a proposed rule to implement ICBA-advocated beneficial ownership reporting provisions of the Corporate Transparency Act passed in 2020.
December 08, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance Technology
Multi-Factor Authentication – Widely Adopted, Effective Protection
Static passwords alone are no longer a viable tool for identifying customers. With payments fraud rising year after year, and consumers becoming more comfortable with making payments online, the importance of authentication has never been more crucial.
December 07, 2021 |
Payments Quarterly
Payments
ICBA Statement on the Withdrawal of Saule Omarova’s OCC Nomination
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on the withdrawal of Cornell University law professor Saule Omarova’s nomination to lead the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
December 07, 2021 |
Press Release
Advocacy OCC
Understanding Velocity BIN Attacks and How to Address Them
It’s Friday night and you are enjoying your well-deserved, stress-free night when your work phone rings. It’s your call center manager informing you of a rise in complaints of unauthorized transactions—all at the same merchant.
December 07, 2021 |
Payments Quarterly
Payments
Telltale signs to avoid becoming a victim of a social engineering attack
The financial services industry is constantly under siege against would-be fraudsters seeking to exploit vulnerabilities—system or man-made—to launch an attack.
December 07, 2021 |
Payments Quarterly
Payments
Using Loyalty Programs to Grow Your Portfolio
Loyalty programs are a tremendous tool for community banks to build trust with consumers and deliver an enhanced shopping experience. These cardholder loyalty programs have always been about showing appreciation for customers.
December 07, 2021 |
Payments Quarterly
Payments
Grow and Protect
I’m a glass-half-full banker. So, while we can look at 2021 as a year of challenges, we should also take a moment to recognize the opportunities that have emerged in their wake.
December 07, 2021 |
Payments Quarterly
Payments
ICBA/Travelers Deliver Over $4 Million in Dividends for Participating Community Banks
ICBA today announced that a dividend of $4.1 million will be shared by nearly 1,200 member banks based on their participation in the ICBA/Travelers insurance program in 2020.
December 07, 2021 |
Press Release
This week: ICBA advocacy briefing on 1071 push
ICBA this week is hosting a complimentary briefing on its campaign targeting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Section 1071 proposal.
December 07, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Lending
ICBA to CFPB: Extend inquiry of largest tech firms
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau should extend its inquiry of the six largest technology companies to all tech firms that participate in payments and financial services or hold consumer data, ICBA said.
December 07, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance Payments Technology
Growing your credit portfolio starts with knowing the numbers
You’ve probably heard the saying, “the numbers don’t lie” and in the financial world, it is more than a cliché it’s usually a fact.
December 07, 2021 |
Payments Quarterly
Payments
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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