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.
White House directs tougher scrutiny of bank mergers
President Joe Biden directed the Justice Department and federal banking regulators to more closely scrutinize bank mergers and make it easier for customers to switch banks.
July 12, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Commerce & Banking
ICBA Bancard and Finzly Partner to Offer Instant Payments
ICBA Bancard, the payments services subsidiary of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), today announced a new partnership with Finzly to facilitate instant payments via Finzly’s Payment Galaxy.
July 09, 2021 |
Press Release
Former NCUA official criticizes credit union bank purchases
A former National Credit Union Administration official this week raised concerns over credit union acquisitions of community banks.
July 09, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Congress pushes back on IRS reporting plan
House Ways and Means Committee Republicans issued a fact sheet pushing back on the Biden administration’s proposal to require banks to report customer account information to the IRS.
July 09, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Taxes & Budget
CFPB launches housing insecurity media toolkit
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau launched a digital media toolkit with resources for renters and mortgage borrowers who continue to struggle financially from the coronavirus pandemic.
July 09, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
ICBA Proposes Exit Fee on Credit Union Acquisitions of Taxpaying Banks
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today urged the Treasury Department to examine abuses of the tax code causing increased acquisitions of community banks by tax-exempt credit unions.
July 07, 2021 |
Press Release
Credit Unions
A Note from the Chairman
This past year has been an intensely trying time, but if we look beyond the COVID-19 storm, we come face to face with a silver lining of opportunity. Community banks have been able to thrive during the pandemic because of who we are.
July 06, 2021 |
Payments Quarterly
Do you have the right card products to meet the pent-up card spend?
Strong consumer and business card programs are well positioned to meet bank, consumer, and business challenges fueled by excess deposits, changing payment channels, and post-COVID-19 pent-up demand.
July 06, 2021 |
Payments Quarterly
Faster Payments – Meeting Market Demand
The year 2020 drove many community banks to experiment and embark on faster payments. Concerns of payment disruption combined with the pressure to remain competitive are driving community banks to include faster payments in their strategic plans for the near future.
July 06, 2021 |
Payments Quarterly
Credit union acquisition pressure grows
Congress is under increasing pressure to investigate credit union acquisitions of community banks, ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey wrote in a recent article on LinkedIn.
July 06, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
CFPB releases Spanish-language mortgage disclosures
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released a Spanish-language translation of certain model clauses available for use in early-intervention written notices issued under its mortgage-servicing rules.
July 06, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance Compliance Mortgage Rules
Protecting Against Digital Payments Fraud
The pandemic has certainly played a role in escalating fraud on a global scale and throughout many payment pathways. The sudden cross-sectioning of these payment and transaction vectors has created increases in traditional fraud schemes.
July 06, 2021 |
Payments Quarterly
Take your card portfolio to the next level with affluent cards
As community banks review their card offerings and examine ways to attract more cardholders, one segment meriting a closer look are affluent or higher net worth customers.
July 06, 2021 |
Payments Quarterly
Supporting Economic Recovery with Credit Card Rewards Programs
To everything there is a season, or so the market shows via today’s rebounding economic environment. Anxieties around the pandemic have dipped, leading to changing consumer behaviors.
July 06, 2021 |
Payments Quarterly
Treasury again extends MDI, CDFI program
The Treasury Department will again extend the deadline to submit applications under its program to invest $9 billion in Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) and Community Development Financial Institutions.
July 06, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
MDI
FHFA issues fair lending policy statement
The Federal Housing Finance Agency issued a policy statement on its commitment to comprehensive fair lending oversight of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks.
July 02, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance FHLB
Nominations open for Best Community Banks to Work For awards
ICBA’s Independent Banker magazine opened nominations for its 2021 Best Community Banks to Work For awards.
July 02, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Fed to launch CECL tool for community banks
The Federal Reserve said it will release a new tool this month to help community banks implement the Current Expected Credit Losses accounting standard.
July 02, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
CECL Audit
FinCEN issues AML/CFT priorities
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued the first government-wide priorities for anti-money-laundering and counter-financing-terrorism policy.
July 01, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
ICBA Supports Senate Bill Offering Tax Relief for Rural Lending
The Independent Community Bankers of America today expressed its strong support for the Senate introduction of the Enhancing Credit Opportunities in Rural America (ECORA) Act to support farmers, ranchers and rural homeowners.
July 01, 2021 |
Press Release
Agriculture
IRS enables direct deposit updates for Child Tax Credit payments
The IRS upgraded an online tool to enable families to update their bank account information so they can receive their monthly Child Tax Credit payment.
July 01, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Taxes & Budget
Vanessa Hanson Joins ICBA Marketing and Communications Department as Director of Digital and Social Engagement
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), announced today the hire of Vanessa Hanson as director of digital and social engagement.
July 01, 2021 |
Press Release
Banking on minority-owned businesses
Four community banks came together to launch a $1 million interest-free loan program to help local business owners who have faced barriers to the traditional banking system.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Advocacy
How cryptocurrency may be going mainstream
Beyond all the hype, cryptocurrency has unequivocally gained a loyal following, and mainstream financial players are taking notice. Is it time community banks got involved in crypto? One community bank has found its entry to the market.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Payments
Your 2021 physical security assessment checklist
While social distancing measures may be eased in many areas, they’ve had a large effect on branch security over the past year. Here’s what to look for when doing a physical security assessment to account for the latest trends in customer—and criminal—behavior.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Compliance
What’s a special-purpose credit program?
In an effort to help financial institutions expand access to credit, the CFPB recently addressed regulatory uncertainty around special-purpose credit programs, or SPCPs. These programs are intended to help those who would not otherwise have access to credit.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Compliance Lending
Why community banks are acquiring nonbanks
Acquiring a wealth management firm, fintech, title business or other nonbank organization can unlock new opportunities for community banks. These acquisitions can add new revenue generators, specialized employees and other assets to a community bank in place of organic growth. But experts say that finding the right business to acquire can be tricky.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Starting a new chapter
As we enter a new chapter and start a new financial statement cycle, know that ICBA will be there to support you with tools, resources and advocacy efforts.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
First Home Bank’s PPP pivot
First Home Bank doubled down on Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) lending, dedicating its entire SBA lending division and dozens of other employees to delivering much-needed funds to businesses. The result? More than $1.2 billion in PPP loans.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Lending
Is CRE lending bouncing back?
Commercial real estate lenders had a stellar year in 2019, but the pandemic hurt that momentum. According to experts and the latest data, however, some sectors of the CRE lending market are beginning to move full steam ahead, and deposit-laden community banks, like Cadence Bank, are primed to fulfill that demand.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Lending
Robert Fisher: Accelerating ahead
In today’s marketplace, we can’t be afraid to experiment and fail. Let’s embrace some out-of-the-box, entrepreneurial thinking to attack our problem areas.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Jim Reber: Pick and roll
Multiple institutional relationships influence bond yields.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Charles Potts: Embrace the digital experience
Consider ICBA your partner and advocate on the digital transformation journey. That’s why ThinkTECH exists and why we continually innovate to introduce new resources as the industry evolves.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Payments
What young borrowers want in the loan journey
Younger borrowers have different expectations when it comes to how they bank and do business. The needs of these digital-first customers are leading some community banks to prioritize digital loan processes that make the loan journey more efficient.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Lending
Meet 2021’s ThinkTECH Accelerator finalists
Starting in 2018, ICBA’s ThinkTECH Accelerator has helped create a new ecosystem of community bank-friendly fintechs through a rigorous incubator boot camp involving hundreds of community bankers serving as mentors. Read on to learn about this year’s fintech cohort and their diverse mix of lending, cybersecurity and other solutions.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Payments
Who made ICBA's 2021 list of Top Lenders?
Last year, community bank loan producers were faced with both record-low interest rates and a glut of deposits. But as they always do, they came through for individuals and businesses in their communities with a combination of personalized service and prudent risk management practices. Here, we highlight some of last year’s most successful loan producers in the areas of agriculture, commercial and consumer/mortgage lending.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Lending
CFPB reports on 2020 consumer reporting, servicing violations
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a report highlighting legal violations identified by bureau examinations in 2020.
June 30, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
HUD proposes restoring ‘disparate impact’ rule
The Department of Housing and Urban Development recently proposed rescinding its 2020 rule interpreting the Fair Housing Act’s "disparate impact" standard and restoring its 2013 rule on discriminatory effects.
June 30, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
As Credit Union-Bank Acquisitions Accelerate, ICBA Urges Congressional Hearings
The Independent Community Bankers of America today reinforced its call for Congress to investigate tax-exempt credit unions acquiring taxpaying community banks following a resurgence in interstate acquisitions.
June 18, 2021 |
Press Release
Credit Unions
Ransomware renewing agency crypto response: blog
Escalating attacks against critical infrastructure are bringing renewed focus to the role of cryptocurrencies in facilitating criminal activity, which has implications for community banks, ICBA’s Brian Laverdure writes in a new Main Street Matters post.
June 18, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Cybersecurity Digital Assets
Blog: Faster payments have arrived — now what?
The pandemic has accelerated the implementation of instant payments and the need for community banks to have a strategy in place, according to the latest Main Street Matters post.
June 18, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Payments
HMDA relief reflected in 2020 reporting data
The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council released 2020 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data showing the impact of regulatory relief on HMDA reporting.
June 18, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance Mortgage Rules Housing Finance/GSEs
ICBA Services Network Announces New Community Banker Board Members
ICBA Services Network, the business services subsidiary of ICBA, today announced the appointments of several high-profile community banker board members.
June 15, 2021 |
Press Release
Advocacy
ICBA Provides Tips for Preventing Elder Financial Abuse
June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, and the Independent Community Bankers of America and its subsidiary, the Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation are providing tips for preventing the disturbing trend of elder financial abuse.
June 15, 2021 |
Press Release
Advocacy
Ohio Community Banker to Chair ICBA Reinsurance Board of Directors
ICBA Reinsurance, the captive reinsurance company of the Independent Community Bankers of America, today announced the election of Jack Hartings, chairman of The Peoples Bank Co. in Coldwater, Ohio, as chairman of the ICBA Reinsurance board of directors.
June 14, 2021 |
Press Release
Georgia Community Banker Named Chairman of ICBA Securities Board of Directors
ICBA Securities Inc., the broker-dealer subsidiary of the Independent Community Bankers of America, today announced the election of Derek Williams, president and CEO of Century Bank & Trust in Milledgeville, Ga., as chairman of the ICBA Securities board of directors.
June 11, 2021 |
Press Release
Farm Credit System loan volume jumps 10%
The Farm Credit Administration released its quarterly report on the ag economy and the performance of the Farm Credit System, whose growth is largely generated by tax free ag real estate lending.
June 11, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Agriculture FCS
Basel regulators begin vetting crypto capital rules
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision published a public consultation document with preliminary proposals for the prudential treatment of banks' cryptoasset exposures.
June 11, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, June 11, 2021
As the G7 summit kicks off, the US has pledged 500 million doses of vaccine to be given to lower-income countries to help combat the coronavirus pandemic.
June 11, 2021 |
News
Advocacy Operational Risk Crisis Preparedness
Fed outlines instant payments fraud considerations
The Federal Reserve released an article on fraud management considerations to evaluate when preparing for instant payments
June 10, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Data Security/Fraud Payments
IRS issues another 2.3M EIPs
The IRS said it disbursed more than 2.3 million additional Economic Impact Payments over the past two weeks. The latest batch includes those with official payment dates through June 9.
June 10, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Advocacy Crisis Preparedness Lending
ICBA to Congress: Postal banking not the answer
ICBA told Congress that postal banking is not the solution to reaching more unbanked Americans and lawmakers should reject such proposals.
June 10, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Government Banks Postal Service Banking
FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, June 10, 2021
The seven-day average of daily US infections held below 15,000 as of Tuesday, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, down 17% from a week ago and a level not seen since the early days of the pandemic.
June 10, 2021 |
News
Advocacy Operational Risk Crisis Preparedness
FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, June 9, 2021
Declines in US Covid-19 cases, emergency department visits, hospital admissions and deaths were largest in age groups that were most vaccinated. according to a new CDC-published study.
June 09, 2021 |
News
Advocacy Operational Risk Crisis Preparedness
Crapo challenges new bank IRS reporting proposal
Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) pushed back against a Biden administration proposal that would require financial institutions to report information on account flows to the IRS.
June 09, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Lending
ICBA continues push against House ‘true lender’ repeal
ICBA and other groups again urged in a joint letter to House members their opposition to a Senate-passed resolution to repeal the OCC’s “true lender” rule.
June 09, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Lending
Swap guidance continues LIBOR transition
A Commodity Futures Trading Commission panel recommended best practices for switching interdealer trading conventions from LIBOR to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate in U.S. dollar interest rate swaps.
June 09, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Lending LIBOR
CFPB issues FAQ on EFT and Reg E
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued frequently asked questions on unauthorized transfer and error resolution provisions under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act and Regulation E.
June 08, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance Compliance
IRS begins contacting families on Child Tax Credit
The IRS said it started sending letters to more than 36 million American families who may be eligible to receive monthly Child Tax Credit payments starting in July.
June 08, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Taxes & Budget
ICBA releases new elder abuse awareness resources
ICBA released customizable resources to help community banks recognize World Elder Abuse Awareness Day next week.
June 08, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Advocacy
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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