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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.

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Fed again extends rule allowing PPP loans to directors

The Federal Reserve Board for the third time extended its rule allowing certain bank directors and shareholders to apply to their banks for Paycheck Protection Program loans for their small businesses.
May 17, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

ICBA issues custom op-ed opposing public banking

ICBA released a customizable op-ed that community bankers can use to spread the word about the risks posed by proposals to establish taxpayer-funded public banks.
May 17, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   State-Owned/Public Banks 

ICBA, Community Bankers of Georgia Urge FDIC to Reject Credit Union Merger Proposal

ICBA and The Venture Center today announced a series of curriculum-driven events as part of its expanded ICBA ThinkTECH initiative. The ICBA ThinkTECH Innovation Series focuses on emerging technologies that have the potential to positively impact the community banking industry.
May 14, 2021 | Press Release   Credit Unions 

ICBA, The Venture Center Kick off Thought Leadership Series

ICBA and The Venture Center today announced a series of curriculum-driven events as part of its expanded ICBA ThinkTECH initiative. The ICBA ThinkTECH Innovation Series focuses on emerging technologies that have the potential to positively impact the community banking industry.
May 12, 2021 | Press Release   Technology 

ICBA urges OCC to block sale of mutual bank’s assets to credit union

ICBA's Mutual Council and America’s Mutual Banks urged the OCC to suspend the sale of Brainerd Savings and Loan Association assets to Wings Financial Credit Union until all freedom of information requests have been considered.
May 12, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Credit Unions 

FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, May 12, 2021

The rate of new Covid cases in the US fell to an average of 38,800 per day Monday, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, the first time daily case counts have been below 40,000 since September.
May 12, 2021 | News   Advocacy Operational Risk Crisis Preparedness 

ICBA, ProfitStars Expand Preferred Service Provider Program with Information Security and Risk Management Solutions

The Independent Community Bankers of America today announced it has extended its Preferred Service Provider agreement with ProfitStars, a division of Jack Henry & Associates Inc., to include several risk management solutions.
May 11, 2021 | Press Release  

ICBA to Serve as Strategic Advisor to JAM FINTOP Banktech Investment Fund

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) will serve as a strategic advisor for JAM FINTOP Banktech, a $150 million investment fund designed to help accelerate technology adoption at community banks.
May 10, 2021 | Press Release  

Fed proposes changes to interchange regs

The Federal Reserve Board invited public comment on proposed changes to Regulation II (Debit Card Interchange Fees and Routing).
May 10, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Payments 

ARRC issues market indicators supporting LIBOR alternative

The Alternative Reference Rates Committee last week published market indicators it will consider in recommending a forward-looking Secured Overnight Financing Rate term rate to support the transition away from LIBOR.
May 10, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

ICBA to FinCEN: exempt banks from beneficial owner mandates

ICBA called on the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network to amend its customer due diligence rules and withdraw its requirement that banks collect beneficial ownership information.
May 10, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Regulatory Relief 

ICBA continues support for ‘true lender’ rule

ICBA and other groups told Congress they oppose legislative efforts to repeal the OCC’s “true lender” rule. The OCC rule, which ICBA supported in a comment letter last year, creates a standard to determine when a bank is the “true lender” when partnering with a third party.
May 07, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Lending Technology Regulatory Relief 

ICBA, groups urge OCC to withdraw CRA rule

ICBA and other groups this week called on the OCC to formally withdraw its Community Reinvestment Act rule or delay its January 2023 compliance date for at least two years.
May 07, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   CRA 

FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, May 7, 2021

Americans have entered a new, hopeful phase of the pandemic as the outlook has improved across the nation, with cases and hospitalizations at their lowest points in nearly seven months, and deaths from Covid-19 have not been this low since July.
May 07, 2021 | News   Advocacy Operational Risk Crisis Preparedness 

ICBA Names Kristina Morris as Director of Innovation

ICBA announced today that Kristina Morris has joined as director of innovation. In this role Morris will work with the ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator cohort, leading portfolio management activities and program development to support ICBA’s overall innovation strategy.
May 06, 2021 | Press Release  

Treasury extends MDI, CDFI program

The Treasury Department extended its program to invest in Minority Depository Institutions and Community Development Financial Institutions, as requested by ICBA.
May 06, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   MDI 

Fed proposes standards for accessing Fed accounts, payments system

The Federal Reserve Board proposed guidelines for evaluating requests for accounts with the Fed and access to the payments system, as advocated by ICBA.
May 06, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Payments 

IRS issues another 1.1M EIPs

The IRS said it is disbursing another 1.1 million Economic Impact Payments in the eighth batch under the American Rescue Plan.
May 06, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Crisis Preparedness Lending 

FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, May 6, 2021

The Small Business Administration said Wednesday that the Paycheck Protection Program has been exhausted, and as of Sunday, the PPP had given out nearly 10.8 million loans worth more than $780 billion since April of last year.
May 06, 2021 | News   Advocacy Operational Risk Crisis Preparedness 

Postal banking won’t deliver: letter

While increasing financial inclusion and improving U.S. Postal Service financial stability are worthy goals, postal banking would accomplish neither, Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers President and CEO Kevin L. Shivers wrote.
May 05, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Postal Service Banking 

FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, May 5, 2021

So far, about 145 million adults - about 56% of the adult population in the US - have received at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccine, according to the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
May 05, 2021 | News   Advocacy Operational Risk Crisis Preparedness 

PPP general fund exhausted

The Paycheck Protection Program’s general fund was reportedly exhausted Tuesday ahead of the program’s May 31 authorization, though some PPP funds remain for certain loans and lenders.
May 05, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Crisis Preparedness Lending 

CFPB reports on mortgage borrower challenges

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said more needs to be done to help mortgage borrowers coping with the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn.
May 05, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

Independent Banker features 2020’s top performers

The May issue of Independent Banker magazine spotlights the best-performing community banks of 2020.
May 04, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

PPP funds could be exhausted soon

The SBA reportedly told congressional offices that general Paycheck Protection Program funding could be exhausted soon.
May 04, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, May 4, 2021

Confirmed coronavirus cases in the US rose at the slowest pace since the pandemic began in the week ended Sunday, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University and Bloomberg.
May 04, 2021 | News   Advocacy Operational Risk Crisis Preparedness 

Bowman provides reg update on fintech partnerships

A recent column from Federal Reserve Gov. Michelle Bowman provides an update on regulatory efforts to promote community bank innovation and partnerships with fintech firms.
May 03, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Regulatory Relief 

Fed: banking system showing resilience

Financial institutions’ strong capital and liquidity positions have enabled the banking system to support the U.S. economic recovery, the Federal Reserve reported.
May 03, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Capital 

ICBA’s best-performing community banks of 2020

Independent Banker’s annual listing of America’s best-performing community banks shows that nimble thinking and an adherence to good old-fashioned customer service can bring success, whatever the circumstances.
May 01, 2021 | Independent Banker   Growing the Community 

A community bank guide to cloud migration

Many community banks are moving their software, hardware and even core systems to the cloud in search of more flexible, scalable and affordable services. Community banks and vendors say a migration requires proper planning to give your cloud its silver lining.
May 01, 2021 | Independent Banker   Payments 

Charles Potts: Innovation drives performance

With the advent of new, innovative solutions ranging from artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to automated governance and digital onboarding, community banks have many opportunities to eliminate or reduce inefficient manual processes and replace them with innovative technologies to enhance performance.
May 01, 2021 | Independent Banker   Payments 

Jim Reber: Cash flow or no?

Prepayments on MBS can be a DIY proposition.
May 01, 2021 | Independent Banker  

How your bank can build its construction loan portfolio

The pandemic significantly changed the landscape for construction lending, but with the possibility of economic recovery on the way, there are opportunities to grow your community bank’s construction portfolio.
May 01, 2021 | Independent Banker   Lending 

Lindsay LaNore: Making effective meetings

Meetings are a great opportunity to reinforce a team’s collective identity and establish a leader’s personal presence. They also offer participants a chance to find their voices. When organized and executed effectively, they are an invaluable resource.
May 01, 2021 | Independent Banker  

Rebeca Romero Rainey: Lead with purpose

Our approach to service is not about checking something off the list for today. It’s about making incremental positive change over time.
May 01, 2021 | Independent Banker  

Robert Fisher: Creating strong culture

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.
May 01, 2021 | Independent Banker  

Mark Scanlan: Fighting for ag and rural tax relief

ICBA is pushing for the Enhancing Credit Opportunities in Rural America Act, legislation that would help rural borrowers and level the playing field against unfair competition.
May 01, 2021 | Independent Banker   Advocacy Lending 

Capital Summit grassroots continue today

While this week’s ICBA Capital Summit concludes today, ICBA is urging community bankers to continue engaging their elected officials with grassroots messages on social media.
April 30, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Advocacy 

Last chance for service award submissions

Today is the deadline to submit nominations and votes for ICBA’s updated National Community Bank Service Award program. This year’s awards recognize exceptional service, emerging service programs, and the people's choice.
April 30, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, April 30, 2021

Hackers have targeted companies that distribute the COVID-19 vaccine to a degree previously unreported, according to research from IBM Security, and starting last year.
April 30, 2021 | News   Advocacy Operational Risk Crisis Preparedness 

IRS reporting plan would increase burdens: ICBA’s Merski

ICBA’s Paul Merski told Bloomberg that additional IRS reporting being floated this week by the Biden administration would increase compliance burdens for community banks.
April 30, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

CFPB reports on fair lending enforcement

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued its fair lending annual report to Congress describing its fair lending enforcement priorities and statistics.
April 29, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

CFPB: More complaints from minority counties

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released a county-by-county analysis of consumer complaints. The bureau said it received more complaints per capita from consumers living in predominantly minority counties in 2019 and 2020
April 29, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, April 28, 2021

After a worrisome uptick in Covid-19 cases in the US in recent weeks, there are encouraging signs that the situation is beginning to stabilize, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
April 28, 2021 | News   Advocacy Operational Risk Crisis Preparedness 

Credit union groups mixed on CRA-lite

Recently reintroduced Senate legislation to codify community outreach policies for community credit unions is getting a mixed reception from credit union industry groups.
April 28, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Credit Unions 

CFPB delays new QM rule

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a final rule formally delaying the mandatory compliance date of its recently modified general Qualified Mortgage final rule from July 1, 2021, to Oct. 1, 2022.
April 28, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance Compliance 

Community Bankers Advocate for Main Street in Meetings with Washington Policymakers This Week

Community bankers meet with key policymakers this week as part of the ICBA 2021 Capital Summit to advocate common-sense reforms that promote stronger economic growth, jobs and prosperity in communities nationwide.
April 27, 2021 | Press Release   Advocacy 

ICBA urging messages to Congress today

With hundreds of community bankers meeting virtually with congressional offices this week, ICBA today is urging community bankers nationwide to send grassroots messages to their members of Congress.
April 26, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

ICBA launches crypto webinar series

With 80 percent of bitcoin holders saying they would store it with their bank if offered, ICBA ThinkTECH’s new Cryptocurrency Demystified webinar series will help community bankers address the rising demand of digital currency.
April 26, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Digital Assets 

SBA reopens shuttered venue grant program

The SBA reopened the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant application portal after technology issues scuttled its April 8 launch.
April 26, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Advocacy Crisis Preparedness 

OCC conditionally approves Paxos bank charter

The OCC conditionally approved the ICBA-opposed trust bank charter application from Paxos, a cryptocurrency platform.
April 26, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Digital Assets 

Three days of grassroots at next week’s Capital Summit

Community bankers who can’t participate in next week’s virtual ICBA Capital Summit will still be able to join in the grassroots outreach.
April 22, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

VPN compromise illustrates growing malware trend

Cybersecurity firm FireEye said it is tracking 12 malware families associated with the exploitation of Pulse Secure VPN devices.
April 22, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Cybersecurity 

Taxpayer group urges credit union reforms

Congress should examine how the tax code is contributing to acquisitions of taxpaying community banks by tax-exempt credit unions, the National Taxpayers Union wrote in a new op-ed.
April 22, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Credit Unions 

ICBA opposes Calif. public banking bill

ICBA and other groups expressed opposition to a bill in the California legislature that would establish a government banking system in the state.
April 22, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   State-Owned/Public Banks 

Nation’s Community Bankers Convene for ICBA Capital Summit

ICBA will host hundreds of meetings with community bank leaders and key policymakers during ICBA Capital Summit to advance pro-community bank policies for the benefit of consumers and local communities nationwide.
April 22, 2021 | Press Release  

FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, April 20, 2021

Nearly 212 million doses of vaccine have been administered in the US for an average of 3 million shots a day, despite a pause in delivering Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine, according to data published Monday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
April 20, 2021 | News   Advocacy Operational Risk Crisis Preparedness 

House passes cannabis banking safe harbor

The House voted 321-101 to pass ICBA-advocated legislation to establish a safe harbor for financial institutions that serve cannabis-related businesses in states where cannabis is legal.
April 20, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Cannabis banking 

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