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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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Blog: ThinkTECH Accelerator tripled number of bank participants

After 12 fully immersive weeks and hundreds of meetings with industry stakeholders, the ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator 2021 cohort revealed a glimpse into the future of high-tech, high-touch solutions tailored for community banks and their customers.
April 14, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Technology 

Fed outlines vision, key pillars for FedNow Service

Federal Reserve Bank Chief Innovation Officer Dan Anthony will outline the agency’s technology strategy and next steps in preparation for the rollout of its FedNow Service during a 90-minute webinar next month.
April 14, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Federal Reserve 

CFPB reaches settlement with Settlelt

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced a settlement with Settlelt over allegations that it engaged in unfair acts and practices. The complaint alleges that the company failed to disclose its relationship to certain creditors.
April 14, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, April 14, 2021

More than two dozen states reacted quickly to Tuesday’s announcement by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, pausing injections while officials review the reports of blood clots.
April 14, 2021 | News   Advocacy Operational Risk Crisis Preparedness 

ICBA comments on computer security incident notification requirement

ICBA submitted a comment letter in response to a notice of proposed rulemaking requiring banks to notify their primary federal regulator within 36 hours of a computer-security incident.
April 13, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Cybersecurity 

Powell talks economy, digital currencies

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said the economy is at an “inflection point” and could experience rapid growth upwards of 6 percent or 7 percent this year in an interview on CBS’ 60 Minutes.
April 13, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Digital Assets Payments 

Biden to nominate national cyber director and CISA director

President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Chris Inglis as National Cyber Director and Jen Easterly as the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency.
April 13, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Cybersecurity 

FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, April 13, 2021

The US reported an 8% rise in new cases to 490,000 last week, the fourth week in a row that infections have increased, according to a Reuters analysis of state and county data released Monday.
April 13, 2021 | News   Advocacy Operational Risk Crisis Preparedness 

Visa U.S. Economic Outlook (April 2021)

Over the last month, the contours of growth for 2021 came into sharper focus. Nonfarm employment rose by 916,000 in March, while consumer confidence hit its highest mark since the start of the pandemic.
April 13, 2021 | News  

FDIC seeks input on modernizing sign, ad rules

The FDIC said it is seeking input on potentially modernizing its sign and advertising requirements related to FDIC deposit insurance to better reflect how banks and consumers operate.
April 12, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

Agencies issue joint statement on BSA/AML compliance

Federal regulators issued a joint statement addressing how risk management principles in “Supervisory Guidance on Model Risk Management” relate to banking systems or models designed for Bank Secrecy Act compliance.
April 12, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   BSA/AML Compliance 

ICBA to USDA: Ensure loan payoffs don’t harm lenders, purchasers

ICBA called on the USDA to ensure lenders are compensated for lost income as it prepares to pay off direct and guaranteed farm loans held by Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers.
April 12, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Agriculture 

Fed issues ‘synthetic identity fraud’ definition

The Federal Reserve issued a recommended definition of “synthetic identity fraud” after convening an industry group.
April 09, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Cybersecurity 

ICBA urges improvements to EIP delivery

ICBA and other groups recommended improvements to how the IRS issues Economic Impact Payments.
April 09, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Advocacy Crisis Preparedness Lending 

FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, April 9, 2021

About a quarter of adults in the US - more than 66 million people - are now fully vaccinated against Covid-19, according to data published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
April 09, 2021 | News   Advocacy Operational Risk Crisis Preparedness 

IRS disburses another 25M EIPs

The IRS and Treasury Department said they are disbursing more than 25 million payments in the fourth batch of Economic Impact Payments under the American Rescue Plan.
April 08, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Advocacy Crisis Preparedness Lending 

ICBA expands Financial Literacy Month resources

ICBA added more Financial Literacy Month resources to its "Tell Your Story" marketing and communications toolkit to help community banks celebrate in April.
April 08, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

CFPB proposes delaying debt collection rules

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposed delaying the effective date of two recent debt collection rules to provide more time to comply.
April 08, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance Compliance 

FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, April 8, 2021

The US is currently averaging 785 daily deaths over the last seven days - down 21% since last week, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, and the country is reporting 64,766 average daily cases over the last week – which was down 3%.
April 08, 2021 | News   Advocacy Operational Risk Crisis Preparedness 

FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, April 7, 2021

Following a dip in daily case numbers due to Easter Sunday, when many states did not report coronavirus data, a Johns Hopkins University tracker shows the US recorded about 79,000 new Covid-19 cases on Monday, with the seven-day average currently at 64,600.
April 07, 2021 | News   Advocacy Operational Risk Crisis Preparedness 

ICBA, Coalition Oppose New Restrictions on Fannie, Freddie

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) and other financial, mortgage, and civil rights groups today are calling on the Treasury Department and Federal Housing Finance Agency to delay and withdraw new product restrictions on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
April 07, 2021 | Press Release   Housing Finance/GSEs 

SBA warns of PPP funding crunch

The SBA is warning Congress that the recently extended Paycheck Protection Program is starting to run low on funds with nearly two months left for borrowers to apply.
April 07, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

ICBA urges delay in GSE product restrictions

ICBA and other groups called on Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and FHFA Director Mark Calabria to delay product and program restrictions for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
April 07, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Housing Finance/GSEs 

ICBA backs BSA/AML relief bill

ICBA expressed support for legislation to raise the currency transaction reporting and Suspicious Activity Reporting thresholds to $30,000 and $10,000, respectively.
April 07, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   BSA/AML 

Senate Republicans urge CBLR relief extension

Senate Banking Committee Republicans led by Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) called on federal regulators to use their authority to extend the 8 percent Community Bank Leverage Ratio through Dec. 31.
April 06, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Advocacy Crisis Preparedness Lending 

ICBA Bancard Hires Vice President, Project Manager

ICBA Bancard, the payments services subsidiary of the Independent Community Bankers of America, today announced Malallai “Mal” Zalmai as vice president, project manager.
April 06, 2021 | Press Release  

Independent Banker interviews new ICBA leaders

The April issue of Independent Banker magazine profiles ICBA's 2021-2022 executive committee. The interviews with ICBA leadership bankers cover the pandemic’s permanent changes to banking, evolving customer needs and expectations, community bank advocacy priorities, and more.
April 06, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Advocacy 

CFPB proposes servicing changes to prevent foreclosures

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposed a set of rules changes to prevent foreclosures as emergency protections expire.
April 06, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

Credit union hearing push intensifies

ICBA is encouraging community bankers to call on Congress to hold hearings on credit union acquisitions of taxpaying community banks.
April 05, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Credit Unions 

IRS issues Employee Retention Credit guidance

The IRS issued guidance for employers claiming the Employee Retention Credit for the first and second quarters of 2021.
April 05, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Taxes & Budget 

ICBA backs estate tax repeal bill

ICBA and other groups thanked Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Reps. Jason Smith (R-Mo.) and Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.) for introducing legislation to permanently repeal the estate tax, which taxes the value of an estate at the time of death.
April 05, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Taxes & Budget 

Visa Global Economic Insights (March 2021)

Last year as millions sheltered at home, e-commerce proved crucial to keeping retail sales flowing. Now, as outbreaks begin to subside and mobility returns, e-commerce’s share of total sales has fallen from its 2020 peak, raising questions about the lasting impact of the abrupt shift to e-commerce.
April 05, 2021 | News  

ICBA urges hearings following major credit union acquisition

Following the announcement of the largest-ever credit union purchase of a community bank, ICBA renewed its call for policymakers to investigate credit union acquisitions of community banks.
April 03, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Credit Unions 

CFPB ‘warns’ mortgage servicers about foreclosure wave

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau “warned” mortgage servicers to take all necessary steps to prevent a wave of foreclosures this fall.
April 02, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

Senate bill would tax capital gains at time of death

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and several other Democratic senators this week introduced legislation that would require estates to pay capital gains tax before assets are distributed to heirs, with an exemption for the first $1 million of capital gains.
April 02, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Taxes & Budget 

FinCEN begins implementing new reporting provisions

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network is seeking public comment by May 5 on implementing new beneficial ownership information requirements.
April 02, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, April 2, 2021

While some sectors are back to their pre-pandemic employment levels, the overall US economy still has more than 8 million fewer jobs than it did before Covid-19 related job losses started a year ago.
April 02, 2021 | News   Advocacy Operational Risk Crisis Preparedness 

Agencies issue 2020 HMDA data

Regulators released 2020 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act Loan Application Register data for approximately 4,400 HMDA filers. Annual loan-level LAR data for each HMDA filer are made available online by March 31.
April 01, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance Compliance 

ICBA Urges Hearings Following Largest-Ever Credit Union-Bank Acquisition

Following the announcement of the largest-ever credit union purchase of a community bank, the ICBA today renewed its call for policymakers to investigate the growing trend of tax-exempt credit unions acquiring taxpaying community banks.
April 01, 2021 | Press Release   Credit Unions 

Fed adopts rule on supervisory guidance

The Federal Reserve Board adopted a final rule outlining and confirming the use of supervisory guidance for regulated institutions.
April 01, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

Valerie Utsey Joins ICBA as Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

The Independent Community Bankers of America today announced that Valerie Utsey has joined the association as executive vice president and chief human resources officer.
April 01, 2021 | Press Release  

CFPB rescinds policy statements granting temporary relief

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rescinded seven policy statements issued last year that provided temporary flexibilities to financial institutions on mortgage lending, credit reporting, credit cards, and prepaid cards.
April 01, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance Compliance 

FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, April 1, 2021

During a White House briefing Wednesday, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the agency’s most recent data shows the seven-day average of new cases is just under 62,000 cases per day,
April 01, 2021 | News   Advocacy Operational Risk Crisis Preparedness 

ICBA, Community Banks Promote Financial Literacy in April

ICBA and community banks nationwide are celebrating Financial Literacy Month in April and encouraging Americans to take control of their financial future by learning fiscally responsible habits and putting these lessons into practice.
April 01, 2021 | Press Release   Financial Literacy 

ICBA Celebrates the Nation’s Community Banks During Community Banking Month

This month, ICBA pays tribute to community banks for their ongoing contributions throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in a new video series, which highlights the unmatched role community banks served in supporting their small business customers through the Paycheck Protection Program.
April 01, 2021 | Press Release   Advocacy Crisis Preparedness Lending 

ICBA’s 2021/22 executive committee: Close the distance

The 2021/22 ICBA executive committee understands that community banks are at a turning point due to changing customer expectations and the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. They tell us why technology and grassroots advocacy are critical to a thriving industry.
April 01, 2021 | Independent Banker  

4 ways to conquer compliance challenges

For community banks, regulatory burdens and compliance costs are constant challenges. But by taking steps including building a culture of compliance, they’re challenges that can be met.
April 01, 2021 | Independent Banker   Professional/Personal Development Payments 

Fighting fraud with education

COVID-19 has exacerbated vulnerabilities to fraud. To combat this trend, Tompkins VIST Bank has been delivering valuable education to its small business customers to keep them informed and protected.
April 01, 2021 | Independent Banker   Compliance 

Rebeca Romero Rainey: Focusing on our communities

Unlike our credit union counterparts, we pay taxes, and those tax dollars are spent at home to ensure our communities grow.
April 01, 2021 | Independent Banker  

How 4 community banks came through for customers

The past year has put community banks’ local missions to the test, and they came through with flying colors. In the spirit of Community Banking Month, here are stories from several community banks that did what they do best: help customers and communities in need. Be prepared to be inspired.
April 01, 2021 | Independent Banker  

Are real-time international payments the future?

Two rising technologies, faster payments and cross-border payments, are coalescing as more countries lay foundations to make such transactions possible. Experts say the U.S. is on a path to becoming one of them.
April 01, 2021 | Independent Banker   Payments 

Going Through a Data Conversion Project Doesn’t Have to Be Painful

Sponsored Content
April 01, 2021 | Independent Banker   Payments 

Out of Office: Dave Wise

The senior vice president for business banking at $406 million-asset TS Bank in Council Bluffs, Iowa, picked up gravel riding, or biking on rural gravel roads and trails, during the pandemic to stay fit and raise money for charity.
April 01, 2021 | Independent Banker  

Robert Fisher: The importance of engagement

In today’s climate, our voices are vital not only to the future of financial services, but to the millions of small businesses and consumers who depend upon us.
April 01, 2021 | Independent Banker  

ICBA’s 2021/22 executive committee: Close the distance (part 2)

These online-exclusive interviews with the 2021/22 ICBA executive members gets their thoughts on their goals, on innovation at their banks, and on effective advocacy.
April 01, 2021 | Independent Banker  

Agencies issue updated HMDA guide

The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council issued the 2021 edition of “A Guide to HMDA Reporting: Getting It Right!” for HMDA-related data collected in 2021 and reported in 2022.
March 31, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

Bill would require Fed study on CBDC

Reps. Bill Foster (D-Ill.) and French Hill (R-Ark.) recently introduced legislation directing the Federal Reserve to work with other agencies to study and issue a report on central bank digital currencies.
March 31, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Digital Assets Payments 

PPP extension signed into law

President Joe Biden signed into law ICBA-advocated legislation to extend the Paycheck Protection Program ahead of its scheduled expiration. Previously, any PPP application not approved by March 31 could not receive PPP funds.
March 31, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Advocacy Crisis Preparedness Lending 

EIPs heading to federal beneficiaries

The IRS said it expects to begin issuing additional Economic Impact Payments this weekend to federal beneficiaries who do not normally file a tax return.
March 31, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Advocacy Crisis Preparedness Lending 

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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