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.
ICBA urges OCC to rescind CRA survey
ICBA encouraged the OCC to rescind its proposal to require national banks over $2.5 billion in assets to complete an Information Collection Survey to establish benchmarks for its 2020 Community Reinvestment Act rule.
January 22, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
CRA OCC
Biden expected to tap Michael Barr to head OCC
President Joe Biden is expected to nominate former Treasury Department official Michael Barr for comptroller of the currency, according to reports from Politico and other news outlets citing anonymous sources.
January 22, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
OCC
IRS confirms SBA 7(a) payments no longer taxable income
The IRS this week issued guidance clarifying that SBA payments on existing 7(a) and 504 loans under Section 1122 of the CARES Act are no longer considered taxable income to the borrower.
January 22, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Advocacy Crisis Preparedness
Kraninger steps down from CFPB
Kathy Kraninger announced Wednesday that she resigned as Consumer Financial Protection Bureau director, as requested by President Joe Biden's administration.
January 21, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, Jan. 21, 2021
The U.S. reported 4,409 COVID-related deaths on Wednesday, the highest number of daily fatalities on record, according to this latest coronavirus update from FS-ISAC.
January 21, 2021 |
News
Advocacy Operational Risk Crisis Preparedness Risk
PPP resources available directly from SBA
Community bankers have reported problems with NewsWatch Today links to the SBA's Paycheck Protection Program resources, including application forms and rules.
January 21, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Advocacy Crisis Preparedness Lending
ICBA Welcomes President Joe Biden
Independent Community Bankers of America President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued a statement on the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th president of the United States.
January 20, 2021 |
Press Release
Advocacy
FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, Jan. 20, 2021
The vaccine developed by Pfizer-BioNTech is likely to be just as effective against the highly transmissible strain of the coronavirus that was first discovered in the United Kingdom, according to more extensive analysis released Wednesday by the two companies.
January 20, 2021 |
News
Advocacy Operational Risk Crisis Preparedness Risk
Agencies issue FAQs on SARs
Federal regulators issued responses to frequently asked questions regarding Suspicious Activity Reports and other anti-money-laundering considerations.
January 20, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
Agencies finalize rules on supervisory guidance
The FDIC, OCC, and CFPB issued final rules to clarify and codify the role of supervisory guidanc
January 20, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
CFPB finalizes escrow relief
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a final rule implementing ICBA-supported relief from mandatory escrow requirements for higher-priced mortgage loans.
January 20, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
ICBA Announces Nominations for 2021-22 Board of Directors
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today announced the nominees to serve on its 2021-22 board of directors
January 20, 2021 |
Press Release
FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, Jan. 18, 2021
Today's coronavirus update from FS-ISAC details the rising number of infections in California, the push to widen vaccinations across the country and the impact on nursing professionals in the U.S.
January 19, 2021 |
News
Advocacy Operational Risk Crisis Preparedness Risk
USDA finalizes hemp rule
The USDA issued its final rule regulating the production of hemp. The rule—which takes effect March 22—includes licensing and recordkeeping requirements, procedures for testing THC levels, compliance provisions, and more.
January 19, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Agriculture Compliance
SBA issues resources as PPP fully reopens today
The SBA over the weekend issued additional resources on the Paycheck Protection Program, which will fully open to all participating lenders today
January 19, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Advocacy Crisis Preparedness Lending
CISA issues guides with cyber best practices
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued new guides for federal agencies with best practices that can apply throughout the commercial sector.
January 19, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Cybersecurity
CFPB issues compliance guide for debt collection rule
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a new small entity compliance guide summarizing the October 2020 debt collection rule.
January 19, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance Compliance
FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, Jan. 15, 2021
In today's coronavirus update from FS-ISAC, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more than 11 million received their first coronavirus shots – representing an increase of about 1 million administered in the U.S. since Wednesday.
January 15, 2021 |
News
Advocacy Operational Risk Crisis Preparedness Risk
PPP reopening for more lenders today
The SBA will reopen the Paycheck Protection Program loan portal to PPP-eligible lenders with $1 billion or less in assets at 9 a.m. (Eastern time) today. The reopening applies to both first- and second-draw applications.
January 15, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Advocacy Crisis Preparedness
FBI alert, webinar offer threat update
The FBI issued an alert on violence related to the electoral certification and inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. The alert recaps investigative activity and provides a national threat picture through next week's inauguration.
January 15, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Risk Cybersecurity
NCUA seeks expanded powers for CUSOs
The National Credit Union Administration issued a proposed rule that would expand credit union service organizations' permissible services and activities to include anything federal credit unions can currently do.
January 15, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
FHFA, Treasury allow GSEs to continue retaining earnings
The Federal Housing Finance Agency and Treasury Department updated the Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements allowing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to continue to retain earnings until they satisfy the requirements of the 2020 GSE capital rule.
January 15, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Housing Finance/GSEs
FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, Jan. 14, 2021
Today's COVID-19 update from FS-ISAC has the latest from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up-to-date information on the vaccine rollout, and considerations that affect businesses here in the U.S.
January 14, 2021 |
News
Advocacy Operational Risk Crisis Preparedness
PPP reopening for more lenders tomorrow
The SBA said it will reopen the Paycheck Protection Program loan portal to PPP-eligible lenders with $1 billion or less in assets at 9 a.m. (Eastern time) tomorrow, Jan. 15.
January 14, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Advocacy Crisis Preparedness Lending
ICBA urges OCC to withdraw CRA survey
ICBA and other groups called on the OCC to withdraw the CRA Information Collection Survey that was published in the Federal Register in December.
January 14, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
CRA OCC
CFPB issues guidance on Limited English Proficiency consumers
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued guidance that encourages financial institutions to better serve Limited English Proficiency consumers.
January 14, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance Compliance
ICBA backs efforts to recapitalize GSEs
ICBA said it strongly supports Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Mark Calabria’s efforts to fully recapitalize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
January 14, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Housing Finance/GSEs
SBA reopening for more lenders Friday
The Small Business Administration just announced that it will reopen the Paycheck Protection Program loan portal to PPP-eligible lenders with $1 billion or less in assets this Friday, Jan. 15.
January 13, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Advocacy Crisis Preparedness Lending
ICBA: GMAC Collapse Shows Risk of GM Bank Application
ICBA today called on the FDIC to reject GM Financial Bank's deposit insurance application as an industrial loan company, which would allow the company to skirt regulatory oversight and violate U.S. policy separating banking and commerce.
January 13, 2021 |
Press Release
Commerce & Banking Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
ICBA Statement on Conservatorship of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac
Independent Community Bankers of America President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued a statement on the conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
January 13, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Housing Finance Agency Housing Finance/GSEs
MK Decision Introduces Digital Account Opening
IRS redirecting, reissuing some EIP2s
The IRS said it is working with the tax-preparation industry to redirect second Economic Impact Payments that for some recipients went to temporary bank accounts established when their 2019 tax returns were filed.
January 11, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Advocacy Crisis Preparedness Lending
SBA issues PPP resources ahead of launch
The SBA on Friday and over the weekend released a series of forms and guidance for the next round of Paycheck Protection Program lending starting for certain lenders today.
January 11, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Advocacy Crisis Preparedness Lending
ICBA: FHFA approval process should expand GSE transparency
ICBA submitted a comment letter to the Federal Housing Finance Agency on its proposed rule that outlines the process of prior approval for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac products
January 11, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Housing Finance Agency Housing Finance/GSEs
Community Banks: The Road to Bipartisan Solutions
The Independent Community Bankers of America congratulates members of the 117th Congress for serving the nation at this critical time.
January 08, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Advocacy Crisis Preparedness Lending
ICBA's Open Letter to the 117th Congress
ICBA believes that the policy recommendations outlined in this letter will play a critical role in creating a robust post-pandemic recovery and charting a course for inclusive growth and a more competitive economy that serves small businesses and consumers.
January 08, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Advocacy Crisis Preparedness
SBA begins implementing next round of PPP
The Small Business Administration last night issued several documents on the next round of the Paycheck Protection Program authorized by the end-of-year stimulus package. Here's the latest.
January 07, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Advocacy Crisis Preparedness
ICBA Selects StreetShares as a Preferred Service Provider Enabling Digital Lending for Small Businesses
The Independent Community Bankers of America today announced that StreetShares has been selected as its newest Preferred Service Provider.
January 07, 2021 |
Press Release
ICBA Statement on Today’s U.S. Capitol Attack
Independent Community Bankers of America President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey today released a statement following the attack on the U.S. Capitol.
January 07, 2021 |
Press Release
ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator 2021 Cohort Revealed During Virtual Kickoff Event
The Independent Community Bankers of America, in partnership with The Venture Center and the state of Arkansas, today announced its third annual ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator cohort during a virtual kickoff event.
January 06, 2021 |
Press Release
EIDL advance fix in effect as SBA writes new PPP rules
While the SBA writes new rules on the next round of the Paycheck Protection Program, the ICBA-advocated fix to Economic Injury Disaster Loan advances is effective immediately and retroactive.
January 05, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Crisis Preparedness Lending
2020 in Review: ICBA members are a strong and active voice
More than 9,000 community bankers sent more than 65,000 messages to Congress and Federal regulators in 2020. Let’s review what community banks did this year on the advocacy front.
January 05, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Advocacy
IRS: 13M EIPs going to temporary tax-prep accounts
The IRS said roughly 13 million second-round Economic Impact Payments went to temporary accounts used by the tax-preparation industry. Those payments—out of some 113 million in EIP2 ACH payments—will be returned to the IRS, the agency said in a call on Monday.
January 05, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Payments
ICBA backs state standards for nonbank mortgage servicers
ICBA said it largely supports a Conference of State Banking Supervisors proposal to establish regulatory standards for nonbank mortgage servicers. The CSBS proposal offers prudential-like standards that states could approve for supervising servicers.
January 05, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Mortgage Rules
CFPB issues annual threshold adjustments
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued three annual threshold adjustment final rules, effective Jan. 1, 2021.
January 04, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance Compliance
Congress overrides defense bill veto advancing 'beneficial owner' reform
In one of the last votes of the 116th Congress, lawmakers overturned President Trump's veto of a defense spending bill advancing ICBA-advocated BSA/AML reforms.
January 04, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
Will the dollar go digital? What you need to know
The private sector has had its hands in the world of cryptocurrencies for years, but the country’s central banks have held off—until now. While far from a certainty, here’s what you need to know about the development of a central bank digital dollar.
January 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Payments
Uwharrie Bank and the power of connection
Realizing that many residents of the greater Charlotte, N.C., area face barriers to housing and financial prosperity, Uwharrie Bank is connecting with local organizations in a mission to uplift others.
January 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Why going public is still an option
In recent years, some community banks have made the decision to go public as part of their strategy for growth. In 2020, however, COVID-19 cast uncertainty over the market. But experts, including community bankers who recently made the decision to go public, say community banks should chart their own path for growth.
January 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
Community Bank CEO Outlook 2021: What's the path ahead?
No Magic 8 Ball could have predicted the year community banks had in 2020. What will 2021 bring? Independent Banker’s annual Community Bank CEO Outlook survey asked bank executives how they plan to move their institutions forward this year, from growing revenue to boosting marketing. The results of this year’s survey show a very different set of challenges—and opportunities—for industry leaders.
January 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Lending
Noah Wilcox: Stay positive
To succeed in this environment, we must focus on the things we can control and remain positive, and that’s become my daily mantra.
January 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
2021’s lending outlook: cautious optimism
Many community bankers are cautiously optimistic that this year will bring the same, if not more, demand for loans. They also describe a year that may bring opportunities to gain market share from big banks amid continued uncertainty.
January 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Lending
How Systematic Savings Bank turned around
When Derek Fraley joined Systematic Savings Bank as president and CEO in 2017, it was in trouble. To save it, he changed the community bank’s charter, launched an IPO and executed sweeping culture changes. The result: the bank has had four back-to-back positive quarters for the first time in more than a decade.
January 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
How community banks can use influencer marketing
Influencer marketing has become far more than just a way to sell overpriced products on social media. Now it’s a well-established tool for building brand awareness, boosting sales and more. Here’s what community banks and marketing experts say about this growing industry.
January 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Fraudsters’ latest target? UI benefits
Criminals have stolen more than half a billion dollars by taking advantage of the surge in unemployment claims during the pandemic. Luckily, most of this money has been recovered. Here’s what you should know about this scheme.
January 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Compliance
Charles Potts: 6 innovation trends for 2021
As we start the new year, much remains uncertain. In general, “uncertainty” implies a state of limited knowledge that makes it impossible or impracticable to describe a future outcome.
January 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Payments
Out of Office: Dan Carey
Dan Carey, president and CEO of $239 million-asset VISIONBank in Fargo, N.D., has always had dogs in his life. He takes special care in training his two black Labradors, Piper and Scout, who play a special role at his bank and in his family.
January 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Jim Reber: What’s next for investments
Looking to make changes to your investments this year? Bond opportunities abound in 2021.
January 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
CEO Alert: Treasury issues Economic Impact Payment Details
Following this week's signing of the economic stimulus package into law, the federal government released information on the distribution of Economic Impact Payments to individuals and families. Here's what we know now.
December 29, 2020 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Advocacy Crisis Preparedness Lending
ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator 2021 Finalists Revealed
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) and The Venture Center, in partnership with the State of Arkansas, will kick-off the ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator 2021 with the unveiling of the 10 selected participants during a virtual kick-off event in Little Rock, Ark on Jan. 6th.
December 23, 2020 |
Press Release
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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