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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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Independent Banker highlights exceptional lenders

High-performing community bank lenders use innovation and relationship-based banking to support their customers, as detailed in the latest Independent Banker magazine.
July 07, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

FDIC publishes consumer compliance supervisory highlights

The FDIC published its annual Consumer Compliance Supervisory Highlights, which includes a summary of the overall consumer compliance performance of FDIC-supervised institutions in 2024, the most frequently cited violations, and an overview of consumer complaint trends.
July 07, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 

Budget reconciliation bill with pro-community bank policies signed into law

President Donald Trump signed into law the One Big Beautiful Bill Act budget reconciliation package after the House of Representatives passed it on a 218-214 vote.
July 07, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Congressional Matters 

ICBA Thanks Congress for Passing Community Bank Legislative Priorities in One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on congressional passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act budget reconciliation package.
July 03, 2025 | Press Release   Congressional Matters Taxes & Budget 

CFPB confirms plan to issue new rule on 1071, extend deadlines

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said it plans to issue new Section 1071 rulemaking as soon as possible and has extended compliance deadlines for most entities by one year—an extension designed to protect lenders that are not members of ICBA and not otherwise protected by the current stay.
July 03, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

Jim Reber: Whole lotta thinkin’ going on

I hope the readers of this column will excuse the lack of decorum in the title, but in reading and listening to the words of the Federal Reserve Board’s members over the past month, I hear a lot of hedging.
July 02, 2025 | Independent Banker  
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Community Banks Step Up After California Wildfire Devastation

In the wake of the wildfires that devastated areas of southern California, community banks stepped up to help locals recover and rebuild. Community bankers in the area tell us how they addressed and eased the tragedy for employees, customers and neighbors alike.
July 01, 2025 | Independent Banker  

How to Build an AI Policy at Your Community Bank

Artificial intelligence is here to stay, whether it’s generative AI, part of your bank’s neural network or both. That’s why having an AI policy is important—but how you go about writing it depends on how you plan to use this technology.
July 01, 2025 | Independent Banker  

Why Face-to-Face Lending Still Matters

Many people want face-to-face interaction when they’re on the cusp of a major financial decision. Community banks must offer both technology and in-person service to deliver a superior lending experience.
July 01, 2025 | Independent Banker   Lending 

Instant Payments Insights Every Community Bank Needs

Vendors share their specialized insight into the instant payments market to help community banks understand how they can grow in this technology-forward area.
July 01, 2025 | Independent Banker   Payments 

Build a Better Banking App With These 5 Tips

If you want your app to be a cut above the rest and give your customers the ideal experience, take note of accessibility, gamification, demographics and other appealing features.
July 01, 2025 | Independent Banker  

Alpine Bank Racks Up Thousands of Volunteer Hours

Alpine Bank’s “24 in ’24” campaign inspired employees to dedicate thousands of hours to the causes they care about, boosting staff and customer satisfaction along the way.
July 01, 2025 | Independent Banker  

Glacier Bank Inspires Young Minds at Annual Career Fair

When is the right time to learn about banking? Glacier Bank in Kalispell, Montana, believes financial literacy can start at any age. That’s why in April, the $28 billion-asset community bank’s Ronan, Montana, branch participated in a career fair for elementary students at Salish Kootenai College.
July 01, 2025 | Independent Banker  

Creative Solutions for Fortifying ATM Defenses

Faced with continued ATM security theft and threats, community banks and vendors are banding together to share creative strategies and bolster ATM defenses.
July 01, 2025 | Independent Banker   Compliance 

Lindsay LaNore: Why Following Up After Training Matters

July 01, 2025 | Independent Banker  

Charles Potts: The Process of Bringing Innovation to You

July 01, 2025 | Independent Banker   Payments 

What's the Secret to Becoming an Exceptional Lender?

Whether it’s loans for individuals or businesses, community banks’ lending activities keep America running. These high-performing community bank lenders, representing a diverse range of communities and specialties, tell us how they use innovation and relationship-based banking to support their customers’ dreams.
July 01, 2025 | Independent Banker   Lending 

Crossbridge Community Bank Elevates Its Employee Onboarding Experience

Crossbridge Community Bank built a robust onboarding process to ensure new hires feel supported as they settle into their new job.
July 01, 2025 | Independent Banker  

ICBA Certification Q&A with Michael Hoehn

Michael Hoehn, assistant compliance officer and CRA officer at First Metro Bank in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, shares how he navigates regulations and ensures compliance using his expertise and certifications.
July 01, 2025 | Independent Banker  

Powering Potential: Finding Common Ground on ICBA Community

ICBA Community gives more than 5,000 bankers space to band together on the industry’s hot topics and issues. Its 14 groups—with others to come—focus on regulation, bank size, personal development and more.
July 01, 2025 | Independent Banker  

Michael Benedict: Finding the Portfolio's Fit in Your Balance Sheet

Address common problems with creative solutions.
July 01, 2025 | Independent Banker   Growing the Community 

Jack E. Hopkins: Community Banks Are Leaders in Times of Crisis

“If [community banks] see hardships in the community, if we see something going wrong, we immediately jump to action.”
July 01, 2025 | Independent Banker  

Rebeca Romero Rainey: Offering Financial Freedom to Communities Nationwide

“It’s a constant balancing act between ensuring thoughtful, tailored solutions and responding to today’s immediate needs.”
July 01, 2025 | Independent Banker  

Out of Office: Andy Johnson

The chairman, co-CEO and CFO of $385 million-asset Bank of Vernon in Vernon, Alabama, is a seasoned fisherman who casts out any chance he gets.
July 01, 2025 | Independent Banker  

Kari Mitchum: It Matters to Community Banks Who Has Master Accounts

Master accounts are a notable part of the traditional financial institution’s ecosystem, but nontraditional financial companies like crypo-native institutions and nonbanks are gunning for access. See why community banks are keen to protecting such accounts.
July 01, 2025 | Independent Banker   Advocacy 

A Decade of Trust. Ready For the Future of Governance.

SPONSORED | Is your bank’s board ready for AI? Take the 2025 survey to benchmark your readiness, explore what peers are doing, and request a VIP seat at our exclusive webinar with ICBA’s Charles Potts.
July 01, 2025 | Independent Banker  

The Overlooked Role of ECM in Compliance, Privacy, and Customer Experience

SPONSORED | Enterprise content management (ECM) systems have traditionally been viewed as tools for organizing documents and managing retention schedules. But for financial institutions, ECM has evolved into something more valuable. The right solution does more than reduce paper and improve storage – it plays a critical role in compliance, data privacy, and customer service. In doing so, ECM solutions become a strategic advantage.
July 01, 2025 | Independent Banker   Compliance 

Embracing Lending Transformation to Control Your Destiny

SPONSORED | Today’s banks can gain a competitive advantage by providing a digital experience throughout the entire loan lifecycle – from onboarding to boarding to core and loan management.
July 01, 2025 | Independent Banker   Lending 

New ICBA Polling Shows Public Support for Policy Efforts Targeting Check Fraud

Following federal banking regulators’ recently issued request for information on potential agency actions to address check fraud and other forms of payments fraud, the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today announced polling results showing Americans support policy efforts to take on the scourge of check fraud.
July 01, 2025 | Press Release   Checks Fraud 

2025 Summer Internship Diaries - Vol. 2

The interns and a few other members of the ICBA team joined in on some team building activities with teambuilding.com!
July 01, 2025 | Independent Banker  

Agencies issue 2025 list of CRA geographies

Federal banking regulators issued the 2024 list of distressed or underserved nonmetropolitan middle-income geographies.
June 27, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

FATF: Stronger action needed to stem digital asset risks

The Financial Action Task Force said stronger action is needed to safeguard the integrity of the international financial system from the risks posed by virtual assets.
June 27, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Cybersecurity Digital Assets Fraud 

ICBA shares community bank digitalization priorities with OCC

ICBA said the OCC should adopt a modernized and responsive regulatory framework that enables responsible innovation while preserving the safety and soundness of the financial system.
June 27, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   OCC Fintech Innovation 

New BIS report raises concerns with stablecoins

The Bank for International Settlements said that while tokenization can enhance efficiency and open new possibilities in cross-border payments and securities markets, stablecoins pose a risk to financial stability and monetary sovereignty without regulation.
June 25, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Digital Assets 

Nissan is latest automaker to apply for ILC charter

Nissan this week became the latest automaker to apply to form an industrial loan company in Utah.
June 25, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 

FHA seeks input on the effect of BNPL loans on housing affordability

The Federal Housing Administration published a request for information regarding “buy now, pay later” unsecured debt.
June 25, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Mortgage Lending 

House passes ICBA-supported bill to restrict mortgage ‘trigger leads’

The House of Representatives passed ICBA-advocated legislation to restrict credit reporting agencies from selling consumers’ contact information when they apply for a residential mortgage.
June 24, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Congressional Matters Mortgage Rules 

ICBA to CFPB: Section 1033 should not be mandated for community banks

ICBA told the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that community banks already meet the requirements of Section 1033 of the Dodd-Frank Act by providing consumers with electronic access to their financial data through online banking portals and mobile apps—and the statute only mandates data access directly to consumers, not third parties.
June 24, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 

Fed’s Bowman: Community bank leverage ratio should be recalibrated

Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman said the Fed should reconsider capital requirements for a wide range of banks, including the calibration of the community bank leverage ratio.
June 24, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Federal Reserve 

ICBA Applauds House Passage of Bill to Restrict Mortgage ‘Trigger Leads’ Following Unanimous Senate Passage

ICBA applauded Congress following today’s House passage of the bipartisan Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act (H.R. 2808), which will help protect the financial privacy of mortgage applicants.
June 23, 2025 | Press Release   Congressional Matters Mortgage Rules 

‘Trigger leads’ grassroots action needed with House voting today

ICBA is calling on community bankers to urge their members of Congress to vote yes on “trigger leads” legislation scheduled for a vote in the House of Representatives today.
June 23, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Grassroots/Be Heard 

FATF: North Korea, crypto crime are major threats

The criminal use of cryptocurrency is a major concern and North Korea is the biggest threat, the Financial Action Task Force said.
June 23, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Digital Assets 

Fed to Congress: Will carefully assess data before more rate cuts

In considering the extent and timing of adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, the Federal Reserve will carefully assess incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks, according to its latest Monetary Policy Report to Congress.
June 23, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Federal Reserve 

Treasury’s Faulkender lays out principles for BSA modernization

Deputy Treasury Secretary Michael Faulkender shared the Trump administration’s guiding principles for modernizing Bank Secrecy Act regulations.
June 20, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Department of Treasury 

Treasury endorses new international payments standards

The Treasury Department endorsed the Financial Action Task Force’s new international payments standards and said it supports FATF reports on countering illicit finance.
June 20, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Department of Treasury 

Independent Banker features year-round marketing strategies

The latest Independent Banker magazine offers year-round marketing strategies to help community banks connect with their communities.
June 20, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

Senate passes stablecoin bill without ICBA-opposed credit card amendments

The Senate passed legislation to establish a regulatory framework for payment stablecoins without ICBA-opposed amendments to impose new credit card restrictions.
June 18, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Digital Assets 

Senate-passed GENIUS Act lays out stablecoin regulatory framework

ICBA pledged to continue working with Congress on legislation to establish a regulatory framework for payment stablecoins following Tuesday’s 68-30 bipartisan Senate vote to pass the GENIUS Act (S. 1582).
June 18, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Digital Assets 

CFPB extends 1071 compliance deadlines

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau published an interim final rule to extend its 1071 small-business reporting rule’s compliance and reporting dates.
June 18, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 

ICBA Statement on Senate Passage of the GENIUS Act

Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on the Senate’s passage of the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act (S. 1582).
June 18, 2025 | Press Release   Digital Assets Fintech Regulation 

2025 Summer Internship Diaries - Vol. 1

This month, four interns and I joined ICBA! This is the first year that ICBA interns are located in all three ICBA office locations (Washington D.C., Atlanta, and Sauk Centre, MN)! It has been incredible-from onboarding to the warm welcomes we've received from our teams. We are thrilled to be part of team ICBA, using our skills to support the community banking mission.
June 17, 2025 | News  

FDIC updates rates and rate caps

The FDIC’s national rates and rate caps for savings accounts, interest checking accounts, money market accounts, and CDs have been updated and are available on the FDIC website.
June 17, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 

Agencies request information on targeting payments fraud

ICBA applauded the federal banking agencies for announcing a request for comment on potential actions to help consumers, businesses, and financial institutions mitigate risk of payments fraud, with a particular focus on check fraud.
June 17, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Payments Fraud 

FATF updates money laundering, terrorist financing lists

The Financial Action Task Force updated its lists of countries monitored for deficiencies in their efforts to counter money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing.
June 17, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Fraud 

ICBA Applauds Interagency Request for Information Targeting Check Fraud

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) applauded the prudential banking regulators for announcing a request for information on potential actions to help consumers, businesses, and financial institutions mitigate risk of payments fraud, with a particular focus on check fraud.
June 16, 2025 | Press Release   Checks Data Security/Fraud Fraud 

Troy Cullen Joins ICBA Payments and TCM Bank as EVP, Chief Revenue Officer

ICBA Payments®, the payments subsidiary of the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA), today announced the appointment of Troy Cullen as executive vice president, chief revenue officer for the organization and its agent bank, TCM Bank N.A.
June 16, 2025 | Press Release  

Senate unanimously passes ICBA-advocated ‘trigger leads’ bill

ICBA-advocated legislation to curb the use of mortgage “trigger leads” last week passed the Senate by unanimous consent after the House Financial Services Committee advanced its version of the measure.
June 16, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

Troy Cullen joins ICBA Payments and TCM Bank

ICBA Payments announced the appointment of Troy Cullen as executive vice president and chief revenue officer for the organization and its agent bank, TCM Bank N.A.
June 16, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

ICBA shares customizable news release for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

ICBA CRA Solutions marked World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by equipping community bankers with tools such as a customizable news release on ICBA’s Media Resource Center.
June 13, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Elder Abuse Prevention 

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