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.
4 community banks with eye-catching names
These community banks know you never get a second chance to make a first impression. From Ergo Bank in Wisconsin to Happy State Bank in Texas, we uncover the roots of four banks’ eye-catching monikers—and offer tips for a successful rebranding.
May 01, 2020 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
How community banks are reaching the unbanked
Millions of Americans and their families don’t have bank accounts. Their reasons are their own; some lack financial literacy, and others’ trust in the banking system has been eroded. But many community banks are finding ways to better serve the underserved.
May 01, 2020 |
Independent Banker
ICBA’s best-performing community banks
Our annual list of the year’s top-performing community banks boasts institutions that focus on efficiency and the personal service that builds strong, lasting relationships. Their success last year has set them up to ride out this year’s storm.
May 01, 2020 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
Committee Mission Statements
The Association shall maintain the Federal Delegate Board to evaluate and address federal legislation, regulations, court rulings, tax, agriculture/rural America and lending issues. The Federal Delegate Board shall recommend legislative and regulatory policy positions to the Executive Committee and Board of Directors.
April 28, 2020 |
News
ICBA to Treasury and SBA: Frustrated Community Bankers Need Access and Answers to SBA’s PPP Loan Processing
ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued a statement urging The Department of Treasury and the Small Business Administration to allow community banks access to the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program loan processing system and to provide much needed answers to today’s technical issues with the PPP relaunch.
April 27, 2020 |
Press Release
Advocacy Crisis Preparedness Lending
ICBA Statement on Paycheck Protection Program Relaunch
Independent Community Bankers of America President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued a statement on today's relaunch of the Paycheck Protection Program.
April 27, 2020 |
Press Release
Advocacy Crisis Preparedness Lending
ICBA Statement on Fed Rule Eliminating Transfer Restrictions
ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on today's Federal Reserve Board interim final rule on Regulation D.
April 24, 2020 |
Press Release
Advocacy Federal Reserve
ICBA Statement on House Passage of Additional PPP Funding
ICBA released the following statement after the House sent bipartisan legislation to restart the Paycheck Protection Program to President Trump to be signed into law.
April 23, 2020 |
Press Release
Advocacy
Mary Randolph Gannon Joins ICBA as Vice President of Political Operations
The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) today announced the hire of Mary Randolph Gannon as vice president of political operations. In this role Gannon will oversee the day-to-day responsibilities and operations of ICBPAC—ICBA’s political action committee—in alignment with ICBA’s policy objectives.
April 21, 2020 |
Press Release
ICBA Statement on Senate Passage of Second Round of PPP Funding
ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey released the following statement after the Senate passed bipartisan legislation that includes an additional $310 billion to restart the Paycheck Protection Program and an ICBA-advocated allocation for community banks.
April 21, 2020 |
Press Release
Advocacy
ICBA Letter Regarding PPP Community Bank Allocation
ICBA has urged Congress to allocate a minimum of 25 percent of new PPP funds for community bank lenders because they are the only small business lenders in many small and rural communities. We want to ensure that thousands of small businesses in these communities will be able to access funding and maintain their employees.
April 21, 2020 |
News
Advocacy Crisis Preparedness
ICBA Response to Senators Brown and Warren
On behalf of community banks across the country, with more than 52,000 locations, I write to thank you for your letter regarding community banks’ role in the distribution of Economic Impact Payments (EIPs), as provided for in the CARES Act.
April 20, 2020 |
News
Advocacy Crisis Preparedness
Millennium Bank ranked Top 100 best performing U.S. community bank by S&P Global Market Intelligence
The minority owned community bank, today announced it has been ranked in the top 100 best performing U.S. community banks under $3 billion in asset size by S&P Global Market Intelligence.
April 20, 2020 |
News
ICBA Names Rob Birgfeld EVP, Chief Marketing Officer
ICBA today announced that Rob Birgfeld has joined the organization as executive vice president and chief marketing officer.
April 20, 2020 |
Press Release
ICBA to Fed: Main Street program should serve Main Street
ICBA told the Federal Reserve it is concerned the agency's Main Street Lending Program excludes small businesses because it has a minimum loan amount of $1 million.
April 17, 2020 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Lending
ICBA Statement on Home Mortgage Disclosure Act Final Rule
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on today's Consumer Financial Protection Bureau final rule on Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data reporting.
April 16, 2020 |
Press Release
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Mortgage Lending
ICBA Urges Immediate Paycheck Protection Appropriation as Funds Run Out
ICBA called on policymakers to immediately approve additional funds for the Paycheck Protection Program with the initial round of program funds expected to be exhausted soon.
April 16, 2020 |
Press Release
Advocacy
ICBA Recommendations for COVID-19 New Legislation
With the right policies in place, community banks are well positioned to channel credit expeditiously to help small business bridge this temporary economic shutdown, preserve their workforces, and be ready to restart once restrictions have been lifted.
April 14, 2020 |
News
Advocacy
ICBA FAQs detail Economic Impact Payments
ICBA updated its frequently asked questions on the federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic with information on Economic Impact Payments—the federal stimulus payments going out to eligible individuals and households.
April 13, 2020 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Advocacy Payments
ICBA and State Banking Associations Urge Paycheck Protection Program Changes
The Independent Community Bankers of America and nearly 30 state banking associations today sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Small Business Administrator Jovita Carranza imploring them to do everything in their power to assure timely access to the Paycheck Protection Program for the roughly one-third of the community banking industry.
April 09, 2020 |
Press Release
Advocacy
ICBA and The Venture Center Showcase Community Bank Innovation
The Independent Community Bankers of America and The Venture Center, in partnership with the State of Arkansas, today hosted the ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator Virtual Demo Day, for its second cohort.
April 08, 2020 |
Press Release
ICBA Urges Changes to Community Reinvestment Act Proposal
The Independent Community Bankers of America today called on federal regulators to make needed changes to their proposal to reform Community Reinvestment Act regulations to promote equitable, consistent, and transparent implementation of the law.
April 08, 2020 |
Press Release
CRA
National Banking Trades Letter on Recovery Act
During the Great Recession, CDFIs played a pivotal role in stabilizing the local economies and preserving and creating jobs in low- and moderate-income communities. Likewise, the 2020 recession is already taking a devastating toll on the most economically fragile households and the communities where they live.
April 08, 2020 |
News
Advocacy
ICBA Community Bankers Share Perspectives on Paycheck Protection Program at White House Meeting
ICBA leadership represented the nation’s nearly 5,000 community banks at a virtual meeting held at the White House with President Donald J. Trump to discuss the status of the Paycheck Protection Program created by the recently enacted CARES Act.
April 07, 2020 |
Press Release
Advocacy
ICBA Sends Urgent Payment Protection Program Recommendations to Treasury and SBA
ICBA sent a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Small Business Administrator Jovita Carranza early this morning laying out urgent recommendations for the Paycheck Protection Program so that every community bank across the nation has the capability to access the system and help their customers during this critical time.
April 05, 2020 |
Press Release
Advocacy Regulatory Relief
Agencies extend comment period on Volcker rule reform
Federal regulators said they will consider comments submitted before May 1 on their proposal to modify the Volcker rule’s general prohibition on banking entities investing in or sponsoring hedge funds or private equity funds. The previous deadline was April 1.
April 03, 2020 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Advocacy
Paycheck Protection Program State Banking Association Letter
If the Paycheck Protection Loan Program doesn’t work for all community banks, both current SBA 7(a) lenders and otherwise, then it will fail to achieve its objectives. Our concerns are outlined in this letter, together with our recommended changes.
April 02, 2020 |
News
Advocacy
ICBA Letter To Treasury-SBA Regarding Concerns With Paycheck Protection Program
If the Paycheck Protection Loan Program doesn’t work for all community banks, both current SBA 7(a) lenders and otherwise, then it will fail to achieve its objectives. Our concerns are outlined in this letter, together with our recommended changes.
April 01, 2020 |
News
Advocacy
Community Banks Remain Shining Stars For Customers and Communities
In honor of Community Banking Month in April, the Independent Community Bankers of America recognizes the unmatched role that the nation’s nearly 5,000 community banks serve in helping their customers and communities through times of challenge.
April 01, 2020 |
Press Release
Advocacy
What you can do now to prepare for CECL
Community banks won’t have to implement current expected credit losses, or CECL, standards until 2023, but it’s never too early to start getting ready. Here’s what industry experts say you should know about preparing for CECL.
April 01, 2020 |
Independent Banker
Compliance
How to get and keep new customers
Customers have more choices than ever about where and how to do their banking. Community banks must find the right ways to engage them if they want to win and retain their loyalty. Here are the strategies that are working for several community banks.
April 01, 2020 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
Banks that found their niche lending markets
Technology has blurred community banks’ geographic borders for some lending niches—but for others, face-to-face remains the gold standard. These community banks know one size doesn’t always fit all.
April 01, 2020 |
Independent Banker
Lending
How to defend your bank from ransomware
Cybercriminals are taking advantage of ransomware’s low barrier of entry to compromise data and networks from banks, service providers and even customers. But experts say community banks can protect themselves with education, data management and security procedures.
April 01, 2020 |
Independent Banker
Payments
Preventing and detecting mortgage fraud
Many compliance functions are needed to detect mortgage fraud, from FACTA and FCRA to the SAFE Act. Here’s a look at the requirements.
April 01, 2020 |
Independent Banker
Compliance Lending
The juicy story behind First Citrus Bank
Detailing the Community Bank Provisions of the CARES Act
On March 25, the U.S. Senate passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The House of Representatives is expected to pass the legislation, and the President is expected to sign it into law. ICBA succeeded in including a number of provisions that will help community banks sustain critical economic activity with access to credit to struggling small businesses, families, and individuals.
March 30, 2020 |
News
Advocacy
Nacha provides relief on signature requirements
Nacha said it will not enforce signature and similar authentication requirements for receiving depository financial institutions until further notice.
March 30, 2020 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
ICBA-Advocated Measures in Congress-Passed Coronavirus Stimulus
Independent Community Bankers of America President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued this statement after the House passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, sending it to President Donald Trump to be signed into law.
March 27, 2020 |
Press Release
Advocacy
Fed announces financial reporting relief
The Federal Reserve said it will not take action against financial institutions with $5 billion or less in total assets for submitting certain financial statements within 30 days of the March 31 filing deadline.
March 27, 2020 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Advocacy
Several ICBA-Advocated Measures Included in Coronavirus Stimulus Deal
ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued this statement on the coronavirus stimulus package compromise reached today by Congress and the Trump administration.
March 26, 2020 |
Press Release
Advocacy
There When It Counts: Behind the Scenes of ICBA Advocacy
The Senate is convening now to advance the economic stimulus package responding to the coronavirus outbreak. We at ICBA often say that our star shines brightest when we are in the midst of a challenge—just as community bankers do.
March 25, 2020 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Advocacy
ICBA Welcomes Venminder as Newest Preferred Service Provider
The Independent Community Bankers of America announced today that Venminder has been selected as the newest Preferred Service Provider for its third-party risk management software.
March 25, 2020 |
Press Release
ICBA: Community Banks Put the “Community” in Banking
At a time of social distancing, the Independent Community Bankers of America wants consumers to know that community banks put the “community” into banking and are here to serve the needs of their customers and communities throughout the coronavirus pandemic and beyond.
March 25, 2020 |
Press Release
Advocacy
ICBA: Community Banks Continue to Serve Rural America
The Independent Community Bankers of America and the nation’s community banks are honoring the contributions of America’s local farmers, ranchers and agricultural enterprises during today's National Ag Day.
March 24, 2020 |
Press Release
Agriculture
ICBA Letter to FASB Regarding Community Bank Relief from COVID-19
The Independent Community Bankers of America is writing to you today in the midst of an unprecedented health crisis that has temporarily placed considerable hardships on the nation’s communities that are served by community banks.
March 23, 2020 |
News
Advocacy Audit
ICBA Offers Tips on FDIC Insurance During COVID-19 Pandemic
The Independent Community Bankers of America wants consumers to rest assured that their FDIC insured deposits are safe in their local community bank and offers additional tips for expanding coverage.
March 23, 2020 |
Press Release
Advocacy
Agencies: Coronavirus loan modifications are not TDRs
Federal and state banking regulators said Sunday that they will not direct supervised institutions to automatically categorize coronavirus-related loan modifications as troubled debt restructurings.
March 23, 2020 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Advocacy
ICBA Statement on Coronavirus Stimulus Package
ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued this statement on the coronavirus stimulus package that Congress and the Trump administration are developing.
March 22, 2020 |
Press Release
Advocacy Regulatory Relief
ICBA: Insured Deposits Are Safe at a Community Bank
The Independent Community Bankers of America today reminded consumers and community banking customers that their insured deposits are safe and backed by the full faith and credit of the federal government through the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
March 20, 2020 |
Press Release
Advocacy
Consumer, Civil Rights Groups & Industry Urge FDIC: Halt Approval of Industrial Bank Applications, Close ILC Loopholes First
The Bank Policy Institute, Center for Responsible Lending (CRL), NAACP, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and Independent Community Bankers of America sent a letter to Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Chairwoman Jelena McWilliams urging the agency not to approve deposit insurance applications submitted by industrial banks or industrial loan companies (ILC) until its ILC rulemaking is final.
March 19, 2020 |
Press Release
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
ICBA Letter to the House Financial Services and Ways and Means Committees
On behalf of community bankers nationwide, with more than 52,000 locations, ICBA's president and CEO writes to forward recommendations for stimulus and relief measures that should be enacted expeditiously to mitigate the economic impact of the spreading coronavirus.
March 18, 2020 |
News
Commerce & Banking
ICBA Letter to the Senate Banking and Finance Committees
On behalf of community bankers nationwide, with more than 52,000 locations, ICBA's president and CEO writes to forward recommendations for stimulus and relief measures that should be enacted expeditiously to mitigate the economic impact of the spreading coronavirus.
March 18, 2020 |
News
Commerce & Banking
ICBA Statement on FDIC Industrial Loan Company Proposal
ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued this statement on the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.'s proposed rule on industrial loan companies.
March 18, 2020 |
Press Release
Deposit Insurance Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Fintech Regulation
ICBA Letter to Senate Appropriations Committee
On behalf of community bankers nationwide, with more than 52,000 locations, ICBA's president and CEO writes to forward recommendations for stimulus and relief measures that should be enacted expeditiously to mitigate the economic impact of the spreading coronavirus.
March 18, 2020 |
News
Commerce & Banking
A Note From ICBA Bancard's President and CEO
First and foremost, the team at ICBA Bancard hopes that you are safe and weathering these uncertain times as best possible. As leaders of our businesses and communities, we are being asked to make complex decisions to protect our employees while also ensuring that we maintain a high level of support for our clients.
March 17, 2020 |
News
ICBA Letter to White House Regarding Priority Coronavirus Stimulus and Relief Measures
Since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, ICBA leadership has been in intensive discussions with community bankers from across the country serving rural, suburban, and urban markets. The following recommendations reflect their judgement regarding what would be most effective in addressing the crisis.
March 17, 2020 |
News
Commerce & Banking
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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