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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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ICBA CRA Solutions Marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by Equipping Community Banks and Consumers to Fight Financial Exploitation

In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on June 15, ICBA CRA Solutions and its Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation (SHCPF) are raising awareness of elder financial exploitation and highlighting tools available to help protect America’s seniors from fraud and abuse — crimes that cost older adults billions annually.
June 12, 2025 | Press Release   Elder Abuse Prevention 

Independent Banker shares 7 traits of a great leader

The latest Independent Banker magazine shares the seven traits of great leaders that help build a stronger community bank.
June 12, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

ICBA continues urging grassroots outreach on ACRE Act

ICBA continues calling on community bankers to use its Be Heard Grassroots Action Center to ask senators to co-sponsor the Access to Credit for our Rural Economy (ACRE) Act (S. 838) and preserve and expand ACRE in the Senate’s reconciliation tax bill.
June 12, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Agriculture 

ICBA-advocated bill on mortgage ‘trigger leads’ advances in House

As reported in Wednesday’s NewsWatch Today, the House Financial Services Committee this week voted to advance several ICBA-advocated bills.
June 12, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Congressional Matters 

Check fraud prevention flyers now available from ICBA

Community bankers can now order physical copies of a check fraud prevention flyer to distribute to customers.
June 11, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Checks Fraud 

House panel passes three ICBA-backed bills

The House Financial Services Committee voted to advance ICBA-advocated bills to ban trigger leads, change threshold requirements for small bank holding companies, and support small financial institutions.
June 11, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

Fed reminder: One month to prepare for ISO 20022 implementation

The Federal Reserve reminded banks it will adopt the ISO 20022 message format for the Fedwire Funds Service on Monday, July 14. The existing proprietary Fedwire Application Interface Manual format will sunset on Friday, July 11.
June 11, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Federal Reserve 

House Financial Services Committee marking up three ICBA-backed bills today

Ahead of a House Financial Services Committee markup scheduled for today, ICBA urged committee members to vote to advance bills to ban trigger leads, change threshold requirements for small bank holding companies, and support small financial institutions.
June 10, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Small Business Lending 

Bowman sworn in as Fed vice chair for supervision

Michelle Bowman was sworn in as Federal Reserve vice chair for supervision.
June 10, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Federal Reserve 

OCC: Preemption is a cornerstone of the dual banking system

Acting Comptroller of the Currency Rodney Hood reaffirmed the OCC’s support of preemption as a cornerstone of the dual banking system and fundamental to the operation of the federal banking system.
June 10, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   OCC 

ICBA Applauds Fed Vice Chair Michelle Bowman for Remarks on Rightsizing Community Bank Regulations

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) applauded Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman on today’s remarks outlining a fresh approach to the agency’s supervision and regulation.
June 06, 2025 | Press Release   Federal Reserve Regulatory Relief 

House passes ICBA-backed legislation to protect SBA lending

The House of Representatives passed ICBA-backed legislation to protect the integrity of the Small Business Administration 7(a) program so it can continue to reach more borrowers and support local economic development.
June 06, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Small Business Administration 

ICBA-backed bill to support minority banks reintroduced

Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) reintroduced ICBA-supported legislation to codify a Treasury Department program to support minority depository institutions and other community banks.
June 06, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Department of Treasury 

ICBA advocates changes to state law at check fraud meeting

ICBA and a group of community bankers met with the Uniform Commercial Code's Permanent Editorial Board at a national stakeholders' meeting to advocate changes to state law to better address check and wire fraud.
June 06, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Fraud 

ICBA: More needs to be done to curtail crypto scams

ICBA said it strongly supports a Financial Crimes Enforcement Network proposed rule to designate the Huione Group as a primary money laundering concern, but it said more needs to be done to curtail the rapid growth of crypto scams.
June 05, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Digital Assets 

ICBA, state affiliates urge Senate to include ACRE Act in tax bill

ICBA and its 44 state affiliates this week called on senators to include the Access to Credit for our Rural Economy (ACRE) Act (S. 838) in the tax portion of the Senate reconciliation bill, noting it is bipartisan legislation that would reduce high loan interest costs for farmers, ranchers, and rural homeowners.
June 05, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Agriculture 

Michelle Bowman confirmed as Federal Reserve vice chair for supervision

ICBA congratulated Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman following last night’s Senate vote confirming her ICBA-advocated nomination to serve as Fed vice chair for supervision.
June 05, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Federal Reserve 

ICBA, state affiliates urge Senate to include ACRE Act in tax bill

ICBA and its 44 state affiliates called on senators to include the Access to Credit for our Rural Economy (ACRE) Act (S. 838) in the tax portion of the Senate reconciliation bill, noting it is bipartisan legislation that would reduce high loan interest costs for farmers, ranchers, and rural homeowners.
June 04, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Agriculture 

ICBA Congratulates Michelle Bowman on Confirmation as Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) congratulated Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman on today’s Senate vote confirming her ICBA-advocated nomination to serve as Fed vice chair for supervision.
June 04, 2025 | Press Release   Federal Reserve 

Hood: OCC seeking community bank input on AI

Acting Comptroller of the Currency Rodney Hood said the OCC wants to develop artificial intelligence guidance and tools that ensure that all banks can modernize and remain competitive.
June 04, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   OCC 

Fed lifts growth restriction on Wells Fargo

The Federal Reserve announced that Wells Fargo is no longer subject to the asset-growth restriction from its enforcement action against the bank.
June 04, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Federal Reserve 

Independent Banker Magazine Unveils 2025 “40 Under 40: Community Bank Leaders”

Independent Banker magazine, the award-winning monthly publication of the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA), has announced its seventh annual 40 Under 40: Community Bank Leaders list, recognizing the rising stars transforming community banking through innovation, leadership, and service.
June 03, 2025 | Press Release  

Independent Banker highlights 40 under 40

This month’s Independent Banker magazine recognizes the seventh annual "40 Under 40" list of emerging community bankers who are making a difference in their communities.
June 03, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

CFPB seeks to vacate ‘unlawful’ 1033 rule

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau asked a federal court to vacate its 1033 rule on consumer data security and privacy, saying the rule is unlawful.
June 03, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 

Senate moves to bring Bowman nomination to a vote

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) moved to bring to a vote the nomination of Michelle Bowman to be the Federal Reserve’s vice chair for supervision.
June 03, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Federal Reserve 

Nominations open for Best Community Banks to Work For awards

ICBA’s Independent Banker magazine opened nominations for its 2025 Best Community Banks to Work For awards, sponsored by FIS.
June 02, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

Treasury seeks input on modernizing payments

The Treasury Department announced it is seeking public input on its plans to transition federal disbursements to electronic payments.
June 02, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Department of Treasury 

After lobbying success at Capital Summit, ICBA continues ACRE push in Senate

After community bankers convened in Washington this month for Capital Summit, ICBA noted the inclusion of a modified version of the Access to Credit for our Rural Economy Act (ACRE - S. 838) in the House version of the reconciliation bill (H.R. 1) and urged senators to include ACRE in its version of reconciliation.
June 02, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Agriculture 

Nominations Open for 2025's Best Community Banks to Work For Award

Does your community bank pride itself on being an amazing place to work? Now’s your chance to be recognized as one of ICBA’s Best Community Banks to Work For.
June 02, 2025 | Independent Banker  

Jack E. Hopkins: Meeting the Needs of Tech-Savvy Small Business

“It takes more than a slick product to get small businesses and mom-and-pop shops to digitize their banking: It takes them trusting their banker.”
June 01, 2025 | Independent Banker  

CorTrust Bank's Blue Jeans Fulfill Big Dreams

CorTrust Bank in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has turned “casual Fridays” into a rally for community causes.
June 01, 2025 | Independent Banker  

Rebeca Romero Rainey: We Empower Our Nation's Small Businesses

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our nation, but community banks are the fuel that keeps them running.”
June 01, 2025 | Independent Banker  

The Key to Winning Over SMBs With Merchant Services

Local businesses appreciate having resources that will give them the boost they need to succeed. With merchant services, community banks can offer those resources and stay competitive.
June 01, 2025 | Independent Banker   Growing the Community 

What Innovative Advantage Does Cloud Lending Give Community Banks?

Community banks are using cloud technology to improve efficiency and enhance customer convenience. See how cloud lending is transforming operations for banks and borrowers alike.
June 01, 2025 | Independent Banker   Payments 

Establishing a Lifelong Career in Community Banking

Individuals looking for a fulfilling career can find their calling within the community banking industry—even if they’d never considered it before.
June 01, 2025 | Independent Banker  

Out of Office: Matt and Sean Doyle

Matt Doyle, chairman of the board, and his son Sean Doyle, senior vice president and sales manager, at $2.3 billion-asset Texas First Bank in Texas City, Texas, manage Shamrock Ranch, their family-owned cattle ranch.
June 01, 2025 | Independent Banker  

WesBanco Offers a Key Lending Alternative for Times of Need

WesBanco prioritizes accessibility and practicality with FlexCash, a solution that offers affordable support for customers facing emergency expenses.
June 01, 2025 | Independent Banker  

Community Banks Propel Multi-Family Home Growth

During a housing shortage, community banks are using their agility, relationships and market insight to support apartment developments when larger lenders fall short.
June 01, 2025 | Independent Banker   Lending 

Anjelica Dortch: Executive Orders Chart New Policies for Community Bankers

Our industry faces certain changes following President Trump’s recent executive orders. Here’s what you need to know.
June 01, 2025 | Independent Banker   Advocacy 

Powering Potential: How ICBA is Helping ICBC Cultivate Tomorrow's Leaders

The Independent Community Bankers of Colorado’s leadership initiatives empower professionals to lead with purpose, capped by the ICBA LEAD FWD Summit.
June 01, 2025 | Independent Banker  

Make Every Season Count With Year-Round Marketing Strategies

Fall is back-to-school season, winter welcomes a range of holidays, spring brings Financial Literacy Month, and summer spurs all sorts of warm weather activities. And all year, community banks are looking to make meaningful connections. A year-round, seasonal marketing strategy is one way to do this.
June 01, 2025 | Independent Banker   Growing the Community 

Jacob Eisen: A Can't-Miss Business Card Opportunity

June 01, 2025 | Independent Banker   Payments 

Jim Reber: High plains drifter

Floaters could be the answer to a flat curve.
June 01, 2025 | Independent Banker  

Scott Anchin: Let's Win the Fight Against Elder Fraud

June 01, 2025 | Independent Banker   Compliance 
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40 Under 40: 2025's Community Bank Leaders

Our seventh annual 40 Under 40 community bank leaders awards shine a light on inspiring people who take bettering their workplaces to the next level, offering thoughtful ideas for improved efficiencies, digital innovations, community involvement and more. No matter the challenge, these individuals put in the work.
June 01, 2025 | Independent Banker  

What Makes a Leader Truly Great? Experts Weigh In

Good leadership is about much more than one individual’s impact on the bottom line. It’s not even just about having the “soft skills” that make people want to work on your team. It’s about how effective leaders use these skills both internally and in the community to build a stronger bank. Here, community bankers and experts give insight into what this can look like.
June 01, 2025 | Independent Banker  

How the MPF® Program Keeps Community Banks Competitive

SPONSORED | Through the Mortgage Partnership Finance® (MPF®) Program, community banks gain access to the secondary mortgage market while benefiting from key competitive advantages including strengthened relationships with borrowers, more attractive pricing, and a reputation for consistency and reliability.
June 01, 2025 | Independent Banker   Lending 

How Community Bankers Can Fight (and Win) Against Fraud

SPONSORED | IBT Apps’ newest ebook is available now! Discover the rising threat of fraud and learn how community banks can proactively defend against it with modern tools and strategies. A must-read for bank executives, risk officers, and operations leaders!
June 01, 2025 | Independent Banker   Compliance 

Agencies sunsetting cybersecurity tool in August

ICBA is reminding community bankers that federal regulators’ Cybersecurity Assessment Tool is scheduled to sunset on Aug. 31.
May 30, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Cybersecurity 

Independent Banker shares point-of-sale tips for community bankers

About 90% of smartphone users now use digital wallets regularly, offering opportunities for community banks to innovate and respond to customer expectations, according to the latest Independent Banker magazine.
May 30, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

Treasury sanctions Philippines-based company for cyber scams

The Treasury Department sanctioned Funnull Technology Inc., a Philippines-based company that provides computer infrastructure for hundreds of thousands of websites involved in virtual currency investment scams, commonly known as “pig butchering.”
May 30, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Department of Treasury 

Community bank net income increases in Q1

Community banks reported a 10% first-quarter increase in net income from the previous quarter and an 8.5% increase from the previous year, according to the FDIC’s latest Quarterly Banking Profile.
May 29, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

ICBA: Latest credit union acquisition shows need for policy action

After a new acquisition of a tax-paying community bank in Arizona by a tax-exempt credit union, ICBA said the need for policymaker action is urgent.
May 29, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Credit Unions 

Trump vows to end GSE conservatorship

President Donald Trump said he is working to take Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac out of conservatorship while maintaining an implicit government guarantee on their obligations and securities.
May 29, 2025 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Secondary Mortgage Market Secondary Mortgage Market 

New Credit Union Acquisition of Community Bank Underscores Need for Policy Action

Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement after a new acquisition of a tax-paying community bank in Arizona by a tax-exempt credit union.
May 28, 2025 | Press Release   Credit Unions 

Seeing the Story Behind the Numbers: Introducing Eric Kirchner

Eric Kirchner joined the team in January 2025 as senior vice president, strategic finance. In this role, he contributes to the financial modeling and forecasting for all aspects of the ICBA Payments business. Eric offers insight into his duties, industry experience, and what he’s most excited about regarding the future of ICBA Payments.
May 28, 2025 | Payments Quarterly  

Combating Fraud: One Attack at a Time

The numbers don’t lie: fraud losses are on the rise, with 61% of financial organizations reporting direct losses of over $500,000 in a 12-month period. In addition, 52% of mid-market organizations have pointed to an increase in attempted fraud events.
May 28, 2025 | Payments Quarterly  

ICBA Payments is Bringing Push-to-Card Payments to Community Banks

ICBA Payments is committed to ensuring that community banks keep pace with innovation in the payments space. When FedNow launched, ICBA Payments partnered with market leader, Pidgin, to ensure that banks had a community bank-minded option for instant payments.
May 28, 2025 | Payments Quarterly  

Weighing Your Card Options with ICBA Payments

For community banks and their customers, options are key. Just as no two communities are alike, no two community banks are the same, so we need the flexibility to create solutions that meet our customers’ needs.
May 28, 2025 | Payments Quarterly  

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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