November 2021 - Online Training Newsletter

Nov 23, 2021
We at Community Banker University want to send a special note of thanks to all our community bank customers that have renewed their subscriptions to our Online Training Plans and Certificate Programs in 2021. We also want to thank those new to our online training in 2021.

Seven Myths About Central Bank Digital Currencies

Nov 19, 2021
Separating fact from fiction on central bank digital currencies and a possible U.S. digital dollar can be challenging. In the latest edition of our Digital Dollar Digest series, ICBA is here to help dispel any misconceptions and debunk the most common myths.

4 Ways Community Banks Can Attract Gen Z Customers

Nov 16, 2021
With the eldest members of Gen Z clocking in at age 24, they represent a market ripe for targeting with banking services. But what they are looking for differs from what Millennials and Gen X required of community banks at the same age.

Tips to help prevent fraud from TCM’s EVP, Chief Administrative Officer & Chief Credit Officer

Nov 16, 2021
As the holiday season is upon us, be sure to secure your accounts and protect your personal information. Here are some ways to help combat fraud this holiday season.

Partners in Fraud Prevention – A Conversation with Pioneer Trust Bank’s Betsy Steinberg and ICBA Bancard’s Rebecca Kruse

Nov 16, 2021
Host Charles Potts, Chief Innovation Officer of the Independent Community Bankers of America, talks with Betsy Steinberg, Vice President of Pioneer Trust Bank NA about the bank’s card fraud prevention strategies.

The Challenges and Risks of Smart Contracts

Nov 12, 2021
Smart contracts — blockchain-based programs that operate when predetermined conditions are met — offer potential use cases as well as risks for community banks evaluating their payments processing capabilities

Paycheck Protection Program Data Show Community Banks Served Those Most in Need

Nov 10, 2021
Paycheck Protection Program lending data continue to demonstrate that community banks are justifiably recognized as leaders of the financial response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reconciliation Update: IRS Reporting, Tax Hikes, and Needed Grassroots

Nov 9, 2021
Community bankers are witnessing the fruits of their labor in ICBA’s months-long campaign opposing the onerous IRS bank reporting proposal. However, the grassroots push must continue.

Three Principles to Drive Community Bank Innovation

Nov 9, 2021
For $200 million-asset First Community Bank and Trust in Beecher, Ill., having an innovation mindset means being open to explore new ways to solve for business challenges and opportunities.

Paycheck Protection Program Data Show Community Bank Pandemic Response Outperformed Larger Lenders

Nov 5, 2021
The Paycheck Protection Program offered millions of small businesses a critical financial lifeline to weather an extraordinary economic downturn engendered by the coronavirus pandemic.

Trust in Code? Smart Contracts, DeFi, and Use Cases for Community Banking

Nov 4, 2021
Smart contracts — computer programs that automatically execute specific actions — are becoming increasingly relevant to community banks. Here’s a breakdown of smart contracts and how they could ultimately serve community banks.

Community Banking and Cryptocurrency – A Conversation with Quontic Bank’s Steve Schnall and ICBA’s Brian Laverdure

Nov 4, 2021
Host Charles Potts, Chief Innovation Officer of the Independent Community Bankers of America, talks with Steve Schnall, CEO of Quontic Bank about how the bank launched a cryptocurrency rewards program to generate customer interest.

Paycheck Protection Program Data Show Community Banks Acted Expeditiously to Save Small Businesses

Nov 2, 2021
The Paycheck Protection Program originated its final loans nearly three months ago. Over the preceding year, this Marshall Plan for small businesses provided critical financial assistance to nearly 5 million individual borrowers.

Community Bank Cybersecurity Mitigation Checklist

Nov 1, 2021
Between March and June of last year banks experienced a 520% increase in phishing and ransomware attempts. Though these trends were exacerbated by COVID, cybersecurity has been a top concern for the financial services industry for years.

Cybersecurity Experts offer Tips to Help Community Banks Shore up Defenses

Oct 28, 2021
A recent 21st Century from the Conference of State Bank Supervisors report indicates that more than 80% of bankers ranked cybersecurity risk as “very important,” which was more than twice the rate for any other type of operational risk.

How Open Banking Can Help Community Banks Deliver on Digital Expectations

Oct 26, 2021
Have you ever been ready to jump into your next meeting only to notice you didn’t have your mobile phone? If so, I’m betting you felt a sense of panic that only subsided once your phone was back in hand.Because without it, you’d lost your lifeline.

October 2021 - Online Training Newsletter

Oct 25, 2021
If like many banks, your employee training runs from January to December, that means you only have two more months to complete the mandatory training courses that are required by specific regulations.

IRS Reporting Grassroots Campaign Evolves with Congressional Debate

Oct 22, 2021
ICBA’s campaign against Washington’s IRS reporting proposal has helped consumers speak out against the plan. But as the debate evolves, the campaign now demands that community bankers increase their grassroots outreach through calls and messages to Capitol Hill.

Continuing Your Community Bank’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Journey

Oct 20, 2021
A new educational webinar series hosted by ICBA and Jackson Lewis starts tomorrow. This series will speak to community bank considerations around diversity and provide greater insights into both the why and how behind diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

Key Take-Aways from Federal Reserve Report on Community Bank Innovation

Oct 18, 2021
High-tech, high touch. That phrase has been a rallying cry for community banks for years, emphasizing the blending of the relationship banking model with the technology fueling today’s digital era. And now the expression has bubbled up in a new source.