We’ve seen a lot of shifts and change this year—the continued uptick in check fraud, the election, credit union acquisitions, etc.—but we community bankers are as steadfast, scrappy and resilient as ever.

This year we’ve doubled down on our commitment to year-round innovation—with the opening of our Center for Innovation in Atlanta, the rollout of two 10-week ThinkTECH Accelerators, and a host of specialized forums and showcases—in our effort to address our bankers’ most pressing business challenges and opportunities.

Standard Plan, Custom Plan, and Bank Compliance Bundle subscribers’ renewal invoices are due by Dec. 31 to maintain access to the Online Course Learning Management System. If you have not paid and are concerned a check payment will not arrive in time, you can pay online. Visit www.icba.org, log into your account (Member Login button in upper right), click on your name, scroll down to the open invoices, and pay. You may also call us at 800-422-7285 and we can take payment via credit card over the phone.

ICBA and community bankers focused much of our attention in 2023 on differentiating our industry in the wake of failures at larger institutions, while 2024 was all about elevating our positions on key issues at a time of intense political debate.

With a new Congress and administration descending on Washington, now is the time for policymakers to act decisively to free the government-sponsored enterprises, or GSEs, from government control to support the nation’s housing sector.

While we in the financial services sector start thinking about monetary policy in the coming year, there’s a new wrinkle to consider. Many Fed-watchers, rate prognosticators, economists and even investors had been betting on substantially lower rates in 2025 for many months.

Ninety-two percent of ICBA member banks rely on at least one ICBA Preferred Service Provider (PSP), and 52% of ICBA members say they would not be able to provide some services without ICBA, according to a recent ICBA member survey. These numbers demonstrate the tremendous value PSPs bring to community banks and highlight why ICBA is dedicated to fostering these relationships.

The November Online Course Newsletter features a look at new courses added to the full catalog this month, as well as a look ahead at courses to come.

In today’s fast-paced and competitive landscape, it’s more important than ever for community banks to effectively share their stories. Through conversations with members like you, we’ve seen firsthand how your stories carry the heart and impact needed to elevate our industry in the eyes of consumers.

As the holidays approach, it’s time to stay even more vigilant against fraud. That’s because fraudsters are more likely to seek out vulnerable, lonely or busy people at the end of the year. How can community bankers get ahead of year-end fraud and raise awareness among consumers?

As an entrepreneur at heart, I truly like to build businesses. When I look at ICBA Payments, I see a fantastic opportunity to take a solid 40-year history and write our own story of innovation and growth into the future.

Standard Plan, Custom Plan, and Bank Compliance Bundle subscribers paper renewal invoices were mailed Thursday, October 18. A letter is enclosed with the invoice telling you about what benefits you received from your subscription and what you have to look forward to.

To paraphrase President Reagan, a recession in banking is when banks face funding and cost of funds challenges. Banks, however, can replenish their liquidity. In contrast, borrowers may be experiencing a depression. At a minimum, borrowers are undergoing a liquidity crisis.

A Texas court set aside the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC’s) Final Rule banning all non-compete clauses days before it was set to take effect on Sept. 4. Ryan LLC v. FTC, No. 3:24-CV-00986-E, 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 148488 (N.D. Tex. Aug. 20, 2024). The court’s ruling bars the FTC from enforcing the Final Rule nationwide. Although the FTC lost this battle, it may be winning the war.

It’s been a while, but the tightening cycle that started in early 2022 has finally run its course. It appears the price stability mandate has been met sufficiently for the focus to turn to maximum employment. The rate cut in September marks the first time in four and a half years that the target rate of fed funds has dropped.

With your ICBA Bank Director Program subscription you have access to attorneys from Jackson Lewis to help with your employment law questions.

Leading a community bank means balancing countless responsibilities, managing your team, serving your customers, and keeping pace with the tempo of innovation in an ever-changing financial landscape. When your familiar rhythms are being tested daily, we understand how hard it can be to hit a new note.

Renewal season is coming soon! Standard Plan, Custom Plan, and Bank Compliance Bundle subscribers will be receiving their renewal invoice for the 2025 subscription year next month. Paper invoices will be mailed to the bank the week of Oct. 14. Payment is due by Dec. 31 to continue access to the Online Course Learning Management System in 2025.

If you’re looking to advance your career, you may be thinking, “Where do I start?” But options abound — you just have to know where to look.

Did you know a banker’s profile and training history is based on their email address? Some banks use an email address naming convention that may cause an email address to be used for multiple people over time. This practice has the potential to cause issues with ICBA Online Course training records.