An Economic Update for Bank Directors

Feb 19, 2021
SRM founder and principal Brad Stevens has been leading the credit industry as an analyst, trainer and consultant for over 30 years. Read Brad's Economic Update for Bank Directors.

Banks Leaving the Pain of 2020 Behind

Feb 19, 2021
Banks are looking ahead to this year with the hope that the human and economic toll of 2020 can be left in the past.

Through the Fire and Flames: The Road Ahead for Community Banks

Feb 1, 2021
Economic security rapidly evaporated for many households in 2020 as the coronavirus imposed an indelible mark on our nation’s economy. While the consequences were unprecedented, data continues to affirm the vitality of community banks.

January 2021 - Online Training Newsletter

Jan 28, 2021
It’s a new year and for many of you, your annual employee training calendar is just kicking off. Regardless of where you are in the process, we want to make you are aware of some of great courses coming to you in the very near future.

Policymakers Share Plans to Support Community Bank Innovation at ThinkTECH Summit

Jan 22, 2021
In a time of ambiguity, you take notice when there’s unilateral consensus, as was the case at last month’s ThinkTECH Policy Summit. During the summit, assembled regulators, legislators, and community bankers all agreed that community bank innovation will drive the future of financial services.

Community banks earn victories with stimulus advocacy

Jan 19, 2021
Community bankers have hit the ground running this year with another round of Paycheck Protection Program lending, Economic Impact Payment processing, and the everyday business of supporting local communities during the pandemic.

A Community Banker’s Perception of the ThinkTECH Accelerator Experience

Dec 30, 2020
In our industry if you’re not moving forward, you’re in danger of falling behind. It’s why we created the ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator program—to foster community bank innovation.

December 2020 - Online Training Newsletter

Dec 29, 2020
The end of 2020 is here and so is the end of Adobe Flash! All Community Banker University courses have been converted out of Flash and into HTML so you should have no trouble launching courses come Jan. 1, 2021.

Community Banking's Finest Hour

Dec 22, 2020
We have had to juggle countless responsibilities this year—to our families, to our businesses, to our communities, to each other. With so many simultaneous demands, we have had to make no shortage of sacrifices.

The Big Trouble with Big Tech

Dec 21, 2020
Last month Google unveiled its new Google Pay app—complete with a DDA-like account attached. This latest effort by Google is part of a trend of non-bank tech companies wading into payments territory.

Know Before You Go: What to Expect from ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator 3.0

Dec 11, 2020
As we near the close of 2020, we’re all crossing our fingers and hoping that 2021 brings a stronger sense of stability and normalcy. No matter how we define it, “normal” will differ dramatically from this point forward.

Things You Never Thought You’d Say

Dec 9, 2020
Over time, a business relationship develops, much of which is a matter of convenience for the busy portfolio manager. And out of this relationship comes dialogue. In 2020, the dialogue has gone places it had not yet visited. So, as the year ends, and hopefully the COVID-19-dominated headlines begin to recede, ICBA Securities' Jim Reber recounts some questions and comments he's heard for the first time this year.

Congress Could Act to Overturn Treasury Guidance on PPP Loan Expense Deductibility

Dec 9, 2020
On Nov. 18, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Revenue Ruling 2020-27 and Revenue Procedure 2020-51. This guidance collectively addresses the timing of the disallowance of deduction of eligible costs incurred during 2020 that were paid using proceeds from a loan guaranteed under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

An Economic Update for Bank Directors

Dec 9, 2020
As 2020 comes to an end, here are a couple of items to consider within the economy that might be important.

We Decided to Make COVID a Magic Word

Dec 9, 2020
For all that 2020 hasn’t been, let’s look at what it has. In fact, let’s make COVID a magic word and see what happens to our perspective.

Cryptocurrency Primer for Community Banks

Dec 9, 2020
Bitcoin’s market cap is larger than the economies of some of the world’s smaller nations. The prices of popular cryptocurrencies continue to soar to new heights. Meanwhile, several financial institutions and tech giants announced significant digital asset initiatives.

Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) Primer

Dec 9, 2020
As you know, there are currently two forms of central bank money in America: paper currency and money held by institutions on deposit at the Federal Reserve Banks. CBDC would be a new, third form — a “digital form of central bank money that is different from balances in traditional reserve or settlement accounts.”

November 2020 - Online Training Newsletter

Nov 23, 2020
Beginning Jan. 1 many courses will be updated to the new format, our BSA courses will include the very latest examiner hot-button issues, plus you can look forward to brand new courses in existing subject areas, plus some new courses in entirely new subject areas!

Meeting Customers Where They Are for Today’s Digital-First World

Nov 20, 2020
For community banks, the digital-first nature of today’s world creates an opportunity to forge deeper connections with existing customers, while attracting new customers

ThinkTECH Discussion: Capturing the Innovation Mindset with Avidia Bank

Nov 18, 2020
To think differently, you have to, well, think differently. While that is not a profound concept, it can be alarmingly difficult to execute. Yet, having to meet those check boxes before running with an idea means that sometimes the process limits the potential.