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A Look at ICBA's Community Banker-Led Committees
How member-driven ICBA committees and councils power advocacy, innovation and education for community banks.
Native American Bank Helps Bring Modern Utilities to an Alaskan Island
Learn how a partnership between Native American Bank and Metlakatla Indian Community is bringing cheaper, faster electricity and internet to an underserved island in Alaska.
Skyline National Bank Celebrates Local Music
See how Skyline National Bank’s Sounds of Skyline music competition strengthened community connection, improved brand visibility, and drove website visits through an innovative local marketing...
Jacob Eisen: Card Programs Can Drive Community Bank Growth
As the financial services competitive landscape continues to evolve, payments have emerged as a critical component of community bank strategies. It extends beyond interchange revenue to deepening...
Community Bank Ag Lending in Uncertain Times for Farmers
From volatile commodity prices to rising input costs, farmers face mixed conditions. Learn how community banks are supporting ag customers through uncertainty with relationship-based lending,...
Leading a Community Bank Through a CEO Transition
CEO transitions are critical moments for community banks. Hear from new bank leaders on how listening, mentorship and steady communication help build trust and maintain stability during leadership...
Smart Ways Community Banks Can Address Card Fraud
Card fraud is rising and community banks are feeling the impact. Learn how the right mix of technology, staff training, collaboration, and customer education can help banks detect fraud faster,...
Jim Reber: Jonathan Swift on Community Banking
Through the lens of Jonathan Swift’s sharp observations, Jim Reber examines enduring truths about community banking—balancing risk and reward, managing portfolios, and navigating uncertainty with...
How Will the End of the Penny Affect Community Banks?
With penny production ending, community banks must address rounding policies, teller training and system updates. Here’s how banks can manage the operational impact and support customers.
SEC, CFTC meet on harmonizing crypto efforts
2026-02-02 The Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission met last week to discuss crypto harmonization between the two agencies. Highlights: SEC Chairman Paul...
ICBA Community tops 7,000 members
2026-02-02 ICBA Community, the exclusive digital network for ICBA members, surpassed 7,000 members. Forum for Sharing: Launched in July 2023, ICBA Community: Is a secure, members-only space for...
ICBA urges OCC to pause approvals of national trust bank charter applications
ICBA urges OCC to pause approvals of national trust bank charter applications 2026-02-02 ICBA urged the OCC to delay approval or substantive consideration of any pending national trust bank charter...
ICBA urges agencies to streamline the call report
2026-02-02 ICBA told the federal banking agencies that streamlining the call report is a simple but effective step to reduce the regulatory burdens that weigh on community banks. Details: In a...
ICBA, state groups support proposal to recalibrate CBLR
2026-02-02 ICBA and 45 state banking associations said they strongly report the federal banking agencies’ proposal to recalibrate the Community Bank Leverage Ratio and adjust the grace period....
Trump nominates Warsh to lead Fed
2026-02-02 President Donald Trump nominated Kevin Warsh to serve as Federal Reserve chairman to replace Jerome Powell, whose term as Fed chair ends in May. Background: Warsh served as a Fed...
How Community Banks Should Evaluate New Fintech
Six ThinkTECH Accelerator fintechs explain how their products support community banks—and what bankers should prioritize when evaluating new technology partnerships.
What is the STARC Framework for Bank-Fintech Risk Management?
STARC offers a standardized framework to help community banks assess fintech partners. Learn how the new CFES assessment identifies compliance gaps across BSA/AML, operations and third-party risk...
Preparing New Directors for Community Bank Boards
Serving on a community bank board carries serious responsibility. This guide explains how a structured onboarding process helps new directors understand banking fundamentals, governance...
Rhonda Thomas-Whitley: Why Risk-Based BSA Compliance Matters for Banks
BSA compliance is critical to financial security, but it works best when oversight aligns with risk. Learn how outdated thresholds, inconsistent exams, and evolving guidance affect community banks,...
These San Diego Community Banks are Powering Local Business
San Diego’s community banks are fueling growth across life sciences, small business, and underserved communities. Three ICBA member banks share how local decision-making and mission-driven banking...
Everything You Need to Know About ICBA LIVE 2026
The world's largest gathering of community bankers will be inspiring, educational and invigorating. Learn about the events, speakers and celebrations that make it a must-attend event.
How CDFIs and MDIs Are Navigating Uncertainty
CDFIs and MDIs share how potential funding cuts and regulatory shifts could affect their ability to serve underserved communities, and why their mission matters more than ever.
Banking Trades Statement on White House Crypto Market Structure Meeting
Banking Trades Statement on White House Crypto Market Structure Meeting 2026-02-02 Washington, D.C. (Feb. 2, 2026)—Following today’s meeting at the White House on crypto market structure...
FFIEC announces updates to liquidity web pages
2026-02-03 The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council announced it is updating the Uniform Bank Performance Report’s Liquidity & Funding page and the Liquidity & Investment Portfolio...
ICBA: Latest national trust bank charter application highlights need for moratorium
ICBA: Latest national trust bank charter application highlights need for moratorium 2026-02-03 After the latest nonbank entity applied for a national trust bank charter, ICBA reiterated its call...
ICBA, others oppose PayPal’s ILC application
2026-02-03 ICBA and the Bank Policy Institute said the FDIC should not issue deposit insurance to any industrial loan company applicant, including PayPal Bank, until Congress closes the ILC...
ICBA attends White House meeting on digital assets
ICBA attends White House meeting on digital assets 2026-02-03 ICBA and other groups met with administration officials at the White House to discuss concerns with digital assets market structure...
Bank financial officers report tighter standards for commercial, industrial loans
2026-02-04 Respondents to the Federal Reserve’s latest survey of senior financial officers reported: Tighter lending standards for commercial and industrial loans to firms of all sizes, stronger...
February marketing tools available
February marketing tools available 2026-02-04 ICBA’s Marketing Resource Center features ready-to-use marketing tools that community bankers can use to celebrate February events. February Assets:...
Independent Banker highlights the power of CDFIs
2026-02-04 The latest Independent Banker magazine highlights why the mission of community development financial institutions and minority deposit institutions matters more than ever. Details: The...
Fed finalizes scenarios for annual stress test
2026-02-05 The Federal Reserve finalized the hypothetical scenarios for its annual stress test for large banks. Details: The Fed: Said the final scenarios are substantially similar to the scenarios...
CDFI Fund announces TLR webinars
2026-02-05 The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund announced its schedule for monthly Transaction Level Report webinars. Details: The CDFI Fund said the webinars are intended to serve...
SBA announces stricter residency requirements
The Small Business Administration announced it will no longer guarantee loans for small businesses owned by foreign nationals. Details: In its policy notice, the SBA said: Consistent with President...
Treasury’s Bessent expresses support for community bank regulatory relief
2026-02-05 Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent touted regulatory relief for community banks during a hearing on Capitol Hill. Statement: While delivering the Financial Stability Oversight Council’s...
Washington enacts tax on credit unions that acquire banks
2026-02-06 Washington state recently enacted a tax on credit unions that acquire or merge with a bank. Details: Effective Jan. 1, 2026, Washington state-based credit unions that acquire a bank are...
CDFI Fund receives full allocation for 2026
CDFI Fund receives full allocation for 2026 2026-02-06 The spending bill signed into law this week fully funds the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund for 2026. Details: The...
Bessent recognizes concerns with stablecoin yield in testimony
2026-02-06 Appearing before the Senate Banking Committee, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent acknowledged concerns about crypto entities paying interest or yield on payment stablecoin holdings and...
Ahead of House vote, ICBA urges support for community bank reg relief
2026-02-06 Ahead of House vote, ICBA urges support for community bank reg relief ICBA urged members of Congress to pass the Housing for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 6644) and called for grassroots...
Consumer credit up in 2025, Q4, and December
2026-02-09 The Federal Reserve reported that consumer credit increased 5.7% in December, capping an increase of 3.0% in the fourth quarter. 2025 Data: Overall in 2025, consumer credit rose 2.4%....
USDA forecasts decline in farm income
USDA forecasts decline in farm income 2026-02-09 The USDA released an updated farm sector income forecast estimating net farm income of $153.4 billion for 2026, which is 0.7% lower than 2025.