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How We Fought Fraud in 2025
Fraud and scams thrive not through any single vulnerability but through intricate webs connecting criminals, technology platforms, financial institutions and, unfortunately, victims.
Fighting holiday fraud through customer awareness
Fighting holiday fraud through customer awareness As the holidays approach, Citizens Bank is gearing up for a boost in holiday spending and fraud-related activity. As the holidays approach,...
Does Your Community Bank Need an Advisory Board?
Distinct from a board of directors, advisory boards are dedicated to advocating for and offering insight into the needs and interests of the local population.
Deposit Insurance Reform: Community Bankers' Goals
Community bankers share common goals for protecting depositors.
First Liberty Bank is Digging Deep Into Energy Lending
With tailored solutions and long-term partnerships, First Liberty Bank’s energy lending program is fostering growth for businesses, communities and the bank itself.
ICBA Commends FDIC for Final Rule Updating Audit and Reporting Thresholds
ICBA Commends FDIC for Final Rule Updating Audit and Reporting Thresholds Washington, D.C. — Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the...
American Heritage Bank Offers Financial Donations, No Questions Asked
American Heritage Bank’s Community Chest program brings the community together to support those in need, one donation at a time.
Revealed: The Impact of Credit Union Acquisitions
Credit union acquisitions of community banks are leaving lasting scars on local economies—reducing small business lending, limiting mortgage access and weakening community reinvestment. But...
How to Encourage Innovation Beyond the C-Suite
Thinking outside the box isn’t only a job for the C-suite. Employees at all levels can—and should—contribute to innovation at their community banks. Here are some ideas from your peers about how to...
The Best Community Banks to Work For 2025
Our 2025 Best Community Banks to Work For winners pride themselves on competitive benefits, fun and fulfilling cultures, and a belief in work-life balance. Hear from leaders and staff about how...
ICBA Independent Banker Honors 2025 Best Community Banks to Work For Winners
ICBA Independent Banker Honors 2025 Best Community Banks to Work For Winners Washington, D.C.—The December cover story of Independent Banker magazine, the award-winning publication of the...
Regulators seek input on streamlining call report
Regulators seek input on streamlining call report The federal banking regulators requested input on sources of regulatory reporting burden for institutions that file the call report. Details: The...
ICBA: FinCEN underestimates information collection burden
ICBA: FinCEN underestimates information collection burden The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network underestimates the regulatory burden of information sharing requests between banks and law...
ICBA commends FDIC for adjusting Part 363 thresholds
ICBA commends FDIC for adjusting Part 363 thresholds ICBA commended the FDIC for passing a final rule updating audit and reporting requirements under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation...
Do You Want to Be Featured in Out of Office?
Over the years, we’ve shined a spotlight on community bankers with hobbies ranging from skydiving and vintage shopping to winemaking and showing livestock. Now, we’re on the hunt for more...
Regulators back community banks during House hearing
Regulators back community banks during House hearing Appearing before the House Financial Services Committee, leaders from the prudential banking regulators touted the important role of community...
ICBA, state affiliates urge Treasury to raise SAR, CTR thresholds
ICBA, state affiliates urge Treasury to raise SAR, CTR thresholds ICBA and its affiliated state community banking associations called on the Treasury Department to raise the currency transaction...
Independent Banker honors best community banks to work for
Independent Banker honors best community banks to work for This month’s Independent Banker magazine recognizes the best community banks to work for, as nominated and scored by bank employees. ...
CISA releases guidance on integrating AI in operational technology
CISA releases guidance on integrating AI in operational technology The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and its partners released new cybersecurity guidance on the secure...
FinCEN: Ransomware incidents totaled $2.1 billion over three years
FinCEN: Ransomware incidents totaled $2.1 billion over three years The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network said ransomware incidents totaled more than $2.1 billion in payments between 2022 and...
Fed announces pricing for payment services
Fed announces pricing for payment services The Federal Reserve Board announced pricing for payment services provided by the Federal Reserve Banks, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Details: The Fed said: ...
Fed seeks feedback on potential changes to check services
Fed seeks feedback on potential changes to check services The Federal Reserve Board requested public input on check usage and the impact of potential strategic changes to check services provided...
OCC, FDIC withdraw leveraged lending guidance
OCC, FDIC withdraw leveraged lending guidance The OCC and FDIC announced they are rescinding their March 2013 guidance on leveraged lending and the November 2014 frequently asked questions on...
USDA expands crop insurance access
USDA expands crop insurance access The Agriculture Department announced updates to federal crop insurance to reduce red tape for farmers, modernize policies, and expand access to risk protection. ...
New op-ed: Deposit insurance reform is critical for Main Street
New op-ed: Deposit insurance reform is critical for Main Street Bipartisan legislation supported by the administration is an important starting point for meaningful reforms to the nation’s deposit...
ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator Debuts 10th Cohort to Continue Driving Community Bank Innovation
ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator Debuts 10th Cohort to Continue Driving Community Bank Innovation The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) today announced the selected companies for the 10th...
Trump administration announces $12 billion farm aid package
Trump administration announces $12 billion farm aid package The Trump administration announced a farm aid package of $11 billion for basic crop commodities with an additional $1 billion being...
Congress continues to back CDFI Fund: report
Congress continues to back CDFI Fund: report Members of Congress are strongly supporting community development financial institutions in current budget discussions, Politico reported. Details:...
OCC’s Gould: Digital asset entities should have pathway to charters
OCC’s Gould: Digital asset entities should have pathway to charters Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan Gould said entities that engage in activities involving digital assets and other novel...
OCC confirms permissible bank activities related to principal cryptoasset transactions
OCC confirms permissible bank activities related to principal cryptoasset transactions The OCC confirmed permissible bank activities related to riskless principal transactions in cryptoassets. ...
ICBA, others urge Fed to withdraw debit interchange proposal
ICBA, others urge Fed to withdraw debit interchange proposal ICBA and other groups urged the Federal Reserve to withdraw its 2023 debit interchange proposal until there is legal certainty in...
In new op-ed, ICBA breaks down consumer harm of credit union acquisitions
In new op-ed, ICBA breaks down consumer harm of credit union acquisitions A new op-ed from ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey breaks down ICBA’s data analysis showing that when credit...
Fed lowers interest rates by 25bp
Fed lowers interest rates by 25bp The Federal Open Market Committee voted to lower target interest rates by 25 basis points to a range of 3.50% to 3.75%. Statement: The FOMC said: ...
OCC releases findings on large bank debanking activities
OCC releases findings on large bank debanking activities The OCC released preliminary findings from its review of debanking activities at the nine largest national banks it supervises. ...
Senators request hearing on digital assets market structure
Senators request hearing on digital assets market structure Senate Banking Committee members John Kennedy (R-La.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) asked the committee’s leaders to promptly schedule a...
Romero Rainey, Merski Once Again Named to The Hill’s Top Lobbyists List, Demonstrating ICBA’s Advocacy Prowess
Romero Rainey, Merski Once Again Named to The Hill’s Top Lobbyists List, Demonstrating ICBA’s Advocacy Prowess Washington, D.C. (Dec. 11, 2025) — Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA)...
ICBA tells Senate panel that IORB is vital to financial system
ICBA tells Senate panel that IORB is vital to financial system Ahead of a hearing on the Federal Reserve’s policy of paying interest on reserve balances (IORB) to financial institutions that...
ICBA’s Romero Rainey, Merski recognized as top lobbyists
ICBA’s Romero Rainey, Merski recognized as top lobbyists ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey and Executive Vice President of Congressional Relations Paul Merski were featured on The...
How community banks are navigating the end of penny production
How community banks are navigating the end of penny production A new ICBA article spotlights how community bankers are responding to the federal government officially discontinuing production of...