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Your Core Should Support Your Bank’s Strategy
Community banks are expected to deliver convenient experiences, operate efficiently and keep pace with change. For many, the biggest obstacle isn’t outdated technology. It’s a core relationship...
Rethinking Check Fraud Mitigation in the Age of AI
SPONSORED | Fraud losses are only part of the cost. For community banks, excessive reviews and false positives consume valuable staff time. AI can help prioritize risk and focus human expertise...
ICBA urges OCC to refine rule on matters requiring attention
ICBA urges OCC to refine rule on matters requiring attention ICBA said it supports the OCC’s effort to focus corrective actions on substantive violations rather than immaterial procedural findings,...
FinCEN proposes rule to cut off funds from shadow banking network
FinCEN proposes rule to cut off funds from shadow banking network The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network proposed a rule that would prohibit transmittals of funds regarding transactions involving...
Fannie and Freddie offer temporary UAD 3.6 exception
2026-10-02 Fannie and Freddie offer temporary UAD 3.6 exception Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announced a temporary policy exception for sellers that need more time to complete their Uniform Appraisal...
Treasury announces automatic enrollment for Trump Accounts
Treasury announces automatic enrollment for Trump Accounts The Treasury Department announced the completion of automatic enrollment for Trump Accounts, tax-advantaged investment accounts for...
ICBA Sues OCC Over National Trust Bank Charters for Crypto Firms
justice gavel lawsuit lady justice image.jpg 2026-10-02 ICBA Sues OCC Over National Trust Bank Charters for Crypto Firms Washington, D.C. (Oct. 2, 2026) — Independent Community Bankers of America...
SEC proposes removing barriers to crypto advice
SEC proposes removing barriers to crypto advice The Securities and Exchange Commission proposed rules and amendments to provide a framework for the custody of crypto assets for registered...
Fed extends deadline for commenting on Reg O proposal
The Federal Reserve extended until Nov. 4 the comment period for its proposal to modernize Regulation O standards on extending credit to bank executives, board members, and major shareholders....
ICBA objects to Block's national trust bank charter application
ICBA objects to Block's national trust bank charter application ICBA objected to the application of Block Inc. to organize Builders Bank & Trust as an uninsured national trust bank, citing legal,...
ICBA sues OCC over national trust bank charters for crypto firms
ICBA sues OCC over national trust bank charters for crypto firms ICBA filed a lawsuit against the OCC for authorizing novel entities that deal in cryptocurrencies to enter the banking system...
New Polling Shows Public Support for Strengthening Reporting Rules for Tax-Exempt Credit Unions
Washington, D.C. (Oct. 7, 2026) — With a multimillion-dollar embezzlement scandal leading to the closure of a tax-exempt credit union just days after its former CEO pleaded guilty to federal...
Bowman says Fed will redo supervision structure
Bowman says Fed will redo supervision structure Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman said the agency is restructuring its supervisory functions. Details: Speaking at the...
Treasury reports progress in fighting payments fraud
The Treasury Department announced it deployed safeguards that verified more than $3.7 trillion in federal payments in the past year. Highlights: Treasury cited increased access to the Do Not Pay...
ICBA: Strengthening robocall database would benefit community banks
ICBA: Strengthening robocall database would benefit community banks ICBA said efforts to strengthen the Robocall Mitigation Database and prevent scam calls would significantly benefit community...
Report: GAO to examine CFTC staffing issues
Report: GAO to examine CFTC staffing issues The Government Accountability Office will examine staff levels at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as it expands its role in regulating digital...
State regulators reach settlement with crypto kiosk operator
State regulators reach settlement with crypto kiosk operator The Conference of State Bank Supervisors announced that 34 state financial regulatory agencies reached a $2.5 million settlement with...
FHA updates policy for implementing alternative credit scores
2026-10-09 FHA updates policy for implementing alternative credit scores The Federal Housing Administration published updated minimum decision credit score methodology to formalize the addition of...
Debit Card Fraud Trends and Risk Mitigation for Community Banks
Debit card fraud remains a substantial payments risk. Federal Reserve Financial Services’ 2026 Risk Officer Report found that 75% of surveyed financial institutions had encountered debit card fraud...
Meet Toby Mattson: Helping Community Banks Grow Stronger Card Programs
Meet Toby Mattson: Helping Community Banks Grow Stronger Card Programs The ICBA Payments staff are here to power your bank’s potential. Get to know the people who support your bank and its payments...
More Than a Card: Strengthening Business Relationships Through Payment
At Citizens Bank of Las Cruces, our mission is to provide and deliver the best financial services the first time, every time, but when it came to our business card program, we were in a stagnant...
Study: ICBA-supported ban on mortgage ‘trigger leads’ paying off
Study: ICBA-supported ban on mortgage ‘trigger leads’ paying off ICBA-supported legislation enacted last year can reduce the drawbacks of mortgage “trigger leads” while preserving opportunities for...
Fed survey shows growth in families’ net worth
Median family income rose 7% between 2022 and 2025, according to the Federal Reserve’s 2025 Survey of Consumer Finances. Background: The Fed said the survey, which is undertaken every three years,...
CISA issues alert on hacking threat
CISA issues alert on hacking threat The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency reported that Chinese government-linked cyber threat actors, enabled by the Integrity Technology Group, are...
ICBA: Regulators should harmonize CRA modernization efforts
ICBA said FDIC and OCC proposals to amend Community Reinvestment Act regulations are a positive step, but all federal regulators should harmonize CRA rulemaking. Details: In a letter to the FDIC...
Advancing Technology Stacks Through Conferences
Advancing Technology Stacks Through Conferences The ICBA Innovation Team takes to the road in the fall for conference season. Whether it is speaking at and attending state banking conventions,...
Bowman: Supervisory modernization must continue following SVB failure
2026-10-16 Bowman: Supervisory modernization must continue following SVB failure Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman said community banks engaged in conventional lending and...
Fannie Mae foresees 7.5% mortgage rates for 2027
Fannie Mae foresees 7.5% mortgage rates for 2027 Fannie Mae predicted the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate will be 7.5% in 2027. Upward Trend: In its latest monthly analysis, Fannie Mae...
Billion-Dollar Credit Union’s Fourth Florida Community Bank Acquisition Since 2023 Exposes the Cost of Outdated Policy
Billion-Dollar Credit Union’s Fourth Florida Community Bank Acquisition Since 2023 Exposes the Cost of Outdated Policy Washington, D.C. (Oct. 19, 2026) — Independent Community Bankers of America...
ICBA: Latest credit union out-of-state bank acquisition exposes the cost of outdated policy
2026-10-20 ICBA: Latest credit union out-of-state bank acquisition exposes the cost of outdated policy After the reported acquisition of a tax-paying Florida community bank by a...
ICBA: GENIUS Act rules must protect local lending
ICBA: GENIUS Act rules must protect local lending ICBA said stablecoin rules should consider the effect on community bank deposits and credit availability in local communities. Recommendations: In...
ICBA, others urge Fed to extend comment period for GENIUS Act proposals
ICBA and other groups urged the Federal Reserve to extend by 60 days the comment periods for two proposals implementing the GENIUS Act. Details: In a joint letter, ICBA and the other groups said...
FDIC, CFPB to host scam-prevention webinar next week
FDIC, CFPB to host scam-prevention webinar next week The FDIC and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau are scheduled to host a webinar next week for financial institutions on protecting older...
ICBA Continues Call for OCC to Ensure Stablecoin Rules Limit Harm to Local Lending
Washington, D.C. (Oct. 21, 2026) — Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on today’s Office of the Comptroller of the...
ICBA, OpenAI Announce Strategic Alliance to Bring Frontier AI Cybersecurity Capabilities to Community Banks
ICBA, OpenAI Announce Strategic Alliance to Bring Frontier AI Cybersecurity Capabilities to Community Banks Washington, D.C. (Oct. 22, 2026) — The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA)...
OCC issues GENIUS Act final rule
2026-10-22 OCC issues GENIUS Act final rule The OCC issued a final rule to implement GENIUS Act standards on issuing payment stablecoins. Details: The OCC said the final rule—which will be...
OCC revises GENIUS Act info-collection rule, issues waiver guidance
OCC revises GENIUS Act info-collection rule, issues waiver guidance The OCC proposed new information reporting forms that must be completed by permitted payment stablecoin issuers under the GENIUS...
ICBA supports revision of ‘Banking Day’ definition
2026-10-22 ICBA supports revision of ‘Banking Day’ definition ICBA said it supports Nacha’s proposal to revise the definition of “Banking Day.” Proposal Details: Nacha’s proposal says Banking Day...
CISA warns of critical PHP vulnerabilities
CISA warns of critical PHP vulnerabilities The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said critical vulnerabilities in PHP, often a component of other software such as Wordpress, require...
Trump, Treasury move to ease housing burden
Trump, Treasury move to ease housing burden President Donald Trump issued an executive order to lower the costs of single-family homeownership and mortgages. Scope: The executive order: Directs the...
Rural economic index falls
Rural economic index falls Creighton University’s index of rural economic conditions dropped to 42.5 in October, falling below the growth neutral benchmark for the fifth time in six months. Survey...
OCC reports on interest rate risks
The OCC published its fall 2026 report on interest rate risk data gathered during examinations of midsize and community banks and federal savings associations. Details: The Interest Rate Risk...
Independent Banker shares tips for successful specialty lending
Independent Banker shares tips for successful specialty lending The latest Independent Banker magazine says specialization can pay big dividends for community banks interested in expanding their...
Alice P. Frazier: Relationship Banking vs. Transaction Speed: How Community Banks Build Trust and Loyalty
Discover how community banks balance immediate transactions with long-standing relationships. Learn why relationship-first banking, around-the-clock responsiveness, and smart digital innovation...
Rebecca Romero Rainey: Data-Driven Banking for Growth and Risk Mitigation
Learn how community banks can use a practical data strategy to drive business development, mitigate risk, strengthen data security, and streamline operations—plus how ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator...
F&C Bank Restores Historic Downtown Clock, Celebrating Community Bank Heritage in Holden, MO
See how F&C Bank, a hometown community bank in Holden, Missouri, restored a 1960 downtown clock—preserving local history, strengthening community identity, and celebrating its 145th anniversary...
ICBA strongly supports proposal to update Reg O thresholds
2026-10-06 ICBA strongly supports proposal to update Reg O thresholds ICBA said it strongly supports a proposed rulemaking to update and index the dollar thresholds for certain extensions of credit...
Joint Trades Statement on the Eighth Circuit’s Corner Post Decision
Washington, D.C. (Oct. 26, 2026) — The Independent Community Bankers of America, American Bankers Association, America’s Credit Unions, Consumer Bankers Association, Electronic Payments Coalition,...
SEO, AEO & GEO for Community Banks: How to Win Visibility in AI Search
AI-powered search is changing bank digital marketing. Learn the difference between SEO vs AEO vs GEO, plus practical steps—FAQs, bullet lists, header hierarchy, and trust signals—to improve ChatGPT...
Seven Steps to Successful Fintech Partnerships for Community Banks
Seven Steps to Successful Fintech Partnerships for Community Banks It comes as no surprise that community banks are increasingly focused on developing fintech relationships. At the start of 2026,...
Community Banker Suzanne Broyles on BSA/AML, Internal Audit & Deposit Operations
Learn how Suzanne Broyles built a community bank compliance career—from internal audit banking to deposit operations and BSA/AML. Get practical tips on productivity, cross-training, and when manual...
Community Bank Giving Back: Commencement Bank’s Hams for the Holidays Food Insecurity Initiative
Learn how Commencement Bank organized a successful community bank holiday giving event to address food insecurity initiatives in Pierce County, WA—powered by local partnerships, employee volunteer...
ICBA Opposes OCC Approval of Ripple’s National Trust Bank Charter Application
ICBA Opposes OCC Approval of Ripple’s National Trust Bank Charter Application Washington, D.C. (Oct. 27, 2026) — The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today expressed opposition to...
ICBA Names Julie LaRose Executive Vice President, Affiliate Relations
ICBA Names Julie LaRose Executive Vice President, Affiliate Relations LaRose to advance collaboration with ICBA’s affiliate association partners Washington, D.C. (Oct. 27, 2026) — The Independent...
Collateral Advantage: The MBS market offers a kaleidoscope of opportunities
Collateral Advantage: The MBS market offers a kaleidoscope of opportunities Many community bankers are beginning to get serious about their bond portfolios as liquidity has normalized, and rates...
Winning the Operating Relationship: How Community Banks Can Become Indispensable to Business Customers
Winning the Operating Relationship: How Community Banks Can Become Indispensable to Business Customers A Q&A with Cale Johnston, Founder & CEO, Onsetto Many community banks win the account but not...
Banking Agencies Propose to Replace the 2023 TPRM Guidance and Rescind the Bank-Fintech Joint Statement
2026-10-28 Banking Agencies Propose to Replace the 2023 TPRM Guidance and Rescind the Bank-Fintech Joint Statement Overview On September 11, 2026, the OCC, the Federal Reserve, and the FDIC...
ICBA Bank Director Current Issues Seminar at ICBA LIVE
ICBA Bank Director Current Issues Seminar at ICBA LIVE ICBA Bank Director Current Issues Seminar March 1, 2027 Las Vegas, NV The 37th Annual ICBA Bank Director Current Issues Seminar delivers...
Online Course Newsletter - October 2026
Introduction It’s that time of year again for Standard Plan, Custom Plan, and Bank Compliance Bundle subscribers – subscription renewals! Renewal invoices were mailed Oct. 21 so hopefully you’ve...
ICBA, others request extension on comment period for TPRM proposals
ICBA, others request extension on comment period for TPRM proposals ICBA and other groups requested 30-day extensions on proposed revisions to regulatory guidance on third-party risk management....