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ICBA Foundation continues seeking Hurricane Ian donations
The new ICBA Foundation Disaster Relief Program has raised more than $25,000 in its first 48 hours to help community bank employees affected by Hurricane Ian—but more donations are needed from...
ICBA, Affiliated State Associations Urge FHFA to Align Capital Rules with Banking Agencies
ICBA and its affiliated state associations along with other banking organizations today called on the FHFA to align its capital rules with those of the federal banking agencies to avoid penalizing...
Fed’s Waller ‘highly skeptical’ of U.S. CBDC
Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller laid out his opposition to a U.S. central bank digital currency, saying he is “highly skeptical” of the need for a digital dollar.
Defense bill leaves out interchange measure, but ICBA campaign continues
The Senate version of a must-pass defense bill introduced this week excludes ICBA-opposed legislation that would create new credit card routing mandates, though the threat of the Durbin Amendment...
CFPB finds high fees on college-endorsed banking products
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau published a report raising questions about whether some marketing deals between colleges and financial institutions comply with Department of Education rules.
ICBA, state groups urge opposition to Durbin Amendment expansion
ICBA and 44 state community banking associations called on Congress to oppose legislation that would create new credit card routing mandates that expand on Durbin Amendment interchange restrictions.
Edward Jones withdraws ILC application
The Edward Jones Investments parent company said it withdrew plans to establish the Edward Jones Bank ILC following recent conversations with the FDIC and Utah Department of Financial Institutions.
Survey shows LIBOR transition work remains
The Alternative Reference Rates Committee released survey results that found most respondents indicated they have documented plans in place to remediate USD LIBOR business loans prior to LIBOR’s...
Hsu: Agencies targeting crypto risks, interconnectedness
Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael Hsu warned of risks posed by crypto-assets and laid out some of his priorities for bringing them within the regulatory perimeter.
Digital Payments – New Conveniences, New Opportunities for Fraudsters
Though consumers have embraced ACH and wire transfers as essential ways to pay and move money, digital tools and other digital convenience offerings have increasingly become popular payment methods...
ICBA Offers Tips to Help Consumers Protect Financial Data During Cybersecurity Awareness Month
In recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the Independent Community Bankers of America and the nation’s community banks are reminding consumers of steps to help safeguard their sensitive...
ICBA Brings Successful ThinkTECH Accelerator Innovation Program In-house
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today announced plans to bring its award-winning, community banker-led ThinkTECH Accelerator program in-house with a new, dedicated office based...
ICBA offers hurricane resources as Ian approaches
ICBA updated its Hurricane Preparedness resource center with the latest on Hurricane Ian. With Ian on pace to make landfall with the west coast of Florida early Friday, the page offers community...
CFPB ending no-action-letter, sandbox policies
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is allowing its ICBA-supported policies on no-action letters and compliance assistance sandboxes to expire, cementing the agency’s transition away from...
ICBA Announces Member Relations Team Executive Promotions
The Independent Community Bankers of America today announced promotions for William Pusey, who was named executive vice president, member relations, and Leah Edwards who was promoted to vice...
Former Uber exec convicted for not disclosing breach
Uber’s former chief security officer was convicted of failing to disclose a 2016 data breach in the first criminal prosecution of an executive related to the handling of a breach.
ICBA proposes needed changes to CRE guidance update
ICBA issued a comment letter expressing support for an agency effort to provide clearer guidance on prudent commercial real estate loan accommodations and workouts while suggesting improvements to...
Grassroots key amid interchange amendment push
With lawmakers working to include ICBA-opposed credit card legislation in a must-pass defense bill, ICBA is urging community bankers to continue the grassroots campaign against the interchange...
Financial Services Trades to Congress: NDAA Shouldn’t Be a Payday for Retailers
Leading financial services trade associations sent a letter to U.S. House and Senate leadership warning them against attaching the so-called Credit Card Credit Card Competition Act of 2022 to the...
ICBA Statement on Recent Report on Zelle Fraud
Independent Community Bankers of America President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on a recent report from Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) on Zelle.
Grassroots critical as lawmakers seek to advance interchange bill
With Sens. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) working to include their ICBA-opposed credit card legislation in a defense bill, ICBA is urging community bankers to continue the...
ICBA seeking Digital Assets Task Force nominations
ICBA is seeking submissions from volunteers to serve on a new Digital Assets Task Force to examine and deliberate issues related to central bank digital currency and digital assets, such as...
Gruenberg: Community bank climate strategies successful
Community banks have successfully employed strategies for managing climate-related financial risk, though the prevalence of risk will increase with climate change, FDIC Acting Chairman Martin...
FinCEN issues final rule on beneficial ownership reporting
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued a final rule establishing a beneficial ownership information reporting requirement.
Wayne Miller Named SVP, Innovation Programs as ICBA Brings ThinkTECH Accelerator Program In-House
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today announced Wayne Miller will join ICBA as senior vice president, innovation programs, effective October 17.
As Hurricane Ian makes landfall, ICBA offers community bank resources
With Hurricane Ian making landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, ICBA offers updates on its Hurricane Preparedness resource center.
Gruenberg: Community banks lead during downturns
FDIC Acting Chairman Martin Gruenberg reiterated his recent remarks that community banks have an outsized role in lending during times of distress and providing equitable access to financial services.
Fed’s Bowman: Credit union acquisitions indicate need for merger rethink
Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman said the increase in credit union acquisitions of taxpaying community banks indicates regulators should rethink how they evaluate bank mergers.
Gooden-Welch Bill Prioritizes Big Box Retailers over Consumers
ICBA and other groups today sent a letter to House leaders warning that pending interchange legislation would reduce access to credit, increase security risks associated with credit card use, and...
CFPB looks to spur automated mortgage refinancing, forbearance
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau requested feedback on ways to spur new mortgage products that streamline and automate loan refinancing.
Nacha announces framework to fight credit-push fraud
Nacha released a new strategy for payments industry participants to address scams that deceive consumers into sending payments to fraudsters under false pretenses.
ICBA urges House to reject Durbin Amendment expansion
ICBA told House leaders it strongly opposes the Credit Card Competition Act of 2022 (H.R. 8874), controversial legislation to create new credit card routing mandates that expand on Durbin Amendment...
Fed raises rates as projections reflect impact
The Federal Open Market Committee raised the federal funds rate target by another 75 basis points and released updated projections reflecting the impact of its campaign against inflation.
States demand crypto lender cease interest-bearing accounts
Several states announced cease-and-desist actions against cryptocurrency lender Nexo alleging that its interest-bearing accounts function as an unlicensed security.
ICBA urging grassroots messages opposing Durbin Amendment expansion
With ICBA-opposed legislation to expand on the Durbin Amendment now introduced in both the House and Senate, ICBA is calling on community bankers to continue the grassroots campaign against the...
Liang: Treasury-led CBDC group a work in progress
The Treasury Department is still working out the details of a Treasury-led interagency work group on considering the adoption of a U.S. central bank digital currency, Treasury Undersecretary Nellie...
As feds report on digital assets, ICBA poll suggests consumer skepticism
Following the Biden administration’s release of reports on digital assets policy, ICBA released new polling conducted by Morning Consult indicating consumers support a regulatory framework for...
Article, campaign spotlight harmful impact of Durbin Amendment expansion
ICBA-opposed legislation to create new credit card routing mandates that expand on Durbin Amendment payments interventions would dramatically affect credit card rewards programs, according to a new...
ICBA ThinkTECH alums earn Finovate honors
ICBA and The Venture Center recognized this year’s Finovate Fall 2022 Best of Show winners, LemonadeLXP and Quilo, both of which were 2022 ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator participants.
Treasury announces Emergency Capital Investment Program recipients
The Treasury Department announced that it has made over $8.28 billion of investments in 162 community financial institutions across the country through the Emergency Capital Investment Program.
ICBA Strongly Opposes Gooden-Welch Credit Card Bill
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on the House introduction of the Credit Card Competition Act.
CFPB planning standards for nonbank ‘buy now, pay later’ lenders
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said it is developing consumer protections for “buy now, pay later” products similar to those that apply to credit cards.
A Note from the Chairman - Bancard Amplifies Our Voices
From digital transformation to the ramp up to instant payments with FedNow and beyond, payments have become the hot topic du jour. However, as community banking executives, we’re juggling multiple...
Increase Credit Card Income with Comprehensive Marketing Programs
Card programs make significant contributions to banks’ revenue through interchange fees, interest charges on credit card balances, and balance transfer fees. Large financial institutions with deep...
OCC announces chief climate risk officer
The OCC announced the appointment of Yue (Nina) Chen as chief climate risk officer. Chen will lead the agency’s Office of Climate Risk and development of climate risk management frameworks for the...
ICBA: Two-Thirds of Voters Support Cannabis Banking Access
Two-thirds of voters (65%) support allowing cannabis-related businesses to have access to banking services in states where cannabis is legal, the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA)...
As Feds Report on Digital Assets, New ICBA Polling Points to Consumer Skepticism with Crypto, CBDC
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) told the Treasury Department that policymakers developing new rules for cryptocurrency should prioritize protecting national security amid...
ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator Alumni LemonadeLXP, Quilo Win “Best of Show” Honors at Finovate Fall 2022
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) and The Venture Center celebrate this year’s Finovate Fall 2022 Best of Show winners, LemonadeLXP and Quilo, both of which were members of the...
ICBA urges National Flood Insurance Program extension
ICBA called on Congress to extend the National Flood Insurance Program authorization before it expires Sept. 30 to avoid further disruptions to the housing market.
House members urge SBA to change PPP loan forgiveness policy
A group of House members led by Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) sent an ICBA-supported letter to the Small Business Administration calling for common-sense reform to Paycheck Protection Program loan...
Senate bill would bar Fed from issuing CBDC
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) introduced legislation to prohibit the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency.
Cannabis banking co-sponsors in talks on compromise Senate bill
Lead co-sponsors of ICBA-advocated legislation to allow legal cannabis-related businesses to access banking services said they are working with key senators to advance the House-passed bill in the...
CFPB: Credit report furnishers must investigate disputes
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said the Fair Credit Reporting Act requires credit report furnishers to investigate potential inaccuracies in consumer credit reports.
Durbin Amendment expansion grassroots continues
Community bankers can continue using ICBA’s Be Heard grassroots action center to oppose legislation that would create new credit card routing mandates that expand on Durbin Amendment payments...
Marketing Your Credit Card Program: A Community Bank in Alabama Weighs In
Ecommerce credit card spend is expected to surpass $500 billion in 2022 for the first time, according to insiderintelligence.com. Community bank marketers will need to be strategic in their...
Knowledge is Power – Turn Your Customers into Defenders
Falling victim to fraud or a scam can be an embarrassing and costly experience. According to a CNBC report published this year, consumers reported fraud losses of more than $5.8 billion in 2021,...
Marketing in the round: Using a 360-degree marketing strategy to reach today’s prospects
In the pre-digital age of marketing, connecting with potential new customers was relatively simple. Everyone watched the same TV channels, listened to the same radio stations, and read the same...
Start simple: free marketing assets for community banks
There are several resources available to community bankers who want to market their credit or debit card program. Below are sites we recommend, which all house free marketing and educational...
FinCEN underestimating burden of info-sharing requests: ICBA
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network underestimates the regulatory burden of information sharing requests between banks and law enforcement under the USA PATRIOT Act, ICBA told the agency.
Farm Credit System reports favorable results despite headwinds
The Farm Credit Administration reported that tight labor markets, rising interest rates, a strong dollar, high energy prices, and drought conditions are creating uncertainty in rural economies and...