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Independent Banker showcases top lenders of 2024
This month’s Independent Banker magazine recognizes the top lenders of 2024, the top community bank loan producers based on 2023 FDIC data.
ICBA Independent Banker Recognizes Community Banks in Top Lenders List
Independent Banker magazine, the award-winning monthly publication of the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA), has announced its 2024 Top Lenders.
ICBA: Government Underestimates Suspicious Activity Reporting Burden
The federal government underestimates the amount of time and resources community banks dedicate to reporting suspicious activity, the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) told the...
Op-ed: Credit unions unfairly using tax breaks
Large credit unions are using the savings from their federal tax exemption to acquire taxpaying community banks at an alarming rate, Mississippi Bankers Association President and CEO Gordon Fellows...
Agencies release updated mortgage survey data
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Federal Housing Finance Agency published updated loan-level data collected through the National Survey of Mortgage Originations.
ICBA Services Network Appoints Ohio Community Banker as New Chairman
ICBA Services Network, the business-services subsidiary of ICBA, today announced the election of Shon Myers, chairman, president and CEO of Farmers & Merchants Bank in Miamisburg, Ohio, as chairman...
Fed’s Bowman cites concerns with credit union bank acquisitions
Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman raised concerns with credit union acquisitions of banks, noting the tax-exempt financial firms are exempt from the Community Reinvestment Act.
ICBA urges senators to co-sponsor bill to close ILC loophole
ICBA urged senators to co-sponsor ICBA-advocated legislation to permanently close the industrial loan company loophole.
GM withdraws ILC charter application
General Motors withdrew its ICBA-opposed application for deposit insurance, suspending its bid to form an industrial loan company.
Sen. Stabenow: It’s time to pass a farm bill
Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) called for negotiations on the next farm bill.
Fed’s Bowman recommends Basel III Endgame changes
Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman said she sees a path forward for implementing proposed Basel III Endgame capital rules that addresses concerns with their effectiveness and efficiency.
New ICBA podcast on check fraud
The latest episode of ICBA’s “Independent Banker” podcast, sponsored by FIS, discusses why check fraud has become such a problem.
CFPB extends compliance dates for 1071 rule
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued an interim final rule to extend compliance deadlines for its 1071 small-business rule following a Supreme Court ruling that ended a temporary...
ICBA opposes Freddie Mac pilot to purchase second mortgages
ICBA announced its opposition to the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s conditional approval of Freddie Mac’s proposal to engage in a pilot program to purchase certain single-family closed-end second...
Data privacy bill markup canceled
The House Energy and Commerce Committee canceled the scheduled markup of the American Privacy Rights Act following concerns about the bill.
Credit Analyst Institute heads to Texas
ICBA's Credit Analyst Institute, scheduled for Aug. 11-14 in Grapevine, Texas., will examine the evolving role of the credit analyst and dive into the intricacies of financial analysis, business...
Q2 Community Bank Briefing on Thursday
ICBA this week is hosting a complimentary community bank briefing on key congressional and regulatory developments.
ICBA opposes approval of new industrial loan company
Following the FDIC’s approval of the formation of Thrivent Bank, a new industrial loan company based in Utah, ICBA reiterated its strong opposition to the ILC loophole.
ICBA Opposes FDIC Approval of Industrial Loan Company Application
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on today’s Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. approval of the formation of...
ICBA Payments Appoints Three New Members to its Board of Directors
ICBA Payments, the payments-services subsidiary of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), today announced the election to its board of directors its three newest members.
How Intelligent Automation Supports the AI Journey
I had the pleasure of participating in a panel with Kimberly Kirk, Executive Vice President, Chief Operations Officer at Queensborough National Bank & Trust Co., and Todd Michaud, CEO of HuLoop...
Treasury announces push to lower housing costs
The Treasury Department announced initiatives to increase the supply of housing.
ICBA Opposes Approval of Freddie Mac Plan to Enter Market Already Well Served by Private-Sector Community Banks
ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s conditional approval of Freddie Mac’s proposal to engage in a pilot program to...
CDFI Fund extends deadlines for certification application
The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund extended the application deadlines outlining when current CDFIs must reapply for CDFI certification using the revised version of the application.
Fed issues ICBA-requested extension on Fedwire comment period
The Federal Reserve extended until Sept. 6 the comment period on its proposal to expand Fedwire Funds Service and National Settlement Services operating hours. Comments on the proposal were...
Educate the Consumer – Make a Dent in Fighting Fraud
With every passing year, there are new threat attacks and innovative variations of old fraud schemes that still reign successful. And criminals continue to do their possible best to gain financial...
The FedNow Service is Turning 1, What Comes Next?
With the FedNow Service approaching the anniversary of its July 2023 launch, it's appropriate to reflect on how far we've come and what comes next with respect to instant payments and the FedNow...
ICBA urges unified, streamlined bank merger review process
ICBA told the FDIC that its bank merger review process requires significant revisions to be streamlined and equitable to community banks.
The Technology Take
As ICBA Bancard transitions to ICBA Payments, reflecting on our past will help to fuel our future success. While our name has changed, the goal of serving community banks has remained a constant...
Agencies finalize rule on automated valuation models
Federal financial services regulators issued a final rule to implement quality control standards for automated valuation models, or AVMs, which mortgage lenders use to value real estate collateral.
FDIC finalizes new resolution filings for banks over $50B
The FDIC approved a final rule to require resolutions plans for banks with at least $100 billion in assets and “informational filings” for banks over $50 billion.
Banking agencies propose amending BSA requirements
Federal banking regulators issued a proposed rule that would amend Bank Secrecy Act requirements for anti-money-laundering and countering-the-financing-of-terrorism programs.
Bill to pause Fed debit card rule introduced in Senate
ICBA-advocated legislation directing the Federal Reserve to stop and study its proposed changes to Regulation II before finalizing the rule was introduced in the Senate.
ICBA CRA Solutions/USI Alliance Names NY Community Banker New Chairman
ICBA CRA Solutions/USI Alliance, an ICBA subsidiary, today announced the election of Robert Fisher, chairman and president of Tioga State Bank in Spencer, N.Y. as chairman of the USI Alliance board...
CSBS: More transparent bank merger policy proposal needed
The Conference of State Bank Supervisors said the FDIC’s proposed bank merger policy would create more challenges than benefits for the banking industry, especially for community banks.
FDIC board meeting today
The FDIC board of directors scheduled a meeting for 10 a.m. (Eastern time) today.
Independent Banker publishes guide for succession planning
Only 20% of community banks feel fully prepared for the succession of their CEO and other executives to the next generation, according to a recent article in Independent Banker magazine.
Fed's Bowman touts cautious regulatory approach to innovations
Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman said regulators need to understand emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and tokenization, including how they may be used in...
Nominations open for Best Community Banks to Work For awards
ICBA’s Independent Banker magazine opened nominations for its 2024 Best Community Banks to Work For awards, sponsored by FIS.
FinCEN: Banks should remain vigilant to elder financial exploitation
In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the FinCEN reminded financial institutions to remain vigilant in identifying and reporting suspicious activity related to elder financial...
Community Bank Briefing for Q2
Join ICBA experts for a quarterly update on industry news and highlights on Thursday, June 27, at 2 p.m. (Eastern time). Register here.
CFPB director says a level playing field is needed in CRA modernization
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra provided his semi-annual report to the House Financial Services Committee. Highlights:
Survey: Almost all central banks are researching CBDC
Nearly all central banks are researching whether to issue a central bank digital currency, according to a Bank for International Settlements survey.
Biden taps Goldsmith Romero to lead FDIC
President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Christy Goldsmith Romero as chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
ICBA CRA Solutions offers tips to help prevent elder financial abuse
ICBA and ICBA CRA Solutions released tips for preventing elder financial abuse in recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Saturday, June 15.
Fed holds rates steady, predicts fewer cuts in 2024
The Federal Open Market Committee voted to hold target interest rates steady, due to an uncertain economic outlook and inflation risks.
ICBA CRA Solutions Offers Tips to Help Prevent Elder Financial Abuse
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) and its subsidiary, ICBA CRA Solutions, are providing tips for preventing elder financial abuse in recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day...
CFPB proposes to ban medical bills from credit reports
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposed a rule that would remove medical bills from most credit reports.
Chopra lays out CFPB priorities before Congress
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra described the CFPB’s focus on financial data, medical debt, and credit cards during his semi-annual report to the Senate Banking Committee.
Boozman releases Senate GOP farm bill framework
Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member John Boozman (R-Ark.) released the Senate Republican framework for the next farm bill.
ICBA study: Small-business owners satisfied with community banks, but regulations threaten lending
ICBA released findings from a study showing that while small-business owners prefer community banks, increasingly burdensome and complex regulations threaten to restrict small-business lending.
Virtual seminar on analyzing financial statements tomorrow
ICBA is hosting a virtual seminar on financial statements starting at 10 a.m. (Eastern time) tomorrow.
Podcast: Banking Transformed
A new episode of the Banking Transformed podcast from ICBA Preferred Service Provider MeridianLink shares actionable insights to boost bank' growth, efficiency, and customer experience.
ICBA Study: While 95% of Small-Business Owners Are Satisfied with Community Banks, Regulations Threaten Lending
As community banks and small businesses face increasingly burdensome and complex federal regulations, the Independent Community Bankers of America today released findings from a new study on how...
ICBA requests comment extension on Fedwire schedule change
ICBA requested a 90-day extension to the Federal Reserve Board’s request for comment on expanding Fedwire Funds Service and National Settlement Services operating hours.
Credit union bank acquisitions break record halfway through 2024
ICBA-opposed credit union acquisitions of taxpaying community banks have reached an annual record less than halfway through the year, according to a new report.
Simplifying the Path to Homeownership: ICBA Offers Essential Tips for Homebuyers
In celebration of National Homeownership Month, the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) is encouraging current and prospective homeowners to connect with their trusted local community...
CFPB launches review of mortgage closing fees
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau launched a public inquiry into what is driving an increase in mortgage closing costs.
Latest Bank Acquisition by Tax-Exempt Credit Union Shows Need for Expansive Congressional Action
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement after the latest acquisition of a tax-paying bank by a tax-exempt credit union.
Community bank net income rises in Q1
Community bank net income rose 6.1% in the first quarter but remained down 13.9% from a year ago, according to the FDIC’s latest Quarterly Banking Profile.