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MainStreet Bank Empowers the Community, One Employee At a Time
Through its Making Change program, MainStreet Bank implores its employees to engage in and contribute to community work.
ICBA Certification Q&A: Susan McLaughlin
As a certified community bank internal auditor (CCBIA), Susan McLaughlin shares how internal auditors play a vital role in community banking.
Jack E. Hopkins: Employing a Multilayered Cybersecurity Approach
Cybersecurity keeps me up at night.
Powering Potential: How ICBA's Letters Influence Congress
Here’s how ICBA uses letters to try to influence Congress.
Three Strategies to Safeguard Your Bank Against Sophisticated Fraud Attacks
My colleague Rhena Leitermann, treasury management operations manager at Citizens Bank of Las Cruces, and I recently sat down to discuss the state of fraud at our bank, in our market, and around...
Helping community banks compete and thrive in the payments industry: Introducing Judd Halverson
Get to know the staff members that support your bank and its payments business. We’re here to power your potential. See how our talented staff are well positioned to help.
Strength in Numbers: The Benefits of Information Sharing in Risk Mitigation
Battling fraud in today’s environment resembles the itsy bitsy spider climbing up the waterspout: just as you think you’ve reached a point of effective mitigation, a new scam emerges, dousing you...
CFPB proposes delaying debt collection rules
2021-04-08 CFPB proposes delaying debt collection rules The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposed delaying the effective date of two recent debt collection rules to provide more time to...
FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, April 7, 2021
FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, April 7, 2021 Headlines Following a dip in daily case numbers due to Easter Sunday, when many states did not report coronavirus data, a Johns Hopkins University tracker...
Senate Republicans urge CBLR relief extension
2021-04-06 Senate Republicans urge CBLR relief extension Senate Banking Committee Republicans led by Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) called on federal regulators to use their authority to extend the 8...
FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, April 8, 2021
FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, April 8, 2021 Headlines Britain’s drug regulator Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency confirmed Wednesday that there is a “possible link” between the...
ICBA, Coalition Oppose New Restrictions on Fannie, Freddie
2021-04-07 ICBA, Coalition Oppose New Restrictions on Fannie, Freddie Washington, D.C. (April 7, 2021) — The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) and other financial, mortgage, and civil...
SBA warns of PPP funding crunch
SBA warns of PPP funding crunch The SBA is warning Congress that the recently extended Paycheck Protection Program is starting to run low on funds with nearly two months left for borrowers to...
ICBA urges delay in GSE product restrictions
2021-04-07 ICBA urges delay in GSE product restrictions ICBA and other groups called on Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and FHFA Director Mark Calabria to delay product and program restrictions for...
ICBA backs BSA/AML relief bill
ICBA backs BSA/AML relief bill ICBA expressed support for legislation to raise the currency transaction reporting and Suspicious Activity Reporting thresholds to $30,000 and $10,000, respectively....
ICBA Bancard Hires Vice President, Project Manager
Washington, D.C. (April 6, 2021) — ICBA Bancard, the payments services subsidiary of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), today announced Malallai “Mal” Zalmai as vice president,...
Independent Banker interviews new ICBA leaders
Independent Banker interviews new ICBA leaders The April issue of Independent Banker magazine profiles ICBA's 2021-2022 executive committee. The interviews with ICBA leadership bankers cover the...
Credit union hearing push intensifies
ICBA is encouraging community bankers to call on Congress to hold hearings on credit union acquisitions of taxpaying community banks. Taking Action: ICBA’s Be Heard grassroots action center makes...
IRS issues Employee Retention Credit guidance
IRS issues Employee Retention Credit guidance The IRS issued guidance for employers claiming the Employee Retention Credit for the first and second quarters of 2021. Background: Eligible employers...
CFPB ‘warns’ mortgage servicers about foreclosure wave
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau “warned” mortgage servicers to take all necessary steps to prevent a wave of foreclosures this fall. Foreclosure Wave: In a compliance bulletin, the CFPB...
Senate bill would tax capital gains at time of death
Senate bill would tax capital gains at time of death Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and several other Democratic senators this week introduced legislation that would require estates to pay capital...
FinCEN begins implementing new reporting provisions
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network is seeking public comment by May 5 on implementing new beneficial ownership information requirements. Background: The new law enacted Jan. 1 establishes a...
Agencies issue 2020 HMDA data
Agencies issue 2020 HMDA data Regulators released 2020 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act Loan Application Register data for approximately 4,400 HMDA filers. Annual loan-level LAR data for each HMDA...
CFPB proposes servicing changes to prevent foreclosures
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposed a set of rules changes to prevent foreclosures as emergency protections expire. The Proposal: The proposed rule — which exempts small...
Visa Global Economic Insights (March 2021)
2021-04-05 Visa Global Economic Insights (March 2021) Last year as millions sheltered at home, e-commerce proved crucial to keeping retail sales flowing. Now, as outbreaks begin to subside and...
ICBA backs estate tax repeal bill
ICBA and other groups thanked Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Reps. Jason Smith (R-Mo.) and Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.) for introducing legislation to permanently repeal the estate tax, which taxes the...
ICBA urges hearings following major credit union acquisition
2021-04-03 ICBA urges hearings following major credit union acquisition Following the announcement of the largest-ever credit union purchase of a community bank, ICBA renewed its call for...
FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, April 2, 2021
FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, April 2, 2021 Headlines The US reported more than 79,000 cases for Thursday, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University that was published early Friday, a...
ICBA Urges Hearings Following Largest-Ever Credit Union-Bank Acquisition
2021-04-01 ICBA Urges Hearings Following Largest-Ever Credit Union-Bank Acquisition Washington, D.C. (April 1, 2021) — Following the announcement of the largest-ever credit union purchase of a...
Fed adopts rule on supervisory guidance
Fed adopts rule on supervisory guidance The Federal Reserve Board adopted a final rule outlining and confirming the use of supervisory guidance for regulated institutions. The final rule generally...
Valerie Utsey Joins ICBA as Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
2021-04-01 Valerie Utsey Joins ICBA as Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Washington, D.C. (April 1, 2021) — The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today...
Agencies issue updated HMDA guide
Agencies issue updated HMDA guide The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council issued the 2021 edition of “A Guide to HMDA Reporting: Getting It Right!” for HMDA-related data collected in...
Bill would require Fed study on CBDC
2021-03-31 Bill would require Fed study on CBDC Reps. Bill Foster (D-Ill.) and French Hill (R-Ark.) recently introduced legislation directing the Federal Reserve to work with other agencies to...
ICBA Thanks President for Signing PPP Extension
ICBA Thanks President for Signing PPP Extension Community Banks Will Continue to Lead Lending Effort Washington, D.C. (March 30, 2021) — The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today...
IRS: PPE is tax deductible
2021-03-29 IRS: PPE is tax deductible The Internal Revenue Service clarified that the purchase of personal protective equipment, such as masks, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes, for the primary...
CFPB rescinds policy statements granting temporary relief
CFPB rescinds policy statements granting temporary relief The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rescinded seven policy statements issued last year that provided temporary flexibilities to...
FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, April 1, 2021
2021-04-01 FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, April 1, 2021 Headlines During a White House briefing Wednesday, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the...
ICBA, Community Banks Promote Financial Literacy in April
ICBA Press Release Banner 2020-2 Establishing fiscally responsible habits is important for every age and stage of life Washington, D.C. (April 1, 2021) — The Independent Community Bankers of...
ICBA Celebrates the Nation’s Community Banks During Community Banking Month
COVID-19 emphasized importance of community banking Washington, D.C. (April 1, 2021) — The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) is once again honoring the nation’s nearly 5,000 community...
PPP extension signed into law
PPP extension signed into law President Joe Biden signed into law ICBA-advocated legislation to extend the Paycheck Protection Program ahead of its scheduled expiration. Background: Previously, any...
EIPs heading to federal beneficiaries
The IRS said it expects to begin issuing additional Economic Impact Payments this weekend to federal beneficiaries who do not normally file a tax return. Details: The announcement applies to Social...
FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, March 31, 2021
FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, March 31, 2021 Headlines Vaccination rates in the US provide hope for an end to the pandemic, but that hope is tempered by new infection rates, Centers for Disease...
Deadline for credit union comment letters extended
While ICBA last week submitted its comment letter urging the National Credit Union Administration to withdraw a proposal on credit union services organizations, community banks can still submit...
USDA asks lenders to suspend adverse actions against socially disadvantaged farmers
USDA asks lenders to suspend adverse actions against socially disadvantaged farmers The USDA’s Farm Service Agency asked lenders to suspend adverse actions against guaranteed farm loan borrowers...
ICBA supports bill offering rural lending tax relief
ICBA thanked Reps. Ron Kind (D-Wis.) and Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) for introducing legislation to exempt from taxation interest income on farm real estate and rural mortgage loans. Details: The...
FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, March 26, 2021
FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, March 26, 2021 Headlines Covid cases in the US are rising again, reversing course after months of decline and threatening another setback in the return to normality,...
ICBA Thanks Congress for Extending PPP
Community Banks Will Continue to Lead Lending Effort Washington, D.C. (March 25, 2021) — The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today thanked Congress for passing ICBA-advocated...
ICBA offers Community Banking Month resources
ICBA offers Community Banking Month resources April is Community Banking Month, and ICBA offers resources to help community banks get involved. ICBA's "Tell Your Story" marketing and communications...
ICBA urges credit union capital parity
ICBA called on the NCUA to create a minimum regulatory capital framework that is no less stringent than the Basel III regulatory capital framework in effect for community banks. Background: The...
ICBA to NCUA: Don't Deregulate For-Profit Entities
ICBA to NCUA: Don't Deregulate For-Profit Entities Credit union regulator expanding powers for companies it cannot supervise Washington, D.C. (March 25, 2021) — The Independent Community Bankers...
SBA increasing max EIDL amounts
SBA increasing max EIDL amounts The SBA said it is increasing maximum Economic Injury Disaster Loan amounts for small businesses from $150,000 over six months to $500,000 over 24 months. More: The...
State Association Ag Conferences Scheduled
2021-03-25 State Association Ag Conferences Scheduled ICBA's affiliated state community banking associations are hosting a series of live and virtual agriculture conferences in 2021. Host Program...
Meet your ICBA Bancard Support Team
Meet your ICBA Bancard Support Team Our mission at ICBA Bancard is to deliver flexible, innovative payments and digital commerce solutions that allow community banks to flourish. ICBA Bancard’s...
Migrating to 8-Digit BINs: Key Information to Consider Before Transitioning
ICBA Bancard’s partner card networks, Visa and Mastercard®, have released several notices and bulletins regarding the migration to 8-digit Bank Identification Numbers or BINs, but many banks are...
Big week for PPP, credit union grassroots
Big week for PPP, credit union grassroots With Paycheck Protection Program and credit union issues coming to a head this week in Washington, ICBA is urging community bankers to weigh in with...
ICBA, Venture Center reveal new set of fintech solutions
2021-03-25 ICBA, Venture Center reveal new set of fintech solutions ICBA and The Venture Center hosted the ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator Virtual Demo Day to demonstrate the third Accelerator cohort's...
FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, March 25, 2021
FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, March 25, 2021 AstraZeneca reiterated on Wednesday that its Covid-19 vaccine was very effective at preventing the disease, based on more recent data than was included...
ICBA and The Venture Center Reveal New Set of Fintech Solutions Tailored to Community Banks
2021-03-24 ICBA and The Venture Center Reveal New Set of Fintech Solutions Tailored to Community Banks 2021 ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator continues industry’s digital transformation Washington, D.C....
Credit Card Marketing: Driving Engagement and Combating Cardholder Fatigue
2021-03-24 Community banks that issue consumer credit cards are faced with some common challenges: how to match their card options (rewards vs. non-rewards) with the best promotions to produce a...
Payments Trends to Watch in 2021
2021-03-24 Few would disagree that COVID-19 was a catalyst for significant changes in the way that Americans shop and manage their money. In fact, many experts believe years of behavioral...