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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...
FDIC Second-Quarter Deposit Data Show Proposed Assessment Rate Hike Not Needed
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on the FDIC’s latest Quarterly Banking Profile.
ICBA Statement on Federal Home Loan Bank Review
ICBA statement on the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s comprehensive review of the Federal Home Loan Bank System.
OCC announces assessment rate cuts targeting community banks
The OCC will reduce assessment rates on OCC-chartered community banks by 40% starting next year, Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael Hsu announced.
ICBA recognizes National Preparedness Month
ICBA recognized National Preparedness Month in September by issuing tips to help Americans secure their financial documents before disaster strikes.
ICBA voices opposition to Durbin Amendment expansion
ICBA this week expressed strong opposition to legislation that would create new credit card routing mandates that expand on Durbin Amendment payments interventions.
Fed raises order limits for nickels, dimes, quarters
The Federal Reserve said it will raise order limits for nickels, dimes, and quarters, effective Tuesday. Limits for pennies are unchanged.
ICBA Shares Financial Preparedness Tips for Consumers During National Preparedness Month in September
In recognition of National Preparedness Month in September, ICBA and the nation’s community bankers are reminding Americans to create a plan to ease their worries and speed their financial recovery...
ICBA Names 2022 National Community Bank Service Awards Winners
ICBA today announced the winners of its 2022 National Community Bank Service Awards, which celebrate the outstanding service and volunteer efforts of the nation’s community banks. Stories are...
Romero Rainey: ICBA opposing bill to expand Durbin Amendment
ICBA continues speaking out against policymakers’ efforts to expand on harmful Durbin Amendment interventions on payment card systems, ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey wrote in a recent...
Biden announces student debt forgiveness plan
The Biden administration announced plans to provide up to $20,000 in student debt forgiveness and extended the federal student loan repayment moratorium, first implemented under the Trump...
ICBA urging comments on deposit insurance assessments
ICBA is calling on community bankers to submit personalized comments to the FDIC opposing its proposal to raise deposit insurance assessment rates by 2 basis points on all insured institutions.
ICBA urges uniform CRA rule that minimizes reg burdens
ICBA called on federal banking regulators to issue a uniform final rule on Community Reinvestment Act modernization that minimizes new data collection and reporting burdens for community banks.
FedNow rollout set for May-July
The Federal Reserve said it plans to roll out its FedNow instant payments service between May and July of next year.