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Understanding the GENIUS Act
Last month, ICBA’s legislative team conducted a community bank briefing to help familiarize community banks with the ins and outs of the recently passed GENIUS Act, which introduced a regulatory...
ICBA advances latest principles for deposit insurance reform to focus policy debate
Large bank failures of 2023 demonstrated the need to reform the nation’s deposit insurance system. With lawmakers working to gather input & offer deposit reform proposals, ICBA has worked with...
How ICBA has worked to shape the GENIUS Act and what’s next for community banks
How ICBA has worked to shape the GENIUS Act and what’s next for community banks Following President Donald Trump’s signing of a new law on stablecoins—the GENIUS Act—on July 18, it is essential...
Flood of national bank trust charter applications demands policy response from OCC
Flood of national bank trust charter applications demands policy response from OCC While the financial services industry continues to rapidly evolve, banking policy often struggles to keep up or...
Making a list, checking it twice
Making a list, checking it twice Since we started seeing Halloween decorations in August, I felt it was high time we started thinking about the Holiday season. More specifically, as it relates to...
ICBA Applauds Circuit Court Ruling Upholding Fed Discretion Over Master Account Access
The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) today applauded the decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit affirming the Federal Reserve’s authority to deny...
Fed’s Bowman prioritizes outreach to community banks
Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman said she continues to prioritize community bank outreach to ensure their voice is part of agency efforts to shape a new regulatory framework.
Fed lowers interest rates by 25bp
The Federal Open Market Committee voted to lower target interest rates by 25 basis points to a range of 3.75% to 4.0%.
CISA, NSA share Microsoft server security best practices
CISA, NSA, and international cybersecurity partners released Microsoft Exchange Server Security Best Practices, a guide to help network defenders harden on‑premises Exchange servers against...
FDIC’s Hill: Deposit insurance reform could boost confidence
FDIC Acting Chairman Travis Hill said deposit insurance reform could strengthen depositor confidence.
Court halts 1033 rule compliance deadline
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky stayed the compliance deadline for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Section 1033 rule.
ICBA, others: Interest rate cap bill would hurt consumers’ access to credit
ICBA and other groups expressed opposition to the Protecting Consumers from Unreasonable Credit Rates Act (S. 2781) which would institute government price controls for consumer loans, diminishing...
ICBA Supports Nomination of Travis Hill for FDIC Chairman
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today encouraged Senate Banking Committee members to advance the nomination of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Acting Chairman Travis Hill...
ICBA supports Travis Hill for FDIC chairman
ICBA encouraged senators to advance the nomination of FDIC Acting Chairman Travis Hill to serve as FDIC chairman.
House Democrats express support for CDFI Fund
A group of 120 House Democrats urged the Trump administration to protect the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, saying its work is vital in supporting families, businesses, and...
ICBA calls for unified AI regulations
ICBA called on the White House to harmonize the regulatory framework for artificial intelligence to address ambiguities inhibiting AI adoption.
Fed seeks comments on annual stress test
The Federal Reserve requested comment on proposals to enhance the transparency and public accountability of its annual stress test for large banks.
Social Security benefits to increase 2.8% next year
Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income payments for more than 75 million Americans will increase by 2.8% in 2026, according to the Social Security Administration.
ICBA-backed letter to support CDFIs signed by 105 members of Congress
A group of 105 Republican senators and representatives strongly urged the Trump administration to continue carrying out the statutory obligations of the Community Development Financial Institutions...
Senate panel touts support for bill to raise CTR, SAR thresholds
The Senate Banking Committee published public support from ICBA and other groups for a bill to raise currency transaction reporting and Suspicious Activity Reporting thresholds.
OCC proposes rescinding recovery planning guidelines for large banks
The OCC proposed rescinding its recovery planning guidelines for certain large banks.
ICBA calls on policymakers to end government shutdown
With the ongoing government shutdown threatening to harm local economic growth, ICBA encouraged all sides to work together to reopen the government.
ICBA Statement on Ending Government Shutdown
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) issued the following statement on the federal government shutdown.
ICBA pushes deregulation in EGRPRA comments
ICBA called on federal banking regulators in the Trump administration to continue advancing ICBA’s deregulatory recommendations via the latest Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act...
ICBA releases principles for deposit insurance reform to focus policy debate
With lawmakers deliberating deposit insurance reform proposals, ICBA this week released recommended principles to inform the debate.
ICBA Education releases 2026 seminar schedule
ICBA Education has announced preliminary dates for its 2026 certification institutes, seminars, and forums. While registration is not yet open, the schedule offers a first look at next year’s...
Fed’s Waller proposes ‘skinny master account’
Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said the Fed should explore the idea of a “skinny master account.”
Senators call for moratorium on ILC approvals
Two Democratic senators called on the FDIC to halt industrial loan company charter approvals until Congress passes a law defining ILCs as banks.
ICBA unveils principles for deposit insurance reform
With lawmakers deliberating deposit insurance reform proposals, ICBA released recommended principles to inform the debate.
ICBA urges CFPB to expand 1033 exemption for community banks
ICBA called on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to exempt from its 1033 rule requirements all community banks with assets $10 billion and under.
ICBA supports bill to raise CTR, SAR thresholds
ICBA expressed strong support for a Senate bill that would raise the currency transaction reporting and Suspicious Activity Reporting thresholds to $30,000 and $10,000, respectively, and index the...
ICBA: Detecting illicit activity involving digital assets requires bigger effort
ICBA told the Treasury Department that community banks remain open to exploring the capabilities of payment stablecoins, but their promise rests on the government’s ability to deter the...
FDIC announces new process for nonbanks to bid on failed large banks
The FDIC announced that it has developed a pre-qualification process for nonbank bidders with the intent of qualifying nonbank bidders in advance of any offering.
ICBA urges senators to prohibit payment of interest on stablecoins by all digital market participants
ICBA and its 44 affiliated state partner associations urged senators to ensure proposed legislation to create a regulatory framework for digital assets markets does not impair community banks'...
ICBA, other trades urge administration to halt CDFI Fund cuts
ICBA and other groups urged the Trump administration to reconsider actions to eliminate Community Development Financial Institutions Fund resources.
ICBA, CHLA encourage agencies to reduce 30/10 spread
ICBA and the Community Home Lenders of America called on the Treasury Department and FHFA should permit Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to use their portfolios to help reduce the historically wide...
Agencies withdraw principles for climate-related financial risk management
The federal banking agencies announced the withdrawal of interagency Principles for Climate-Related Financial Risk Management for Large Financial Institutions.
B2B payments on ACH network increase 10% in Q3
Business-to-business ACH volume was nearly 2.1 billion payments in the third quarter, an increase of 10% from the same time last year, according to Nacha.
New op-ed spotlights data showing harmful impact of credit union acquisitions
A new op-ed from ICBA leadership bankers says public data show why policymakers should examine the impact of federal tax subsidies on credit union acquisitions of community banks.
ICBA discusses 1033 rulemaking in meeting with CFPB
Senior ICBA staff met with Consumer Financial Protection Bureau leaders to discuss its Section 1033 rulemaking on sharing consumer financial data.
Federal agencies target transnational cybercrime networks
The Treasury and Justice departments announced several actions against criminal networks responsible for scams and money laundering, including an ICBA-supported final rule targeting the...
Powell: Fed navigating data delayed due to shutdown
While some important government data have been delayed due to the federal government shutdown, available data indicate the outlook for employment and inflation has not changed much since the...
ICBA urges policymakers to support CDFIs
ICBA expressed concerns with actions to dismantle the Community Development Financial Institution Fund following reports of Treasury Department actions to abolish the fund.
FS-ISAC: North Korean criminals using new fraud technique
North Korean threat actors are leveraging a new technique to get victims to click on malicious links, the Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center said in its latest weekly risk...
Treasury secretary, senator: It’s time to empower community banks
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) said empowering community banks to succeed is essential to driving economic growth in America.
Court sides with Fed to reject master account access from nonbank entities
The United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit sided with the Federal Reserve, ICBA, and other groups by rejecting Custodia Bank’s argument that it should be granted automatic master...
Nacha approves rules on enhancing international ACH transactions
Nacha voting members approved five Nacha Operating Rules changes aimed at increasing the awareness and efficiency of international ACH transactions.
ICBA supports bill to improve deposit insurance system
ICBA expressed support for deposit insurance reform legislation it said is an important start to strengthening the nation’s deposit insurance system that minimizes additional costs for community...
Senate votes down ICBA-opposed amendment to ban interest on reserves
The Senate last week voted against adding an ICBA-opposed ban on interest on reserves to the National Defense Authorization Act.
Community bank innovation: a multipronged approach to stablecoins, AI, and fraud
From the digitization of money with stablecoins to the rise of AI across operations, traditional relationship banking is evolving. ICBA is meeting the moment with a coordinated, multi‑pillar...
From Risk to Resilience: The Board’s Role in Governing Technology
Community bank boards and executives have always shouldered responsibility for risk, strategy, and growth. What’s changed is how much technology now drives all three.
New Analysis Shows Credit Union Acquisitions of Community Banks Harm the Communities That Can Least Afford It
ICBA and community bankers have long warned about the dangers of tax-exempt credit unions acquiring tax-paying community banks, a concerning trend that peaked last year and has continued in 2025.
On your marks
September 17 will possibly be a watershed day for Fed-watchers. Not only did we see the Federal Open Market Committee resume its rate cutting that’s been on hold since last December.
Online Course Newsletter – October 2025
Did you know there is a Best Practices Guide for LMS Users in the Administration Tab? This document should be distributed to all employees of the bank that are taking courses within the ICBA Online...
Online Course Newsletter – August 2025
Online Course Newsletter – August 2025 Did you know that employee training records within ICBA stay with the employee? This means if an employee worked at another financial institution that...
Online Course Newsletter July 2025
Online Course Newsletter – July 2025 Did you know that the ICBA Online Training Custom Plan allows you to track in-house and third party training inside the Learning Management System? For those of...
Online Course Newsletter June 2025
Online Course Newsletter June 2025 Did you know that the ICBA Online Training Custom Plan allows you to track in-house and third party training inside the Learning Management System? For those of...
Flood of national bank trust charter applications demands policy response from OCC
Flood of national bank trust charter applications demands policy response from OCC While the financial services industry continues to rapidly evolve, banking policy often struggles to keep up or...
Community bank innovation: a multipronged approach to stablecoins, AI, and fraud
Community bank innovation: a multipronged approach to stablecoins, AI, and fraud From the digitization of money with stablecoins to the rise of artificial intelligence across operations,...
Digital Banking for the Modern Age
For community banks, digital transformation has moved from an industry colloquialism to a punch list reality.