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Lies Can’t Disguise Fraud: Community Banks Face Rising First-Party Fraud Losses
Lies Can’t Disguise Fraud: Community Banks Face Rising First-Party Fraud Losses Community banks are reporting fraud losses, becoming the largest source of portfolio losses, according to recent data...
Translating industry complexity into competitive advantages for community banks: Introducing Chrissy Ahern
Translating industry complexity into competitive advantages for community banks: Introducing Chrissy Ahern Get to know the staff members that support your bank and its payments business. We’re here...
Online Course Newsletter – November 2025
Online Course Newsletter – November 2025 There were no new or updated courses this past month, but we are working on new content for release in Q1 2026. As you prepare to assign courses for the...
ICBA: Tax-Exempt Mega-Credit Union Acquisition Signals It’s Time for a Policy Response
ICBA: Tax-Exempt Mega-Credit Union Acquisition Signals It’s Time for a Policy Response Washington, D.C. — Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey...
USDA announces second round of supplemental disaster assistance payments
USDA announces second round of supplemental disaster assistance payments The USDA announced the second phase of supplemental disaster relief payments that would be distributed under the...
ICBA: Mega-credit union acquisition signals it’s time for a policy response
ICBA: Mega-credit union acquisition signals it’s time for a policy response After the latest deal involving a multi-billion-dollar credit union acquiring a community bank, ICBA said these deals are...
ICBA shares deposit insurance priorities with lawmakers ahead of House hearing
ICBA shares deposit insurance priorities with lawmakers ahead of House hearing ICBA told Congress that raising deposit insurance limits will bolster depositor confidence in community banks. ...
ICBA: Second Mega-Credit Union Acquisition in Two Days Demands Response to Industry’s Tax Exemption
ICBA: Second Mega-Credit Union Acquisition in Two Days Demands Response to Industry’s Tax Exemption Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the...
Fed details new supervisory principles
Fed details new supervisory principles The Federal Reserve released information regarding new operating principles for bank supervision. Details: The Fed said the principles, which were...
House panel holds hearing on deposit insurance reform
House panel holds hearing on deposit insurance reform The House Financial Services Committee discussed a wide array of issues during a hearing on deposit insurance reform, including supporting...
After second credit union acquisition in two days, ICBA demands policy response
After second credit union acquisition in two days, ICBA demands policy response With large credit unions announcing two acquisitions of Main Street community banks in as many days, ICBA said it...
Fed’s Miran endorses community bank regulatory relief
Fed’s Miran endorses community bank regulatory relief Federal Reserve Governor Stephen Miran said the Fed’s regulatory framework should allow community banks to remain the engines of their local...
Trump nominates new CFPB head
Trump nominates new CFPB head President Donald Trump nominated Stuart Levenbach to be director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for a five-year term. Background: Levenbach has served...
Senate panel advances Travis Hill nomination for FDIC chair
Senate panel advances Travis Hill nomination for FDIC chair The Senate Banking Committee advanced the nomination of Travis Hill to be FDIC chairman. The nomination now heads to the full Senate for...
CISA shares mitigation tips for ‘bulletproof’ cybercrimes
CISA shares mitigation tips for ‘bulletproof’ cybercrimes The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency and its partners released a guide on mitigating risks from bulletproof hosting (BPH)...
ICBA, others share recommendations on curbing illegal robocalls
ICBA, others share recommendations on curbing illegal robocalls ICBA and other groups sent the Federal Communications Commission recommendations to improve STIR/SHAKEN, a call authentication...
Treasury, IRS issue guidance on ACRE Act tax exclusion
Treasury, IRS issue guidance on ACRE Act tax exclusion The Treasury Department and IRS issued interim guidance for the ICBA-advocated ACRE Act tax exclusion for agricultural lending passed under...
FinCEN advises banks to follow AML/CFT guidance
FinCEN advises banks to follow AML/CFT guidance The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network advised banks to follow the Financial Action Task Force’s updated lists of countries with strategic...
USDA announces updates to Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program
USDA announces updates to Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program The USDA announced updates to the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program, which has resumed full operations. ...
CISA warns of spyware on messaging applications
CISA warns of spyware on messaging applications The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency warned of multiple cyber threat actors actively using commercial spyware to target users of...
Community bank net income increases in Q3
Community bank net income increases in Q3 Community banks reported a 9.9% third-quarter increase in net income from the previous quarter and a 21.7% increase from the previous year, according to...
OCC to reduce BSA/AML reg burden for community banks
OCC to reduce BSA/AML reg burden for community banks The OCC announced supervisory and regulatory actions to reduce regulatory burdens for community banks related to the Bank Secrecy Act and...
ICBA Commends Proposed Rule to Lower Community Bank Leverage Ratio
ICBA Commends Proposed Rule to Lower Community Bank Leverage Ratio Washington, D.C. — Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following...
Regulatory Expectations for Compliance Are Evolving – Are You Keeping Up?
Regulatory Expectations for Compliance Are Evolving – Are You Keeping Up? SPONSORED | As the regulatory landscape continues to change, every financial institution can use an extra hand when it...
Free IT Assessment for Banks—Limited-Time Offer
Free IT Assessment for Banks—Limited-Time Offer SPONSORED | Banks: Get a free, expert-led IT assessment covering firewalls, MFA, email security, and more. Reduce risk, boost compliance, and plan...
Defend Your Bank from Card Fraud Loss
Defend Your Bank from Card Fraud Loss SPONSORED | How are you protecting your bank and customers this holiday season? Keep your holiday cheer this season—sign up for the ICBA Payments Fraud Loss...
Rocket Pro Helped Elly Turn 'Maybe' Into 'Move-in'
Rocket Pro Helped Elly Turn 'Maybe' into 'Move-in' SPONSORED | Discover how Rocket Pro helped Elly expand her options, close more deals and turn “maybe” into “move-in” for families in her...
FDIC delays signage rule compliance until 2027
FDIC delays signage rule compliance until 2027 At its board meeting, the FDIC extended the compliance date for its final rule on signage and advertising requirements. Details: The rule sets forth...
FDIC approves ICBA-advocated audit threshold adjustments
FDIC approves ICBA-advocated audit threshold adjustments The FDIC approved a final rule updating Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act audit and reporting requirements to raise...
Regulators propose lowering Community Bank Leverage Ratio
Regulators propose lowering Community Bank Leverage Ratio The federal banking regulators issued a proposed rule to reduce the Community Bank Leverage Ratio from 9% to 8%, as long advocated by...
FHA updates single-family housing info
FHA updates single-family housing info The Federal Housing Administration published updates to its Single Family Housing Policy Handbook. The FHA said the updates include previously published...
ICBA opposes national trust bank charter application for Foris DAX
ICBA opposes national trust bank charter application for Foris DAX ICBA urged the OCC to deny Foris DAX National Trust Bank’s application for a national trust bank charter, saying it poses...
Credit unions ‘going large and going rogue,’ new article says
Credit unions ‘going large and going rogue,’ new article says Some credit unions are taking advantage of their industry’s tax and regulatory exemptions to stray from their roots and acquire...
Marching into 2026 on the Advocacy Frontline
Looking back on the past year, we have advocacy successes to celebrate.
It's a Wonderful (Community Banking) Life
While I may be biased, I believe that being a community banker is the best profession there is.
First National Bank Colorado Fights Hunger in Its Community
Last August, team members from First National Bank Colorado in Las Animas, Colorado, got to work at the Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado.
2025's Seismic Regulatory Shifts
Thanks to advocacy work from community bankers and ICBA, fairer regulatory compliance standards are on the horizon.
How to Unlock Hidden Card Revenue with BINs
When it comes to card revenue, having the right bank identification number (BIN) type is critical.
Beyond Spreadsheets: Vendor Management Ideas
Community banks work with dozens of vendors at any given time. If you’re aiming to consolidate the time and effort managing third parties, consider these ideas.
Why Your Community Bank Should Offer a Switch Kit
Switching banks is a pain, making potential customers’ best intentions fall by the wayside. But modern switch kits are evolving, with personalized service and tech-driven tools making the process...
How We Fought Fraud in 2025
Fraud and scams thrive not through any single vulnerability but through intricate webs connecting criminals, technology platforms, financial institutions and, unfortunately, victims.
Fighting holiday fraud through customer awareness
Fighting holiday fraud through customer awareness As the holidays approach, Citizens Bank is gearing up for a boost in holiday spending and fraud-related activity. As the holidays approach,...
Does Your Community Bank Need an Advisory Board?
Distinct from a board of directors, advisory boards are dedicated to advocating for and offering insight into the needs and interests of the local population.
Deposit Insurance Reform: Community Bankers' Goals
Community bankers share common goals for protecting depositors.
First Liberty Bank is Digging Deep Into Energy Lending
With tailored solutions and long-term partnerships, First Liberty Bank’s energy lending program is fostering growth for businesses, communities and the bank itself.
ICBA Commends FDIC for Final Rule Updating Audit and Reporting Thresholds
ICBA Commends FDIC for Final Rule Updating Audit and Reporting Thresholds Washington, D.C. — Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the...
American Heritage Bank Offers Financial Donations, No Questions Asked
American Heritage Bank’s Community Chest program brings the community together to support those in need, one donation at a time.
Revealed: The Impact of Credit Union Acquisitions
Credit union acquisitions of community banks are leaving lasting scars on local economies—reducing small business lending, limiting mortgage access and weakening community reinvestment. But...
How to Encourage Innovation Beyond the C-Suite
Thinking outside the box isn’t only a job for the C-suite. Employees at all levels can—and should—contribute to innovation at their community banks. Here are some ideas from your peers about how to...
The Best Community Banks to Work For 2025
Our 2025 Best Community Banks to Work For winners pride themselves on competitive benefits, fun and fulfilling cultures, and a belief in work-life balance. Hear from leaders and staff about how...
ICBA Independent Banker Honors 2025 Best Community Banks to Work For Winners
ICBA Independent Banker Honors 2025 Best Community Banks to Work For Winners Washington, D.C.—The December cover story of Independent Banker magazine, the award-winning publication of the...
Regulators seek input on streamlining call report
Regulators seek input on streamlining call report The federal banking regulators requested input on sources of regulatory reporting burden for institutions that file the call report. Details: The...
ICBA: FinCEN underestimates information collection burden
ICBA: FinCEN underestimates information collection burden The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network underestimates the regulatory burden of information sharing requests between banks and law...
ICBA commends FDIC for adjusting Part 363 thresholds
ICBA commends FDIC for adjusting Part 363 thresholds ICBA commended the FDIC for passing a final rule updating audit and reporting requirements under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation...
Do You Want to Be Featured in Out of Office?
Over the years, we’ve shined a spotlight on community bankers with hobbies ranging from skydiving and vintage shopping to winemaking and showing livestock. Now, we’re on the hunt for more...
Regulators back community banks during House hearing
Regulators back community banks during House hearing Appearing before the House Financial Services Committee, leaders from the prudential banking regulators touted the important role of community...
ICBA, state affiliates urge Treasury to raise SAR, CTR thresholds
ICBA, state affiliates urge Treasury to raise SAR, CTR thresholds ICBA and its affiliated state community banking associations called on the Treasury Department to raise the currency transaction...
Independent Banker honors best community banks to work for
Independent Banker honors best community banks to work for This month’s Independent Banker magazine recognizes the best community banks to work for, as nominated and scored by bank employees. ...
CISA releases guidance on integrating AI in operational technology
CISA releases guidance on integrating AI in operational technology The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and its partners released new cybersecurity guidance on the secure...