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ICBA, others request extension for comments on FDIC stablecoin rule
ICBA, others request extension for comments on FDIC stablecoin rule ICBA and other groups requested an extension of the comment period for the FDIC’s proposed rulemaking on the GENIUS Act. Details:...
Senate Ag Committee members push for more farm assistance
Senate Ag Committee members push for more farm assistance Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Agriculture Appropriations Committee Chairman John Hoeven (R-N.D.)...
BCC Named ICBA Preferred Service Provider for Bank-Owned Life Insurance and Executive Benefits Plans
BCC Named ICBA Preferred Service Provider for Bank-Owned Life Insurance and Executive Benefits Plans Washington, D.C (Jan. 21, 2026) — The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) today...
ICBA, Treasury announce February tabletop exercises
ICBA, Treasury announce February tabletop exercises ICBA and the Treasury Department will be hosting two tabletop exercises next month to help community banks strengthen cyber and operational...
Trump issues order on PE firms buying homes
Trump issues order on PE firms buying homes President Donald Trump issued an executive order to restrict private equity firms’ ability to purchase single-family homes. Details: The order directs...
Research shows benefits of Federal Home Loan Banks
Research shows benefits of Federal Home Loan Banks New research from the Urban Institute shows the positive impact of Federal Home Loan Banks on local communities and the national economy. Results:...
ICBA applauds OCC efforts to reform community bank licensing
ICBA applauds OCC efforts to reform community bank licensing ICBA applauded the OCC’s efforts to reform the licensing process for community banks. Details: In a comment letter on the OCC proposal,...
ICBA: IRS guidance on ACRE Act will help ag loans
ICBA: IRS guidance on ACRE Act will help ag loans ICBA said it supports favorable provisions of IRS guidance regarding the ACRE tax exclusion for interest earned on agricultural real estate loans....
ICBA supports community bank bills being considered today by House panel
ICBA supports community bank bills being considered today by House panel Ahead of today’s House Financial Services Committee markup of various legislation, ICBA signaled support for two bills that...
Online Course Newsletter – January 2026
Online Course Newsletter – January 2026 In 2024, we introduced a new enrollment report that produced a more formal export and included the ICBA Education logo. In the Learning Management System,...
Banking and Credit Union Groups Urge Congress to Reject Durbin-Marshall Bill
Banking and Credit Union Groups Urge Congress to Reject Durbin-Marshall Bill Washington, D.C. (Jan. 22, 2026)—The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), the American Bankers Association,...
FDIC Approval of Ford, GM Industrial Loan Companies Threatens Banking System Stability
FDIC Approval of Ford, GM Industrial Loan Companies Threatens Banking System Stability Washington, D.C. (Jan. 22, 2026) — The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today expressed serious...
FHFA: Enterprise mortgages see fewer delinquencies in October
FHFA: Enterprise mortgages see fewer delinquencies in October The Federal Housing Finance Agency reported that the 60-day delinquency rate for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac decreased to 0.93% in...
ICBA, others share with White House ways to reduce the costs of homeownership
ICBA, others share with White House ways to reduce the costs of homeownership ICBA and other groups sent a letter to the National Economic Council proposing several administrative actions that...
ICBA, other groups reiterate opposition to Durbin-Marshall in letter to Congress
ICBA, other groups reiterate opposition to Durbin-Marshall in letter to Congress ICBA and other groups sent a letter to Congress reiterating strong opposition to the Credit Card Competition Act...
FDIC approves final signage rule
FDIC approves final signage rule At its board meeting, the FDIC approved a final rule to amend regulations governing the display of the FDIC official digital sign and non-deposit signage. Details:...
FDIC establishes Office of Supervisory Appeals
FDIC establishes Office of Supervisory Appeals The FDIC board of directors approved amendments to its Guidelines for Appeals of Material Supervisory Determinations, which includes replacing its...
FDIC approves ICBA-opposed ILC applications for Ford, GM
FDIC approves ICBA-opposed ILC applications for Ford, GM The FDIC approved ICBA-opposed applications from Ford and General Motors to establish industrial loan companies. Details: The FDIC said both...
ICBA-supported reg relief bills advance
ICBA-supported reg relief bills advance Two pro-community bank bills supported by ICBA advanced out of the House Financial Services Committee. Details: During a markup of various bills, the...
New research confirms Federal Home Loan Banks and community banks partner to help communities grow
New research confirms Federal Home Loan Banks and community banks partner to help communities grow Community banks are the economic engine that drives growth in communities across the United...
Rural economic index climbs to highest level since 2023
Rural economic index climbs to highest level since 2023 Creighton University’s index of rural economic conditions climbed to 52.0 in January, its highest reading since July 2023. Details: Farm and...
Blog post shows positive effects of community banks and FHLBs partnering
Blog post shows positive effects of community banks and FHLBs partnering A new blog post from ICBA says that with policymakers reexamining housing-finance policy and exploring ways to improve...
SEC, CFTC crypto meeting rescheduled
SEC, CFTC crypto meeting rescheduled The crypto policy meeting between the heads of the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission originally set for today has been...
Independent Banker shares word-of-mouth marketing tips
Independent Banker shares word-of-mouth marketing tips The latest Independent Banker magazine details 10 word-of-mouth marketing strategies community bankers can use to boost referrals,...
House Republicans unveil pro-community bank legislation
House Republicans unveil pro-community bank legislation House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill (R-Ark.) and Subcommittee on Financial Institutions Chairman Andy Barr (R-Ky.)...
ICBA supports pro-community bank legislation at Capitol Hill kickoff
ICBA supports pro-community bank legislation at Capitol Hill kickoff ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey joined a House Financial Services Committee fireside chat at the U.S. Capitol in...
Home prices increase in November
Home prices increase in November Home prices increased 1.4% in November from the same time a year ago following the same annual gain in October, according to the Case-Shiller index. House prices...
ICBA shares feedback on core providers with OCC
ICBA shares feedback on core providers with OCC ICBA shared input on community banks’ relationships with core service providers and other essential third-party service providers to help identify...
ICBA digital assets webinars next month
ICBA digital assets webinars next month ICBA announced a five-part webinar series in February to offer actionable insights into digital asset technologies, market dynamics, and use cases to help...
ICBA Strongly Supports Senate Bill to Close Industrial Loan Company Loophole
ICBA Strongly Supports Senate Bill to Close Industrial Loan Company Loophole Washington, D.C. (Jan. 29, 2026) — The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today expressed its strong...
Fed keeps interest rates unchanged
Fed keeps interest rates unchanged The Federal Open Market Committee voted to maintain target interest rates at 3.50% to 3.75% following three consecutive 25-basis-point cuts. Statement: The FOMC...
ICBA Names ICI as a Preferred Service Provider for Core Contract Negotiation
ICBA Names ICI as a Preferred Service Provider for Core Contract Negotiation Washington, D.C. (Jan. 29, 2026)—The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today announced that ICI Consulting...
ACH Network sees volume and value increases in 2025, Q4
ACH Network sees volume and value increases in 2025, Q4 The ACH Network showed gains in Same Day and standard ACH during 2025 and the fourth quarter, according to Nacha. Highlights: Full-year ACH...
Senate panel advances digital assets bill without credit card routing amendment
Senate panel advances digital assets bill without credit card routing amendment The Senate Agriculture Committee voted 12-11 to advance the Digital Commodity Intermediaries Act without bipartisan...
ICBA supports Senate bill to close ILC loophole
ICBA supports Senate bill to close ILC loophole ICBA expressed strong support for bipartisan legislation to close the industrial loan company loophole, which allows commercial companies to own...
ICBA Congratulates Kevin Warsh on Nomination for Fed Chairman
ICBA Congratulates Kevin Warsh on Nomination for Fed Chairman Washington, D.C. (Jan. 30, 2026) — Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the...
Jack E. Hopkins: Navigating Change Through ICBA LIVE 2026
Jack E. Hopkins explains how ICBA LIVE helps community banks navigate rapid change. From innovation and education to real-time peer feedback, LIVE offers practical solutions to cut through industry...
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Community Banking in Uncertain Times
ICBA President and CEO Rebecca Romero Rainey reflects on how community banks remain steadfast amid uncertainty. From CDFIs to rural institutions, resilience, leadership, and mission-driven banking...
The AI Readiness Gap in Banking
The AI Readiness Gap in Banking SPONSORED | Is your bank AI-ready? Most aren't. Low data quality scores reveal the gap between AI ambitions and reality. Learn how to fix visibility, governance, and...
The IT Vendor Decision That Could Make or Break Your Bank
The IT Vendor Decision That Could Make or Break Your Bank SPONSORED | Choosing the wrong IT vendor can cost your bank in security, compliance, and growth. Discover how to evaluate your MSP and make...
Scott Anchin: How Community Banks Can Fight AI-Driven Fraud
AI-enabled fraud is accelerating, from deepfakes to synthetic identities. This article explains how community banks can use AI tools to detect threats, protect customers and strengthen trust...
Wes Beedon's Love of Classic Rock
A Minnesota community banker tells us why he finds joy in performing live music.
Citizens Trust Bank Honored for its Historical Significance
Learn why an Atlanta community bank was recognized by the Georgia Historical Society for its community impact over the past century.
A Look at ICBA's Community Banker-Led Committees
How member-driven ICBA committees and councils power advocacy, innovation and education for community banks.
Native American Bank Helps Bring Modern Utilities to an Alaskan Island
Learn how a partnership between Native American Bank and Metlakatla Indian Community is bringing cheaper, faster electricity and internet to an underserved island in Alaska.
Skyline National Bank Celebrates Local Music
See how Skyline National Bank’s Sounds of Skyline music competition strengthened community connection, improved brand visibility, and drove website visits through an innovative local marketing...
Jacob Eisen: Card Programs Can Drive Community Bank Growth
As the financial services competitive landscape continues to evolve, payments have emerged as a critical component of community bank strategies. It extends beyond interchange revenue to deepening...
Community Bank Ag Lending in Uncertain Times for Farmers
From volatile commodity prices to rising input costs, farmers face mixed conditions. Learn how community banks are supporting ag customers through uncertainty with relationship-based lending,...
Leading a Community Bank Through a CEO Transition
CEO transitions are critical moments for community banks. Hear from new bank leaders on how listening, mentorship and steady communication help build trust and maintain stability during leadership...
Smart Ways Community Banks Can Address Card Fraud
Card fraud is rising and community banks are feeling the impact. Learn how the right mix of technology, staff training, collaboration, and customer education can help banks detect fraud faster,...
Jim Reber: Jonathan Swift on Community Banking
Through the lens of Jonathan Swift’s sharp observations, Jim Reber examines enduring truths about community banking—balancing risk and reward, managing portfolios, and navigating uncertainty with...
How Will the End of the Penny Affect Community Banks?
With penny production ending, community banks must address rounding policies, teller training and system updates. Here’s how banks can manage the operational impact and support customers.
SEC, CFTC meet on harmonizing crypto efforts
SEC, CFTC meet on harmonizing crypto efforts The Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission met last week to discuss crypto harmonization between the two agencies....
ICBA Community tops 7,000 members
ICBA Community tops 7,000 members ICBA Community, the exclusive digital network for ICBA members, surpassed 7,000 members. Forum for Sharing: Launched in July 2023, ICBA Community: Is a secure,...
ICBA urges OCC to pause approvals of national trust bank charter applications
ICBA urges OCC to pause approvals of national trust bank charter applications ICBA urged the OCC to delay approval or substantive consideration of any pending national trust bank charter...
ICBA urges agencies to streamline the call report
ICBA urges agencies to streamline the call report ICBA told the federal banking agencies that streamlining the call report is a simple but effective step to reduce the regulatory burdens that weigh...
ICBA, state groups support proposal to recalibrate CBLR
ICBA, state groups support proposal to recalibrate CBLR ICBA and 45 state banking associations said they strongly report the federal banking agencies’ proposal to recalibrate the Community Bank...
Trump nominates Warsh to lead Fed
Trump nominates Warsh to lead Fed President Donald Trump nominated Kevin Warsh to serve as Federal Reserve chairman to replace Jerome Powell, whose term as Fed chair ends in May. Background: Warsh...
How Community Banks Should Evaluate New Fintech
Six ThinkTECH Accelerator fintechs explain how their products support community banks—and what bankers should prioritize when evaluating new technology partnerships.
STARC Framework for Bank-Fintech Risk Management
STARC offers a standardized framework to help community banks assess fintech partners. Learn how the new CFES assessment identifies compliance gaps across BSA/AML, operations and third-party risk...