The collapse of the TerraUSD stablecoin has significantly affected the crypto sector and broader financial markets. But perhaps even more important for community banks, the market instability is fueling the policymaker push for a regulatory structure to address crypto’s risks.
While the collapse of the TerraUSD stablecoin has captured the most attention and headlines, it was not the only stablecoin to fail during the market downturn. Here’s a look at the impact of the Terra decline on the stablecoin sector and what’s next for the crypto markets.
ICBA has closely watched the growth of stablecoins over the past year and repeatedly raised concerns about the risks these systems may pose to consumers and the wider financial system. Earlier this month, those concerns manifested with the collapse of TerraUSD, once the third-largest stablecoin.
Officials in Washington have in recent months increased their focus on overdraft programs and policies. With community banks already subject to strict overdraft regulations and offering overdraft services designed to meet the demands of their customers, ICBA and community bankers are fully engaged in the debate.
As more community banks engage with fintechs to support their business plans, due diligence continues to become an even bigger piece of the puzzle. While every bank is different there are several questions every community bank should consider as they enter into these agreements.
The third quarter of 2021 yielded the second-highest quarter on record for fintech financing, up 147% over the previous year. Despite this growth, a recent analysis by EY research of 45 banks working with fintechs revealed only one-quarter had deep engagement due to “barriers to collaboration.”
While all community banks place a firm focus on serving, when you are a CDFI, serving is at the very core of your business identity. Couple that with an increased desire to think creatively, and what you get is a new recipe for innovation.
For $200 million-asset First Community Bank and Trust in Beecher, Ill., having an innovation mindset means being open to explore new ways to solve for business challenges and opportunities.
Between March and June of last year banks experienced a 520% increase in phishing and ransomware attempts. Though these trends were exacerbated by COVID, cybersecurity has been a top concern for the financial services industry for years.
A recent 21st Century from the Conference of State Bank Supervisors report indicates that more than 80% of bankers ranked cybersecurity risk as “very important,” which was more than twice the rate for any other type of operational risk.
High-tech, high touch. That phrase has been a rallying cry for community banks for years, emphasizing the blending of the relationship banking model with the technology fueling today’s digital era. And now the expression has bubbled up in a new source.
Today’s COVID-influenced environment has shifted customer tendencies and behaviors unlike anything we’ve witnessed before. The actions and activities of customers you have known have evolved, and potential new customers are now seeking different products and services than they would have just two years ago.
With the recent stablecoin surge raising risks for consumers and the financial system, regulators and Congress are increasingly concerned about the risks these digital currencies pose to consumers and the overall stability of financial markets.
For $3.1 billion-asset Blue Ridge Bank, innovation is priority number one. Yet in a recent interview, the Luray, Va.-based community bank quickly pointed out that innovation is not as much about the technology investment as it is about the cultural one.
With the London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, set to be largely discontinued in a few months, federal regulators are increasingly vocal about the need for financial institutions to be ready for the transition.
For community banks looking to strike a balance between high-touch services and high-tech capabilities, selecting the right technology partner is more critical than ever. This decision is amplified when it comes to selecting a core processor.
Community banks’ focus on next-generation digital solutions was on full display during a recent symposium hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and the Conference of State Bank Supervisors.
After 12 fully immersive weeks and hundreds of meetings with community bankers, core vendors, regulators and venture capital firms, the ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator 2021 cohort revealed a glimpse into the future of banking with high-tech solutions tailored for community banks and their customers.
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