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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.
Portfolio Management: Lies and Statistics
Community bank bond portfolios have latent strengths.
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
News Press Release Washington, D.C. — Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on the Federal Deposit Insurance...
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
2025-12-02 Washington, D.C.—The December cover story of Independent Banker magazine, the award-winning publication of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), announced its 2025 Best...
Regulators seek input on streamlining call report
Regulators seek input on streamlining call report 2025-12-02 The federal banking regulators requested input on sources of regulatory reporting burden for institutions that file the call report. ...
ICBA: FinCEN underestimates information collection burden
2025-12-02 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...
ICBA commends FDIC for adjusting Part 363 thresholds
2025-12-02 ICBA commended the FDIC for passing a final rule updating audit and reporting requirements under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act. Details: In a national news...
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
Appearing before the House Financial Services Committee, leaders from the prudential banking regulators touted the important role of community banks and the need to reduce their regulatory burden. ...
ICBA, state affiliates urge Treasury to raise SAR, CTR thresholds
2025-12-03 ICBA and its affiliated state community banking associations called on the Treasury Department to raise the currency transaction report threshold to $30,000 and the suspicious activity...
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. Details: The list features five of the industry’s top employers...
CISA releases guidance on integrating AI in operational technology
2025-12-04 The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and its partners released new cybersecurity guidance on the secure integration of artificial intelligence in operational technology. ...
FinCEN: Ransomware incidents totaled $2.1 billion over three years
2025-12-05 The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network said ransomware incidents totaled more than $2.1 billion in payments between 2022 and 2024. Details: FinCEN said reported ransomware incidents...
Fed announces pricing for payment services
Fed announces pricing for payment services 2025-12-05 The Federal Reserve Board announced pricing for payment services provided by the Federal Reserve Banks, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Details: The...
Fed seeks feedback on potential changes to check services
Fed seeks feedback on potential changes to check services 2025-12-05 The Federal Reserve Board requested public input on check usage and the impact of potential strategic changes to check services...
OCC, FDIC withdraw leveraged lending guidance
OCC, FDIC withdraw leveraged lending guidance 2025-12-08 The OCC and FDIC announced they are rescinding their March 2013 guidance on leveraged lending and the November 2014 frequently asked...
USDA expands crop insurance access
USDA expands crop insurance access 2025-12-08 The Agriculture Department announced updates to federal crop insurance to reduce red tape for farmers, modernize policies, and expand access to risk...
New op-ed: Deposit insurance reform is critical for Main Street
2025-12-08 Bipartisan legislation supported by the administration is an important starting point for meaningful reforms to the nation’s deposit insurance system, ICBA Chairman Jack Hopkins writes...
ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator Debuts 10th Cohort to Continue Driving Community Bank Innovation
2025-12-09 ICBA News The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) today announced the selected companies for the 10th iteration of its award-winning ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator program...
Trump administration announces $12 billion farm aid package
2025-12-09 The Trump administration announced a farm aid package of $11 billion for basic crop commodities with an additional $1 billion being considered for specialty crops following ICBA...
Congress continues to back CDFI Fund: report
2025-12-09 Members of Congress are strongly supporting community development financial institutions in current budget discussions, Politico reported. Details: The “Morning Money” report notes: ...
OCC’s Gould: Digital asset entities should have pathway to charters
2025-12-09 Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan Gould said entities that engage in activities involving digital assets and other novel technologies should have a pathway to become federally...
OCC confirms permissible bank activities related to principal cryptoasset transactions
The OCC confirmed permissible bank activities related to riskless principal transactions in cryptoassets. Details: In an interpretive letter, the OCC said: A national bank may engage in...
ICBA, others urge Fed to withdraw debit interchange proposal
2025-12-10 ICBA and other groups urged the Federal Reserve to withdraw its 2023 debit interchange proposal until there is legal certainty in several court cases. Details: In a letter to the Fed,...
In new op-ed, ICBA breaks down consumer harm of credit union acquisitions
In new op-ed, ICBA breaks down consumer harm of credit union acquisitions 2025-12-10 A new op-ed from ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey breaks down ICBA’s data analysis showing that when...
Fed lowers interest rates by 25bp
Fed lowers interest rates by 25bp 2025-12-11 The Federal Open Market Committee voted to lower target interest rates by 25 basis points to a range of 3.50% to 3.75%. Statement: The FOMC said: ...
OCC releases findings on large bank debanking activities
The OCC released preliminary findings from its review of debanking activities at the nine largest national banks it supervises. Background: The OCC said it conducted its supervisory review in...
Senators request hearing on digital assets market structure
2025-12-11 Senate Banking Committee members John Kennedy (R-La.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) asked the committee’s leaders to promptly schedule a hearing on digital assets market structure policy before...
Romero Rainey, Merski Once Again Named to The Hill’s Top Lobbyists List, Demonstrating ICBA’s Advocacy Prowess
2025-12-11 Rebeca Romero Rainey Paul Merski Washington, D.C. (Dec. 11, 2025) — Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey and Executive Vice President of...