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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.
How to Unlock Hidden Card Revenue with BINs
When it comes to card revenue, having the right bank identification number (BIN) type is critical.
Fed announces pricing for payment services
Fed announces pricing for payment services The Federal Reserve Board announced pricing for payment services provided by the Federal Reserve Banks, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Details: The Fed said: ...
Fed seeks feedback on potential changes to check services
Fed seeks feedback on potential changes to check services The Federal Reserve Board requested public input on check usage and the impact of potential strategic changes to check services provided...
FinCEN: Ransomware incidents totaled $2.1 billion over three years
FinCEN: Ransomware incidents totaled $2.1 billion over three years The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network said ransomware incidents totaled more than $2.1 billion in payments between 2022 and...
USDA expands crop insurance access
USDA expands crop insurance access The Agriculture Department announced updates to federal crop insurance to reduce red tape for farmers, modernize policies, and expand access to risk protection. ...
New op-ed: Deposit insurance reform is critical for Main Street
New op-ed: Deposit insurance reform is critical for Main Street Bipartisan legislation supported by the administration is an important starting point for meaningful reforms to the nation’s deposit...
OCC, FDIC withdraw leveraged lending guidance
OCC, FDIC withdraw leveraged lending guidance The OCC and FDIC announced they are rescinding their March 2013 guidance on leveraged lending and the November 2014 frequently asked questions on...
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...
ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator Debuts 10th Cohort to Continue Driving Community Bank Innovation
ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator Debuts 10th Cohort to Continue Driving Community Bank Innovation The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) today announced the selected companies for the 10th...
Trump administration announces $12 billion farm aid package
Trump administration announces $12 billion farm aid package The Trump administration announced a farm aid package of $11 billion for basic crop commodities with an additional $1 billion being...
Congress continues to back CDFI Fund: report
Congress continues to back CDFI Fund: report Members of Congress are strongly supporting community development financial institutions in current budget discussions, Politico reported. Details:...
OCC’s Gould: Digital asset entities should have pathway to charters
OCC’s Gould: Digital asset entities should have pathway to charters Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan Gould said entities that engage in activities involving digital assets and other novel...
OCC confirms permissible bank activities related to principal cryptoasset transactions
OCC confirms permissible bank activities related to principal cryptoasset transactions The OCC confirmed permissible bank activities related to riskless principal transactions in cryptoassets. ...
ICBA, others urge Fed to withdraw debit interchange proposal
ICBA, others urge Fed to withdraw debit interchange proposal ICBA and other groups urged the Federal Reserve to withdraw its 2023 debit interchange proposal until there is legal certainty in...
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 A new op-ed from ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey breaks down ICBA’s data analysis showing that when credit...
Fed lowers interest rates by 25bp
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 3.50% to 3.75%. Statement: The FOMC said: ...
OCC releases findings on large bank debanking activities
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. ...
Senators request hearing on digital assets market structure
Senators request hearing on digital assets market structure Senate Banking Committee members John Kennedy (R-La.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) asked the committee’s leaders to promptly schedule a...
Romero Rainey, Merski Once Again Named to The Hill’s Top Lobbyists List, Demonstrating ICBA’s Advocacy Prowess
Romero Rainey, Merski Once Again Named to The Hill’s Top Lobbyists List, Demonstrating ICBA’s Advocacy Prowess Washington, D.C. (Dec. 11, 2025) — Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA)...
Michael Benedict: Community Bank Growth in a New Rate Environment
A steeper yield curve brings growth strategies back into the fold.
Oxford Bank Celebrates 140 Years of Community Support
Oxford Bank in Oxford, Mich., celebrated its 140th anniversary by building relationships, investing in the community and exercising purposeful giving.
Incoming 2025/26 ICBA Chairman Jack E. Hopkins Will Bring Small-Town Sensibility to Washington
Jack E. Hopkins, president and CEO of CorTrust Bank in Sioux Falls, S.D., has been a strong voice for community banking for years.
Why Your Community Bank Needs a Disaster Recovery Plan
Community banks like Countybank face and overcome challenges every day, but what about the events banks don’t expect?
Tips for Winning the Retail Banking Game
Technology continues to evolve, and community banks must do the same. To cater to and better support young, tech-savvy customers, these local banks are partnering with fintechs to revamp their...
Preparing and Nurturing Future Bank Leaders
How can community banks foster future leaders and make sure they’re prepared to take on a managerial role? It takes a healthy dose of attention, understanding and room for trial and error.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Marching to the Beat of Community Banking
There’s a rhythm to community banking, a steadiness amid a sea of change that keeps us centered and focused on the customers and communities we serve.
Is Data the Key to Enhancing Bank Customer Relationships?
Conversion data from social media, websites and marketing platforms can help prove whether banks are successful in their personalization, outreach and differentiation.
What Banks Need to Know About the CFPB's Open Banking Rule
ICBA’s advocacy efforts have affected the outcome of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s open banking rule. Learn about these changes and understand which guidelines apply to your bank.
Find Your Rhythm at ICBA LIVE 2025
Do you hear that? That’s the sound of community bankers across the nation heading to Nashville to learn, network and enjoy all Music City has to offer.
Amplifying Nashville's Booming Businesses
ICBA members are coming to Nashville, Tenn., from across the nation for ICBA LIVE, but there are plenty of community banks already in Music City.
Growth Goals: Navigating IPOs and OTC Trading
Is your community bank thinking about launching an initial public offering or over-the-counter trading of stocks to raise liquidity?
2025 Lending Outlook: Cautious Optimism
Falling interest rates are expected to fuel borrowing activity at community banks. We examine the prospects for commercial, consumer/mortgage and ag lending in the new year.
Insights from ICBA's Minority Bank Advisory Council
Minority depository institutions ensure their communities have access to the financial services that will help them succeed in the long term.
4 Regulatory Developments Coming in 2025
Community bankers have a variety of new regulatory changes to prepare for in 2025, across agencies and banking functions. As always, forewarned is forearmed.
The Year in Compliance: 6 Notable Updates for Community Banks
New guidance and proposed rules from regulatory agencies in 2024 have kept community banks on the alert for forthcoming changes to compliance processes.
2025 Community Bank CEO Outlook: Balancing Between Deposits and Loans
While the business of community banking is ongoing, a new year is always a good time to take stock of the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Nurturing the Community Bank Ecosystem
The start of a new year brings with it opportunities, and as we enter 2025, we do so with an eye toward the potential that awaits.
Stearns Bank Lays Groundwork in Minnesota's Hmong Community
Stearns Bank is fostering trust, financial empowerment and meaningful relationships with Minnesota’s sizable Hmong community by establishing a branch in one of their cultural hubs.
How Can Community Banks Ride the Digital Wallet Wave?
Looking to drive card usage and ensure continued deposit recapture? As the use of digital wallets continues to accelerate, here’s how you can participate and benefit from this trend.