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Rebeca Romero Rainey: Offering Financial Freedom to Communities Nationwide
As we celebrate Independence Day this month, I can’t help but equate that sense of freedom with what we do as community bankers.
Nominations Open for 2025's Best Community Banks to Work For Award
Does your community bank pride itself on being an amazing place to work? Now’s your chance to be recognized as one of ICBA’s Best Community Banks to Work For.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: We Empower Our Nation's Small Businesses
When it comes to community banking, we are a nation unto ourselves.
The Key to Winning Over SMBs With Merchant Services
Local businesses appreciate having resources that will give them the boost they need to succeed. With merchant services, community banks can offer those resources and stay competitive.
What Innovative Advantage Does Cloud Lending Give Community Banks?
Community banks are using cloud technology to improve efficiency and enhance customer convenience. See how cloud lending is transforming operations for banks and borrowers alike.
Community Banks Propel Multi-Family Home Growth
During a housing shortage, community banks are using their agility, relationships and market insight to support apartment developments when larger lenders fall short.
ICBA Opposes OCC’s Approval of Five National Trust Charter Applications
ICBA Opposes OCC’s Approval of Five National Trust Charter Applications Washington, D.C. — The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today expressed opposition to the Office of the...
CISA releases cybersecurity performance goals
CISA releases cybersecurity performance goals The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency released updated Cross-Sector Cybersecurity Performance Goals (CPG 2.0), which include actions...
President Trump proposes national AI framework
President Trump proposes national AI framework President Donald Trump proposed removing state-level artificial intelligence laws and installing a national standard. Details: In an executive...
ICBA opposes approval of national trust charter applications from nonbanks
ICBA opposes approval of national trust charter applications from nonbanks ICBA expressed opposition to the OCC’s conditional approval of five national trust bank charter applications from nonbank...
ICBA Analysis: Permitting Interest on Payment Stablecoin Holdings Would Reduce Community Bank Lending by $850 Billion
ICBA Analysis: Permitting Interest on Payment Stablecoin Holdings Would Reduce Community Bank Lending by $850 Billion Washington, D.C. — As Congress crafts legislation to establish a regulatory...
CFPB updates TILA, CLA, FCRA thresholds for 2026
CFPB updates TILA, CLA, FCRA thresholds for 2026 The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued annual threshold adjustments that are effective Jan. 1, 2026. TILA: The CFPB issued a final rule...
ICBA analysis: Permitting interest on payment stablecoins would harm community bank lending
ICBA analysis: Permitting interest on payment stablecoins would harm community bank lending With Congress crafting legislation to establish a regulatory framework for digital assets markets, ICBA...
Agencies update appraisal exemption threshold
Agencies update appraisal exemption threshold Regulators announced that the 2026 threshold for higher-priced mortgage loans that are subject to special appraisal requirements will increase from...
ICBA Opposes PayPal Application to Form Industrial Loan Company
ICBA Opposes PayPal Application to Form Industrial Loan Company Washington, D.C. — The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today expressed strong opposition to PayPal’s application to...
House panel advances five ICBA-supported bills
House panel advances five ICBA-supported bills After ICBA urged the House Financial Services Committee to vote yes on five pro-community bank bills during its two-day markup, the committee voted...
FDIC proposes application process for bank subsidiaries to issue stablecoins
FDIC proposes application process for bank subsidiaries to issue stablecoins The FDIC issued a proposed rule that would implement the application provisions under the Guiding and Establishing...
ICBA opposes PayPal’s ILC application
ICBA opposes PayPal’s ILC application ICBA expressed strong opposition to PayPal’s application to form an industrial loan company, saying the FDIC should not allow nonbank firms to benefit from...
Kristine LaVigna Named President & CEO of ICBA CRA Solutions/USI Alliance
Kristine LaVigna Named President & CEO of ICBA CRA Solutions/USI Alliance Washington, D.C. — ICBA CRA Solutions/USI Alliance, a subsidiary of the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA),...
ICBA looks back on transformative year for community banking
ICBA looks back on transformative year for community banking A new article from ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey and ICBA Chairman Jack Hopkins details what 2025 has meant for community...
OCC issues CRA strategic plan for community banks
OCC issues CRA strategic plan for community banks The OCC issued proposed guidance for a simplified strategic plan process for community banks to comply with the Community Reinvestment Act. ...
Senate passes NDAA with ICBA-opposed measures removed
Senate passes NDAA with ICBA-opposed measures removed The Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act by a 77-20 vote after removing several ICBA-opposed measures from the bill. TILA...
ICBA Names Justin Dunmyer as SVP, Innovation & Product Strategy
ICBA Names Justin Dunmyer as SVP, Innovation & Product Strategy Washington, D.C. (Dec. 18, 2025)—The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) announced today that Justin Dunmyer has joined...
OCC weighs in on state interest rate case
OCC weighs in on state interest rate case The OCC filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit in connection with the National Association of Industrial Bankers v....
Fed research reinforces ICBA call to mitigate stablecoin risks
Fed research reinforces ICBA call to mitigate stablecoin risks A newly released Federal Reserve research paper warns that stablecoins could reduce bank deposits and lending—in line with a recent...
Why Consistency is Essential in Banking
Why Consistency is Essential in Banking Banking thrives when trust is present. Customers entrust banks with their savings, aspirations, and financial security. This trust is nurtured through...
Making a list, checking it twice
Making a list, checking it twice Since we started seeing Halloween decorations in August, I felt it was high time we started thinking about the Holiday season. More specifically, as it relates to...
Fed seeks input on limited-purpose ‘payment accounts’
Fed seeks input on limited-purpose ‘payment accounts’ The Federal Reserve requested public comment on a proposed "payment account," which eligible financial institutions could use for the limited...
Fed report: Debit card transaction fraud growing
Fed report: Debit card transaction fraud growing The Federal Reserve published its biennial report on debit card transactions, which summarizes information collected from Durbin-covered debit card...
New Analysis Shows Credit Union Acquisitions of Community Banks Harm the Communities That Can Least Afford It
ICBA and community bankers have long warned about the dangers of tax-exempt credit unions acquiring tax-paying community banks, a concerning trend that peaked last year and has continued in 2025.
On your marks
September 17 will possibly be a watershed day for Fed-watchers. Not only did we see the Federal Open Market Committee resume its rate cutting that’s been on hold since last December.
From Risk to Resilience: The Board’s Role in Governing Technology
Community bank boards and executives have always shouldered responsibility for risk, strategy, and growth. What’s changed is how much technology now drives all three.
How to Build an AI Policy at Your Community Bank
Artificial intelligence is here to stay, whether it’s generative AI, part of your bank’s neural network or both. That’s why having an AI policy is important—but how you go about writing it...
Data-Driven HR: Employers Navigate Compliance Amid Regulatory Changes
Data-driven personnel assessments have become a key part of how many banks and financial institutions enhance their human resources strategies and mitigate employment-related risks and liability.
Whole lotta thinkin’ going on
In reading and listening to the words of the Federal Reserve Board’s members over the past month, I hear a lot of hedging. And far be it from me to second guess the respective governors and...
Navigating the end of penny production
Navigating the end of penny production The U.S. Mint officially ended penny production on November 12, 2025, striking the final one-cent coin in Philadelphia. This marked the conclusion of a...
FS-ISAC shares tips for defending against ransomware
FS-ISAC shares tips for defending against ransomware Threat actors are increasingly targeting the financial services sector’s supply to steal data – and a favored tactic is ransomware extortion,...
FHFA reports decline in single-family guarantee fees
FHFA reports decline in single-family guarantee fees The Federal Housing Finance Agency said the average single-family guarantee fee decreased to 65.2 basis points in 2024 from 65.5 in 2023. ...
House Republicans push Fed for new approach on pennies
House Republicans push Fed for new approach on pennies House Republicans asked the Federal Reserve to take a thoughtful approach to its role in recirculating pennies. Details: In a letter to...
ENTER NOW: 40 Under 40: Community Bank Leaders awards
Nominations for 40 Under 40: Community Bank Leaders 2025 are now open! 40 Under 40 seeks to recognize community banking’s brightest, most promising young professionals. Winners are featured in...
OCC proposes preempting state laws on escrow interest
OCC proposes preempting state laws on escrow interest The OCC proposed issuing a preemption determination saying that federal law preempts state laws that eliminate OCC-regulated banks’...
Agencies adjust CRA asset thresholds
Agencies adjust CRA asset thresholds Federal regulators announced the 2025 updated asset-size thresholds used to define "small banks" and "intermediate small banks" under their current Community...
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.
Your 2026 Budget Is Complete. Now Is the Right Time to Fix What Made It Hard.
Your 2026 Budget Is Complete. Now Is the Right Time to Fix What Made It Hard. SPONSORED | Budget season is behind you, but those frustrating spreadsheet errors, manual ALM imports, and limited...
Public Funds as a Strategic Anchor in Modern Wholesale Funding
Public Funds as a Strategic Anchor in Modern Wholesale Funding SPONSORED | PTMA Funding links community banks and local governments, providing stable public deposits that diversify liquidity....
Innovation Strategies for Community Banks
Explore how community banks can use data insights, fintech tools and innovation to stay competitive.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Let's Continue the Course in the New Year
Rebeca Romero Rainey, president and CEO of ICBA, shares why it's more important than ever to ensure that community banks are actively engaged and leveraging the power of the tools that ICBA provides.
Jack E. Hopkins: Setting our priorities for 2026
There’s something about the new year that brings with it a clean slate and a fresh start. As we kick off 2026, we have the opportunity to shape where we want to go.
Out of Office: Olympia Reed
The regional branch operations manager for Lumbee Guaranty Bank in Pembroke, North Carolina, regularly cooks for family, friends and coworkers at the $540 million-asset community bank.
The Power of Healthy Dissent in Leadership
Discover how healthy dissent fuels stronger teams and better decisions. Learn leadership strategies to foster dialogue and innovation.
Powering Potential: ICBA Certification Q&A With McKenzie Humpal of First Citizens Bank
McKenzie Humpal, VP and compliance officer at First Citizens Bank in Mason City, Iowa, shares her journey and insights on compliance.
Powering Potential: How ICBA LIVE Is Crafted for Community Bankers
Every year, ICBA puts together a dynamic conference that puts community bankers front and center. Learn more about ICBA LIVE and how every educational session, speaker and meet-up event is built...
ENTER NOW: 40 Under 40: Community Bank Leaders awards
Nominations for 40 Under 40: Community Bank Leaders 2026 are now open! 40 Under 40 seeks to recognize community banking’s brightest, most promising young professionals. Winners are featured in...
Report: FHA insured 876k mortgages in 2025
Report: FHA insured 876k mortgages in 2025 The Federal Housing Administration reported it insured 876,502 mortgages in 2025, representing $274.76 billion in original unpaid principal balance....
New article spotlights accelerating credit union acquisitions
New article spotlights accelerating credit union acquisitions Once-rare credit union acquisitions of community banks are becoming routine and a defining feature of consolidation in U.S. finance,...
'40 Under 40' nominations now open
'40 Under 40' nominations now open Independent Banker magazine opened nominations for its 2026 “40 Under 40: Community Bank Leaders” awards. Details: Sponsored by FIS, the awards recognize...
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...
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...
ICBA releases principles for deposit insurance reform to focus policy debate
With lawmakers deliberating deposit insurance reform proposals, ICBA this week released recommended principles to inform the debate.
ICBA Engages Digital Assets Expert to Inform Solutions and Banker Education
ICBA Engages Digital Assets Expert to Inform Solutions and Banker Education Washington, D.C. (Jan. 7, 2026) — The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) today announced a consulting...