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IRS Reporting Grassroots Campaign Evolves with Congressional Debate
ICBA’s campaign against Washington’s IRS reporting proposal helped consumers speak out against the plan. As the debate evolves, the campaign now demands that community bankers increase their outreach.
Cybersecurity Experts offer Tips to Help Community Banks Shore up Defenses
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 double the rate...
Community Bank Cybersecurity Mitigation Checklist
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 Challenges and Risks of Smart Contracts
Smart contracts — blockchain-based programs that operate when predetermined conditions are met — offer potential use cases as well as risks for community banks evaluating their payments...
2021: The Year of Community Bank Innovation—with More to Come
In the innovation world, 2021 may go down in history as the year of community bank innovation. Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and associated challenges thrown in our path, community banks...
Trust in Code? Smart Contracts, DeFi, and Use Cases for Community Banking
Smart contracts — computer programs that automatically execute specific actions — are becoming increasingly relevant to community banks. Here’s a breakdown of smart contracts and how...
Three Principles to Drive Community Bank 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.
Reconciliation Update: IRS Reporting, Tax Hikes, and Needed Grassroots
Community bankers are witnessing the fruits of their labor in ICBA’s months-long campaign opposing the onerous IRS bank reporting proposal. However, the grassroots push must continue.
Seven Myths About Central Bank Digital Currencies
In the latest edition of our Digital Dollar Digest series, ICBA is here to help dispel CBDC misconceptions and debunk the most common myths.
How and Why We’re Updating Our Twitter Strategy to Better Serve Members
For more than 90 years, ICBA has provided value to our membership in a wide variety of ways and places. Today, we are refocusing efforts to better serve our members on Twitter.
Putting Innovation to Work in Community Development
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...
Why Core Providers Attend the ThinkTECH Accelerator—And Why It Matters
The third quarter of 2021 yielded the second-highest quarter for fintech financing, up 147%. Despite this growth, an analysis by EY research of 45 banks revealed only one-quarter had deep...
Why Core Providers Attend the ThinkTECH Accelerator—And Why It Matters
As more community banks engage with fintechs to support their business plans, due diligence continues to become an even bigger piece of the puzzle. There are several questions every community bank...
Three Reasons First-Time Registrations are Spiking for ICBA LIVE 2022
With time ticking down until ICBA LIVE, schedules are solidifying, speeches are taking shape, details are firming up, and hotel rooms are filling up. The energy and momentum around coming together...
How Expanding the Durbin Amendment Would Further Harm Community Banks and Their Customers
ICBA is reminding policymakers that the Durbin Amendment has distorted the debit card and consumer checking markets to the detriment of community banks and consumers nationwide.
What’s Next in the Stablecoin Debate—and What it Means for Community Banks
While stablecoins have drawn increased scrutiny from policymakers in Washington, the policy response has only just begun. Here’s a look at the policy outlook and what it means for community banks.
Regulators Tout Responsible Innovation, Collaboration at ICBA ThinkTECH Event
Bank innovation continues to be a central focus for regulatory agencies. From the launch of innovation offices and office hours to policy statements encouraging innovative approaches.
New Federal Reserve Papers on CBDC: Key Takeaways for Community Banks
The Federal Reserve Board recently released its long-anticipated report on how the U.S. might advance towards an “age of digital transformation” with a future central bank digital currency (CBDC).
ThinkTECH Accelerator Showcase: Taking Innovation to the Profitable Next Level
“There is only one threat, and it’s inaction,” said The Venture Center’s Wayne Miller in his opening remarks at the ThinkTECH Accelerator Showcase. That set the tone for the session, where each...
Stablecoin Expansion Raises Policy Questions in Washington and on Main Street
The volume of stablecoins in circulation has grown rapidly in recent months, drawing increased attention from policymakers and the media. Here’s a breakdown of where this increasingly significant...
As Washington targets overdraft, community banks remain customer-focused
Officials in Washington have in recent months increased their focus on overdraft programs and policies. With community banks already subject to strict overdraft regulations, ICBA and community...
As Payments Grows in Importance, ICBA Actively Engages Key Policymakers
The importance of experienced advocacy of community banks’ payments needs has never been greater, which is why the ICBA Payments and Technology Policy team has imbedded resources into...
Merchants and Consumers Benefit from Credit Card Rewards Programs
The first rewards credit card was introduced by American Airlines in 1934 to help it sell tickets. Ninety years later, merchants accepting credit cards and issuing co-branded rewards cards continue...
A Decade in the Making, FedNow Pushes Faster Payments Forward
The FedNow Service’s launch is a milestone in the Fed’s payments improvement journey, but it does not mark the end of the path. In the near term, ICBA urges community banks to focus on faster...
FedNow is Live. Now What?
FedNow launched on July 20—with eager anticipation from the payments industry. But in the past month, we’ve not heard much about transaction volume, use cases, or user experiences.
Crypto Collapses and Security Concerns Renew Debate Over Digital Assets Policy
Remaining aware of developments in the digital assets industry is critical as crypto entities seek greater access to the traditional financial system and policymakers in Congress deliberate paths...
Four things to know about faster and instant payments
Consumers and businesses are increasingly using payment platforms that allow them to pay or transfer money faster than ever before, with U.S. faster payments transactions topping $900 billion in 2020.
Community Banking Month: Celebrating Servant Leadership
Paying it forward — or repaying a kindness received with a good deed to someone else — is more than a concept, it’s put into practice every day at the nation’s community banks.
How community banks can combat the rise of check fraud
In recent years, community banks across the nation have seen a drastic rise in check fraud. To compound the issue, many community banks are faced with challenges getting funds reimbursed from the...
What You Need to Know about the Reg II Update
July 1 is the compliance date for the clarification to Regulation II, which the Board of the Federal Reserve System approved in October. While this requirement has applied to card-present...
ICBA Community Launches with Nearly 1,000 Members in First Week
It’s been an exciting week at ICBA. After months of behind-the-scenes work to fulfill our vision of building an online national professional network exclusively for community bankers, our ICBA...
After 15 Years, the Federal Government Should End its Conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
A lot has changed in the 15 years that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been in federal conservatorship, including a restoration of the health of the mortgage market and the financial strength of...
ICBA ThinkTECH Solutions Forum: A Pitch and Probe Approach to FedNow Solutions
Innovation, like time, is constantly moving forward, which is why even before we wrapped up our 2023 ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator program, plans were well underway for the first of three ICBA...
The Fintech Assist: What Community Banks Can Expect Next in Fintech Payments
Sixty percent of all fintech startups are intersecting with the payments space in some manner. Increasingly, they’re partnering with banks or targeting their offerings directly to support community...
Sheltered Harbor Continues Expansion to Protect Against Rise of Malware
With traditional backup and recovery systems at risk of compromise in the event of a malware attack on IT systems, ICBA helped found the Sheltered Harbor initiative to protect against cybercrime.
Domestic Regulatory Environment for Digital Assets Continues to Evolve
The significant upheaval in the crypto markets has accelerated Washington’s attention to digital assets policy.
The Howey Test, Crypto, and Community Banks: How the Debate between the SEC and CFTC Impacts Community Banks
What is the true nature of cryptoassets? Are they securities or commodities? This question, perhaps more than any other, has propelled policy debates over the past few years.
ICBA’s Rebrand: Writing the Next Chapter for Community Banking
Our mission is central to everything we do, and the pride that comes from that every day is nothing short of inspiring. Much like the community banks we serve, ICBA is continuously evolving,...
Beyond Cards: ICBA Payments Launches to Help Community Banks Meet Their “Why”
As payments has evolved, so has ICBA Bancard, and with that came the opportunity to rebrand who we are in light of our why. I’m proud to introduce ICBA Payments.
ICBA: Accelerating Community Bank Innovation
This time of year, we take stock of our accomplishments and look ahead to the possibilities and opportunities awaiting us in the coming year. Certainly, when it comes to blazing ICBA’s innovation...
Six Payment Trends Shaping Community Bank Priorities in 2024
To ease the regulatory and economic forces pressuring margins and embrace new payments opportunities, community banks should focus on six key trends this year to drive their payments plans and...
Artificial Intelligence: Hype vs. Reality and What it Means for Community Banks
To help separate fact from fiction, let’s start with a working definition of AI and related terms, before discussing a few notable use cases for community banks.
Regulatory Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence and What They Mean for Community Banks
Federal banking regulators so far have approached regulating the use of artificial intelligence through the lens of existing regulation. But based on various regulatory announcements, there are...
Why Shifts in Payments Behavior Are Driving Community Bank Innovation
We have been experiencing an acceleration in innovation since the start of the pandemic. MuleSoft reported that in 2022, 72 percent of customer interactions occurred over digital channels proof...
Unlocking Potential: Community Banker University is now ICBA Education
As ICBA and our industry continues to differentiate and evolve, we are excited to announce the next stage of our journey as we rebrand from Community Banker University to ICBA Education.
ICBA’s Community Bank Mission Critical to 2023 Successes
At a time when consequential failures at large, risky banks led to major media outlets erroneously directing blame to Main Street community banks, ICBA was there defending and promoting the...
ICBA Center for Innovation: The Next Chapter in Fostering Community Bank-Fintech Partnerships
It’s an exciting time for ICBA Innovation, culminating in the long-awaited opening of ICBA’s Center for Innovation—an initiative more than a year in the making with the promise to help drive...
Community Banks are Fighting Check Fraud on the Front Lines
Banks and their customers continue to be challenged by a rise in fraud and scams across payment types. Most significantly, check fraud has emerged over the past several years as a leading concern.
Entering the New Era of ICBA Payments
As an entrepreneur at heart, I truly like to build businesses. When I look at ICBA Payments, I see a fantastic opportunity to take a solid 40-year history and write our own story of innovation and...
Introducing the ICBA Marketing Resource Center: Powering Your Community Bank’s Marketing Potential
In today’s competitive landscape, it’s more important than ever for community banks to share their stories. Through conversations with members like you, we’ve seen firsthand how your stories carry...
Community Banks Elevate Industry in 2024 with Major Opportunities Ahead
ICBA and community bankers focused much of our attention in 2023 on differentiating our industry in the wake of failures at larger institutions, while 2024 was all about elevating our positions on...
Powering Potential through Community Bank Innovation
Bankers are operating in a fast-paced world, with solutions addressing customer growth and engagement. This technology can be a key driver to help them become more competitive; however, these...
Latest Banking Agency Review Demands Meaningful Impact on Expanding Regulatory Burdens
The propensity of federal banking regulators to enact new regulatory burdens on community banks in response to the risky behavior of the largest institutions—a decades-long problem for local...
Preparing Your Debit Card Program for What’s Next
The regulatory landscape hurls new challenges, and community banks pivot, adjust, and act to ensure that, no matter the outcome, the best interests of their communities and customers remain the top...
Amplify Your Bank's Rhythm at ICBA LIVE
Leading a community bank means balancing countless responsibilities, managing your team, serving your customers, and keeping pace with the tempo of innovation in an ever-changing financial landscape.
A fresh perspective: FOMC’s 2025 roster has some new voters
While we in the financial services sector start thinking about monetary policy in the coming year, there’s a new wrinkle to consider. Many Fed-watchers, rate prognosticators, economists and...
As New Administration Comes to Washington, Ending the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Conservatorship Is Urgent
With a new Congress and administration descending on Washington, now is the time for policymakers to act decisively to free the government-sponsored enterprises, or GSEs, from government control to...
With Historic Opportunity, ICBA Pushing for Meaningful Policy Change
With a new Congress and administration arriving in Washington, ICBA and the nation’s community banks face a momentous opportunity to make significant changes to a regulatory system that is flat-out...
Concepts and facts - ChatGPT gets it mostly right on yield curve shapes
The Treasury yield curve is a critical financial indicator that depicts the relationship between interest rates and the maturity dates of U.S. government debt. Typically, the yield curve slopes...
Navigating Employee Retention: Staying Competitive in a Changing Market
In today’s challenging labor market, competitive compensation and benefits packages are crucial to securing and retaining top performers.