Search Articles
ICBA Applauds Congressional Passage of Funding Bill with Farm Bill, Farm Aid
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement applauding the inclusion of a farm bill extension and a $10 billion farm aid...
ICBA encourages grassroots calls on farm aid package
ICBA is urging community bankers to call their members of Congress to urge inclusion of an emergency farm aid package in a final funding bill when Congress approves a continuing resolution, or CR.
’80s-themed ICBA PAC auction set for ICBA LIVE
ICBA PAC is hosting its 36th Annual Auction Fundraiser on Wednesday, March 12, during ICBA LIVE in Nashville. Tickets for the ’80s-themed event go on sale Friday, Jan. 3.
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 Reinvestment Act regulations.
Fed cuts rates by 25 basis points
The Federal Open Market Committee voted to cut target interest rates by 25 basis points due to an easing labor market and inflation moving toward its 2% goal.
ICBA applauds farm aid package, farm bill extension
ICBA applauded the initial inclusion of a farm bill extension and a $10 billion farm aid package in the year-end continuing resolution before Congress.
ICBA-advocated trigger leads bill passes Senate
ICBA-advocated legislation that would protect the financial privacy of mortgage applicants passed the Senate by unanimous consent.
Romero Rainey: Credit unions should pay taxes—period
Credit unions should pay taxes, as The Wall Street Journal rightly pointed out in a recent editorial, ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey said in a LinkedIn post.
ICBA Applauds CR Farm Aid Package, Farm Bill Extension
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey today issued the following statement applauding the initial inclusion of a farm bill extension and a $10...
OCC: Commercial credit risk stabilizing
The OCC reported that the federal banking system remains sound but said it expects banks to remain diligent and adhere to prudent risk management practices across all risk areas.
ICBA to Congress: Pass Farm Bill Extension and Farm Aid Before Adjournment
ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey today issued the following statement urging Congress to pass a farm bill extension and a farm aid package in addition to assisting citizens recovering...
ICBA announces ThinkTECH Accelerator Cohort
ICBA announced the selected companies for its eighth ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator Program (AP8). The solutions represent vendor management, check fraud prevention, integration, digital banking for...
Report: Most fraud complaints involve crypto
Most fraud-related complaints involve fraudulent crypto investments initiated through social media contacts that later develop into relationship confidence scams, according to the Securities and...
ICBA tells Fed to improve discount window, protect FHLBs
The Federal Reserve should embrace technology to improve its discount window and preserve the role of the Federal Home Loan Banks in providing liquidity, ICBA told the agency.
ICBA’s Romero Rainey, Merski recognized as top lobbyists
ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey and Group Executive Vice President of Congressional Relations and Strategy Paul Merski were featured on The Hill’s 2024 list of the nation’s top lobbyists.
Report: Gaps in cross-border payment regulation open the door for fraud
Inconsistencies in regulations on cross-border payments create opportunities for fraud, money laundering, terrorist financing, and other illicit financial activities, according to the Financial...
ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator Cohort Revealed
The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) today announced the selected companies for its eighth ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator program (AP8).
ICBA remembers Past Chairman Bill McQuillan
ICBA Past Chairman William "Bill" Leo McQuillan died in Lakewood, Colo., on Dec. 4 at the age of 76. The former president and CEO of City National Bank in Greeley, Neb., served as ICBA chairman in...
Wall Street Journal editorial: Tax credit unions
Northwest Federal Credit Union’s stadium naming-rights deal with the Washington Commanders points to the need for the federal government to tax credit unions, according to a new Wall Street Journal...
OCC’s Hsu lauds ICBA check fraud efforts
ICBA and many banks are going the extra mile to fight fraud, but banks and industry trade groups cannot effectively address fraud all by themselves, Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael Hsu...
’80s-themed ICBA PAC auction set for ICBA LIVE
ICBA PAC is hosting its 36th Annual Auction Fundraiser on Wednesday, March 12, during ICBA LIVE in Nashville. Tickets for the ’80s-themed event go on sale Friday, Jan. 3.
Fed clarifies account access guidelines
The Federal Reserve provided a technical clarification that its account access guidelines also apply to excess balance accounts.
Independent Banker shares top compliance issues of 2024
Guidance and proposed rules from regulatory agencies this year kept community banks on their toes, according to the latest Independent Banker magazine.
Forum next week on using tech to protect seniors
ICBA’s ThinkTECH Solutions Forum: AgeTech is scheduled for noon (Eastern time) Thursday, Dec. 12.
Agencies seek further comment on regulatory burden
The federal bank regulatory agencies announced the third notice requesting comment to reduce regulatory burden as required by the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996.
Independent Banker honors best community banks to work for
This month’s Independent Banker magazine recognizes the best community banks to work for, selected by the input of full-time employees.
Report: Banking system is sound but faces challenges
The U.S. banking system remains resilient—supported by sound levels of regulatory capital, adequate liquidity buffers, and healthy levels of profitability—but the industry must address...
Romero Rainey, Merski Recognized Among The Hill’s Top Lobbyists for 2024, Showcasing ICBA’s Advocacy Leadership
ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey and Group Executive Vice President of Congressional Relations and Strategy Paul Merski make their seventh consecutive appearance on The Hill’s Top...
Independent Banker shares farm bill prospects
A new five-year farm bill will run about 1,000 pages and include a vast array of programs, so the most likely action is an extension of the current bill and possibly an emergency aid package,...
Fiserv chief nominated to lead Social Security
Frank Bisignano—chairman, president, and CEO of Fiserv, a global provider of payments and financial services technology solutions—was nominated by President-Elect Donald Trump to be...
OCC updates unfair practices booklet
The OCC issued version 1.1 of the “Unfair or Deceptive Acts or Practices and Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts or Practices” booklet of the Comptroller’s Handbook.
Regulators hosting fair lending webinar today
Federal regulators are slated to host an interagency webinar on fair lending at 2 p.m. (Eastern time) today. The webinar will cover redlining, Community Reinvestment Act rules, the relationship...
Fed’s Waller expects rate cuts to continue over next year
Monetary policy is still restrictive and putting downward pressure on inflation without creating undesirable weakness in the labor market, according to Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller.
ICBA op-ed: Megabanks aren't—and never will be—community banks
While some industry watchers might apply the term “community bank” to the nation's largest financial institution, the truth is community banks cannot be replicated by megabanks, ICBA Chairman Lucas...
Q4 community bank briefing this month
ICBA this month is hosting a complimentary community bank briefing on key congressional and regulatory developments.
OCC announces 2025 fees and assessments
The OCC announced its fees and assessments for calendar year 2025.
ICBA Expands Preferred Service Provider Agreement with Wolters Kluwer to Include BizFilings Beneficial Ownership Information Filing and OneSumX Reg Manager
The ICBA today announced it has expanded its Wolters Kluwer Preferred Service Provider relationship to include its BizFilings Beneficial Ownership Information Filing platform and its OneSumX Reg...
Independent Banker: How community banks can attract Gen Z customers
The latest Independent Banker magazine highlights the substantial influence of Gen Z—those born between 1997 and 2012—whose spending power now totals $44 billion and represents a key...
New blog post shares insights from PSP Engagement Forum
ICBA’s recent PSP Engagement Forum brought together 15 PSPs, seven ThinkTECH Accelerator alumni, and community bankers for an exchange of insights and opportunities to advance community bank...
ICBA releases guide on contacting regulators about check fraud
ICBA’s Check Fraud Task Force published a new guide that explains how and when community banks should contact regulators about check fraud.
FHFA releases plans to improve housing opportunities for the underserved
The FHFA announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will seek to extend housing access in rural underserved markets, enhance their support for manufactured housing, and continue addressing liquidity...
Fed to conduct public outreach on monetary policy review next year
The Federal Reserve announced that the 2025 periodic review of its monetary policy strategy, tools, and communications will include public outreach events.
ICBA LIVE registrants eligible for special drawing
Community bankers who register for ICBA LIVE 2025 by Friday, Nov. 29, will be entered into a drawing for one of three prizes.
ICBA releases new check fraud guide
ICBA’s Check Fraud Task Force this week published a new guide that explains how and when community banks should contact regulators about check fraud.
ThinkTECH Connect today
ICBA’s ThinkTECH Connect—which offers community bankers a fast-paced introduction to innovative fintech companies—is scheduled for noon (Eastern time) today. Community bankers can...
Independent Banker highlights technology trends
When assessing new technology, community bankers should ask themselves what requires the most human interaction but is tedious or repetitive work, according to the latest Independent Banker magazine.
New podcast on combating holiday-season fraud
The latest Independent Banker podcast spotlights how community bankers can get ahead of year-end fraud and raise awareness among consumers as the holidays approach.
ICBA launches Marketing Resource Center
ICBA’s Marketing Resource Center—which brings member banks valuable, vetted marketing materials to better tell their stories—is available starting today.
Romero Rainey: Credit unions’ fuzzy math reveals tax exemption insecurity
While credit unions have a history of playing fast and loose with the facts, they now appear willing to say just about anything to distract from the impact of their taxpayer subsidies, ICBA...
Blog: New Marketing Resource Center helps community banks tell their story
ICBA released a dynamic toolkit designed to equip community banks with everything they need to create consistently impactful marketing campaigns, according to a new Main Street Matters blog post.
ICBA supports FARM Act
ICBA said it supports the Farmer Assistance and Revenue Mitigation Act (H.R. 10045), which would offer targeted relief to farmers who have suffered crop losses due to the impact of adverse weather...
Independent Banker details fight against new FHLB regulations
When the Federal Housing Finance Agency last year began a deep dive on the Federal Home Loan Bank System, ICBA urged the agency not to fix what isn’t broken, as detailed in the latest Independent...
ICBA Foundation makes a difference
Support from the ICBA Foundation helped Rolling Fork, Miss., rebuild after a devastating tornado last year.
Invitation-only event next month for leaders of large community banks
ICBA’s Breaking Barriers Symposium is set for Dec. 4-5 in Washington, D.C.
Fed cuts rates by 25 basis points
The Federal Open Market Committee voted unanimously to cut target interest rates by 25 basis points due an easing labor market and inflation moving toward its 2% goal. The cut lowers the federal...
Senate hearing next week on Credit Card Competition Act
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) scheduled a hearing for Tuesday, Nov. 19, on his ICBA-opposed bill to create credit card routing mandates.
ICBA: Another credit union acquisition as policy questions mount
After the 20th credit union acquisition of a community bank this year—and another featuring a credit union crossing state lines to buy a community bank—ICBA said the record number of...
ICBA: Another Taxpayer-Fueled Acquisition as Policy Questions Mount
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey today issued the following statement after the latest acquisition of a tax-paying bank by a tax-exempt credit...
ICBA publishes election analysis
With the re-election of President Donald Trump, control of the Senate shifting to Republicans, and the House still up in the air, ICBA released an analysis of the 2024 election exclusively for...
ICBA matches $25k donation for Hurricane Relief Fund
The ICBA Foundation’s Hurricane Relief Fund—which is dedicated to supporting community bankers, their employees, and communities—continues to grow, including via a $25,000 match from ICBA.