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Coming soon: Analysis of 2024 election impact on community banking
With Election Day 2024 in the books, ICBA will release an analysis of the pending election results and their impact on community banks.
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 with generous support, including a...
Romero Rainey: ICBA Looks Forward to Working with Election Winners on Community Bank Policies
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on the 2024 elections.
New op-ed: Don't fix what isn't broken at Federal Home Loan Banks
The Federal Housing Finance Agency’s regulatory crackdown on the Federal Home Loan Banks threatens the housing finance system at a time of high prices and limited supply, ICBA wrote in a new op-ed.
Federal working group designed to boost CDFI access to capital
The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund and the Federal Housing Finance Agency announced the formation of a working group to increase capital for affordable housing lending from the...
ICBA: Credit union penalty exemplifies consumer impact of lagging oversight
ICBA said a new regulatory action against VyStar Credit Union for harming consumers through its botched rollout of a new online banking system exemplifies the risks posed by lagging credit union...
ICBA calls for additional EGRPRA outreach meetings
ICBA commended the federal banking agencies for hosting a virtual community banker outreach meeting under their current regulatory review and called for at least three more meetings.
FSB concerned about lack of stablecoin regulation
The Financial Stability Board reiterated its calls for countries to regulate stablecoins due to concerns about users losing confidence in stablecoins, which could lead to runs on issuers.
EGRPRA grassroots letters due today
ICBA is urging community bankers to use its Be Heard grassroots action center to submit comments on the current Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act review ahead of today’s deadline.
Hurricane Relief Fund surpasses $100,000, continues vital support for community banks
The ICBA Foundation’s Hurricane Relief Fund—which is dedicated to supporting community bankers, their employees, and communities—has surpassed $100,000 in donations across five states.
EGRPRA grassroots letters due tomorrow
ICBA continues urging community bankers to use its Be Heard grassroots action center to submit comments on the current Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act review.
Former NCUA official profiles rogue credit union
A new blog post spotlights a growth-focused credit union that has rapidly expanded its footprint and obscured its declining net worth by acquiring smaller credit unions and issuing subordinated debt.
Blog: ICBA Payments entering a new era
ICBA Payments has a 40-year history of innovation and growth with a successful brand, steady business, and loyal clients—but it’s time for a transformation, according to a new blog post.
Pew research: Americans don’t think crypto is safe
More than six in 10 Americans (63%) say they have little to no confidence that investing in, trading, or using cryptocurrencies is reliable and safe, according to the Pew Research Center.
Independent Banker: Faster payments don’t have to lead to faster fraud
Addressing real-time payments fraud requires a combination of techniques—there's no silver bullet—according to the latest Independent Banker magazine.
FHA seeks feedback on housing proposals
The Federal Housing Administration posted two draft mortgagee letters on its Drafting Table for feedback:
ICBA Remains Concerned with CFPB’s 1033 Rule Despite Community Bank Exemption
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s 1033 final rule released today.
ICBA Foundation raising relief funds for multiple states
The ICBA Foundation’s Hurricane Relief Fund continues requesting tax-deductible donations to assist community bankers in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina affected by Hurricanes...
FinCEN: Certain telecommunications service providers are exempt from beneficial ownership requirements
The FinCEN issued a final rule to clarify that certain telecommunications service providers qualify as “regulated public utilities” and are exempt from the Corporate Transparency Act’s beneficial...
ICBA: Latest Credit Union Acquisition Shows Why a Federal Response Is Needed
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey today issued the following statement after the 19th acquisition of a tax-paying bank by a tax-exempt credit...
Report: Tokenization’s impact remains uncertain
A new report outlines the opportunities, risk, and future considerations for tokenization, or the process of generating and recording a digital representation of traditional assets on a...
Mutuals launch ‘Mutuals Matter’ campaign
An association of banking leaders from mutual banks across the country launched a new campaign highlighting the community-minded benefits offered by mutuals.
ICBA Foundation distributing hurricane relief funds across multiple states
The ICBA Foundation’s Hurricane Relief Fund continues requesting tax-deductible donations to assist community bankers in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina affected by Hurricane...
ICBA requests extension for comments on FDIC’s proposal on custodial accounts
ICBA and other groups asked for a 60-day extension to the comment period for the FDIC’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Recordkeeping for Custodial Accounts.
Fed’s Waller: DeFi’s tech innovations could improve centralized finance
Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said the technological innovations stemming from decentralized finance are largely complementary to centralized finance and can help improve it.
FDIC says DIF goal is ahead of schedule
The FDIC said the reserve ratio for the Deposit Insurance Fund remains on track to reach the statutory minimum of 1.35% as early as 2026, and ahead of the Amended Restoration Plan deadline of Sept....
Report: Stablecoins do not act as safe havens during crypto market stress
Stablecoins do not act as “safe havens” during crypto market stress, but their market capitalization drops after significant shocks, according to a Bank for International Settlements working paper.
ThinkTECH Solutions Forum on data today
ICBA’s ThinkTECH Solutions Forum: Data is scheduled for noon (Eastern time) today. Community bankers can attend live or get the recording. Registration is free for ICBA members.
Independent Banker: ICBA continues amplifying concerns in stablecoin debate
As lawmakers continue to debate a regulatory framework for stablecoins, the latest Independent Banker magazine highlights how ICBA remains engaged to ensure that policymakers address the concerns...
Agencies adjust HPML, Reg Z, and Reg M exemption thresholds
The agencies issued three annual threshold adjustment final rules, effective Jan. 1.
ICBA supports FDIC proposal to enhance ILC oversight
ICBA expressed support for an FDIC proposed rule that would enhance oversight of industrial loan companies.
ICBA check fraud detection guide now available
ICBA’s Check Fraud Task Force published a guide that explains the solutions available to community banks to detect instances of check fraud.
FDIC extends compliance date for some signage rules
The FDIC announced that it is extending the compliance date for the new signage and advertising rule from Jan. 1, 2025, to May 1, 2025.
ICBA updates advocacy dashboard
ICBA updated its “Advocacy in Action” government relations dashboard for the fourth quarter with the latest community banking advocacy successes and priorities.
ICBA: FHFA guidance on FHLBank liquidity won’t work
ICBA and state community banking associations told the Federal Housing Finance Agency that its recent Advisory Bulletin to the FHLBanks regarding credit risk management expectations for member...
Agencies issue joint statement on institutions affected by Hurricane Milton
Federal and state financial regulators issued a joint statement saying they recognize the serious impact of Hurricane Milton on the customers and operations of many financial institutions.
ICBA CRA Solutions/Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation Names New Chairman
ICBA CRA Solutions/Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation today announced the election of Gary Teagno, president and founder of Zeus Advisory Services as chairman of the Senior Housing Crime...
Fed’s Bowman cites community bank, credit union regulatory disparities
Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman said regulatory disparities between community banks and nonbank providers—including credit unions—can have a distortive effect on competition.
ICBA task force releases check fraud detection guide
ICBA’s Check Fraud Task Force published a guide that explains the solutions available to community banks to detect instances of check fraud.
DOJ announces first credit union redlining settlement
The Justice Department announced that Citadel Federal Credit Union has agreed to pay more than $6.5 million to resolve allegations that it engaged in lending discrimination by redlining...
ICBA raises relief funds, posts online resources
The ICBA Foundation Disaster Relief Program continues requesting tax-deductible donations to assist community banks and employees affected by Hurricane Helene.
Independent Banker highlights cybersecurity role for generative AI
Generative artificial intelligence could help community banks identify potentially fraudulent activity and security flaws, according to the latest Independent Banker magazine.
FDIC extends comment period on deposits RFI
The FDIC extended until Dec. 6 the comment period on its request for information on deposits, as advocated by ICBA.
ICBA encouraging Payments Video Challenge promotion
ICBA is encouraging community bankers to spread the word about the Payments Innovation Alliance’s Payment Video Challenge to raise awareness of financial scams.
ICBA: AML/CFT modernization should not expand reg burden
ICBA told the federal banking agencies that their proposals to update anti-money-laundering & countering-the-financing-of-terrorism programs would create burdens on banks without any demonstrable...
ICBA: Credit union tax subsidies continue driving record-high acquisitions
Following the 18th credit union acquisition of a community bank this year—and the fifth in Washington state—ICBA said Congress should address antiquated credit union policies.
Fed’s Jefferson encourages input on discount window
Federal Reserve Vice Chair Philip Jefferson encouraged comments on the Fed’s request for information on “operational frictions” associated with the discount window and intraday credit.
As Credit Union Tax Subsidies Drive Record-High Acquisitions of Tax-Paying Community Banks, Policymakers Should Respond
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey today issued the following statement after this year’s 18th acquisition of a tax-paying bank by a tax-exempt...
FDIC extends comment period for brokered deposit proposal
The FDIC extended the comment period on its proposed rule on brokered deposits from Oct. 22 to Nov. 21.
2024 Summer Internship Diaries - Vol. 7
We wrapped up our second to last week at ICBA with exciting and fulfilling activities. On Wednesday, we had our Senior Leader Lunch with Alex Galeano. On Thursday, we had our fun HR Outing, where...
OCC: Banks affected by Hurricane Milton can close
The OCC issued a proclamation allowing national banks, federal savings associations, and federal branches to close offices in areas of Florida affected by Hurricane Milton.
Independent Banker shares tips for a successful core conversion
Core conversions can be challenging for community banks but there are ways to make the process painless, according to the latest Independent Banker magazine.
Agencies adjust regulatory thresholds
Federal regulators announced 2025 updates to key regulatory thresholds.
ICBA Foundation raising funds for Hurricane Helene relief
The ICBA Foundation Disaster Relief Program is requesting tax-deductible donations to assist community banks and employees affected by Hurricane Helene.
2024 Summer Internship Diaries - Vol. 8
After 9 amazing weeks at ICBA this summer, we have reached our final day as interns. All 6 of us worked in different departments and we each had a unique and amazing experience.
2024 Summer Internship Diaries - Vol. 3
Last week was jam packed with exciting events and opportunities that we all enjoyed participating in. All of us interns have had time to develop skills within the workplace, and we have all...
2024 Summer Internship Diaries - Vol. 2
As we finish our second week here at ICBA, we already have made great memories with fellow interns and other ICBA employees. The workplace culture is vibrant and supportive, and we all have grown...
2024 Summer Internship Diaries - Vol. 6
As we approach the final few weeks as interns here at ICBA, we have been thinking about our futures while looking back on the time we have spent here this summer.
2024 Summer Internship Diaries - Vol. 5
We kicked off the week with a volunteer activity at Food and Friends, a local social services organization that prepares, packages, and delivers medically tailored meals.
2024 Summer Internship Diaries - Vol. 4
After four weeks as interns at ICBA, we have continued to have new and exciting experiences together which have all felt valuable to our time here.