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Interagency Guidance for Bank Risk Management of Third-Party Relationships
On June 6, 2023, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency issued final guidance on managing...
Put these two trends on your TO DO list
Directors must understand that new technology procurement and deployment is mandatory and must be accompanied by business modeling that adjusts branch and staffing efficiencies.
Is cybersecurity insurance worth the higher premiums?
Cybersecurity should be a foundational element of any community bank, but do you really need to be insured for it—especially as premiums rise? We spoke to experts to learn more about this...
AI is a new cybersecurity risk: Learn how to help protect your organization
Artificial intelligence (AI) has come a long way, advancing from single-use tools to sophisticated systems that can analyze mountains of data. As AI continues to expand and be used in more ...
Time out for trivia: Qs and As to enlighten portfolio management
Hang with me as I pose a series of my own questions relating to community banks, which I hope you will view as more helpful than trivial. Even better: Your author supplies the answers.
The future of banking: How AI is revolutionizing operations
Artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT—though many are still nascent—are rapidly shifting the landscape in numerous industries, including the financial institutions space. The...
How to Deal with Brand in the Boardroom
As a bank director myself, I’m the last person who would advocate for longer meeting agendas. That said, I’m on a constant mission to be mindful that understanding bank performance requires...
Value, added: High baseline yields accompany surprisingly wide spreads
If your responsibilities include your community bank’s bond portfolio, you’ve been confounded by several elements of its performance in the last 18 months.
Remember the munis
I’m speaking of the municipal bond market. It is a maxim of community banking that the more munis a bank owns, the higher performing the portfolio will be.
Banking acronyms simplified: complimentary compliance reference guide
Having trouble keeping up with all the acronyms and initialisms in the banking world? You're certainly not alone. To streamline your understanding, we've put together a handy reference guide.
Economic Update: Rising Concerns in Housing Industry
The housing starts number for October was recently released. Based on higher interest rates and overall supply considerations, the number was supposed to moderate from the big September results. In...
Power corporate governance excellence: Attend the Bank Director Current Issues Seminar at ICBA LIVE
Join us for the Bank Director Current Issues Seminar at ICBA LIVE in Orlando, Florida, on Thursday, March 14, 2023.
Spread the wealth
As we have navigated the holiday season, and hopefully had some time to wrap up some gifts as well as a successful 2023, let’s now spend a few minutes looking into pockets of relative value in the...
The Answer Is Revenue
When margins are narrow, there is only ‘so much’ value you can squeeze out of your assets and liabilities. It is time to rethink balance sheet growth and strategies to achieve results.
Data-Driven Success: Enhancing ROI in Digital Marketing
The financial landscape is evolving rapidly, and with it, the way banks market themselves. Gone are the days of relying solely on traditional tactics like print ads, branch marketing, and annual...
Play ball! National pastime gives us some portfolio management guidance.
It occurs to me that with a little thought there may be some parallels between our national pastime and community banking. Follow along as we see what lessons we might glean from the grand old game.
Corporate governance and employment law help is on the way!
With your ICBA Bank Director Program subscription you have access to attorneys from Jackson Lewis and Gerrish Smith Tuck for help with your employment law and corporate governance questions.
New! Enhancing Organizational Value Conference
Don’t miss the new Enhancing Organizational Value Conference to gain insights into critical corporate governance topics like stock liquidity, capital raising, succession planning, and employee...
Recession proofing: How to benefit from a lull in the economy
Tell me if you’ve heard this: An inverted yield curve is highly correlated with a subsequent recession. And might I point out that the U. S. treasury curve has been upside down for pushing two...
Strategic Planning Reimagined
Like many of today’s processes in banking, strategic planning is undergoing a dramatic shift. One of the core responsibilities of a bank board is to approve, support, and monitor its strategic plan.
Five Ways Community Banks Can Improve Cloud Security
Cloud security has become increasingly crucial as more community banks are transitioning from on-premises solutions to cloud-based services. The rapid transition has expanded the potential areas...
New course added to Bank Director Online Courses
Your Bank Director Program subscription includes access to 20 online courses on topics ranging from the Bank Secrecy Act to Understanding UDAAP. These courses are a great way to onboard new...
7 Strategies for Raising Bank Deposits
Money is moving out of low- and no-interest bank accounts in favor of higher-yielding money markets, CDs and other fixed income products available elsewhere. Deposits that swelled in the wake of...
Employment law help is on the way!
With your ICBA Bank Director Program subscription you have access to attorneys from Jackson Lewis to help with your employment law questions.
Attracting and retaining key personnel
With so much discussion around card transactions, what does a bank director need to know about interchange and swipe fees to understand their fiduciary duties and guide their decisions?
The Importance of AI Literacy for Bank Boards
The importance of artificial intelligence (AI) literacy cannot be overlooked as AI is rapidly transforming the banking industry. As this technology evolves, so do the risks and opportunities.
The Meek…
There are a whole lot of anomalies in community banking in the waning stages of this restrictive Fed cycle. One of the overriding themes is the sheer duration of the process.
Easing into the fall
It’s been a while, but the tightening cycle that started in early 2022 has finally run its course. It appears the price stability mandate has been met sufficiently for the focus to turn to maximum...
Battle Over/War Isn’t: Employer Considerations Now That FTC Non-Compete Ban Is Set Aside
A Texas court set aside the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC’s) Final Rule banning all non-compete clauses days before it was set to take effect on Sept. 4. Ryan LLC v. FTC, No. 3:24-CV-00986-E,...
What Directors Should Know About the Liquidity Crisis
To paraphrase President Reagan, a recession in banking is when banks face funding and cost of funds challenges. Banks, however, can replenish their liquidity. In contrast, borrowers may be...
The Board E’s
Recently, a board chair described to us his approach toward managing his board of directors and how he strives to improve overall corporate governance for the organization by focusing on “the three...
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...
The importance of information when building customer relationships at community banks
While large financial institutions have long used data analytics to drive customer engagement, community banks are now recognizing the value and importance of leveraging information and data to...
Tariff Impacts on Credit Risk: What Bank Boards Need to Know
In periods of uncertainty, the only certainty is that risk increases. In statistical analysis risk is defined by a growing variance level. The wider the swings recorded between a bottom and top...
Prepare your high school graduate for the financial changes college and the workforce bring
Prepare your high school graduate for the financial changes college and the workforce bring While classes and dorm rooms and new jobs are on the forefront of high school seniors’ minds, it’s...
Top Strategies to Mitigate Current Cyber Threats
Hackers are leveraging new technology to find vulnerabilities in systems once thought impossible to exploit. As a technological renaissance pushes new methods of convenience and optimization, it’s...
Maintaining Data Privacy Through Your Financial Institution’s Digital Journey
One of financial institutions’ biggest concerns when considering digital tools such as artificial intelligence, automation, or data platforms is verifying your institution and customer data remain...
Yield enhancer, or gimmick?
Most representatives of the broker-dealer industry have been suggesting to their customers, especially community banks, that their collection of bonds could be situated to perform pretty well in 2025.
Why Your Community Bank Needs a Disaster Recovery Plan
Natural disasters can be personally and economically devastating to local communities, and it’s important that community banks are prepared to help both themselves and the people they serve.
Combating Fraud: One Attack at a Time
The numbers don’t lie: fraud losses are on the rise, with 61% of financial organizations reporting direct losses of over $500,000 in a 12-month period. In addition, 52% of mid-market organizations...
Vigilante justice?
While it will possibly take months and even the rest of the year to see the full shakeout, April 2025 was a laboratory for market efficiency. Some might contend there was an element of ruthlessness...
Community Banker Q&A: Consumer Expectations
Third-generation community banker and ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey answers commonly asked consumer questions in a new Q&A series. In this video Rebeca shares more about what...
Community Banker Q&A: The FDIC
Third-generation community banker and ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey answers commonly asked consumer questions in a new Q&A series. In this video Rebeca shares more about FDIC...
ICBA’s 2021 National Community Bank Service Award winners
ICBA’s 2021 National Community Bank Service Award winners ICBA’s National Community Bank Service Award winners for 2021 demonstrate that when their local areas need support, community banks are...
Community Banker Q&A: Interest Rates
Third-generation community banker and ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey answers consumer questions in a new Q&A series.In this video Rebeca shares more about what impact interest rates...
How to Switch your Business to a Community Bank
The idea of switching banks can be daunting, especially if you’ve been with your current bank since you started your business. Luckily, community banks make it easy for small business customers to...
The Cost of Raising a Family
Dreaming about what life will look like with a little one — or a few kiddos — is filled with anticipation, wonder, excitement and a healthy dose of uncertainty. One aspect of life...
Home Mortgage Lending: Housing Affordability Mindset and Relationship-Focused Service Set Community Banks Apart
As interest rates and property asking prices continue to rise, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for young adults and growing families to afford a home. Recently, the average interest rate for a...
Community Banker Q&A: Unrealized Losses
Third-generation community banker and ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey answers consumer questions in a new Q&A series. In this video Rebeca shares more about what unrealized losses are...
Community Banker Q&A: How Banks Make Money
Third-generation community banker and ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey answers commonly asked consumer questions in a new Q&A series. In this video Rebeca shares more about how a bank...
Three Reasons Why Your Money is Safe with Community Banks
We're here to share that when you choose to Bank Locally with a community bank, your money is in the right hands — and more importantly, in the hands of a community banker who cares about you...
How much does it cost to ‘adult’ today?
Growing up, you probably dreamed about key milestones to come in your life: launching your career, having a family, and buying a home. But those dreams come with price tags, which can force you to...
Community Banks: Innovators in Technology and Customer Service
While community banks have embraced the digital revolution by adopting and offering online banking, mobile apps, and other advanced technological solutions that consumers expect, their foundation...
Tips to Safeguard Your Financial Data During Data Privacy Week
With the global average cost of a data breach reaching $4.45 million in 2023, a 15 percent increase over three years, safeguarding your financial information has never been more crucial.
National Campaign Videos Connect with Target Audience
Video assets were one of the most significant production investments ICBA made for the ICBA National Campaign — an effort to elevate community banking in the hearts and minds of America’s...
National Campaign Educational Webinars – Community Banker Feedback Needed!
We want your input on where to focus our time and resources. We are putting webinars on the calendar to share what we’ve learned, discuss some best practices, and take your questions.
Webinar Details Market Research Basics and Findings from National Campaign
As part of our ongoing effort to share our learnings for the benefit of our members, we hosted a webinar this month showcasing some of our market research findings that have guided our journey thus...
March 2018 - Online Training Newsletter
March 2018 - Online Training Newsletter Thank you to all of those who stopped by the ICBA Community Banker University booth to drop off your “pink card” and chat with us. During our time at the...
January 2018 - Online Training Newsletter
January 2018 - Online Training Newsletter As the calendar has now flipped to January, we know your bank has the large task of assigning employees annual training and ensuring your bank’s training...
September 2017 - Online Training Newsletter
September 2017 - Online Training Newsletter ICBA’s Community Banker University is excited to tell you about a change you will see when you log into your online training beginning on Monday, Oct. 2....