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FASB Fabrications Show Genuine Disconnect with Reality
FASB Fabrications Show Genuine Disconnect with Reality Some might be surprised to learn that I’ve encountered circumstances so unbelievable I’ve been left speechless (hard to believe, I know), but...
Responsiveness Is Key to Another Productive Year
Responsiveness Is Key to Another Productive Year Welcome to 2016, community bankers! We had a prolific year of advocacy in 2015, and I want to thank all of you for doing your part. ICBA is again...
The Story I Heard in New Orleans
The Story I Heard in New Orleans It’s a funny thing. The buildup to the ICBA Community Banking LIVE® national convention is a massive undertaking, one that uses up every ounce of energy from ICBA...
Taking the Reins of Leadership
Taking the Reins of Leadership “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” General Colin Powell Good leaders aren’t born, they’re...
A Matter of Responsibility
A Matter of Responsibility A hallmark of community banking is accountability. Community bankers are held accountable to their customers because they live and work in the same neighborhoods. As...
Conventional Wisdom
Conventional Wisdom What do community banks have in common with astronauts, fighter pilots and football stars? At next month’s ICBA Community Banking LIVE® national convention, community bankers...
White House Shows Commitment to Community Banks
White House Shows Commitment to Community Banks As much as I enjoyed being with my fellow community bankers in San Antonio last week at ICBA’s national convention, it was nice to get back to...
Community Bankers Achieve Vital Changes to Accounting Rules
Community Bankers Achieve Vital Changes to Accounting Rules It took years of hard work, but community bankers once again showed they can make a positive impact on new regulations through engaged...
Standing Up to a Reckless Regulator
Standing Up to a Reckless Regulator Every now and then we have the chance to stand up for what’s right against powerful forces. As the legacy of a group of colonists who stared down and defeated...
Evaluating the Psychology of Money
Evaluating the Psychology of Money Rarely do I pause to share recommended reading, but a new feature in this month’s Independent Banker magazine is worth it. The “Psychology of Money” feature in...
A New Source of Legal Trolling
A New Source of Legal Trolling Predatory plaintiff’s attorneys have found a new source of legal exploitation to hound community banks and other small businesses with legal threats: the Americans...
Taking Pride in Successful Capital Summit
Taking Pride in Successful Capital Summit Community bankers have many reasons to stand proud after last week’s seminal ICBA Capital Summit in Washington. Community bankers have many reasons to...
Small Enough to Jail, Strong Enough to Resist
Small Enough to Jail, Strong Enough to Resist A documentary premiering this week in New York features a community bank that not only stood up for what’s right against overwhelming opposition—but...
Heading Off New Data-Collection Rules
Heading Off New Data-Collection Rules With members of Congress back in their districts this week for the Independence Day recess, ICBA’s regulatory relief initiative remains in full swing....
ICBA Brief Offers Latest on Tax Reform Debate
ICBA Brief Offers Latest on Tax Reform Debate To give community bankers the lay of the land on the fast-paced and fluctuating tax reform debate, ICBA released a new informational brief with the...
In ILC Fight, Community Banks Will Not Stand Down
In ILC Fight, Community Banks Will Not Stand Down Since I arrived at the Independent Community Bankers of America in 2003, the conversation about the mixing of banking and commerce has heated up,...
At Our Best in the Worst of Times
At Our Best in the Worst of Times I never cease to be amazed by how community bankers dig the deepest when they are subject to the very worst conditions, as evidenced by the industry’s recent...
Short-Term Investments That Yield Enduring Gains
Short-Term Investments That Yield Enduring Gains As a former community banker, I understand the importance of succession planning as a vital part of an organization’s overall strategy for the...
Wells Fargo: Still Not a Community Bank
Wells Fargo: Still Not a Community Bank Apparently Wells Fargo isn’t content to tarnish its own reputation—it has the gall to try to hide behind the sterling reputation of the nation’s community...
Gimme Shelter
Gimme Shelter Sheltered Harbor is a financial services sector initiative that enables financial institutions to securely store and rapidly reconstitute account information while recovering from a...