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2025's Seismic Regulatory Shifts
Thanks to advocacy work from community bankers and ICBA, fairer regulatory compliance standards are on the horizon.
Inviting Questions to Spark Better Conversations
We all know how powerful curiosity can be. Every great leader knows that inviting feedback and questions from their team can be a highly collaborative and productive process.
How We Fought Fraud in 2025
Fraud and scams thrive not through any single vulnerability but through intricate webs connecting criminals, technology platforms, financial institutions and, unfortunately, victims.
Deposit Insurance Reform: Community Bankers' Goals
Community bankers share common goals for protecting depositors.
American Heritage Bank Offers Financial Donations, No Questions Asked
American Heritage Bank’s Community Chest program brings the community together to support those in need, one donation at a time.
ICBA Commends FDIC for Final Rule Updating Audit and Reporting Thresholds
ICBA Commends FDIC for Final Rule Updating Audit and Reporting Thresholds Washington, D.C. — Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the...
Revealed: The Impact of Credit Union Acquisitions
Credit union acquisitions of community banks are leaving lasting scars on local economies—reducing small business lending, limiting mortgage access and weakening community reinvestment. But...
Fighting holiday fraud through customer awareness
Fighting holiday fraud through customer awareness As the holidays approach, Citizens Bank is gearing up for a boost in holiday spending and fraud-related activity. As the holidays approach,...
How to Encourage Innovation Beyond the C-Suite
Thinking outside the box isn’t only a job for the C-suite. Employees at all levels can—and should—contribute to innovation at their community banks. Here are some ideas from your peers about how to...
It's a Wonderful (Community Banking) Life
While I may be biased, I believe that being a community banker is the best profession there is.
ICBA Independent Banker Honors 2025 Best Community Banks to Work For Winners
ICBA Independent Banker Honors 2025 Best Community Banks to Work For Winners Washington, D.C.—The December cover story of Independent Banker magazine, the award-winning publication of the...
Regulators seek input on streamlining call report
Regulators seek input on streamlining call report The federal banking regulators requested input on sources of regulatory reporting burden for institutions that file the call report. Details: The...
ICBA: FinCEN underestimates information collection burden
ICBA: FinCEN underestimates information collection burden The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network underestimates the regulatory burden of information sharing requests between banks and law...
ICBA commends FDIC for adjusting Part 363 thresholds
ICBA commends FDIC for adjusting Part 363 thresholds ICBA commended the FDIC for passing a final rule updating audit and reporting requirements under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation...
Free IT Assessment for Banks—Limited-Time Offer
Free IT Assessment for Banks—Limited-Time Offer SPONSORED | Banks: Get a free, expert-led IT assessment covering firewalls, MFA, email security, and more. Reduce risk, boost compliance, and plan...
Defend Your Bank from Card Fraud Loss
Defend Your Bank from Card Fraud Loss SPONSORED | How are you protecting your bank and customers this holiday season? Keep your holiday cheer this season—sign up for the ICBA Payments Fraud Loss...
Independent Banker honors best community banks to work for
Independent Banker honors best community banks to work for This month’s Independent Banker magazine recognizes the best community banks to work for, as nominated and scored by bank employees. ...
Regulators back community banks during House hearing
Regulators back community banks during House hearing Appearing before the House Financial Services Committee, leaders from the prudential banking regulators touted the important role of community...
CISA releases guidance on integrating AI in operational technology
CISA releases guidance on integrating AI in operational technology The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and its partners released new cybersecurity guidance on the secure...
First Liberty Bank is Digging Deep Into Energy Lending
With tailored solutions and long-term partnerships, First Liberty Bank’s energy lending program is fostering growth for businesses, communities and the bank itself.
Beyond Spreadsheets: Vendor Management Ideas
Community banks work with dozens of vendors at any given time. If you’re aiming to consolidate the time and effort managing third parties, consider these ideas.
Why Your Community Bank Should Offer a Switch Kit
Switching banks is a pain, making potential customers’ best intentions fall by the wayside. But modern switch kits are evolving, with personalized service and tech-driven tools making the process...
First National Bank Colorado Fights Hunger in Its Community
Last August, team members from First National Bank Colorado in Las Animas, Colorado, got to work at the Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado.
How to Unlock Hidden Card Revenue with BINs
When it comes to card revenue, having the right bank identification number (BIN) type is critical.
Fed announces pricing for payment services
Fed announces pricing for payment services The Federal Reserve Board announced pricing for payment services provided by the Federal Reserve Banks, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Details: The Fed said: ...
Fed seeks feedback on potential changes to check services
Fed seeks feedback on potential changes to check services The Federal Reserve Board requested public input on check usage and the impact of potential strategic changes to check services provided...
FinCEN: Ransomware incidents totaled $2.1 billion over three years
FinCEN: Ransomware incidents totaled $2.1 billion over three years The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network said ransomware incidents totaled more than $2.1 billion in payments between 2022 and...
USDA expands crop insurance access
USDA expands crop insurance access The Agriculture Department announced updates to federal crop insurance to reduce red tape for farmers, modernize policies, and expand access to risk protection. ...
New op-ed: Deposit insurance reform is critical for Main Street
New op-ed: Deposit insurance reform is critical for Main Street Bipartisan legislation supported by the administration is an important starting point for meaningful reforms to the nation’s deposit...
OCC, FDIC withdraw leveraged lending guidance
OCC, FDIC withdraw leveraged lending guidance The OCC and FDIC announced they are rescinding their March 2013 guidance on leveraged lending and the November 2014 frequently asked questions on...
Do You Want to Be Featured in Out of Office?
Over the years, we’ve shined a spotlight on community bankers with hobbies ranging from skydiving and vintage shopping to winemaking and showing livestock. Now, we’re on the hunt for more...
ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator Debuts 10th Cohort to Continue Driving Community Bank Innovation
ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator Debuts 10th Cohort to Continue Driving Community Bank Innovation The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) today announced the selected companies for the 10th...
Trump administration announces $12 billion farm aid package
Trump administration announces $12 billion farm aid package The Trump administration announced a farm aid package of $11 billion for basic crop commodities with an additional $1 billion being...
Congress continues to back CDFI Fund: report
Congress continues to back CDFI Fund: report Members of Congress are strongly supporting community development financial institutions in current budget discussions, Politico reported. Details:...
OCC’s Gould: Digital asset entities should have pathway to charters
OCC’s Gould: Digital asset entities should have pathway to charters Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan Gould said entities that engage in activities involving digital assets and other novel...
OCC confirms permissible bank activities related to principal cryptoasset transactions
OCC confirms permissible bank activities related to principal cryptoasset transactions The OCC confirmed permissible bank activities related to riskless principal transactions in cryptoassets. ...
ICBA, others urge Fed to withdraw debit interchange proposal
ICBA, others urge Fed to withdraw debit interchange proposal ICBA and other groups urged the Federal Reserve to withdraw its 2023 debit interchange proposal until there is legal certainty in...
In new op-ed, ICBA breaks down consumer harm of credit union acquisitions
In new op-ed, ICBA breaks down consumer harm of credit union acquisitions A new op-ed from ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey breaks down ICBA’s data analysis showing that when credit...
Fed lowers interest rates by 25bp
Fed lowers interest rates by 25bp The Federal Open Market Committee voted to lower target interest rates by 25 basis points to a range of 3.50% to 3.75%. Statement: The FOMC said: ...