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Data-Driven HR: Employers Navigate Compliance Amid Regulatory Changes
Data-driven personnel assessments have become a key part of how many banks and financial institutions enhance their human resources strategies and mitigate employment-related risks and liability.
Whole lotta thinkin’ going on
In reading and listening to the words of the Federal Reserve Board’s members over the past month, I hear a lot of hedging. And far be it from me to second guess the respective governors and...
Navigating the end of penny production
Navigating the end of penny production The U.S. Mint officially ended penny production on November 12, 2025, striking the final one-cent coin in Philadelphia. This marked the conclusion of a...
FS-ISAC shares tips for defending against ransomware
FS-ISAC shares tips for defending against ransomware Threat actors are increasingly targeting the financial services sector’s supply to steal data – and a favored tactic is ransomware extortion,...
FHFA reports decline in single-family guarantee fees
FHFA reports decline in single-family guarantee fees The Federal Housing Finance Agency said the average single-family guarantee fee decreased to 65.2 basis points in 2024 from 65.5 in 2023. ...
House Republicans push Fed for new approach on pennies
House Republicans push Fed for new approach on pennies House Republicans asked the Federal Reserve to take a thoughtful approach to its role in recirculating pennies. Details: In a letter to...
ENTER NOW: 40 Under 40: Community Bank Leaders awards
Nominations for 40 Under 40: Community Bank Leaders 2025 are now open! 40 Under 40 seeks to recognize community banking’s brightest, most promising young professionals. Winners are featured in...
OCC proposes preempting state laws on escrow interest
OCC proposes preempting state laws on escrow interest The OCC proposed issuing a preemption determination saying that federal law preempts state laws that eliminate OCC-regulated banks’...
Agencies adjust CRA asset thresholds
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...
Does Your Community Bank Need an Advisory Board?
Distinct from a board of directors, advisory boards are dedicated to advocating for and offering insight into the needs and interests of the local population.
Your 2026 Budget Is Complete. Now Is the Right Time to Fix What Made It Hard.
Your 2026 Budget Is Complete. Now Is the Right Time to Fix What Made It Hard. SPONSORED | Budget season is behind you, but those frustrating spreadsheet errors, manual ALM imports, and limited...
Public Funds as a Strategic Anchor in Modern Wholesale Funding
Public Funds as a Strategic Anchor in Modern Wholesale Funding SPONSORED | PTMA Funding links community banks and local governments, providing stable public deposits that diversify liquidity....
Innovation Strategies for Community Banks
Explore how community banks can use data insights, fintech tools and innovation to stay competitive.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Let's Continue the Course in the New Year
Rebeca Romero Rainey, president and CEO of ICBA, shares why it's more important than ever to ensure that community banks are actively engaged and leveraging the power of the tools that ICBA provides.
Jack E. Hopkins: Setting our priorities for 2026
There’s something about the new year that brings with it a clean slate and a fresh start. As we kick off 2026, we have the opportunity to shape where we want to go.
Out of Office: Olympia Reed
The regional branch operations manager for Lumbee Guaranty Bank in Pembroke, North Carolina, regularly cooks for family, friends and coworkers at the $540 million-asset community bank.
The Power of Healthy Dissent in Leadership
Discover how healthy dissent fuels stronger teams and better decisions. Learn leadership strategies to foster dialogue and innovation.
Powering Potential: ICBA Certification Q&A With McKenzie Humpal of First Citizens Bank
McKenzie Humpal, VP and compliance officer at First Citizens Bank in Mason City, Iowa, shares her journey and insights on compliance.
Powering Potential: How ICBA LIVE Is Crafted for Community Bankers
Every year, ICBA puts together a dynamic conference that puts community bankers front and center. Learn more about ICBA LIVE and how every educational session, speaker and meet-up event is built...
ENTER NOW: 40 Under 40: Community Bank Leaders awards
Nominations for 40 Under 40: Community Bank Leaders 2026 are now open! 40 Under 40 seeks to recognize community banking’s brightest, most promising young professionals. Winners are featured in...
Report: FHA insured 876k mortgages in 2025
Report: FHA insured 876k mortgages in 2025 The Federal Housing Administration reported it insured 876,502 mortgages in 2025, representing $274.76 billion in original unpaid principal balance....
New article spotlights accelerating credit union acquisitions
New article spotlights accelerating credit union acquisitions Once-rare credit union acquisitions of community banks are becoming routine and a defining feature of consolidation in U.S. finance,...
'40 Under 40' nominations now open
'40 Under 40' nominations now open Independent Banker magazine opened nominations for its 2026 “40 Under 40: Community Bank Leaders” awards. Details: Sponsored by FIS, the awards recognize...
ICBA: Tax-Exempt Mega-Credit Union Acquisition Signals It’s Time for a Policy Response
ICBA: Tax-Exempt Mega-Credit Union Acquisition Signals It’s Time for a Policy Response Washington, D.C. — Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey...
Rocket Pro Helped Elly Turn 'Maybe' Into 'Move-in'
Rocket Pro helped Elly turn 'Maybe' into 'Move-in' SPONSORED | Discover how Rocket Pro helped Elly expand her options, close more deals and turn “maybe” into “move-in” for families in her...
ICBA releases principles for deposit insurance reform to focus policy debate
With lawmakers deliberating deposit insurance reform proposals, ICBA this week released recommended principles to inform the debate.
ICBA Engages Digital Assets Expert to Inform Solutions and Banker Education
ICBA Engages Digital Assets Expert to Inform Solutions and Banker Education Washington, D.C. (Jan. 7, 2026) — The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) today announced a consulting...
Representing Community Banks at House Small Business Committee Hearing, ICBA Urges Regulatory and Tax Relief to Promote Lending
Representing Community Banks at House Small Business Committee Hearing, ICBA Urges Regulatory and Tax Relief to Promote Lending Washington, D.C. (Feb. 5, 2025) — At the first House Small Business...
What community bankers need to know about the end of penny production
With the federal government discontinuing new penny production, community bankers and the consumers they serve have many questions about what the change will mean for them.
ICBA Urges Reform to Credit Union Tax Exemption as 2026 Opens with Acquisition of Tax-Paying Community Bank
ICBA Urges Reform to Credit Union Tax Exemption as 2026 Opens with Acquisition of Tax-Paying Community Bank Washington, D.C. (Jan. 8, 2026) — Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA)...
At Congressional Hearing on Making Community Banking Great, Romero Rainey Testifies for Regulatory Transformation to Promote Growth
At Congressional Hearing on Making Community Banking Great, Romero Rainey Testifies for Regulatory Transformation to Promote Growth Washington, D.C. (Feb. 5, 2025) — With the House Financial...
ICBA Names Charles Yi Senior Executive Vice President of Government Relations
ICBA Names Charles Yi Senior Executive Vice President of Government Relations The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) today announced that Charles Yi, has been named senior executive...
ICBA Joins House Financial Services Committee in Support of Legislation to Transform Community Bank Regulation
ICBA Joins House Financial Services Committee in Support of Legislation to Transform Community Bank Regulation Washington, D.C. (Jan. 8, 2026) — Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA)...
Banks Respond to Proposed Cap on Credit Card Interest Rates
Banks Respond to Proposed Cap on Credit Card Interest Rates Washington, D.C. (Jan. 9, 2026) — The Administration announced plans today to issue an executive order imposing a temporary 10% cap on...
Report: Community banker optimism remains high
Report: Community banker optimism remains high Community banker optimism dropped slightly in the fourth quarter but remains high, according to the Conference of State Bank Supervisors. Details: The...
Agencies release 4Q call report materials
Agencies release 4Q call report materials Federal regulators released materials for submitting fourth-quarter call reports, which are due by Friday, Jan. 30. There are no new or revised data items...
Agencies issue 2025 Shared National Credit Program review
Agencies issue 2025 Shared National Credit Program review Credit risk for large, syndicated bank loans remained moderate in 2025, according to the federal banking agencies, and trends continue to...
ICBA Names 2026-27 Board Nominees to Advance Community Banking Priorities
ICBA Names 2026-27 Board Nominees to Advance Community Banking Priorities Washington, D.C. (Jan. 13, 2026) — The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today announced its 2026-27 board of...
Off and Running: Community banks set for a robust 2026
Off and Running: Community banks set for a robust 2026 I’m hopeful that those New Year’s Resolutions are intact and having their desired effects. In taking one more look back into 2025, it dawns on...
FS-ISAC warns of hackers using fake Notepad sites
FS-ISAC warns of hackers using fake Notepad sites FS-ISAC warns of hackers using fake Notepad sites The Black Cat hacker group is using fake Notepad download websites to distribute malware and...