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How the 8-Digit BIN Standard Impacts Your Community Bank
In less than two months, the ISO standards update for 8-digit Bank Identification Numbers, or BINs, takes effect. This new standard means that card processors must be able to accommodate and manage...
How Expanding the Durbin Amendment Would Further Harm Community Banks and Their Customers
ICBA is reminding policymakers that the Durbin Amendment has distorted the debit card and consumer checking markets to the detriment of community banks and consumers nationwide.
What’s Next in the Stablecoin Debate—and What it Means for Community Banks
While stablecoins have drawn increased scrutiny from policymakers in Washington, the policy response has only just begun. Here’s a look at the policy outlook and what it means for community banks.
Regulators Tout Responsible Innovation, Collaboration at ICBA ThinkTECH Event
Bank innovation continues to be a central focus for regulatory agencies. From the launch of innovation offices and office hours to policy statements encouraging innovative approaches.
A Seat at the Payments Table: How Bancard Is Working for Community Banks
As we usher in 2022, community banks face a new sense of urgency around their payment products.
New Federal Reserve Papers on CBDC: Key Takeaways for Community Banks
The Federal Reserve Board recently released its long-anticipated report on how the U.S. might advance towards an “age of digital transformation” with a future central bank digital currency (CBDC).
ThinkTECH Accelerator Showcase: Taking Innovation to the Profitable Next Level
“There is only one threat, and it’s inaction,” said The Venture Center’s Wayne Miller in his opening remarks at the ThinkTECH Accelerator Showcase. That set the tone for the session, where each...
Stablecoin Expansion Raises Policy Questions in Washington and on Main Street
The volume of stablecoins in circulation has grown rapidly in recent months, drawing increased attention from policymakers and the media. Here’s a breakdown of where this increasingly significant...
As Washington targets overdraft, community banks remain customer-focused
Officials in Washington have in recent months increased their focus on overdraft programs and policies. With community banks already subject to strict overdraft regulations, ICBA and community...
Three Post-Pandemic Payments Trends and What They Mean for Community Banks
The pandemic has clearly had a lasting impact on customers’ payment behaviors, marked by an unprecedented rise in ecommerce transactions. Amidst this sea of change, community banks are asking,...
As Payments Grows in Importance, ICBA Actively Engages Key Policymakers
The importance of experienced advocacy of community banks’ payments needs has never been greater, which is why the ICBA Payments and Technology Policy team has imbedded resources into...
How to Avoid the Repercussions of “Friendly Fraud”
Friendly fraud is on the rise, now accounting for up to 75% of all chargebacks. From kids using their parents’ cards to purchase items to flat-out falsification, friendly fraud occurs when a...
A Decade in the Making, FedNow Pushes Faster Payments Forward
The FedNow Service’s launch is a milestone in the Fed’s payments improvement journey, but it does not mark the end of the path. In the near term, ICBA urges community banks to focus on faster...
FedNow is Live. Now What?
FedNow launched on July 20—with eager anticipation from the payments industry. But in the past month, we’ve not heard much about transaction volume, use cases, or user experiences.
Crypto Collapses and Security Concerns Renew Debate Over Digital Assets Policy
Remaining aware of developments in the digital assets industry is critical as crypto entities seek greater access to the traditional financial system and policymakers in Congress deliberate paths...
Community Banking Month: Celebrating Servant Leadership
Paying it forward — or repaying a kindness received with a good deed to someone else — is more than a concept, it’s put into practice every day at the nation’s community banks.
Unpacking the Path to Today’s Instant Payments
When it comes to digital payments, we’ve come a long way. Global mobile payment transactions are valued at over $2 trillion, and more than three-quarters of consumers cite their preference for...
How community banks can combat the rise of check fraud
In recent years, community banks across the nation have seen a drastic rise in check fraud. To compound the issue, many community banks are faced with challenges getting funds reimbursed from the...
What You Need to Know about the Reg II Update
July 1 is the compliance date for the clarification to Regulation II, which the Board of the Federal Reserve System approved in October. While this requirement has applied to card-present...
ICBA Community Launches with Nearly 1,000 Members in First Week
It’s been an exciting week at ICBA. After months of behind-the-scenes work to fulfill our vision of building an online national professional network exclusively for community bankers, our ICBA...
After 15 Years, the Federal Government Should End its Conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
A lot has changed in the 15 years that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been in federal conservatorship, including a restoration of the health of the mortgage market and the financial strength of...
ICBA ThinkTECH Solutions Forum: A Pitch and Probe Approach to FedNow Solutions
Innovation, like time, is constantly moving forward, which is why even before we wrapped up our 2023 ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator program, plans were well underway for the first of three ICBA...
The Fintech Assist: What Community Banks Can Expect Next in Fintech Payments
Sixty percent of all fintech startups are intersecting with the payments space in some manner. Increasingly, they’re partnering with banks or targeting their offerings directly to support community...
Sheltered Harbor Continues Expansion to Protect Against Rise of Malware
With traditional backup and recovery systems at risk of compromise in the event of a malware attack on IT systems, ICBA helped found the Sheltered Harbor initiative to protect against cybercrime.
Domestic Regulatory Environment for Digital Assets Continues to Evolve
The significant upheaval in the crypto markets has accelerated Washington’s attention to digital assets policy.
The Howey Test, Crypto, and Community Banks: How the Debate between the SEC and CFTC Impacts Community Banks
What is the true nature of cryptoassets? Are they securities or commodities? This question, perhaps more than any other, has propelled policy debates over the past few years.
ICBA’s Rebrand: Writing the Next Chapter for Community Banking
Our mission is central to everything we do, and the pride that comes from that every day is nothing short of inspiring. Much like the community banks we serve, ICBA is continuously evolving,...
Beyond Cards: ICBA Payments Launches to Help Community Banks Meet Their “Why”
As payments has evolved, so has ICBA Bancard, and with that came the opportunity to rebrand who we are in light of our why. I’m proud to introduce ICBA Payments.
ICBA: Accelerating Community Bank Innovation
This time of year, we take stock of our accomplishments and look ahead to the possibilities and opportunities awaiting us in the coming year. Certainly, when it comes to blazing ICBA’s innovation...
Six Payment Trends Shaping Community Bank Priorities in 2024
To ease the regulatory and economic forces pressuring margins and embrace new payments opportunities, community banks should focus on six key trends this year to drive their payments plans and...
Artificial Intelligence: Hype vs. Reality and What it Means for Community Banks
To help separate fact from fiction, let’s start with a working definition of AI and related terms, before discussing a few notable use cases for community banks.
Regulatory Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence and What They Mean for Community Banks
Federal banking regulators so far have approached regulating the use of artificial intelligence through the lens of existing regulation. But based on various regulatory announcements, there are...
Why Shifts in Payments Behavior Are Driving Community Bank Innovation
We have been experiencing an acceleration in innovation since the start of the pandemic. MuleSoft reported that in 2022, 72 percent of customer interactions occurred over digital channels proof...
Unlocking Potential: Community Banker University is now ICBA Education
As ICBA and our industry continues to differentiate and evolve, we are excited to announce the next stage of our journey as we rebrand from Community Banker University to ICBA Education.
ICBA’s Community Bank Mission Critical to 2023 Successes
At a time when consequential failures at large, risky banks led to major media outlets erroneously directing blame to Main Street community banks, ICBA was there defending and promoting the...
Community Banks are Fighting Check Fraud on the Front Lines
Banks and their customers continue to be challenged by a rise in fraud and scams across payment types. Most significantly, check fraud has emerged over the past several years as a leading concern.
Entering the New Era of ICBA Payments
As an entrepreneur at heart, I truly like to build businesses. When I look at ICBA Payments, I see a fantastic opportunity to take a solid 40-year history and write our own story of innovation and...
Introducing the ICBA Marketing Resource Center: Powering Your Community Bank’s Marketing Potential
In today’s competitive landscape, it’s more important than ever for community banks to share their stories. Through conversations with members like you, we’ve seen firsthand how your stories carry...
Community Banks Elevate Industry in 2024 with Major Opportunities Ahead
ICBA and community bankers focused much of our attention in 2023 on differentiating our industry in the wake of failures at larger institutions, while 2024 was all about elevating our positions on...
Latest Banking Agency Review Demands Meaningful Impact on Expanding Regulatory Burdens
The propensity of federal banking regulators to enact new regulatory burdens on community banks in response to the risky behavior of the largest institutions—a decades-long problem for local...