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ICBA releases guide on contacting regulators about check fraud
ICBA’s Check Fraud Task Force published a new guide that explains how and when community banks should contact regulators about check fraud.
Comments on FDIC brokered deposit rule due today
ICBA is encouraging community bankers to use its guide to submit unique comment letters on the FDIC’s notice of proposed rulemaking on brokered deposit restrictions ahead of today’s deadline.
FinCEN joins public-private partnership to combat fraud and scams
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network announced that is has joined a multi-sector national task force dedicated to the prevention of fraud and scams.
FHFA releases plans to improve housing opportunities for the underserved
The FHFA announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will seek to extend housing access in rural underserved markets, enhance their support for manufactured housing, and continue addressing liquidity...
ICBA calls on FDIC to withdraw brokered deposit proposal
ICBA urged the FDIC to withdraw its proposed rulemaking on brokered deposits to avoid harming community banks.
Fed to conduct public outreach on monetary policy review next year
The Federal Reserve announced that the 2025 periodic review of its monetary policy strategy, tools, and communications will include public outreach events.
ICBA LIVE registrants eligible for special drawing
Community bankers who register for ICBA LIVE 2025 by Friday, Nov. 29, will be entered into a drawing for one of three prizes.
CFPB finalizes rule on oversight of digital payment apps
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule to supervise the largest nonbank companies offering digital funds transfer and payment wallet apps.
ICBA releases new check fraud guide
ICBA’s Check Fraud Task Force this week published a new guide that explains how and when community banks should contact regulators about check fraud.
ThinkTECH Connect today
ICBA’s ThinkTECH Connect—which offers community bankers a fast-paced introduction to innovative fintech companies—is scheduled for noon (Eastern time) today. Community bankers can attend the...
Independent Banker highlights technology trends
When assessing new technology, community bankers should ask themselves what requires the most human interaction but is tedious or repetitive work, according to the latest Independent Banker magazine.
Treasury notes risks in cross-border payments
If a poorly designed cross-border payments system were widely adopted, it could do significant harm to international financial stability and economic security, according to a senior Treasury...
New podcast on combating holiday-season fraud
The latest Independent Banker podcast spotlights how community bankers can get ahead of year-end fraud and raise awareness among consumers as the holidays approach.
ICBA launches Marketing Resource Center
ICBA’s Marketing Resource Center—which brings member banks valuable, vetted marketing materials to better tell their stories—is available starting today.
Romero Rainey: Credit unions’ fuzzy math reveals tax exemption insecurity
While credit unions have a history of playing fast and loose with the facts, they now appear willing to say just about anything to distract from the impact of their taxpayer subsidies, ICBA...
FDIC’s Gruenberg to retire in January
FDIC Chairman Martin Gruenberg told colleagues he will retire on Jan. 19, according to media reports of his message to agency staff.
FDIC extends comment period for custodial deposit proposal
The FDIC extended to Jan. 16 the comment period for its proposed rule on recordkeeping requirements for custodial accounts.
Blog: New Marketing Resource Center helps community banks tell their story
ICBA released a dynamic toolkit designed to equip community banks with everything they need to create consistently impactful marketing campaigns, according to a new Main Street Matters blog post.
FinCEN updates FAQs on beneficial ownership
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network updated two frequently asked questions related to access to beneficial ownership information.
ICBA supports FARM Act
ICBA said it supports the Farmer Assistance and Revenue Mitigation Act (H.R. 10045), which would offer targeted relief to farmers who have suffered crop losses due to the impact of adverse weather...
ICBA urges community bankers to comment on FDIC brokered deposit rule
ICBA published a guide to help community bankers submit unique comment letters on the FDIC’s notice of proposed rulemaking on brokered deposit restrictions ahead of next week’s deadline.
Comments on FDIC brokered deposit rule due next week
ICBA published a guide to help community bankers submit unique comment letters on the FDIC’s notice of proposed rulemaking on brokered deposit restrictions ahead of next week’s deadline.
Independent Banker details fight against new FHLB regulations
When the Federal Housing Finance Agency last year began a deep dive on the Federal Home Loan Bank System, ICBA urged the agency not to fix what isn’t broken, as detailed in the latest Independent...
ICBA Foundation makes a difference
Support from the ICBA Foundation helped Rolling Fork, Miss., rebuild after a devastating tornado last year.
Invitation-only event next month for leaders of large community banks
ICBA’s Breaking Barriers Symposium is set for Dec. 4-5 in Washington, D.C.
CFPB penalizes Navy Federal Credit Union for overdraft fees
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ordered Navy Federal Credit Union to refund more than $80 million in overdraft fees to consumers, change its overdraft practices, and pay a $15 million...
ICBA urging community bankers to comment on FDIC brokered deposit rule
ICBA published a grassroots guide to help community bankers submit unique comment letters on the FDIC’s notice of proposed rulemaking on brokered deposit restrictions.
Fed cuts rates by 25 basis points
The Federal Open Market Committee voted unanimously to cut target interest rates by 25 basis points due an easing labor market and inflation moving toward its 2% goal. The cut lowers the federal...
FinCEN warns banks about deepfake fraud schemes
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued an alert to help financial institutions identify fraud schemes associated with the use of deepfake media created with generative artificial...
ICBA urging community bankers to comment on FDIC brokered deposit rule
ICBA published a guide to help community bankers submit unique comment letters on the FDIC’s notice of proposed rulemaking on brokered deposit restrictions.
Senate hearing next week on Credit Card Competition Act
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) scheduled a hearing for Tuesday, Nov. 19, on his ICBA-opposed bill to create credit card routing mandates.
FDIC: Unbanked households at record low
Only 4.2% of U.S. households were unbanked in 2023, according to the FDIC’s latest biennial survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households, the lowest national unbanked rate since the survey began...
ICBA: Another credit union acquisition as policy questions mount
After the 20th credit union acquisition of a community bank this year—and another featuring a credit union crossing state lines to buy a community bank—ICBA said the record number of transactions...
ICBA: Another Taxpayer-Fueled Acquisition as Policy Questions Mount
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey today issued the following statement after the latest acquisition of a tax-paying bank by a tax-exempt credit...
FDIC to unveil online tool to promote creation of minority banks
The FDIC announced that today it will introduce an online tool to help financial institutions, investors, and other interested groups to identify neighborhoods that could benefit from banking...
ICBA publishes election analysis
With the re-election of President Donald Trump, control of the Senate shifting to Republicans, and the House still up in the air, ICBA released an analysis of the 2024 election exclusively for...
FDIC committee on economic inclusion to meet next week
The FDIC announced that its Advisory Committee on Economic Inclusion (ComE-IN) will meet at 9 a.m. (Eastern time) Wednesday, Nov. 13, in Washington, D.C.
ICBA matches $25k donation for Hurricane Relief Fund
The ICBA Foundation’s Hurricane Relief Fund—which is dedicated to supporting community bankers, their employees, and communities—continues to grow, including via a $25,000 match from ICBA.
Coming soon: Analysis of 2024 election impact on community banking
With Election Day 2024 in the books, ICBA will release an analysis of the pending election results and their impact on community banks.
ICBA matches $25k donation for Hurricane Relief Fund
The ICBA Foundation’s Hurricane Relief Fund—which is dedicated to supporting community bankers, their employees, and communities—continues to grow with generous support, including a $25,000 match...
Romero Rainey: ICBA Looks Forward to Working with Election Winners on Community Bank Policies
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on the 2024 elections.
New op-ed: Don't fix what isn't broken at Federal Home Loan Banks
The Federal Housing Finance Agency’s regulatory crackdown on the Federal Home Loan Banks threatens the housing finance system at a time of high prices and limited supply, ICBA wrote in a new op-ed.
Federal working group designed to boost CDFI access to capital
The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund and the Federal Housing Finance Agency announced the formation of a working group to increase capital for affordable housing lending from the...
ICBA: Credit union penalty exemplifies consumer impact of lagging oversight
ICBA said a new regulatory action against VyStar Credit Union for harming consumers through its botched rollout of a new online banking system exemplifies the risks posed by lagging credit union...
ICBA calls for additional EGRPRA outreach meetings
ICBA commended the federal banking agencies for hosting a virtual community banker outreach meeting under their current regulatory review and called for at least three more meetings.
FSB concerned about lack of stablecoin regulation
The Financial Stability Board reiterated its calls for countries to regulate stablecoins due to concerns about users losing confidence in stablecoins, which could lead to runs on issuers.
EGRPRA grassroots letters due today
ICBA is urging community bankers to use its Be Heard grassroots action center to submit comments on the current Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act review ahead of today’s deadline.
Hurricane Relief Fund surpasses $100,000, continues vital support for community banks
The ICBA Foundation’s Hurricane Relief Fund—which is dedicated to supporting community bankers, their employees, and communities—has surpassed $100,000 in donations across five states.
EGRPRA grassroots letters due tomorrow
ICBA continues urging community bankers to use its Be Heard grassroots action center to submit comments on the current Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act review.
Former NCUA official profiles rogue credit union
A new blog post spotlights a growth-focused credit union that has rapidly expanded its footprint and obscured its declining net worth by acquiring smaller credit unions and issuing subordinated debt.
CFPB Penalty Against VyStar Credit Union Exemplifies Consumer Impact of Tax-Exempt Industry’s Lagging Regulatory Oversight
ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement after the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau took action against VyStar Credit Union for harming consumers through its...
ICBA: Agencies should publish supervisory highlights on bank-fintech partnerships
To counteract “regulation through enforcement,” ICBA urged federal banking regulators to periodically publish supervisory highlights on key examination findings related to bank-fintech...
Task force updates AML-deficiency jurisdiction list
The Financial Action Task Force—a global anti-money-laundering watchdog—updated its lists of jurisdictions with AML deficiencies.
Blog: ICBA Payments entering a new era
ICBA Payments has a 40-year history of innovation and growth with a successful brand, steady business, and loyal clients—but it’s time for a transformation, according to a new blog post.
Gruenberg: Orderly resolutions without systemic risk exception needed
FDIC Chairman Martin Gruenberg said there is a need for meaningful action to improve the likelihood of orderly resolutions of large regional banks without the expectation of invoking the systemic...
Pew research: Americans don’t think crypto is safe
More than six in 10 Americans (63%) say they have little to no confidence that investing in, trading, or using cryptocurrencies is reliable and safe, according to the Pew Research Center.
FHA seeks feedback on housing proposals
The Federal Housing Administration posted two draft mortgagee letters on its Drafting Table for feedback:
CFPB: Companies must follow FCRA rules when tracking employees
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a circular that said that companies using third-party consumer reports must follow Fair Credit Reporting Act rules.
ICBA Remains Concerned with CFPB’s 1033 Rule Despite Community Bank Exemption
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s 1033 final rule released today.
ICBA Foundation raising relief funds for multiple states
The ICBA Foundation’s Hurricane Relief Fund continues requesting tax-deductible donations to assist community bankers in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina affected by Hurricanes...