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ICBA Proposes Solution to Promote Mortgage Affordability
(ICBA), Community Home Lenders of America, and National Association of REALTORS today proposed a solution to reduce historically high long-term mortgage rates relative to long-term Treasury bonds.
Bowman: Regulators should avoid harming bank viability
Banking regulators should ensure changes to the regulatory framework do not harm the long-term viability of banks, especially midsized and smaller banks, Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman said.
Fed’s Bowman: Advocacy on CDFI proposal making a difference
Federal Reserve Board Governor Michelle Bowman recognized community banker concerns with proposed changes to the community development financial institution certification application.
Agencies issue additional guidance on open-source security
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and other agencies issued a fact sheet on improving security of open-source software in operational technology and industrial control systems.
Credit union data reporting exemption covered in Politico
A new Politico column draws attention to the lack of regulatory transparency at tax-exempt credit unions, particularly their exemption from federal reporting requirements on overdraft fees.
Credit unions now labeling themselves community banks: Romero Rainey
Community bankers have for years warned of the expansion of credit union powers, but Navy Federal Credit Union’s new “Community Bank” brand indicates credit unions recognize they’ve gone too far.
Chopra: CFPB’s 1033 consumer data proposal coming this month
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau this month will propose standards for sharing consumer financial data, CFPB Director Rohit Chopra said.
Interagency appraisal panel meeting next month
The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s Appraisal Subcommittee next month is scheduled to hold its third public hearing on appraisal bias, the residential appraisal process, and...
New HR subgroup on ICBA Community
ICBA launched a new human resources subgroup on its ICBA Community online platform.
ICBA updates advocacy dashboard
ICBA updated its “Advocacy in Action” government relations dashboard for the fourth quarter with the latest community banking advocacy successes and priorities.
Lawmakers targeting credit cards that benefit retailers: op-ed
Retailers benefit from the convenience of credit cards at the same time they’re asking Congress to impose new routing restrictions, according to a new Washington Times op-ed.
FDIC proposes corporate governance, risk management guidelines
The FDIC proposed guidelines to establish corporate governance and risk management standards for covered institutions with total consolidated assets of $10 billion or more.
ICBA backs bipartisan bill to update small-issue bond programs
ICBA expressed support for bipartisan legislation in the House and Senate to reform small-issue bond programs that support first-time farmers and manufacturing.
Bowman: Credit union acquisitions show need for rethinking merger standards
Credit union acquisitions of community banks support the case for including credit unions and other nonbanks in regulatory policies on proposed bank mergers, Federal Reserve Governor Michelle...
Sheltered Harbor offers three pillars for cyber resiliency: blog
With Cybersecurity Awareness Month underway, a new ICBA blog post spotlights how the Sheltered Harbor initiative supports community bank cyber resilience.
ICBA-CISA exercise returns this fall
ICBA and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency are scheduled to host another tabletop exercise to support community bank cybersecurity this fall.
ICBA offers teller specialist program for the team
The ICBA Teller Specialist Certificate Program equips community bank tellers with the knowledge and tools needed to meet the demanding requirements of the frontline banking environment.
ICBA Provides Consumer Tips to Safeguard Financial Data During Cybersecurity Awareness Month
In recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October, ICBA and the nation’s community banks are offering tips to consumers on practical measures they can take to protect their sensitive data...
Gruenberg: Interest in reforming deposit insurance has dissipated
There does not seem to be any imminent likelihood of changes to U.S. deposit insurance coverage, FDIC Chairman Martin Gruenberg said.
OCC issues 2024 supervision plan
The OCC released its bank supervision operating plan for fiscal 2024, which the agency’s staff uses to guide supervisory priorities, planning, and resource allocations.
Central bank group says CBDC experiment successful
The Bank for International Settlements said an experiment showed that wholesale central bank digital currencies can be used to facilitate cross-border trading and settlement between financial...
FinCEN proposes extending deadline for filing beneficial owner info
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued a proposal to extend the deadline for certain reporting companies to file their initial beneficial ownership information reports.
Independent Banker focuses on all things cybersecurity
The October issue of ICBA Independent Banker magazine features six things community banks need to know about cybersecurity today.
New ICBA podcast on how community banks can use AI
The latest episode of ICBA’s “Independent Banker” podcast spotlights what artificial intelligence means for community banks and how they can take advantage of it.
Short-term funding extension averts government shutdown
Congress on Saturday passed a short-term government funding extension, which President Joe Biden signed into law, averting a government shutdown. The agreement keeps the government funded at...
FinCEN issues updated guidance on beneficial ownership reporting
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued additional guidance and resources on pending beneficial ownership information reporting requirements.
FDIC updates consumer compliance exam manual
The FDIC issued an updated version of its Consumer Compliance Examination Manual, which exam staff use for supervisory activities.
FinCEN seeking comment on application for reporting identifier
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network is seeking additional comment on a proposed application that entities would use to obtain an identifier for reporting beneficial ownership information.
CISA launches cybersecurity public awareness campaign
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency announced the launch of a nationwide cybersecurity public awareness campaign to educate Americans on how to stay safe online.
ICBA opposing congressional efforts to advance rate caps
ICBA and other groups expressed united opposition to a legislative proposal to impose a national cap on the fees and interest charged on consumer loans.
Introducing ICBA Payments’ New Chairman: Ruth Christopher
When she launched her career as a CPA, Ruth Christopher wasn’t necessarily envisioning a role at a community bank. But after a few years at a regional CPA firm, a partner encouraged her to apply as...
ICBA Commends Senate Banking Committee for Passing Bipartisan Cannabis-Banking Bill
ICBA today commended the Senate Banking Committee for its passage of the SAFER Banking Act, legislation that would establish a safe harbor from sanctions for financial institutions that serve...
ICBA requests comment extension on overtime proposal
ICBA and other groups asked the Labor Department to extend by 60 days the comment period on its proposal to increase the number of employees who are entitled to overtime compensation.
Unlock Your Portfolio’s Potential with Credit Card Marketing
Marketing programs are critical to portfolio health and expansion. The key to success is simple: get started and take action! The steps below should help you start your journey.
Fed’s Bowman urges community banks to weigh in on agency rulemakings
Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman encouraged community bankers to provide feedback on agency rulemakings.
CFPB outlines proposals to remove medical bills from credit reports
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said it is beginning a rulemaking process to remove medical bills from Americans’ credit reports.
Branding on Purpose
There’s been a lot of chatter lately about brand power and how brand drives an organization’s outward expression of its mission and values by being at the heart of great client and employee...
Rethinking Merchant Services
Banks have traditionally relied on interest income from loans and deposits, but non-traditional financial services companies are providing competition for these core products. To survive long term,...
Grassroots urgent as Senate prepares to act on 1071 reversal
With the Senate set to act as soon as this week on a resolution to block the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Section 1071 rule, ICBA is urging community bankers to urge their senators to...
SBA Advocacy roundtables on new overtime proposal
The Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy this week is hosting roundtable discussions on the Labor Department’s proposal to increase the number of employees who are entitled to...
Consumer groups press CFPB for arbitration crackdown
Several consumer groups recently petitioned the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for a rulemaking on pre-dispute arbitration.
FDIC’s Hill cites credit unions in discussion of bank merger review
If the FDIC reopens its policies on bank mergers, it should consider competition from credit unions and other nonbank institutions that perform bank-like functions, FDIC Vice Chairman Travis Hill...
Another court rules against CFPB’s 1071 rule
Another federal district court has ruled that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau may not enforce its Section 1071 small-business rule until the Supreme Court rules on the constitutionality of...
CFPB updates FAQs on 1071 rule
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau updated its frequently asked questions on its Section 1071 small-business rule.
Innovation and relationship banking define community bank value proposition: ICBA leaders
Data show that consumers and small businesses value the symbiotic relationship between innovation and relationship banking that community banks offer, ICBA community bankers wrote in a new LinkedIn...
CFPB issues guidance on credit denials by lenders using AI
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued guidance about certain legal requirements that lenders must adhere to when using artificial intelligence and other complex models.
ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator Alum Chimney Wins “Best of Show” Honors at FinovateFall 2023
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) celebrates this year’s FinovateFall 2023 Best of Show winner, Chimney, a member of the 2022 ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator cohort.
Senate panel to mark up cannabis banking bill this month
The Senate Banking Committee said it would meet Sept. 27 to consider ICBA-advocated legislation to establish a safe harbor from federal sanctions for financial institutions that serve...
ICBA urges CBDC opposition at House hearing
ICBA reiterated to Congress its opposition to the creation of a U.S. central bank digital currency.
Romero Rainey: ICBA campaigns targeting credit union policies
With credit union executives in Washington this week for advocacy meetings, ICBA launched several campaigns to raise questions about credit union policies among lawmakers, ICBA President and CEO...
ICBA grassroots campaigns continue with Congress back in Washington
With Congress back in Washington following the August recess, ICBA continues its grassroots campaigns on key advocacy issues.
SEC’s Gensler to Congress: Securities laws apply to crypto industry
Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler told Congress that most crypto tokens and intermediaries are subject to U.S. securities laws despite the industry’s “wide-ranging noncompliance.”
Judge vacates ICBA-opposed CFPB exam manual update
A federal judge vacated last year’s ICBA-opposed Consumer Financial Protection Bureau actions expanding the bureau’s authority to examine banks for discrimination.
FHFA plans stakeholder forums on new credit score models
The Federal Housing Finance Agency said it will hold stakeholder forums and listening sessions in the coming weeks on its plans to transition Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to new credit score models.
ICBA Statement on Swearing-in of Federal Reserve Board Members
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on today’s swearing-in of members of the Federal Reserve Board.
FS-ISAC spotlights MinIO threat targeting corporate networks
The Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center’s latest weekly risk summary covers an unknown threat actor exploiting vulnerabilities in the MinIO Object Storage system to remotely...
Rakuten credit union application confirmed following ICBA outreach
The National Credit Union Administration reportedly confirmed that Rakuten Inc. has applied for a federal credit union charter after ICBA asked the agency for confirmation.
Barr: Fed program on novel activities will continue to grow
The Federal Reserve’s new program to supervise novel, technology-driven activities in the banks it oversees will continue to grow as new technologies emerge, Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michael...
ICBA rejects Kevin O’Leary’s inaccurate message on bank lending
ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey pushed back against erroneous claims from television personality Kevin O'Leary that banks are not lending to small businesses in the current economic...
ICBA community bankers discuss navigating challenges in new video
ICBA leadership community bankers discussed the vital role of community banks in a video discussion with the Travillian executive search and talent advisory firm.