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Richwood Bank Cultivates Community with Each Cup
Richwood Bank brews up both coffee and funding for the community through its one-of-a-kind bank-owned coffee chain. Here’s how it worked with the Fed to make it happen.
Powering Potential: Special Assessment Success Sparks Membership Momentum
ICBA’s success in achieving a community bank exemption from the FDIC’s special assessment leads to expanded membership.
7 Steps to a Successful Regulatory Audit
Preparation is key to passing a regulatory exam with flying colors. These tips for the stages before, during and after an audit will ensure your bank and management impress regulators.
Lindsay LaNore: 7 Essentials for Your Leadership Backpack
It’s August, and for many, it’s time to get back to school. Supply lists are on their way, reminding us to get organized for the coming year.
A Compelling Employee Perk: Education Benefits
Investing in employees’ professional growth has proven to contribute to their success and retention rates. What steps can banks and their leadership take to help employees along their career paths?
Lucas White: Getting Comfortable With Fintechs
When I first got involved with ICBA’s ThinkTECH Accelerator, I must admit that I believed fintechs were scary.
Powering Potential: Fuel Your Team's Career Growth
ICBA Education’s Professional Development Planner provides clear direction for community banks aiming to support the career growth of their staff.
Out of Office: Rich Ohnmacht
The executive vice president and chief commercial banking officer of $425 million‑asset Woodsboro Bank in Woodsboro, Md., shares his passion for the saxophone and what keeps him playing.
Charles Potts: Making the Case for Responsible Innovation
The rapid pace of today’s financial services landscape pulls community banks in varied directions. You must balance technology upgrades with budgetary constraints and identify pressing priorities.
Ron Haynie & Tim Roy: Deciphering FHFA's Credit Score Transition
The FHFA continues to transition away from FICO, leaving lenders wondering about the potential impact it may have on the industry. Here’s what we know so far.
How To Assess Your Community Bank's Physical Security Risk
Evaluate your community bank’s zones, employees and strategies to ensure your physical security is strong enough to dissuade criminals.
Tioga State Bank Celebrates 160 Years
It’s an extraordinary achievement when any institution surpasses 100 years of service, much less 150 years. But this year, Tioga State Bank, N.A., has gone beyond even that impressive milestone.
Certification Q&A: Guadalupe Arroyo
Guadalupe Arroyo has found her passion in financial auditing as senior auditor and assistant vice president of Western State Bank in Garden City, Kan.
3 Ways Banks Can Increase Deposits Amid Slow Loan Demand
Maximize your SMB's financial potential amidst tough market conditions! Unlock three powerful strategies to help you increase SMB deposits and turn challenges into opportunities.
Lindsay LaNore: Practical Tips for Knowledge Transfer
When community bankers with decades of experience retire, they take with them a precious commodity: their knowledge. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Managing Liquidity in an Uncertain Rate Environment
With elevated customer demand for safe cash investments banks are strategizing carefully to maintain competitiveness while minimizing risk exposure when it comes to savings rates.
Customers Bank's Dynamic AI Strategy
In response to the growing prominence of artificial intelligence in everyday bank operations, Customers Bank has embraced generative AI and developed an internal training program.
The Importance of Change Management at Community Banks
As new technology and solutions ebb and flow, community bankers have to manage the change that comes with them. While change can be hard, offering a hand and lending an ear can ease the transition.
Lucas White: Showing Pride In Independence
Throughout his banking career, my dad had a standard saying that became a regular refrain: “If you need a quick answer, it’s no.”
Kianga Lee and Michael Emancipator: MDI and CDFI Designations Elevate Community Banks' Influence
A Treasury Department report shows the positive effect minority depository institutions and community development financial institutions have on their served markets.
Charles Potts: Setting the Stage for Banking the Next Generation
In recent years, community bankers have embraced constant change to drive the future of banking.
Lindsay LaNore: Make Space for Creativity
Out of all the qualities that make a great leader, it could be argued that creativity ranks highest.
Lucas White: The Compelling Case for Thoughtful Leadership
Throughout his banking career, my dad had a standard saying that became a regular refrain: “If you need a quick answer, it’s no.”
Out of Office: Mark Jones
The president and CEO of $1.3 billion-asset Saco & Biddeford Savings Bank in Saco, Maine, lives to capture the moment through photography.
KS Bank Invests in Tomorrow's Bankers
Last summer, KS Bank of Smithfield, N.C., partnered with the Career and Technical Education center at Johnston County Public Schools to hire its first summer intern.
Powering Potential: Start Planning for the August Recess
In August, your member of Congress will be back in your district looking for things to do. Help them fill their schedule with a visit to your bank.
Jim Reber: The Fed Loosens Up
A slowdown in quantitative tightening has an element of policy easing.
Chippewa Valley Bank: Fueling Growth With Innovative Bank Stock Lending
Chippewa Valley Bank has pioneered an innovative bank stock lending program, providing community banks with an expedited and cost-efficient avenue to acquire capital and interest-earning assets.
Furthering Education at Dream First Bank
Dream First Bank empowers agriculture, entrepreneurial and commercial business customers with educational seminars and programs designed to fuel business success.
Lance Noggle: New ICBA Resource Aims To Combat Check Fraud
Even with checks becoming less common to use, check fraud continues to rise. To address this issue, ICBA has created a guide that explains how to stop this type of fraud in its tracks.
Sanibel Captiva Toys Around
From late November until Dec. 15, 2023, $890 million-asset Sanibel Captiva Community Bank hosted a toy drive at all seven of its open branches.
Readying the Bench: A Guide for Community Bank Succession Planning
Community banks can prevent costly and disruptive talent gaps by kicking their succession plans into gear sooner rather than later.
Out of Office: Ben Flowers
The CEO of $770 million-asset Mainstreet Community Bank of Florida in DeLand, Fla., learned to ride a unicycle in elementary school and still puts his skills to use nearly 50 years later.
Powering Potential: A Successful Year for ICBA's National Campaign
Since its debut in April 2023, the ICBA National Campaign and its vital marketing resources have made significant headway in raising awareness for community banks and their mission.
Jim Reber: Rolling With the Curve
An upward slope can bolster market values.
Lindsay LaNore: How To Be An Ambassador For Change
Whether your bank is a de novo or a long-established institution, change is an inescapable constant.
Mission Valley Bank: Giving Where You Live
Serving its community in the Santa Clarita Valley is one of Mission Valley Bank’s founding principles. Its community work is best exemplified by its Give Where You Live program for nonprofits.
Lucas White: Banking Outside the Box for Small Businesses
When it comes to serving small businesses, community banks just get it.
Kari Mitchum: New NACHA Rules Strengthen Security of ACH System
Credit-push fraud in the ACH system has spurred the introduction of new rules from Nacha. With ICBA’s support, these new rules have changed how receiving institutions can address such fraud.
ICBA Certification Q&A: Lisa Cronk
In the first of our new Powering Potential series, we meet Lisa C. Cronk, the compliance and audit control officer at Lake Elmo Bank in Minneapolis.
Out of Office: Ashley Burt
The CEO and president of $230 million-asset Gunnison Bank and Trust Company in Gunnison, Colo., likes to live life in the fast lane as a race car driver.
Alliance Bank Elevates Community Wellness
Last October, $440 million-asset Alliance Bank in Francesville, Ind., donated $1,000 to the Community Wellness Center of Winamac, a local gym.
Jim Reber: Dialing It Back
Simple bonds find favor with portfolio managers in 2024.
Lucas White: Driving Community Banking's Agenda with Advocacy
I am an avid motorcyclist. In fact, I have completed two Iron Butt rides, riding at least 1,000 miles in 24 hours.
Lindsay LaNore: 10 Quick Wins For New Leaders
Here’s the scenario: You’ve just been put in charge of a new team or new project. No matter how seasoned a leader you are, that can be daunting.
Dieterich Bank Inspires Young Entrepreneurs
Dieterich Bank’s KidPreneur Pop Up Shop program has taught the younger generation how to build and run their own businesses.
Out of Office: Beth Whitehead
The executive vice president and chief administrative officer of $9.2 billion-asset American Savings Bank (ASB) in Honolulu has more than 100 pairs of Converse shoes, also known as Chucks.
A Shadow Day for Students at State Nebraska Bank & Trust
State Nebraska Bank & Trust in Wayne, Neb., recently showed local high school students the ins and outs of community banking.
John Coleman: An Opportunity for Advocacy at ICBA Capital Summit
As the ICBA Capital Summit approaches, it’s more important now than ever that community bankers understand what impact their stories can have on legislation.
Community Banks' Best Defense Against Ransomware
Ransomware incidents are skyrocketing, and while banks are less likely to be hit, that doesn’t mean they can rest on their laurels. Constant vigilance is key.
Member Benefits: ICBA PAC
ICBA PAC is the only federal political action committee dedicated entirely to community bank causes. See how ICBA PAC elevates you—the community banker—and ensures your voice is heard.
Lindsay LaNore: Purposeful Abandonment and the Art of Letting Go
There’s a great deal of pressure on organizations to be innovative. And in a constantly changing world, that can sometimes be daunting.
Derek Williams: Continuing the Community Bank Legacy
As I reflect on my year as ICBA chairman, I’m proud to say that it’s been a big win for ICBA and for community banks across the country, as our “one mission” has been on full display.
Anne Balcer: What Have We Learned One Year After the SVB Failure?
For the past year, ICBA has remained steadfast in advocating for community banks in the wake of Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse. Here are the results of those advocacy efforts.
Meet Lucas White, 2024/25 ICBA Chairman and Fourth-Gen Community Banker
Lucas White, fourth-generation family banker and president of The Fountain Trust Company in Covington, Ind., begins his term as the 2024/25 ICBA chairman.
Jim Reber: Shop Talk 2024
Another conversation with our consummate community banker, Charlie Brown.
Update: Check Re-Presentment Guidance
Check re-presentment fees have resulted in violations of Section 5 of the FTC Act for some banks. Will updated guidance from the federal regulators make things clearer?
Crossbridge Community Bank's Golden Opportunity for Seniors
Through its Golden Community Club program, Crossbridge Community Bank goes the extra mile for its senior customers and offers an array of social and educational resources.
5 Tactics to Turbo Boost Your Marketing
It can feel impossible to keep up with shifts in social media and other digital marketing channels.
Legends Bank Gives Local Charities a Real Shot
Thanks to Legends Bank, local charities have financial support to bolster their efforts.