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Regulatory Reform and the Community Bank Difference
Recent regulatory rollbacks and tax reforms are reshaping the landscape for community banks. Explore how advocacy efforts are creating a more level playing field for local institutions.
Revealed: The Impact of Credit Union Acquisitions
Credit union acquisitions of community banks are leaving lasting scars on local economies—reducing small business lending, limiting mortgage access and weakening community reinvestment. But...
Powering Potential: 5 Ways ICBA Can Improve Your Advocacy Efforts
Discover how ICBA’s resources equip you to excel in your lobbying efforts.
The Ultimate Community Banker Guidebook for All Things Advocacy
This year, a new presidential administration and a new Congress bring opportunities for regulatory and legislative changes.
Powering Potential: Strengthening Community Banking State by State
ICBA’s links with state banking associations help shape organizational growth and drive powerful collaborations.
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.
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.
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.
2023 Regulatory Review: A Late-Year Surge
Regulatory changes in 2023 may have started slowly but picked up speed in the fourth quarter.
ICBA's 2022 National Community Bank Service Award winners
The winners of ICBA’s National Community Bank Service Awards, which recognize member banks for their extraordinary efforts during the past year, are shining examples of the community bank difference.
In Pictures: The ICBA Capital Summit 2023
To advocate for community banks across the nation, ICBA and participating bankers went straight to the source: Capitol Hill.
Stephen Keen: ICBA Defends Against FDIC Special Assessment
As soon as the news broke about Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, ICBA sprang into action, shielding community banks from paying for the failures of the megabanks.
Minnesota's First Black-Owned Bank
In 2022, Detroit-based First Independence Bank became the first Black-owned bank to open a branch in Minnesota, with the goal of creating greater economic prospects for underserved people.
John Coleman: Make the Most of the August Congressional Recess
When members of Congress return home during congressional recess, it’s a great opportunity for community bankers to engage with them over policy—with the right preparation.
Mark Scanlan: Speaking out for rural America in the new Farm Bill
The five-year Farm Bill is set to expire later this year. ICBA is lobbying Congress in the reauthorization with six important provisions.
Listen Up: Taking bold and brave action
What does it mean to be innovative? In episode 5 of the Independent Banker podcast, host Charles Potts talks to Rebeca Romero Rainey, president and CEO of ICBA, about her passion for community...
Aaron Stetter: Return to Capitol Hill
The 2023 ICBA Capital Summit is next month. Here’s a peek at what you can expect from the premier community bank advocacy event.
Member Benefits: Advocacy through digital channels
Digital media gives community bankers a platform for advocacy, and ICBA’s Virtual Advocacy Primer details how you can put it to work.
MDIs and CDFIs bolster minority-owned businesses
When the U.S. Treasury created the Emergency Capital Investment Program (ECIP), it provided MDIs and CDFIs with an influx of capital that they’re using to help minority-owned businesses in their...
Lilly Thomas: Shaping the regulatory year ahead
With a full agenda of topics that need attention, ICBA’s government relations team is meeting with the regulatory agencies, writing comment letters and offering up research and ideas to help shape...
A fund for diverse tech companies
First National Bank and Black Tech Nation Ventures teamed up to support minority-owned startups in the Pittsburgh community and beyond.
Lexicon Bank: A bank that shows its hand
When it comes to supporting outliers in the Las Vegas community, Lexicon Bank knows how to play its cards.
How these community banks support Native communities
Community banks with deep roots and pride in their Native American heritage are committed to providing financial assistance, housing aid, lending and educational outreach to underserved tribal...
Tailor-made community banking
These community banks tailor their products and services not just to their neighborhood demographics but to everyone’s needs, from bank accounts for gig economy workers to microloans for consumers....
Mark K. Scanlan: Overregulation is strangling rural America
After the CFPB released its report on the financial issues facing rural America, ICBA emphasized that leveling the playing field and easing rural community banks’ regulatory burden would drive...
Success stories of Black-owned banks and their customers
After a long history of systemic economic oppression, Black-owned banks are playing a key role in improving the economic fortunes of their communities. We asked community bankers and their...
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Mitigating cybercrime
We know that despite the frights cyberattacks bring, you continue to flourish by safeguarding the communities you serve.
Ponce Bank serves the underserved
Ponce Bank has brought banking services to minority neighborhoods in the Bronx and greater New York City for more than six decades with a clear focus on community investment.
11 hot-button issues you should know about
While the political landscape in Washington, D.C., has changed considerably over the past year, ICBA continues to work with regulators and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle for the betterment of...
Banking on minority-owned businesses
Four community banks came together to launch a $1 million interest-free loan program to help local business owners who have faced barriers to the traditional banking system.
Aaron Stetter: Congress needs hearings on credit unions
We’re calling on Congress to hold hearings on credit unions’ misuse of their outdated tax exemption. With credit union acquisitions of banks rising, policymakers must re-evaluate and eliminate this...
Mark Scanlan: Fighting for ag and rural tax relief
ICBA is pushing for the Enhancing Credit Opportunities in Rural America Act, legislation that would help rural borrowers and level the playing field against unfair competition.
3 banks investing in communities under the CRA
Many community banks invest in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods to make lasting impacts while also getting Community Reinvestment Act, or CRA, credit. Here’s how three community banks are...