Directors & Governance

Serving on a community bank board carries serious responsibility. This guide explains how a structured onboarding process helps new directors understand banking fundamentals, governance expectations and risk oversight.

Distinct from a board of directors, advisory boards are dedicated to advocating for and offering insight into the needs and interests of the local population.

For community bank board members to mitigate risk effectively throughout the organization, each director needs to understand their role. Learn about how these board members are taking a risk-informed approach that still leads with innovation.

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ICBA’s 2025/26 board members hail from all corners of the country and are ready to fight for the continued success of the community banking industry. Executive committee members tell us what they’ll be laser-focused on during their term, and members of the broader board pass on words of wisdom about leadership and success in banking.

The 2024/25 ICBA board of directors is raring to go. With their eyes set on community bank advocacy, they have high hopes of what they can achieve during their term. We talked to them about what’s in store for this year and how they aim to make a difference to the community banking industry—and they’re not slowing down anytime soon.

Lucas White, fourth-generation family banker and president of The Fountain Trust Company in Covington, Ind., will draw on his experience of the family business and beyond as he begins his term as the 2024/25 ICBA chairman.

As customer requirements evolve, a forward-thinking community bank board of directors is critical. Two community bankers explain how they set their boards up for success.

The future success of a community bank depends heavily on its leaders, but the prospect of succession planning can feel overwhelming. Community bankers and other experts offer a guide to ensuring a seamless transition that’ll benefit the bank and its customers for years to come.