A Look at ICBA's Community Banker-Led Committees

At ICBA, the core pillars of advocacy, innovation and education are embodied through its committees, subcommittees and councils. 

ICBA has seven full-standing committees, six subcommittees and three councils. These teams are volunteer led, with community bank members from across the country. Together, they prioritize public policy and help guide the direction of the association. 

“We're a member-driven organization,” says Aaron Stetter, executive vice president of affiliate and volunteer relationships at ICBA. “We have a structure in place that allows us to make sure that the community bank voice is heard, and then we can turn that voice into action, both on Capitol Hill and with the administration and the banking regulatory agencies.” 

In the past five years, ICBA has seen a 25% increase in leadership from community bankers. This last term, 315 bankers served on committees, subcommittees and councils.

ICBA committees and member selections

All full-standing committees have a maximum of 25 members. Every chair of the committee also serves on the ICBA board of directors. Membership terms are one year, starting around the time of ICBA LIVE each March, and members are selected through recommendations made by people such as ICBA leadership bankers, ICBA staff and state association executives. 

Below, Stetter highlights some committees and subcommittees that have propelled the presence of community banks.

“[The Bank Education Committee] helps to advise our bank education staff as they develop the curriculum and educational materials for the coming year to make sure that community bankers are up to speed.”

—Aaron Stetter, ICBA

Bank Education Committee

The Bank Education Committee offers ongoing feedback, insights and ideas to strengthen the development, engagement and profitability of ICBA’s educational offerings, training events and instructional materials. The committee maintains adaptable and industry-focused resources to meet the needs of community bankers. 

“Bank Education is critically important because it informs that one pillar,” says Stetter. “It [also] helps to advise our bank education staff as they develop the curriculum and educational materials for the coming year to make sure that community bankers are up to speed.”

Bank Operations Committee

The Bank Operations Committee addresses policy issues related to the delivery of financial services by community banks. This committee evolved from the Bank Payments Committee, and Stetter says its transition helped the committee become more inclusive of different facets of the operational environment, including payments, fraud, electronic banking and technology challenges.

As the financial landscape grows and shifts, the committee advocates policies that strengthen operations and enhance the position of community banks.

Rural America and Agriculture Committee

According to Stetter, community banks make 80% of the banking industry’s agricultural loans. The Rural America and Agriculture Committee frequently gives Congress and government agencies feedback on legislative and regulatory proposals to help them meet the lending needs of rural communities. With 50% of ICBA leadership bankers from rural America, this committee is critically important. 

“Community banks are still the predominant lender for rural America,” Stetter says, "[which] means that ICBA needs to be as involved as possible in the prosperity of rural America.”

Emerging subcommittees

There are six subcommittees: Consumer Financial Services, Cyber & Data Security, Digital Assets, Housing Finance, Legislative Issues and Safety & Soundness. 

Stetter says Digital Assets and Safety & Soundness have garnered strong interest from members.

The Digital Assets Subcommittee focuses on the complex challenges surrounding digital assets, including cryptoassests, stablecoins and central bank digital currencies. It provides critical guidance to ICBA staff on market developments, legal and regulatory initiatives and technological advancements.

The Safety & Soundness Subcommittee closely monitors regulatory agencies and assesses the effects of proposed laws and regulations on community banks regarding safety and soundness. Key areas of focus often include accounting, capital, corporate governance, commercial real estate and online marketplace lending. Stetter notes that Safety & Soundness evolved from a deposit insurance working group that helped guide and develop ICBA’s deposit insurance reform position.

Mutual Bank Council

The Mutual Bank Council champions the unique value of America’s mutual banks through direct advocacy, education and support. 

“One of the big issues [this council is] working on right now,” Stetter says, "is to raise understanding and awareness of a capital certificate structure that would benefit mutual banks and allow them to better serve their customer base in their community.”

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