Bridget McCrea

Bridget McCrea is a Florida-based, award-winning business journalist and author with more than 30 years of experience covering banking, finance, innovation, leadership, growth strategies, technology and entrepreneurship. Her work has appeared in publications including Black Enterprise, Hispanic Business, Business Insider and NAPFA Advisor.

Articles by Bridget McCrea

Opening More Doors for Women in Community Banking

Community banks are advancing women's careers through mentorship, leadership programs and peer support. Learn how your bank can do the same.

Tips for Cost-Effective Professional Development

By prioritizing continuing education for their employees, community banks can build stronger teams, improve retention and stay competitive. Here are tips on how to do it without making it a major expense.

Lessons From Longtime Community Bank Board Members

Discover the core responsibilities of community bank board members, including regulatory compliance, technology adoption, and strategic succession planning.

4 Government Regulations Driving ICBA’s Government Relations for Community Banks in 2026

Community banks entered 2026 with numerous legislative and regulatory issues in play at the same time. While some are familiar pressure points, others reflect how newer policies and technologies are starting to show up in real proposals and oversight. Here are four issues ICBA’s government relations team is closely engaged in this year.

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 community banks are fighting back, armed with data and grassroots advocacy to protect Main Street and their local communities.

The Best Community Banks to Work For 2025

Our 2025 Best Community Banks to Work For winners pride themselves on competitive benefits, fun and fulfilling cultures, and a belief in work-life balance. Hear from leaders and staff about how they do it—and check out Data Dive to see how all our respondents performed.

2025 National Community Bank Service Awards

Gulf Coast Bank and Legends Bank run thoughtful and strategic programs that support their neighbors. That’s why they’ve been named the winners of the 2025 National Community Bank Service Awards.

Powering Potential: ICBA Welcomes Peter Nelson

In February 2025, ICBA welcomed Peter Nelson as senior EVP of member engagement. As a long-time community banker, Nelson brings with him a history of robust involvement with ICBA.

How Marketing Can Win Over the C-Suite

Getting buy-in from the C-suite is essential in all facets of the bank, including marketing. Here are tips for how to get executives and the marketing team working toward the same goals.

How Community Banks Can Build a Better Branch

Bank branch design is more than just aesthetics. It’s what sets the tone for every customer who visits that location.

How to Prepare for a Potential 1071 Implementation

While ICBA continues to challenge the 1071 rule’s legality, community banks must prepare for its potential passage.

Alternative Credit Scoring Models: Beyond FICO

Community banks can expand access to capital by looking at other factors for loan approval. Here’s what to consider.

ICBA's Best-Performing Banks of 2024

These community banks hit their stride in 2024, and they intend to keep the momentum going with hard work, flexibility and the expertise they've built over their years of service.

What Makes a Good Manager?

Even though taking on managerial duties often comes part and parcel with a promotion, not everyone is suited to it.

SouthState Bank Unlocks the Doors to Homeownership

The annual income required of potential homebuyers recently experienced its largest increase on record.

Moultrie Bank & Trust Makes Its Mark

Moultrie Bank & Trust opened in 2022 outside of a large metropolitan area and already has more than 400 investors and $21 million in capital. Here’s how they did it.

How Community Banks Can Support Self-Employed and Gig Workers

Gig workers and self-employed individuals make up a growing sector of the workforce in the U.S. This group of workers has specific needs when it comes to banking. Here’s how community banks are working with and creating new services for this group.

Native American Bank supports Indian country's recovery

Native American Bank secured financing for the construction of a $10 million opioid treatment clinic in North Dakota as just one effort in a series of community projects.

Expanding horizons with cross-country branches

Community banks across the nation are breaking into markets outside their typical areas of operation. Here’s how four banks are successfully finding new locations, acquiring new customers and bringing convenience to existing ones.

Improve your community bank’s core with APIs

Application programming interfaces enable community banks to improve elements of their core architectures without extensive and costly system overhauls. Banks and core processing providers are now leveraging and integrating APIs to modernize services.