Judith Sears

How to Advocate for the Industry During the August Recess

The August congressional recess is an opportunity for community bankers to meet with policymakers in their home districts. Learn how ICBA can help.

40 Under 40: 2026's Community Bank Leaders

Our eighth annual 40 Under 40 Community Bank Leaders awards highlight the people who are shaping the present and future of our industry. The winners stand out for their achievements in the workplace and beyond, from improving operational efficiency and advocating for strong customer service to promoting financial literacy in the communities they serve.

Word-of-Mouth Marketing: Community Bank Growth

Discover how community banks can leverage word of mouth to grow their customer base. Learn 10 actionable strategies to boost referrals, testimonials and engagement.

Fighting Fraud with Tech and Training

Community banks have to take a heavy hand when it comes to fraud. Amid both high-tech and check fraud, these banks are encouraging a watchful eye through technology and education.

Community Bank Tactics for Recruiting Tech Superstars

The battle for tech talent continues to be a difficult one for community banks. But with the right approach, bank leadership can appeal to a segment of tech-savvy individuals fit for the job.

What Is Behavioral Economics, and Could It Help Your Bank Grow?

Much of our financial decision-making is driven by cognitive biases and emotions—and behavioral economics is the science behind that.

How Santa Cruz County Bank's Technology Transforms the Customer Experience

Santa Cruz County Bank has maintained its top rank among local banks by balancing high tech and high touch and elevating the customer above all.

From Vision to Reality: How CDFIs and MDIs Fund Their Important Efforts

Minority-owned banks are a lifeline to their communities—but their needs often outstrip deposits. These MDIs are securing the capital and resources to LIFT UP their communities.

How Community Banks Target and Support Fast-Growing Cities

Surging population growth brings opportunities for community banks that are positioned to take advantage of it.

How Banks Can Combat Deposit Insurance Disruption

Following the failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, community banks look to alternative deposit insurance options.

Community banks that weathered Hurricane Ian

Following the damage of Hurricane Ian last fall, Florida’s community banks rallied to help affected employees and customers, providing above-and-beyond service without missing a beat.

Entering the cannabis banking market

While the federal legal status of banking cannabis-related businesses remains fuzzy, community banks in some states are finding that, with proper controls, they’re able to enter this niche market and offer banking services to these local businesses.

9 ways to manage credit risk

Effects of the pandemic and other factors creating unpredictability have changed how community banks approach their credit and lending operations. These experts share nine tips and credit risk best practices to offer stability in an ever-changing market.

Build your community bank's brand with swag

Promotional merchandise, or swag, has long been regarded as a no-brainer approach to branding. Community banks are shedding those thrifty connotations with a mindful approach to company gifting that imparts value and purpose while bolstering bottom lines.

Southern Bancorp is building wealth for everyone

As CEO of Southern Bancorp, Darrin Williams wants to promote relationships between community banks and CDFIs to create more prosperous communities.

Community banks in four corners of the country

There are community banks in every corner of the country—it’s one of the hallmarks of this industry. While each is unique, what unites them is their dedication to their customers and communities.

Community First Bank’s PPP partnership

With little time to spare, Community First Bank prepared itself for a wave of Paycheck Protection Program applications by quickly implementing technology through a new fintech partner. Now, it’s doubling down on innovation.

The bank pioneering banking as a service

With the help of a fintech partnership, Coastal Community Bank has blazed a trail by providing banking as a service (BaaS).

Why banks are becoming B Corps

With a commitment to better business practices, B Corps, designated by the non-profit B Lab, are a growing force that count many financial institutions and household brands as members. Could being a B Corp benefit your community bank?

Site visits still matter. Here’s why

Site visits are the key to protecting your community bank’s commercial and industrial portfolio. Here’s why.

Meet the Winners of ICBA National Community Bank Service Awards 2026

From cleaning up after a devastating tornado to packing backpacks for students, this year’s National Community Bank Service Award winners give back to their communities in ways both big and small.

Beyond the Rate Race: Bank Deposit Growth Strategies

Expert insights from top community bankers on how banks can use data analytics, employee engagement and innovative products to grow deposits.

Community Banks Step Up After California Wildfire Devastation

In the wake of the wildfires that devastated areas of southern California, community banks stepped up to help locals recover and rebuild.

Tips for Winning the Retail Banking Game

Technology continues to evolve, and community banks must do the same. To cater to and better support young, tech-savvy customers, these local banks are partnering with fintechs to revamp their retail banking offerings.

How Community Banks Are Fighting AI-Powered Elder Fraud

Generative AI has made scamming vulnerable people alarmingly simple. Banks must raise awareness among their senior customers of the dangers and help build financial security.

Smart Org Changes That Could Boost Your Bank’s Trajectory

As community banks face increased competition, emerging roles and employees’ desire for advancement, it could be the right time for your community bank to assess its organizational structure.

Tips for Better Community Bank Vendor Management

The more services you add for customers, the more vendors you’re likely to work with. Managing what could be hundreds of relationships calls for organization and the personal touch.

Technology Is Revamping Equipment Financing

From 3D printers to robotic feeders, equipment has shifted toward tech-savvy solutions that require community banks’ equipment financing expertise.

Navigating Compliance in Cannabis Banking

With potential regulatory guidance for cannabis banking on the horizon, these community banks are positioning themselves strongly and safely within this growing industry.

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.

Practical Tips for Community Bank Innovation

Innovation doesn’t just happen. It takes forethought, planning and follow-through.

How Important Are Brick-And-Mortar Branches?

Despite the growing use of online banking and mobile apps, the branch remains an important part of community banks' retail strategy. But how are these branches changing?

How to Successfully Negotiate a Fintech Partnership

Partnering with one or more fintechs can help community banks keep up with the pace of technological development. Community bankers and other experts give us their tips for finding the right fit.

Tech Solutions That Can Help Stop Elder Fraud

Elder financial abuse is a rising crime across the country. Using technology, community bankers can help detect this type of fraud and protect their customers.

How Technology Can Simplify Banks' Workflow

As compliance obligations mount, community bankers reveal the benefits regtech brings to their banks and offer tips for finding the right partners.

How Community Banks Can Better Protect Their ATMs

Branches aren’t the only bank properties that bad actors target. The number of ATM robberies is steadily increasing, and your security around them should, too.

Why community banks form charitable foundations

Supporting local causes and charities is a core differentiator of community banks. To that end, some community banks have elected to form foundations to be lasting stewards of their charitable contributions.

The banks serving active duty personnel

Community banks operate on a majority of the country’s military installations. Given their selfless service, active-duty personnel rely on community banks that understand their unique needs.

Community banks grow alongside their ag customers

The community bankers serving agricultural communities know how to roll up their sleeves and help with harvest, move cattle and work alongside their customers. Their commitment to keeping rural communities alive is unmatched in the banking industry.

Passing banking to the next generation

For three decades, Cape Ann Savings Bank has operated a unique program where a branch operates within a local high school. It’s been a vehicle for multiple generations of students to learn banking basics and connect with the community bank.

Is Your Community Bank Ready for Copper Landline Discontinuation? FCC Ruling, VoIP & Fiber Checklist

The FCC’s Network and Services Modernization Order allows telecom carriers to discontinue copper landlines. Use this copper line retirement checklist to identify POTS dependencies, modernize to VoIP or fiber, and address alarm panels and power backup requirements.

Judith Sears

Articles by Judith Sears