Katie Kuehner-Hebert
Katie Kuehner-Hebert's Articles
What Every Community Bank Needs to Fight Fraud
When it comes to fraud, everything old is new again—and then some. Fraudsters not only stick with the tried and true but also find ever-more-dubious ways to trick people into giving up their hard-earned dollars. Keeping a keen eye for the warning signs of fraud, community banks can take back power.
Ways to Get the Most Out of Your AML/CFT Program
Anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism programs have become a priority for regulators. Here’s how to ensure your program is up to par.
The Year in Compliance: 6 Notable Updates for Community Banks
New guidance and proposed rules from regulatory agencies in 2024 have kept community banks on the alert for forthcoming changes to compliance processes.
Keeping in Line With Equal Lending Practices
Regulators continue to crack down on unfair lending practices and redlining.
Fine Tuning the Fine Print for Bank Disclosures
As regulators continue to go through financial institution messaging with a fine-tooth comb, community banks must be diligent about maintaining best compliance and regulatory practices for their disclosures.
Generative AI Fraud: How to Fight It
Generative AI allows fraudsters to easily impersonate real people and makes phishing emails even harder to detect—but your community bank can still dodge these attacks by staying vigilant.
Banking With Heart: How Community Banks Support Customers' Dreams
In honor of Community Banking Month, here are stories from six banks about how their work helps customers achieve their dreams. From the ripple effect of cashing two checks from a non-customer to an innovative financing plan for a community nonprofit, these banks are showing the true meaning of community.
Test Driving Community Bank Mobile Banking Apps
With so many mobile banking apps available, a growing number of people are looking to try them out before they sign up. Can community banks give them a “test drive” function to attract more customers?
How to Streamline Balance Sheet Risk Management
Balance sheet risk management is a constantly evolving area. Luckily for community bankers, new tools are being created in turn to help optimize the process.
ICBA LIVE 2023: What to expect
With educational sessions on hot‑button issues, inspirational speakers and beneficial networking opportunities, ICBA LIVE is the greatest community banking event in the country. Here’s a sneak peek of what to expect from the event, held this year from March 12–16 in Honolulu.
Data privacy: How to keep customer data safe
Shielding sensitive customer information from prying eyes remains a chronic industry challenge. But as the prevalence of security breaches grows, so do the opportunities for community banks to position themselves as guardians of their customers’ personal data through compliance, technology and relationship building.
How to reach customers with disabilities
Some people living with disabilities eschew banking services because they feel financially underserved or physically barred. Through sensitive customer service, affordable products and ADA-compliant accessibility, community banks can make them feel welcomed and accommodated.
Long-serving community bankers and their stories
What’s the secret to professional longevity? Four long-serving community bankers share the many ways they’ve grown in their respective careers, how the industry continues to evolve and, most importantly, what a life in community banking has meant to them.
Community Bank CEO Outlook 2022: Your priorities for the new year
If 2020 was the year no one expected, 2021 was a year of resetting expectations. Between a smoldering pandemic, the divisive political landscape and strong, albeit uneven, growth, there was a lot to account for in 2021, and some uncertainty remains. What changes will 2022 bring? Independent Banker’s annual Community Bank CEO Outlook survey reveals how community bank leaders plan to leverage today’s deposit-laden banking environment to grow this year.
Fraudsters’ latest target? UI benefits
Criminals have stolen more than half a billion dollars by taking advantage of the surge in unemployment claims during the pandemic. Luckily, most of this money has been recovered. Here’s what you should know about this scheme.
4 community banks with eye-catching names
These community banks know you never get a second chance to make a first impression. From Ergo Bank in Wisconsin to Happy State Bank in Texas, we uncover the roots of four banks’ eye-catching monikers—and offer tips for a successful rebranding.
Banks that found their niche lending markets
Technology has blurred community banks’ geographic borders for some lending niches—but for others, face-to-face remains the gold standard. These community banks know one size doesn’t always fit all.
Why your bank needs dedicated cyber insurance
Some banks have relied on their existing insurance policies to protect them from today’s security threats. But as the amount of consumer and employee data that community banks amass grows, financial institutions should consider dedicated cyber policies to help them withstand a data breach or hack.
Digital marketing tools your bank should know about
Digital marketing is evolving rapidly to meet customers where they are. We look at how remarketing, geofencing and other techniques can help your community bank get the word out.
The pros and cons of niche lending
In niche lending, your community bank’s fate comes down to expertise and passion for the work.
How Each Bank Department Contributes to a Core Conversion
Core conversions are a huge undertaking, which is why every bank employee, from IT to HR, plays a critical role in the transition.
FHFA Updates Enable Faster, Fairer Mortgages
The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced updates that it says are designed to deliver more efficiency, cost savings and a fairer appraisal process for borrowers and lenders alike.
Taking the Proper Steps to Unmask Deepfake Fraud
Community banks face the threat of deepfake fraud as developments in AI continue to refine it. While addressing such a challenge, banks must remain cognizant of reporting practices.
Fighting Fraud Under the USA PATRIOT Act Section 314(b)
Information sharing, permitted under the USA PATRIOT Act Section 314(b), presents opportunities for banks to work together and combat suspicious bank activity.
Optimize Your Community Bank's Treasury Management Offerings
These four community banks compared the costs and use cases for adding treasury management to their services and streamlining them. Now, they’re seeing the benefits.
4 Regulatory Developments Coming in 2025
Community bankers have a variety of new regulatory changes to prepare for in 2025, across agencies and banking functions. As always, forewarned is forearmed.
Can Faster Payments Lead to Faster Fraud?
Community banks can thwart criminals’ attempts to scam people via instant payments by deploying multilayered controls, including educating customers on how to not fall for scams.
7 Steps to a Successful Regulatory Audit
Preparation is key to passing a regulatory exam with flying colors. These tips for the stages before, during and after an audit will ensure your bank and management impress regulators.
6 Things Community Banks Need to Know About Cybersecurity Today
From dealing with emerging cyber threats, such as attacks on third-party open banking APIs or deep fakes via WormGPT, to finding ways to get all your employees to be aware and proactive, we spoke to community bankers and experts about the tools and knowledge that will help you fight cyberattacks.
Scaling your community bank's core as you grow
As community banks grow, their cores need to, too. We spoke with experts on how to prepare your core for scalability and growth.
Add text-to-pay to your payments toolbox
When it comes to payments, customers want convenience. With text-to-pay, community banks can help small businesses meet the needs of their customers.
The benefits of offering virtual advisor services
Spurred by social distancing and shutdowns during the pandemic, many community banks turned to virtual financial advisory services, and these new practices are expected to stick around.
5 things to know about crypto today
Cryptocurrency is here to stay. As Wall Street gets involved, we look at some of the factors community banks should consider before they dive into the world of digital currencies.
How fraudsters target different generations
Financial fraud and cyber attacks aren’t a one-age-fits-all scenario. By identifying the preferred banking and spending habits of different generations, scammers can tailor how they reach their targets. We look at community banks’ options for fighting this type of crime.
A community bank-fueled payments rail
A secure, open-loop, cost-saving, customer-accessible, multiplatform P2P payments network might sound too good to be true, but community bank consortium Alloy Labs Alliance hopes to achieve just that with the CHUCK payment rail.
Can fintechs enhance your bank’s marketing campaign?
Customized, well-thought-out interactions—especially in the online banking space—are integral to wooing new customers and retaining existing ones. We asked several banking leaders how they’ve employed fintech to ramp up their marketing campaigns, hone their analytic strategies and gain new patrons in the process.
How 3 community banks are innovating with fintechs
The best fintech companies aren’t just service providers. They’re partners. Three community bank-fintech partnerships tell us how they’ve forged mutually beneficial relationships that thrive on a shared sense of purpose.
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 community banks and their customers.
7 benefits that will make your bank stand out
Today’s competitive labor market means employers have to stand out from the pack. One strategy community banks can use is a well-rounded benefits package. Here are seven benefits that community banks have put in place to recruit and retain workers.
A community bank guide to cloud migration
Many community banks are moving their software, hardware and even core systems to the cloud in search of more flexible, scalable and affordable services. Community banks and vendors say a migration requires proper planning to give your cloud its silver lining.
Making Homeownership Achievable, Together
Prospective homebuyers today might feel like the odds are stacked against them as they face increasing costs, market challenges and other socioeconomic barriers. To help them break through, community banks across the country are stepping up with personalized solutions and initiatives built upon their expertise.
Managing Third-Party Fintech Risk
No matter how much effort your community bank puts into compliance, a third party can still put the bank at risk. Learn how to keep partners in check and ensure they’re compliant with regulations, too.
How to Balance Collections With Compassion for Customers
Community banks face the delicate task of collecting past-due loans while maintaining a compassionate approach, There are ways to be successful at both, experts say.
The Most Notable 2025 Audit Updates So Far
A change in government leadership has led to adjustments in how examiners conduct audits. Learn what experts are seeing at a bank level.
Creative Solutions for Fortifying ATM Defenses
Faced with continued ATM security theft and threats, community banks and vendors are banding together to share creative strategies and bolster ATM defenses.
Establishing a Lifelong Career in Community Banking
Individuals looking for a fulfilling career can find their calling within the community banking industry—even if they’d never considered it before.
40 Under 40: 2025's Community Bank Leaders
Our seventh annual 40 Under 40 community bank leaders awards shine a light on inspiring people who take bettering their workplaces to the next level, offering thoughtful ideas for improved efficiencies, digital innovations, community involvement and more. No matter the challenge, these individuals put in the work.
Strengthening Work Relations Through Bank Employee Surveys
Are your employees happy? Staff surveys are a great way to find out. The key, say community bankers and experts, is following up on what you hear.
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. There are fresh faces who want and need to hear about the community banking industry and how we support our communities. There’s no better time for community bankers alike to make their voices heard—and it’s easier than you think.
What Banks Need to Know About the CFPB's Open Banking Rule
ICBA’s advocacy efforts have affected the outcome of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s open banking rule. Learn about these changes and understand which guidelines apply to your bank.
Insights from ICBA's Minority Bank Advisory Council
Whether it’s by providing education, supplying down payments or jump-starting generational wealth, minority depository institutions ensure their communities have access to the financial services that will help them succeed in the long term. Members of ICBA’s Minority Bank Advisory Council tell us how they do it.
Is Your Community Bank Ahead of the Pack on Instant Payments?
Whether it’s through RTP or FedNow, many community banks are still exploring how instant payments rails can fulfill the needs of and benefit their customers.
How To Assess Your Community Bank's Physical Security Risk
Evaluate your community bank’s zones, employees and strategies to ensure your physical security is strong enough to dissuade criminals.
4 CFPB Rules to Watch for This Year
From limitations on fee practices to personal financial data rights, these proposed and final Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rules could have a significant impact on the community bank industry.
RESPA and HMDA Violations: What to Know
In the second half of 2023, the CFPB penalized Freedom Mortgage for violating both RESPA and HMDA. Here’s what community banks need to know about complying with these acts.
Risk or Reward: A Community Bank's Guide to AI
AI is the topic of conversation, particularly after generative AI tools like ChatGPT burst onto the landscape in late 2022. AI technology is developing at a dizzying pace, so what do community banks need to know about how to get started with AI, how it can be used to boost efficiency across departments—and how to manage the risks?
How Banks Can Approach Cannabis Compliance
For community banks that are interested in or are already working with cannabis-related businesses, understanding compliance guidelines surrounding that sector is vital. We spoke with experts on how to navigate the specific requirements of this industry.
Step-by-Step Succession Planning for Community Banks
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.
Protect your community bank from business payments fraud
Multiple types of business payments fraud are on the rise. We spoke with experts on how to effectively protect your community bank and its customers.
Introducing the 2022 ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator finalists
The 2022 ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator spotlighted some of the hottest, most innovative fintech providers. We asked each of this year’s cohort to weigh in on how community banks can harness some of today’s most exciting technologies and solutions to bolster business and enhance their customers’ experiences.