Rebeca Romero Rainey
Rebeca Romero Rainey is president and CEO of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), the leading advocacy organization exclusively representing community banks. She is one of the nation’s foremost advocates of the community banking industry, with a focus on regulatory reform for our country’s nearly 5,000 community banks. She has met with President Obama and President Trump to discuss issues that are top of mind for community banks.
A third-generation community banker born and raised in Taos, N.M., Romero Rainey is the former Chairman and CEO of Centinel Bank of Taos. Upon graduating from Wellesley College, she returned home to Taos with the dream of continuing her family’s business of running the town’s only local community bank.
Her broader service to the community banking industry began when she joined the board of the Independent Community Bankers of New Mexico, where she served as president in 2007-08. She entered the national stage by becoming active within ICBA and serving on several committees. Romero Rainey also played a key role in the formation of ICBA’s Minority Bank Council and served as its first chairman. Later she was nominated to become a member of ICBA’s Executive Committee, and in 2016, became ICBA chairman.
Romero Rainey has also served on the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Advisory Committee on Community Banking and the Kansas City Federal Reserve Community Depository Institution Advisory Council. She has been featured on CSPAN, MSNBC, CNBC, NPR, Fox Business News, and has been named a top Washington lobbyist every year since 2018 by “The Hill” publication. Romero Rainey has testified before Congress, and delivered speeches before the Federal Reserve, OCC and FDIC.
Romero Rainey has a long history of community engagement and collaboration among community stakeholders. She is the co-founder of the Bridges Project for Education, a nonprofit focused on helping first-generation college students. She was also selected as Taos Citizen of the Year in 2009 and has been awarded the New Mexico Governor’s Award for outstanding women.
In addition to graduating from Wellesley College, Romero Rainey holds a degree from the Pacific Coast School of Banking.
See Rebeca Romero Rainey speak at LEAD FWD Summit.
Session Title: Leadership in Action – Insights from Washington, D.C.
Rebeca Romero Rainey's Articles
Rising Concerns Over National Bank Trust Charters
“Trust banks are not required to meet the same kinds of regulatory and capital standards that apply to federally insured full-service banks.”
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Battling the Many Faces of Fraud, Together
“When community bankers alert their peers to a new type of fraud or a rise in a particular form of attack, they empower the community to act.”
New Analysis Shows Credit Union Acquisitions of Community Banks Harm the Communities That Can Least Afford It
ICBA and community bankers have long warned about the dangers of tax-exempt credit unions acquiring tax-paying community banks, a concerning trend that peaked last year and has continued in 2025.
How ICBA has worked to shape the GENIUS Act and what’s next for community banks
Following President Donald Trump’s signing of a new law on stablecoins—the GENIUS Act—on July 18, it is essential that the nation’s community bankers understand what it means for our industry, how ICBA has helped shape stablecoin policy, and the path forward as we face the challenges and opportunities this new law presents.
At Halfway Point of 2025, ICBA Marks Significant Advocacy Successes
On the heels of our recent Capital Summit, in which hundreds of community bankers traveled to Washington to meet with policymakers, it is worth pausing to reflect on our successes as well as the many advocacy priorities we continue to advance under our ambitious “Repair, Reform, and Thrive” plan.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Marching to the Beat of Community Banking
“Community banks set the tempo for our communities, serving as the constant drum line that anchors those around them.”
With Historic Opportunity, ICBA Pushing for Meaningful Policy Change
With a new Congress and administration arriving in Washington, ICBA and the nation’s community banks face a momentous opportunity to make significant changes to a regulatory system that is flat-out broken.
Community Banks Elevate Industry in 2024 with Major Opportunities Ahead
ICBA and community bankers focused much of our attention in 2023 on differentiating our industry in the wake of failures at larger institutions, while 2024 was all about elevating our positions on key issues at a time of intense political debate.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: AI, the New Frontier
To safeguard our banks, we must understand how AI is being used today for the good and the bad, then evolve our risk management procedures accordingly.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Leveling the Playing Field
At the end of the day, it’s the customer who will ultimately pay the price if unbalanced regulations are allowed to continue.
ICBA’s Community Bank Mission Critical to 2023 Successes
At a time when consequential failures at large, risky banks led to major media outlets erroneously directing blame to Main Street community banks, ICBA was there defending and promoting the community banking business model—differentiating community banks when it was needed most.
ICBA’s Rebrand: Writing the Next Chapter for Community Banking
Our mission is central to everything we do, and the pride that comes from that every day is nothing short of inspiring. Much like the community banks we serve, ICBA is continuously evolving, growing, and building momentum.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: A sharing of values
Community bankers know the people and needs behind the business, and that personal connection creates a recipe for mutual success.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: The importance of outreach
Through national advertising, media relations outreach, social media and more, we will differentiate community banks in the hearts and minds of Americans.
ICBA Continues Fighting to Differentiate Community Banks from Large, Risky Bank Closures
ICBA and community banks have been on a rollercoaster since the March 10 failure of Silicon Valley Bank, but we have once again proven to be strong and resilient. And we have done it by working together on behalf of our industry and the local communities we serve.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Authentic connection
Community banks stand out in today’s financial services space because our business model depends on an ecosystem where the bank only benefits when customers do.
From the CEO: ICBA and Community Bankers Stand Together in 2022
In 2022, ICBA and community bankers stood together against a steady stream of efforts to impose harmful policies while working tirelessly to advance initiatives benefiting local communities—proving once again the importance of making our voice heard in the nation’s capital.
Why ICBA opposes flawed Marshall-Durbin Amendment expansion legislation
Despite ICBA’s persistent communications on the negative impact of Durbin Amendment interventions on payment card systems, this latest iteration of Durbin only compounds the prior harm and furthers the misguided policies of the past that will inevitably lead to significant disruption in credit markets and consumer spending, if passed.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Stronger together
It’s hard to put my finger on exactly what makes ICBA LIVE so special, but I believe it is in a shared sense of purpose that arises whenever community bankers convene.
Taking Bold and Brave Action for Community Banks – with Rebeca Romero Rainey, President and CEO of ICBA
Rebeca Romero Rainey, President and CEO of ICBA, talks with host Charles Potts, Chief Innovation Officer, about how and why ICBA made the decision to stand alone in public opposition to the nomination of Prof. Saule Omarova to the OCC.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Making a Difference, One Act at a Time
“We live, thrive and face challenges in lockstep with our communities.”
How ICBA has worked to shape the GENIUS Act and what’s next for community banks
Following President Donald Trump’s signing of a new law on stablecoins—the GENIUS Act—on July 18, it is essential that the nation’s community bankers understand what it means for our industry, how ICBA has helped shape stablecoin policy, and the path forward as we face the challenges and opportunities this new law presents.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Offering Financial Freedom to Communities Nationwide
“It’s a constant balancing act between ensuring thoughtful, tailored solutions and responding to today’s immediate needs.”
Rebeca Romero Rainey: We Empower Our Nation's Small Businesses
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our nation, but community banks are the fuel that keeps them running.”
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Amplifying the Community Bank Difference
“We must both acknowledge competitive headwinds and know that we have tailwinds to drive us forward when it comes to what we do at a local level.”
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Nurturing the Community Bank Ecosystem
“Without a doubt, advocacy serves as the most critical piece of our mission in 2025. With a shift in control in Congress and the White House, our focus will be on regulatory relief and proportionate rulemaking.”
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Nurturing the Community Bank Ecosystem
“Community bankers are focused on the long term. ... We focus on building connections that will stand the test of time.”
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Communication Is Key to Mitigating Fraud
By sharing information … we can also stop fraud in its tracks for the benefit of our banks, customers and the industry at large.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Connected As Independent Community Banks
It’s up to us [community bankers] to amplify our voices far and wide and make sure the leaders of this nation pay attention.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Here for Good
The 2024 ICBA LIVE theme is “Here for Good,” and I am struck by how much that message resonates in all we do.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Is Crypto Needed?
“While we have heard a wide range of rationale [for cryptocurrency], those concepts don’t seem founded in need as much as in justification.”
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Here for the Long Haul
Community banks … commit for the long haul as a true partner, helping customers withstand market turbulence and come out successfully on the other side.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: The spirit of service
Community banks stand out in today’s financial services space because our business model depends on an ecosystem where the bank only benefits when customers do.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Shifts in lending
Loan providers are multiplying, and we cannot underestimate the need for a frictionless loan, one that removes hoops for our customers and feels simple, efficient and effective.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Community bankers are all in
Everything feeds into the customer experience, and that ability to meet and exceed customer expectations is what distinguishes us as community bankers.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Focus on the light
While our decisions over the past year have been driven even more by our mission than by our bottom lines, we’ve also achieved good results.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Mitigating cybercrime
We know that despite the frights cyberattacks bring, you continue to flourish by safeguarding the communities you serve.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Engaging with talent
The people we employ embody our banks, and the personal relationships our teams forge with our customers make us unique in the industry and keep our customers returning.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Staying the course
We must work to remain optimistic in the face of adversity and keep in mind that no matter how difficult that feat may be, it’s worth the effort.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Lead with purpose
Our approach to service is not about checking something off the list for today. It’s about making incremental positive change over time.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Conversations Must Determine Our Innovation Budgets
“With innovation, ROI is about looking through the lens of overall impact, not just how it will affect us financially in the year ahead.”
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Coming Together to Address Fraud
“Some of the most effective approaches to fraud prevention emerge through conversations about what has worked within your banks.”
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Remaining Nimble Against a Litany of Regulation
It’s not about trying to buck guidance, but rather seeking to ensure appropriate regulation that provides suitable safeguards while retaining flexibility.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Change Is Hard, Good Leadership Is Critical
Change may feel insurmountable—something to be avoided, as opposed to embraced—and we need to keep that perspective in mind as we take steps toward the future of our banks.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: The Spirit of Community
When we come together at ICBA LIVE, it becomes an uplifting time where we collectively tackle issues and leave feeling excited for new opportunities.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Combatting Cyber Threats
We need to continue our training … to identify threats and prepare ourselves, our staff and our customers for what’s possible and what’s potentially next.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Advocate for a Positive Environment
We advocate for community bankers to continue to have an environment where they can help their customers, and we respond creatively to ensure our customers still have access to solutions that meet their needs.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Cultivate Lasting Success
Preparing for the future is not as much about filling a particular job description as it is about creating a conscious path for our banks and communities.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Our banking family
When we assemble at LIVE, it’s about coming together to ignite the passion for community banking on behalf of our communities in a way that moves the industry forward.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Navigating the digital movement
The habits of our customers change, and we’re constantly walking beside them, transforming our services to meet their needs.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: The power of discussion
Healthy debate helps us achieve an outcome where we’re all pushed to think beyond what might be readily in front of us.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Stories worth telling
This Community Banking Month, I invite you to try something new to spread your story. Share a new development, community project or initiative.
ICBA’s Rebeca Romero Rainey: Race for Community Banks and Main Street a Marathon, Not a Sprint
During her keynote speech today at ICBA LIVE, Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey reminded community bankers theyare the heartbeat of this nation’s economy and every community deserves a community bank dedicated to its success.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Tell your story
In a world that’s so full of noise, the story we’re telling is compelling and resonates with our customers, because it’s one of work centered around human connection, care and community.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: The spirit of innovation
A spirit of innovation and can-do attitude will serve you well this year, helping you remain ahead of the curve and address issues that arise.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Use your voice
[There is a] need for strong voices to weigh in on how new regulation will affect our communities and the customers we serve.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Starting a new chapter
As we enter a new chapter and start a new financial statement cycle, know that ICBA will be there to support you with tools, resources and advocacy efforts.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Focusing on our communities
Unlike our credit union counterparts, we pay taxes, and those tax dollars are spent at home to ensure our communities grow.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: You make an impact
From your focus on people to the good that you do, you make a lasting impact, and that’s what makes you uniquely who you are.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Developing innovation strategy
Community banks are independent institutions fueled by the needs of their individual communities, so what constitutes innovation will look and feel different for every bank.
ICBA advances latest principles for deposit insurance reform to focus policy debate
The large bank failures of 2023 demonstrated the clear need to reform the nation’s deposit insurance system. With lawmakers working to gather input and offer deposit reform proposals, ICBA has worked with community bankers to shape recommended reform principles to inform this much-needed debate.
New Analysis Shows Credit Union Acquisitions of Community Banks Harm the Communities That Can Least Afford It
ICBA and community bankers have long warned about the dangers of tax-exempt credit unions acquiring tax-paying community banks, a concerning trend that peaked last year and has continued in 2025.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Your Advocacy Impact
“Every phone call we make to our members of Congress, every trip to Capitol Hill and every letter we send falls on open ears and has an impact.”
Rebeca Romero Rainey: A New Tool For Your Team's Career Development
There’s a direct correlation between having happy, well-trained and engaged employees and bank performance.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Why the Community Bank Story Matters in Advocacy
[Community bankers’] storytelling pulls concepts out of the theoretical into reality. When you can demonstrate how these topics affect the lifeblood of the community, it’s transformational.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Putting the Person in Personalized Marketing
We want to take what you do, highlight your authentic approach to relationships and demonstrate the community bank difference, so you can leverage the momentum in your communities.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Continuing the Climb for Our Communities
In advocacy, education and innovation, we are working alongside you to power your potential and help you surmount the trials you face along the journey.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: A Tried-and-True Business Model
So much of what we’ve seen in the last six months is banks doubling down on what they’re good at doing: helping their customers and communities in ways
that nobody else can.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: The people make the bank
How we hire, retain, recruit and advance our missions amid momentous change will remain a key topic for community bank leaders and will influence our plans for the future.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Budget prioritization
Community banks stand out in today’s financial services space because our business model depends on an ecosystem where the bank only benefits when customers do.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Prepare your cyber defenses
While there’s no cyber or data security silver bullet, by bringing the theoretical into a true banking environment, we can begin to establish action plans that speak to real-world attacks.