ICBA Newsroom
The ICBA Newsroom collects and centralizes all the NewsWatch Today articles, press releases, Main Street Matters blogs, advocacy letters and other news that impacts community bankers.
CFPB proposes to expand EFTA coverage to digital assets, video games
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposed an interpretive rule on how Regulation E and the Electronic Fund Transfer Act apply to emerging payment mechanisms, such as stablecoins and digital assets that operate as a medium of exchange or pay for goods and services.
January 13, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
CFPB
Independent Banker: Top CEO challenge is growing deposits
More than half of community bank executives say their biggest challenge in 2025 is growing deposits, according to the latest Independent Banker magazine.
January 10, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Fed’s Bowman urges tailored community bank regulations
Regulators should support the banking system with a more pragmatic approach, including tailoring regulations to the size of the bank, Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman said.
January 10, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Agencies/Regulators
House panel names vice chair, subcommittee chairs
House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill (R-Ark.) announced the panel’s vice chairman, subcommittees chairs, vice chair for communications, and committee whip for the 119th Congress.
January 10, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Congressional Matters
ICBA Names Peter Nelson Senior Executive Vice President of Member Engagement
The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) today announced Peter Nelson as senior executive vice president of member engagement. Nelson will assume his new duties on Feb. 10 and will lead ICBA’s efforts to enhance the overall member experience.
January 09, 2025 |
Press Release
ICBA Foundation delivers $180,000 in hurricane disaster relief
The ICBA Foundation Disaster Relief Program announced it has collected and disbursed $180,000 to assist community banks and their employees affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton, including a $25,000 matching contribution from ICBA.
January 09, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
OCC: Banks affected by California wildfires can close
The OCC issued a proclamation allowing national banks, federal savings associations, and federal branches to close offices in areas of California affected by wildfires.
January 09, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Romero Rainey: With historic opportunity, ICBA pushing for meaningful change
With a new Congress and administration arriving in Washington this month, the nation’s community banks have a momentous opportunity to make significant changes to the regulatory system, ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey said.
January 09, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Congressional Matters
ICBA introduces plan for new Congress and administration
ICBA this week unveiled its plan for the 119th Congress and incoming administration to address banking regulations and kickstart economic growth in local communities.
January 08, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Congressional Matters
ICBA: CFPB’s overdraft rule must be enjoined and overturned
ICBA said the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s overdraft rule is likely to negatively affect consumers and their access to banking services and should be legally stopped.
January 08, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
CFPB
Section 1033 guidebook now available
ICBA released the Open Banking Guidebook detailing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s final rule implementing Section 1033 of the Dodd-Frank Act.
January 08, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
CFPB
ICBA Foundation Provides $180,000 in Disaster Relief for Hurricane-Affected Communities
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) Foundation Disaster Relief Program today announced it has collected and disbursed $180,000 to assist community banks and their employees affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton, including a $25,000 matching contribution from ICBA.
January 08, 2025 |
Press Release
Community Bank Awareness
ICBA Introduces ‘Repair, Reform, and Thrive’ Plan for New Congress and Administration
ICBA today unveiled its new “Repair, Reform, and Thrive” plan for the new 119th Congress and incoming Trump administration to address the nation’s broken banking regulations and kickstart economic growth in local communities.
January 07, 2025 |
Press Release
Agriculture Community Bank Awareness FCS
ICBA introduces plan for new Congress and administration
ICBA today is unveiling its plan for the new 119th Congress and incoming Trump administration to address banking regulations and kickstart economic growth in local communities.
January 07, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Congressional Matters
ICBA publishes Section 1033 guidebook
ICBA released the Open Banking Guidebook detailing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s final rule implementing Section 1033 of the Dodd-Frank Act.
January 07, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
CFPB
Fed’s Barr stepping down as vice chair for supervision
The Federal Reserve announced that Michael Barr will step down from his position as vice chair for supervision on Feb. 28.
January 07, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Reserve
Rebecca Kruse Named ICBA Payments President, Juan Costantini Joins as Executive Vice President, General Counsel
ICBA Payments®, the payments-services subsidiary of the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA), today announced that Rebecca Kruse has been appointed president.
January 06, 2025 |
Press Release
A call for fairness in credit union policies: new ICBA blog post
Following a record number of credit union acquisitions of community banks last year, ICBA is renewing its push for leveling the tax and regulatory playing field, according to a new ICBA blog post.
January 06, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
Fed payment services will operate normally on Thursday
The Federal Reserve said that while its Washington, D.C., offices will be closed this Thursday due to the national day of mourning for former President Jimmy Carter, its payment systems will operate normally.
January 06, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Reserve
End the Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac conservatorship: blog
With a new Congress and administration coming to Washington, it’s time for policymakers to free Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from government control to support the nation’s housing sector, according to a Main Street Matters blog post.
January 06, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Congressional Matters
Blog: Innovation takes ICBA forward
ICBA doubled down on its commitment to innovation in 2024, according to a new ICBA blog post.
January 03, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
FHFA, Treasury preview process on ending GSE conservatorship
The Federal Housing Finance Agency and Treasury Department announced a process for eventually receiving public input on options and potential effects of ending the conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
January 03, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Housing Finance Agency
Tickets available for ’80s-themed ICBA PAC auction
Tickets are now available for ICBA PAC’s 36th Annual Auction Fundraiser, scheduled for March 12 during ICBA LIVE in Nashville.
January 03, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Podcast: Following successful 2024, community bankers look forward to 2025
2024 was a successful year for ICBA’s advocacy efforts, which sets the table for more wins in 2025, according to the latest Independent Banker podcast.
January 02, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
After latest credit union acquisition, ICBA says policymakers must act
The record-extending 22nd credit union acquisition of a community bank in 2024 demands a response from policymakers, ICBA said following the announcement of the latest deal.
January 02, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
Latest beneficial ownership update: Companies not required to file
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network announced that, in light of a recent federal court order, reporting companies are not currently required to file beneficial ownership information, or BOI.
January 02, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance FinCEN
Growth Goals: Navigating IPOs and OTC Trading
Is your community bank thinking about launching an initial public offering or over-the-counter trading of stocks to raise liquidity? The rewards could be great—but both options come with extra regulatory requirements and costs. Careful consideration is critical.
January 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
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 to make sure it’s set up efficiently and in a way that brings the whole team together. We hear from five community banks that have reconfigured their org charts to hone overall operations, reinforce culture and create opportunities for employees to succeed.
January 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
2025 Lending Outlook: Cautious Optimism
Falling interest rates are expected to fuel borrowing activity at community banks. We examine the prospects for commercial, consumer/mortgage and ag lending in the new year.
January 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Lending
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.
January 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Advocacy
2025 Community Bank CEO Outlook: Balancing Between Deposits and Loans
While the business of community banking is ongoing, a new year is always a good time to take stock of the challenges and opportunities ahead. We surveyed community bank presidents and CEOs about their plans for 2025—and found that those plans look very different from our last survey in 2022.
January 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Michael Benedict: Make Portfolio Strategy Fun Again
Things are looking up for portfolio management in 2025.
January 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
Lance Noggle: It's Time to Bolster Cybersecurity Measures—Now and Forever
As the costs of data breaches continue to rise, it’s essential for community banks to access and use available federal cybersecurity tools for combating fraudsters and bad actors.
January 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Payments
Lucas White: Why Advocacy Should Be a Top Priority in 2025
“We have a new administration and elected officials who need to fully understand the community bank difference.”
January 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Out of Office: Kati LeBreton
The vice president and director of P.O.W.E.R., a program for women in business, at $1 billion-asset Fidelity Bank in New Orleans, hosts The Big Bad Boot, a podcast about true crime, urban legends and spooky Louisiana lore with her brother, Caleb Morse.
January 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Community Bank Delaware Salutes Space Heroes
Last July, Community Bank Delaware in Lewes, Del., donated $3,000 to American Legion Post 28, an organization branch founded in 1920 to support local veterans, military personnel, their families and the broader community.
January 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
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.”
January 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Charles Potts: The Innovations We'll See in 2025
They say the only constant is change, and 2025 is shaping up to prove that point. We are in for a dynamic year, influenced by customer demand, product accessibility and partner potential.
January 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
How to Balance Human and Machine While Using Chatbots
Community banks’ reputations are built on personal connection. But with an effective chatbot, banks can free up staff to focus on customers’ more complex needs. It just takes effective training.
January 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Stearns Bank Lays Groundwork in Minnesota's Hmong Community
Stearns Bank is fostering trust, financial empowerment and meaningful relationships with Minnesota’s sizable Hmong community by establishing a branch in one of their cultural hubs.
January 01, 2025 |
Independent Banker
Independent Banker
Independent Banker is the award-winning monthly member publication of ICBA. Continually rated the best news source by community bankers, IB provides timely, relevant information and insights to help community banks continue to flourish.
Marketing Resource Center
Visit this page regularly for new customizable press releases, opeds, tutorials, sharable videos, tip sheets, and sample social media posts which are available exclusively for ICBA members.
Access the toolkit
Example Text
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA offers numerous specialty newsletters related to the community banking industry. Sign up for ICBA's daily email news bulletin for current and breaking industry news
Read Articles
Example Text
Subscribe to Independent Banker Magazine
Independent Banker® is the monthly publication of the Independent Community Bankers of America, recognized as the number one source ICBA members rely on for community banking news.
Subscribe Now
Example Text
Manage Your Email Notifications and Subscriptions
Sign up to receive or manage your email messages from ICBA. Questions? Contact ICBA.
Subscribe Now
Example Text