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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.

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ICBA op-ed: Megabanks aren't—and never will be—community banks

While some industry watchers might apply the term “community bank” to the nation's largest financial institution, the truth is community banks cannot be replicated by megabanks, ICBA Chairman Lucas White wrote in a new American Banker op-ed (subscription required).
December 02, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

Q4 community bank briefing this month

ICBA this month is hosting a complimentary community bank briefing on key congressional and regulatory developments.
December 02, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

OCC announces 2025 fees and assessments

The OCC announced its fees and assessments for calendar year 2025.
December 02, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   OCC 

Equip Your Leasing Finance Operations

SPONSORED | Discover how lenders can navigate the evolving landscape of equipment lease financing with insights on risk mitigation and operational readiness.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker   Compliance Lending 

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.”
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker  

Charles Potts: Banking and Staffing Gen Z Into the Future

As Gen Z graduates into the full-time workforce, they are looking to community banks as financial partners as well as potential employers.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker  

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.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker   Compliance 

Can Software Solve Your Bank's Board Management Woes?

From scheduling and information-sharing to bolstered security, board management software could smooth the bumps in the road that come with manual management processes.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker   Payments 

Jim Reber: Will the Wave Return?

Falling rates should boost cash flows.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker   Growing the Community 

First Citizens Bank: Playing the Talent Development Long Game

First Citizens Bank’s internship initiative underscores the importance of offering students valuable hands-on industry exposure and nurturing the next generation of banking professionals.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker  
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Lucas White: The Heart of the Community Bank

[Community banks] put people first and challenge ourselves to grow for the betterment of our teams, customers and communities.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker  

The Hidden Risks of Legacy Technology: A Community Banker’s Guide

SPONSORED | IBT Apps’ newest ebook is available now! Explore the critical risks of legacy systems and learn about a modern solution that helps future-proof your bank. Essential reading for bank executives, risk officers, and operations leaders alike!
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker   Compliance Payments 

Tips to Better 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.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker  

Mark Scanlan and Scott Marks: Is a Favorable New Farm Bill on the Horizon?

In the wake of the farm bill’s expiration, ICBA is advocating for updates that will benefit the agriculture industry and rural communities across the U.S.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker   Advocacy 

Powering Potential: How ICBA Membership Cultivates a Network of Support

ICBA’s reach extends from the U.S. government all the way to the smallest member bank. We hear from two community bank leaders at Jonestown Bank & Trust Co. and Bank of Cattaraugus about how their ICBA membership has helped them further their banks’ missions, operations and customer advocacy.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker  

Northwestern Bank's Podcast Brews Up Community Conversation

Enjoying a cold one at work may not be the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of community banking, but that’s the premise of a podcast series from Northwestern Bank in Chippewa Falls, Wis.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker  

Out of Office: Michael Hatfield

The applications analyst at $2.2 billion-asset First Western Bank and Trust in Minot, N.D., and his wife, Carissa, co-own Hatfield Handmade, a woodworking business.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker  

High Plains Bank: Making Banking Easier for Spanish Speakers

In partnership with ICBA preferred service provider Jack Henry, High Plains Bank is working to remove financial barriers and enhance the banking experience for Colorado’s large Hispanic community.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker  

Gen Z's Top 5 Financial Goals and How You Can Help

Many Gen Zers are now in their 20s, which means they're facing new financial tasks and dilemmas. Now is a great time for community banks to help these young individuals better understand and meet their financial goals.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker  

Lindsay LaNore: How to Be a Memorable Employee

December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker  

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. These community banks have thought outside the teller line to build spaces that make room for both technology and the human touch.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker  

The CFPB is Planning Sweeping Changes to Small Business Lending

SPONSORED | Prepare for DFA 1071 data collection, reporting and compliance. Finastra’s SBDC module is a cloud-native solution that seamlessly integrates with Finastra’s retail lending products. Built on LaserPro’s Compliance Reporter, it streamlines small business data collection, review, and reporting.
December 01, 2024 | Independent Banker   Lending 

ICBA Expands Preferred Service Provider Agreement with Wolters Kluwer to Include BizFilings Beneficial Ownership Information Filing and OneSumX Reg Manager

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today announced it has expanded its Wolters Kluwer Preferred Service Provider relationship to include its BizFilings Beneficial Ownership Information Filing platform and its OneSumX Reg Manager offerings.
November 27, 2024 | Press Release  

Independent Banker: How community banks can attract Gen Z customers

The latest Independent Banker magazine highlights the substantial influence of Gen Z—those born between 1997 and 2012—whose spending power now totals $44 billion and represents a key demographic for community banks.
November 26, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

FinCEN joins public-private partnership to combat fraud and scams

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network announced that is has joined a multi-sector national task force dedicated to the prevention of fraud and scams.
November 26, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   FinCEN 

FHFA releases plans to improve housing opportunities for the underserved

The FHFA announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will seek to extend housing access in rural underserved markets, enhance their support for manufactured housing, and continue addressing liquidity needs for first-time homebuyers.
November 26, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Federal Housing Finance Agency 

New blog post shares insights from PSP Engagement Forum

ICBA’s recent Preferred Service Provider Engagement Forum brought together 15 PSPs, seven ThinkTECH Accelerator alumni, and community bankers for an exchange of insights and opportunities to advance community bank innovation, according to a new Main Street Matters blog post.
November 25, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

ICBA calls on FDIC to withdraw brokered deposit proposal

ICBA urged the FDIC to withdraw its proposed rulemaking on brokered deposits to avoid harming community banks.
November 25, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   FDIC 

Fed to conduct public outreach on monetary policy review next year

The Federal Reserve announced that the 2025 periodic review of its monetary policy strategy, tools, and communications will include public outreach events.
November 25, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Federal Reserve 

ICBA LIVE registrants eligible for special drawing

Community bankers who register for ICBA LIVE 2025 by Friday, Nov. 29, will be entered into a drawing for one of three prizes.
November 22, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

CFPB finalizes rule on oversight of digital payment apps

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule to supervise the largest nonbank companies offering digital funds transfer and payment wallet apps.
November 22, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   CFPB 

ICBA releases new check fraud guide

ICBA’s Check Fraud Task Force this week published a new guide that explains how and when community banks should contact regulators about check fraud.
November 22, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Fraud 

ICBA releases guide on contacting regulators about check fraud

ICBA’s Check Fraud Task Force published a new guide that explains how and when community banks should contact regulators about check fraud.
November 21, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Fraud 

Comments on FDIC brokered deposit rule due today

ICBA is encouraging community bankers to use its guide to submit unique comment letters on the FDIC’s notice of proposed rulemaking on brokered deposit restrictions ahead of today’s deadline.
November 21, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   FDIC 

ThinkTECH Connect today

ICBA’s ThinkTECH Connect—which offers community bankers a fast-paced introduction to innovative fintech companies—is scheduled for noon (Eastern time) today. Community bankers can attend the session live or get the recording.
November 21, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

Independent Banker highlights technology trends

When assessing new technology, community bankers should ask themselves what requires the most human interaction but is tedious or repetitive work, according to the latest Independent Banker magazine.
November 20, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

Treasury notes risks in cross-border payments

If a poorly designed cross-border payments system were widely adopted, it could do significant harm to international financial stability and economic security, according to a senior Treasury Department official.
November 20, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

FDIC’s Gruenberg to retire in January

FDIC Chairman Martin Gruenberg told colleagues he will retire on Jan. 19, according to media reports of his message to agency staff.
November 20, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   FDIC 

New podcast on combating holiday-season fraud

The latest Independent Banker podcast spotlights how community bankers can get ahead of year-end fraud and raise awareness among consumers as the holidays approach.
November 19, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

FDIC extends comment period for custodial deposit proposal

The FDIC extended to Jan. 16 the comment period for its proposed rule on recordkeeping requirements for custodial accounts.
November 19, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   FDIC 

Blog: New Marketing Resource Center helps community banks tell their story

ICBA released a dynamic toolkit designed to equip community banks with everything they need to create consistently impactful marketing campaigns, according to a new Main Street Matters blog post.
November 19, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Marketing 

ICBA launches Marketing Resource Center

ICBA’s Marketing Resource Center—which brings member banks valuable, vetted marketing materials to better tell their stories—is available starting today.
November 18, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Marketing 

Romero Rainey: Credit unions’ fuzzy math reveals tax exemption insecurity

While credit unions have a history of playing fast and loose with the facts, they now appear willing to say just about anything to distract from the impact of their taxpayer subsidies, ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey wrote in a new op-ed on LinkedIn.
November 18, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Credit Unions 

FinCEN updates FAQs on beneficial ownership

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network updated two frequently asked questions related to access to beneficial ownership information.
November 18, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   FinCEN 

ICBA supports FARM Act

ICBA said it supports the Farmer Assistance and Revenue Mitigation Act (H.R. 10045), which would offer targeted relief to farmers who have suffered crop losses due to the impact of adverse weather conditions and low commodity prices.
November 15, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Farm Bill 

Comments on FDIC brokered deposit rule due next week

ICBA published a guide to help community bankers submit unique comment letters on the FDIC’s notice of proposed rulemaking on brokered deposit restrictions ahead of next week’s deadline.
November 15, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   FDIC 

ICBA urges community bankers to comment on FDIC brokered deposit rule

ICBA published a guide to help community bankers submit unique comment letters on the FDIC’s notice of proposed rulemaking on brokered deposit restrictions ahead of next week’s deadline.
November 14, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   FDIC 

Independent Banker details fight against new FHLB regulations

When the Federal Housing Finance Agency last year began a deep dive on the Federal Home Loan Bank System, ICBA urged the agency not to fix what isn’t broken, as detailed in the latest Independent Banker magazine.
November 14, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

FinCEN warns banks about deepfake fraud schemes

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued an alert to help financial institutions identify fraud schemes associated with the use of deepfake media created with generative artificial intelligence tools.
November 14, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   FinCEN 

ICBA urging community bankers to comment on FDIC brokered deposit rule

ICBA published a guide to help community bankers submit unique comment letters on the FDIC’s notice of proposed rulemaking on brokered deposit restrictions.
November 13, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   FDIC 

Senate hearing next week on Credit Card Competition Act

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) scheduled a hearing for Tuesday, Nov. 19, on his ICBA-opposed bill to create credit card routing mandates.
November 13, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Credit Cards 

FDIC: Unbanked households at record low

Only 4.2% of U.S. households were unbanked in 2023, according to the FDIC’s latest biennial survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households, the lowest national unbanked rate since the survey began in 2009.
November 13, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   FDIC 

ICBA Foundation makes a difference

Support from the ICBA Foundation helped Rolling Fork, Miss., rebuild after a devastating tornado last year.
November 12, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

Invitation-only event next month for leaders of large community banks

ICBA’s Breaking Barriers Symposium is set for Dec. 4-5 in Washington, D.C.
November 12, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

ICBA: Another credit union acquisition as policy questions mount

After the 20th credit union acquisition of a community bank this year—and another featuring a credit union crossing state lines to buy a community bank—ICBA said the record number of transactions is being noticed by the public and policymakers.
November 12, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Credit Unions 

CFPB penalizes Navy Federal Credit Union for overdraft fees

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ordered Navy Federal Credit Union to refund more than $80 million in overdraft fees to consumers, change its overdraft practices, and pay a $15 million civil penalty.
November 08, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   CFPB 

ICBA urging community bankers to comment on FDIC brokered deposit rule

ICBA published a grassroots guide to help community bankers submit unique comment letters on the FDIC’s notice of proposed rulemaking on brokered deposit restrictions.
November 08, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   FDIC 

Fed cuts rates by 25 basis points

The Federal Open Market Committee voted unanimously to cut target interest rates by 25 basis points due an easing labor market and inflation moving toward its 2% goal. The cut lowers the federal funds rate to a range of 4.5% to 4.75%.
November 08, 2024 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

ICBA: Another Taxpayer-Fueled Acquisition as Policy Questions Mount

Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey today issued the following statement after the latest acquisition of a tax-paying bank by a tax-exempt credit union, extending this year’s record to 20.
November 08, 2024 | Press Release   Credit Unions 

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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.

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