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.
Luetkemeyer raises concerns with GSE credit score change
A key member of the House Financial Services Committee raised concerns with the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s plan to change credit report requirements for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgages.
November 13, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Housing Finance Agency
Bank of Anguilla Weathers the Storm
In the wake of a destructive tornado in Mississippi, Bank of Anguilla continues to develop initiatives that will help people recover from the damage and return home.
November 10, 2023 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
Derek Williams: The Human Side of Banking
When I think about my blessings as a community banker, it comes down to our relationship model. In a society that has become increasingly disconnected, our model puts the human back into banking.
November 09, 2023 |
Independent Banker
Advocacy
FinCEN issues final rule on beneficial ownership identifiers
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued a final rule that specifies the circumstances in which a reporting company may report an entity’s FinCEN identifier in lieu of information about individual beneficial owners.
November 09, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
FinCEN issues new SAR term for reporting export control evasion
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and the Bureau of Industry and Security issued a joint notice highlighting a new Suspicious Activity Report key term.
November 09, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
Regulators target CRA, interchange, climate standards
Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman expressed concerns with the community bank impact of regulators’ Community Reinvestment Act final rule and other recent agency actions.
November 09, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
ICBA, state groups request comment extension on 1033 proposal
ICBA and its affiliated state community banking associations called on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to extend the comment deadline on its proposal to implement standards for sharing consumer financial data under Section 1033 of the Dodd-Frank Act.
November 09, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
ICBA briefing next week on CRA final rule
ICBA is slated to hold a complimentary briefing next week on the interagency final rule to reform Community Reinvestment Act regulations.
November 09, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
How to Talk to Customers About Crypto
Most of your customers might not be investing in crypto, but their money is at risk if they do. That’s why community banks should stay current on cryptocurrency developments and be prepared to offer information and advice.
November 08, 2023 |
Independent Banker
Payments
Out of Office: Kenesha Davis
Kenesha Davis, a Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) specialist at $1.4 billion-asset Lincoln Savings Bank in Reinbeck, Iowa, has turned her hobby of crocheting into a successful side business. Now, she creates handmade crochet goods that allow her to express her creativity and develop her skills as a small business owner.
November 07, 2023 |
Independent Banker
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.”
November 07, 2023 |
Independent Banker
ICBA Statement on Federal Home Loan Bank Report
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on today’s Federal Housing Finance Agency report on the Federal Home Loan Banks.
November 07, 2023 |
Press Release
Federal Housing Finance Agency
Community Banker University now ICBA Education
ICBA announced the rebranding of Community Banker University to ICBA Education as part of the new ICBA brand, which launched last week.
November 07, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA opposes Labor Department overtime proposal
ICBA expressed strong opposition to a Labor Department proposal that would increase the number of employees who are entitled to overtime compensation.
November 07, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Department of Labor
House Ag ranking member calls for one-year farm bill extension
House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member David Scott (D-Ga.) called for a one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill while lawmakers continue to develop a five-year reauthorization.
November 07, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Farm Bill
How Community Banks Can Support Self-Employed and Gig Workers
Gig workers and self-employed individuals make up a growing sector of the workforce in the U.S. This group of workers has specific needs when it comes to banking. Here’s how community banks are embracing, working with and creating new services for this group.
November 06, 2023 |
Independent Banker
ICBA expresses concerns with SBA 7(a) expansion
ICBA expressed concerns with a Small Business Administration announcement that it has licensed three new Small Business Lending Companies for its 7(a) loan program.
November 06, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Small Business Administration
New ICBA podcast on rising cybercrime
The latest episode of ICBA’s “Independent Banker” podcast spotlights rising cybercrime and the importance of community banks fortifying their cybersecurity operations.
November 06, 2023 |
Podcast
Watchdog warns of money-laundering threats
The Financial Action Task Force—a global anti-money-laundering watchdog—updated its list of jurisdictions with strategic AML, terrorist-financing, and weapons-proliferation deficiencies.
November 06, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
ICBA offers high-level CRA summary ahead of briefing
ICBA released a high-level summary of the recently released interagency final rule to reform Community Reinvestment Act regulations ahead of an upcoming ICBA briefing on the rule.
November 06, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Reserve FDIC
4 Emerging Bank Technologies (That Aren't AI)
With rapid new developments in bank technology, it’s easy to feel stressed about keeping up with them. Read on to learn what’s new and upcoming in tech and how to determine what’s worth exploring.
November 03, 2023 |
Independent Banker
Payments
ICBA Statement on New SBA 7(a) Lending Companies
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on the Small Business Administration’s expansion of its 7(a) loan program.
November 03, 2023 |
Press Release
Small Business Administration
Ron Haynie: The GSE Conservatorship Should End Now
After 15 years, the federal government should end its conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The conservatorship prevents these government-sponsored enterprises from operating like a privately run corporate entity.
November 02, 2023 |
Independent Banker
Advocacy
OCC publishes revised Telephone Consumer Protection Act procedures
The OCC published revised interagency examination procedures for the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
November 02, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
ICBA issues high-level summary of CRA final rule
ICBA released a high-level summary of the recently released interagency final rule to reform Community Reinvestment Act regulations ahead of an upcoming ICBA briefing on the rule.
November 02, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance FDIC
Final rule on Treasury check liability will not mandate verification system
The Treasury Department’s Bureau of Fiscal Service issued a final rule governing the payments of Treasury checks.
November 02, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
The 15 Latest Holiday Scams To Watch Out for in 2023
Holiday scams can happen at any time — from Black Friday and Cyber Monday to the weeks and months leading up to the end of the year.
November 02, 2023 |
News
Please join us in welcoming our newest field rep, Jean Taddonio
Please join us in welcoming our newest field rep, Jean Taddonio. Jean will be serving Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, New York and New Jersey.
November 02, 2023 |
News
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?
November 01, 2023 |
Independent Banker
Payments
ICBA: Additional beneficial ownership reporting changes needed
ICBA said that while it supports the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s plan to amend its proposed beneficial ownership information reporting form, it is concerned the proposal would require database users to determine whether submitted information is accurate.
November 01, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Congressional Matters
ICBA Launches New Brand - Reflects differentiation and momentum of ICBA and community banks
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today unveiled its new brand — reflecting the continued strength, differentiation, and momentum of ICBA and its one mission: community banks.
November 01, 2023 |
Press Release
How the crypto policy debate affects community banks: blog
A new ICBA blog post breaks down the policy debate over treating cryptoassets as securities or commodities and the implications for community banks.
November 01, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
Central bank group reports stablecoin risks, CBDC benefits
A Bank for International Settlements panel said the risks of using stablecoins for cross-border payments could outweigh the benefits.
November 01, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
White House releases executive order on AI standards
President Joe Biden signed an executive order to establish new safety, privacy, and equity standards for artificial intelligence.
October 31, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Technology
Ag tech solutions forum this week
ICBA’s next ThinkTECH Solutions Forum will spotlight ag tech solutions that can help community banks keep pace with the competition.
October 31, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
IRS extends flexibilities on e-signatures, encrypted email
The Internal Revenue Service extended certain temporary flexibilities enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic, including its acceptance of digital signatures.
October 31, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Technology
New blog post breaks down AI for community banks
A new ICBA blog post separates artificial intelligence hype from reality and spotlights what AI means for community banks.
October 30, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Technology
Treasury pledges to continue cracking down on crypto terrorist-financing
The Treasury Department pledged to continue targeting the use of crypto-assets to finance terrorism amid increased scrutiny in the wake of Hamas’ attack on Israel.
October 30, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Agency webinar tomorrow on ransomware mitigation
Regulators are hosting a webinar at 2 p.m. (Eastern time) tomorrow to provide updates on recent ransomware trends and mitigations.
October 30, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Agencies/Regulators
Barr: Fed backs cross-border harmonization efforts
The Federal Reserve supports international efforts to make cross-border payments faster, cheaper, more transparent, and more accessible globally, Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr said.
October 30, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA advocacy leads to nationwide 1071 injunction
A federal court granted an ICBA request to expand injunctive relief from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Section 1071 final rule to all community banks nationwide.
October 27, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
CFPB Compliance
Lawmakers ask DOJ to target crypto’s role in terrorist financing
Two key members of Congress urged the Justice Department to evaluate the extent to which the Binance and Tether crypto firms are supporting terrorism by violating sanctions and the Bank Secrecy Act.
October 27, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
Fed’s Waller: CBDC pitch unconvincing
Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said he has yet to be convinced there is a market failure that a central bank digital currency would resolve.
October 27, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Can Third-Party Vendors Ease Wealth Management?
Community banks with wealth management programs can access a new source of revenue, but starting from scratch can be a major undertaking. We take a look at how these banks have looked to third-party vendors to smooth the way.
October 26, 2023 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
ICBA Advocacy Leads to Nationwide Community Bank Relief from 1071 Small-Business Rule
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas has granted their request to expand injunctive relief from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Section 1071 final rule. Today’s court decision provides a nationwide injunction to all community banks and covered financial institutions, ensuring relief is not limited by trade association membership.
October 26, 2023 |
Press Release
CFPB
Fed proposes debit card interchange cuts
The Federal Reserve Board issued a proposal to lower the maximum interchange fee that covered debit card issuers may receive for debit card transactions.
October 26, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Gensler: Crypto investors no less deserving of securities protections
There is nothing about the crypto-asset securities markets that suggests investors and issuers are less deserving of the protections of U.S. securities laws, Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler said.
October 26, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
House GOP elects Rep. Mike Johnson as new speaker
House Republicans elected Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) as the 56th speaker of the House of Representatives.
October 26, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Congressional Matters
CFPB targets credit card interest, fees in latest report
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said total outstanding credit card debt eclipsed $1 trillion last year for the first time since the CFPB began collecting this data.
October 26, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
Out of Office: Kris Ausborn
The CEO of $488 million-asset Iowa Trust & Saving Bank in Emmetsburg, Iowa, spends his free time waterskiing. Whether it’s with friends and family or as part of his club, he enjoys every second.
October 25, 2023 |
Independent Banker
ICBA Statement on Federal Reserve Proposal on Debit Card Interchange
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on today’s Federal Reserve Board proposal to update Regulation II rules on debit card interchange fees and routing.
October 25, 2023 |
Press Release
XCards Debit Cards Interchange
Agencies finalize climate risk guidance for large banks
The federal banking regulators published interagency principles for climate-related financial risk management for financial institutions with $100 billion or more in total consolidated assets.
October 25, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
FDIC
ICBA launching survey on recent regulatory changes
ICBA in the coming days will launch a survey on the value of community banks, small-business lending, and the regulatory environment.
October 25, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
CFPB
Regulators approve Community Reinvestment Act final rule
Federal regulators issued an interagency final rule to reform Community Reinvestment Act regulations.
October 25, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance CRA
Fed meeting today on revising debit interchange fee cap
The Federal Reserve Board is scheduled to meet at 1 p.m. (Eastern time) today on proposed revisions to the agency’s debit interchange fee cap.
October 25, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
A Happy Halloween from First National Bank & Trust
First National Bank & Trust in Iron Mountain, Mich., sponsors the second annual Downtown Iron Mountain Pumpkin Walk event.
October 24, 2023 |
Independent Banker
ICBA Statement on Interagency Climate Risk Guidance for Large Banks
Independent Community Bankers of America President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on today’s release of interagency guidance for climate-related financial risk management for large financial institutions.
October 24, 2023 |
Press Release
Advocacy Climate
ICBA Statement on Community Reinvestment Act Final Rule
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on today’s interagency final rule on Community Reinvestment Act modernization.
October 24, 2023 |
Press Release
CRA
Agencies acting today on CRA, climate rulemakings
Federal agencies today are set to act on Community Reinvestment Act reform and climate risk.
October 24, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
FDIC
New risk management subgroup on ICBA Community
ICBA launched a new risk management subgroup on its ICBA Community online platform.
October 24, 2023 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
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.
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