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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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Regulators propose standards for automated valuation models

Federal regulators requested public comment on a proposed rule designed to implement quality control standards for automated valuation models, or AVMs, used by mortgage originators and secondary market issuers in valuing real estate collateral securing mortgage loans.
June 02, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

Texas First Bank Lends a Helping Hand

When a tornado struck their community in January, employees of Texas First Bank in Pasadena, Texas, joined forces with a local Jersey Mike’s and Orangetheory Fitness to hand out free lunches to people affected by the tornado.
June 01, 2023 | Independent Banker  

Loren Brown: Above it All

The president and chief executive officer of $88 million-asset Ascent Bank in Helena, Mont., has fulfilled his childhood dream of being a pilot and skydiver.
June 01, 2023 | Independent Banker  

Bankers Trust Illustrates a Love of Art

Bankers Trust in Des Moines, Iowa, hosts a gallery of artwork created by local artists and rotates each piece through its branches.
June 01, 2023 | Independent Banker  

Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust and the Road to Succession

Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust’s succession planning professionals have built up their expertise to better serve the community bank’s retail business customers.
June 01, 2023 | Independent Banker  

Compliance Vault: The Ultimate Compliance Resource

With a vast library of Q&As, select online courses and informational documents, Compliance Vault is a valuable resource for all your regulatory compliance questions.
June 01, 2023 | Independent Banker   Compliance 

How to Get Ready for the FedNow Service

SPONSORED | The Federal Reserve’s FedNowSM Service is launching in July 2023. Will your financial institution be ready? Find tips and resources in this article that can support you on your way to instant payments.
June 01, 2023 | Independent Banker   Payments Instant Payments 

ICBA urges second framework on harmonizing ISO 20022 requirements

ICBA called on a Bank for International Settlements panel to issue a second proposed framework on ISO 20022 harmonization requirements for enhancing cross-border payments.
June 01, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Payments 

Regulators Offer Insights, Input and Guidance on the Growth of Community Bank Innovation at ICBA ThinkTECH’s Regulator Day

Recognizing the need to prioritize and foster ongoing engagement between regulators and the community banking technology community, the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today hosted its focused “Regulator Day.”
June 01, 2023 | Press Release  

Community bank Q1 net income up 6.1% from a year ago

Community banks reported a 6.1% first-quarter increase in net income from a year ago and a 4.2% decline from the previous quarter, according to the FDIC’s latest Quarterly Banking Profile.
June 01, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Community Bank Awareness 

Campaign on CFPB’s 1071 rule continues

With the House still planning to take up a resolution to nullify the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Section 1071 data-collection rule, ICBA continues calling on community bankers to urge their members of Congress to support the measure.
June 01, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

TCM Bank Celebrates 25 Years of Service to Community Banks

ICBA Bancard®, the payments services subsidiary of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), announced that its credit card bank, TCM Bank, N.A., is celebrating its 25th anniversary this month.
May 30, 2023 | Press Release  

Past innovations offer insights on instant payments: blog

A new blog post from ICBA Bancard President and CEO Tina Giorgio reviews the evolution of digital payments and lessons for the current conversation about instant payments.
May 24, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Payments Payments 

Global securities watchdog proposes guidelines for crypto regulation

The International Organization of Securities Commissions published a consultation report with its proposed policy recommendations for regulating crypto markets as securities.
May 24, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Cybersecurity Digital Assets 

Gruenberg: Efforts to expand banking access making an impact

FDIC research suggests that efforts to connect unbanked consumers to the banking system are having an effect, FDIC Chairman Martin Gruenberg said.
May 24, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Community Bank Awareness FDIC 

Bowman: Policy response to bank failures shouldn’t undermine tiered regulation

Policymakers should ensure the response to recent bank failures does not undermine regulatory tailoring and risk-based supervision, Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman said.
May 22, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Lending Compliance 

Wholesale CBDC could speed cross-border payments: N.Y. Fed report

A wholesale central bank digital currency could enable faster, simultaneous, and safer cross-border payments, according to a new report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
May 22, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Digital Assets 

House panel meeting this week on FHFA, megabanks

While the Senate is not in session this week, the House Financial Services Committee has two hearings scheduled.
May 22, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Housing Finance/GSEs 

Julie Bauer: Hotel hero

The assistant vice president of $1.6 billion-asset First Citizens Bank in Mason City, Iowa, is the chair of a local fundraiser that benefits the last remaining Frank Lloyd Wright–designed hotel in the world.
May 18, 2023 | Independent Banker  

Clinton Savings Bank’s animal rescue

Clinton Savings Bank's has supported Animal Adventures, an exotic animal rescue in Bolton, Mass., for more than 25 years. The Bank's recent donation will help the organization continue its mission of protecting animals.
May 17, 2023 | Independent Banker  

ICBA to Congress: SBA Should Pause 7(a) Rule

ICBA today told Congress that the Small Business Administration should pause new rules lifting the moratorium on the number of non-federally regulated institutions, including nonbank fintech companies, that can make loans under its 7(a) program.
May 17, 2023 | Press Release   Lending 

Member Benefits: TCM Bank's suite of credit programs

Need help building or expanding your bank’s credit services? TCM Bank, N.A. can help your community bank grow with a well-rounded selection of personal and business credit cards.
May 16, 2023 | Independent Banker  

CFPB issues small entity guide on 1071 rule

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a small entity compliance guide on the bureau’s Section 1071 rule on small-business data collection and reporting.
May 16, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

ICBA Releases 2023 Community Banking Policy Resolutions

ICBA today released its legislative and regulatory policy objectives for 2023 during the ICBA Capital Summit. Developed and approved by ICBA volunteer community bankers, these resolutions will guide ICBA advocacy in the coming year and reflect its unique mission of creating and promoting an environment where community banks flourish.
May 16, 2023 | Press Release   Advocacy 

Listen Up: Taking bold and brave action

In episode 6 of the Independent Banker podcast, host Charles Potts speaks with Greg Ohlendorf of First Community Bank and Trust and Joe Ehrhardt of Teslar Software about the digital imperative for community banks and how both community bankers and entrepreneurs can benefit from ICBA’s ThinkTECH Accelerator.
May 15, 2023 | Independent Banker  

As Community Bankers Gather in Nation’s Capital, Polling Confirms Growing Public Support for Local Banking

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today is kicking off the 2023 ICBA Capital Summit in Washington with the release of new national and state-level polling data showing Americans in all 50 states have an increasingly favorable view of community banking.
May 15, 2023 | Press Release  

Charles Potts: Why you need a digital back office

A bank’s innovation investment in back-office automation will deliver a streamlined, digital approach that increases efficiency and enhances front- and back-end experiences.
May 14, 2023 | Independent Banker   Payments 

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.
May 13, 2023 | Independent Banker   Compliance 

Jim Reber: Price stability or yield? Here's both

Cash-management instruments have relative value today.
May 12, 2023 | Independent Banker   Operations 

FHFA rescinds upfront fees based on debt-to-income ratio

The Federal Housing Finance Agency rescinded its previously announced upfront fees for certain borrowers with a debt-to-income ratio above 40%.
May 12, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

ICBA-backed bill offering tax relief for rural lending introduced

ICBA expressed its strong support for the House introduction of legislation to exempt from taxation interest income on farm real estate and rural mortgage loans.
May 12, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Agriculture Rural Development 

CFPB issues guidance on reopening closed deposit accounts

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a circular affirming that banks might violate federal law if they unilaterally reopen a deposit account to process transactions after a consumer has already closed it.
May 12, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

American Commerce Bank's digital-only branch

American Commerce Bank in Georgia recently launched Monesty, a “digital branch” focused on security and customer engagement.
May 11, 2023 | Independent Banker  

ICBA Commends FDIC for Exempting Community Banks from Special Assessment

Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on today’s Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation proposed rule on special assessments for the resolutions of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank of New York.
May 11, 2023 | Press Release   Deposit Insurance 

Lindsay LaNore: You're a new community banker—now what?

Preparation and establishing good habits allow you to optimize your workday—and ultimately your whole team’s productivity.
May 10, 2023 | Independent Banker  

ICBA Strongly Supports Bipartisan ACRE Act Offering Tax Relief for Rural Lending

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today expressed its strong support for the House introduction of the Access to Credit for our Rural Economy (ACRE) Act (H.R. 3139) to support farmers, ranchers, and rural homeowners.
May 10, 2023 | Press Release   Agriculture Rural Development 

House panel to consider draft bills on agency transparency following bank failures

The House Financial Services Committee today will hold a hearing on several draft bills to increase transparency at federal banking regulators following the recent failures of several large banks.
May 10, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Deposit Insurance 

ICBA Capital Summit speakers finalized

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra are among the speakers set to address next week’s 2023 ICBA Capital Summit in Washington, D.C.
May 10, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

92% of eligible individuals received Economic Impact Payment: study

Pandemic-era Economic Impact Payments reached 92% of potentially eligible individuals, according to a report from federal researchers.
May 10, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Lending 

Strengthening your compliance management program

Wells Fargo was heavily fined for mismanagement of multiple functions, demonstrating the importance of having an effective compliance management system.
May 09, 2023 | Independent Banker   Compliance 

ICBA Supports Bipartisan Bill to Establish Cannabis Banking Safe Harbor

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today is reiterating its strong support for bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would establish a safe harbor from federal sanctions for financial institutions that serve cannabis-related businesses in states where cannabis is legal.
May 09, 2023 | Press Release   Cannabis banking 

ICBA Announces Staff Promotions

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today announced several staff promotions in recognition of their efforts to support the nation’s community banks.
May 09, 2023 | Press Release  

Nation’s Community Bankers Meet in Washington for ICBA Capital Summit

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) will host hundreds of community bank leaders during the 2023 ICBA Capital Summit May 14-17 in the nation’s capital.
May 09, 2023 | Press Release  

Availa Bank offers a different kind of college education

Understanding and seeking out financial assistance is difficult for many families with college-bound children, but Availa Bank alleviates this difficulty through its financial college prep program.
May 08, 2023 | Independent Banker  

Derek Williams: Charting the course

The core success of community banks stems from how well we meet the needs of the people we serve: our customers, employees, stockholders and communities.
May 07, 2023 | Independent Banker  

General counsel strategies for community banks

Having general counsel is critical for community banks, but what’s the right balance between in-house and external counsel? Community bankers and legal experts weigh in on how to create the right strategy for your bank.
May 06, 2023 | Independent Banker   Growing the Community 

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.
May 05, 2023 | Independent Banker  

ICBA to CFPB: Withdraw proposed rule on credit card late fees

ICBA called on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to withdraw its proposed rule on credit card fees for late payments.
May 05, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

ICBA Statement on SEC Pledge to Combat Financial Market Manipulation

Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on financial market manipulation.
May 05, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Deposit Insurance 

ICBA proposes new USDA Express loan program in congressional testimony

ICBA testified before Congress on its new proposal for a USDA program that would speed up loan approval times and thereby enhance access to credit in rural communities.
May 05, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Agriculture Lending  Agriculture 

Romero Rainey, Giorgio again named top Washington influencers

ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey and ICBA Bancard President and CEO Tina Giorgio were again named to Washingtonian magazine’s list of the 500 Most Influential People in the nation’s capital.
May 05, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Community Bank Awareness 

Senators distinguish failed banks from rest of industry

Senate Banking Committee leaders differentiated recently failed financial institutions from the broader banking industry during a committee hearing on holding executives accountable.
May 05, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Community Bank Awareness Deposit Insurance 

How community banks can minimize tech debt

Keeping old technology can be expensive, in terms of not only cost but also the missed opportunities to offer customers new solutions. The good news is, there are ways community banks can cut technical debt and benefit everyone.
May 04, 2023 | Independent Banker   Payments 

ICBA Urges CFPB to Withdraw Proposed Rule on Credit Card Late Fees

ICBA called on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to withdraw its proposed rule on credit card fees for late payments, saying the proposed rule sends the wrong message that punctual credit card payments are not a significant priority.
May 04, 2023 | Press Release   Compliance 

ICBA Banker Testifies Before Senate Agriculture Committee, Announces Proposal to Establish New USDA Express Loan Program

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today proposed a new USDA Express program to a Senate Agriculture subcommittee at a hearing focused on credit and risk management provisions in a new farm bill.
May 04, 2023 | Press Release   Agriculture 

ICBA continues distinguishing community banks in national media

ICBA continued to differentiate community banks from larger financial institutions in the news media following the failure of First Republic Bank.
May 03, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Community Bank Awareness Deposit Insurance 

ACH fraud survey deadline extended

ICBA Bancard extended the deadline for its survey on ACH fraud and whether it is a significant concern for community bankers and customers.
May 03, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   ACH 

ICBA testifying tomorrow on ag priorities

ICBA is scheduled to testify before Congress tomorrow on its farm bill priorities and other key proposals for the ag sector.
May 03, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Agriculture 

ICBA, groups request comment extension on late-fee proposal

ICBA and other groups asked the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to extend the comment deadline on its proposed rule on credit card penalty fees by 45 days, to June 18.
May 03, 2023 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

Growing SBA lending for small businesses

Community banks are seizing opportunities to grow SBA lending and provide small and minority-owned businesses with capital that would otherwise be difficult to find.
May 02, 2023 | Independent Banker   Lending 

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