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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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OCC’s Hsu: Regulators should change approach to mergers

Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael Hsu said he has directed senior OCC staff to work with the Justice Department and other agencies to review federal frameworks for bank mergers.
May 10, 2022 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   OCC 

ICBA supports barring adverse credit reporting on human trafficking victims

ICBA expressed support for a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposed rule that would prohibit consumer reporting agencies from reporting adverse information on victims of human trafficking.
May 10, 2022 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   CFPB 

ICBA Statement on Proposal to Modernize Community Reinvestment Act Framework

ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey released the following statement on today’s interagency proposed rule to modernize Community Reinvestment Act regulations.
May 05, 2022 | Press Release   CRA 

ICBA Encourages Consumers to Support America’s Entrepreneurs During National Small Business Week

The Independent Community Bankers of America joins the nation’s community banks in celebrating National Small Business Week (May 1-7) and showing their support for locally owned and operated businesses.
May 04, 2022 | Press Release   Advocacy 

Summary and Background of Climate-related Financial Risk Management for Large Financial Institutions

The FDIC is proposing that large financial institutions, defined as those with over $100 billion in total consolidated assets, be subject to a climate-related financial risk management framework.
May 04, 2022 | News  

ICBA Releases 2022 Community Banking Policy Resolutions

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today released its legislative and regulatory policy objectives for 2022 during the ICBA Capital Summit.
May 03, 2022 | Press Release   Advocacy 

As Capital Summit kicks off, polling confirms public support for local banking

ICBA kicked off the 2022 ICBA Capital Summit in Washington with new national and state-level polling data showing Americans in all 50 states view community banking favorably.
May 03, 2022 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Advocacy 

Capital Summit continues today with congressional meetings

Today’s ICBA Capital Summit agenda includes in-person meetings with congressional offices following remarks from Senate Banking Committee member Mike Rounds (R-S.D.).
May 03, 2022 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

FDIC board meeting this week on CRA reform proposal

The FDIC board of directors announced it will meet this week on a notice of proposed rulemaking on revising Community Reinvestment Act regulations. The board meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. (Eastern time) this Thursday, May 5.
May 03, 2022 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   CRA 

As Community Bankers Gather in Washington, New Polling Confirms Public Support for Local Banking

The Independent Community Bankers of America today is kicking off the 2022 ICBA Capital Summit in Washington with new national and state-level polling data showing Americans in all 50 states view community banking favorably.
May 02, 2022 | Press Release  

ICBA Capital Summit underway in Washington

The 2022 ICBA Capital Summit is underway in Washington, with community bankers advocating key issues in the nation’s capital and from back home.
May 02, 2022 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

ICBA updates ILC loophole white paper

Ahead of this week’s Capital Summit, ICBA updated its white paper detailing why policymakers should close a legal loophole that allows industrial loan companies and their parent companies to skirt regulatory oversight.
May 02, 2022 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Lending 

Is commercial lending on the rise?

Loan providers share an infectious enthusiasm and growing optimism for one vertical’s prospects in 2022: commercial lending. Here’s how community bankers can take advantage of various sectors—including SBA lending—over the next 12 months.
May 01, 2022 | Independent Banker   Lending 

Stealthy shopping for better service

It’s no secret why Alpine Bank’s mystery shopper program has helped the community bank meet and exceed customer expectations over the past two decades.
May 01, 2022 | Independent Banker  

Jim Reber: Mayday for mortgages?

Rising borrower costs have consequences for MBS.
May 01, 2022 | Independent Banker   Lending 

These Asian-American led banks are helping their communities

May marks Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month—and these Asian American-led community banks are adding to that heritage every single day by helping bring dreams within reach. We asked them about the unique challenges and satisfactions of their work.
May 01, 2022 | Independent Banker   Advocacy Compliance 

How thrift and mutual banks are benefiting their customers

Thrift banks, otherwise known as savings and loans, focus on turning deposits into consumer mortgage loans. Some thrifts are owned and operated by mutual banks, but not necessarily vice versa. We take a deep dive into what lies at the heart of these community banks’ business models and how this benefits their customer relationships.
May 01, 2022 | Independent Banker   Lending 

Demystifying Bitcoin and Digital Assets

SPONSORED | We recently sat down with Thomas Grundy for a conversation on demystifying Bitcoin and digital assets. A former regulator and a compliance professional for U.S.-based financial institutions. Tom shared insights on where Bitcoin could be headed and the compliance challenges facing financial institutions as they enter the market for digital assets.
May 01, 2022 | Independent Banker  

Why Banks Should Focus on Board Security

SPONSORED | As more bank board executives, directors, and administrators adopt digital board management processes, cybersecurity risks from half-baked digital adoption make them more vulnerable to expensive cyber threats.
May 01, 2022 | Independent Banker   Payments 

Out of Office: Justin Kitzinger

Justin Kitzinger, a private banking officer at $6 billion-asset Bankers Trust in Des Moines, Iowa, dedicates 200 hours each year to volunteer firefighting.
May 01, 2022 | Independent Banker  

Rhonda Thomas-Whitley: Defending overdraft protection for consumers

Overdraft programs and policies are once again in the sights of officials in Washington. ICBA takes on the fight.
May 01, 2022 | Independent Banker  

Charles Potts: Back-office innovation

Community bankers are embracing innovation like never before—with impressive results. But with so much emphasis placed on customer-facing products and technologies, innovating back-office operations can fall to the bottom of the priority list.
May 01, 2022 | Independent Banker  

Brad M. Bolton: Educating future leaders

Focusing on the ‘whys’ helps employees see how decisions fit together in a perfect puzzle for high-performing success, and it motivates them to be contributors to that success.
May 01, 2022 | Independent Banker  

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.
May 01, 2022 | Independent Banker  

Technology your remote and hybrid employees need

Remote and hybrid working was once the exception but, for some community bank employees, it’s now the norm. What technology is needed to keep remote workers productive, connected and, most of all, engaged?
May 01, 2022 | Independent Banker   Payments 

The top-performing community banks of 2021

Independent Banker’s annual listing top-performing community banks of 2021 alongside interviews with some of the winners. In true community bank fashion, each has its own story to tell and its own path to success.
May 01, 2022 | Independent Banker   Lending 

Mortgage eClosing: The Path to eSignatures

SPONSORED | The path to eClosing is complex but achievable. During this Dialogue on Demand session, we will uncover the benefits and uses of eSignatures, legislation surrounding eSignatures and steps to achieve a fully digital mortgage closing process.
May 01, 2022 | Independent Banker   Lending 

Prepare for a purchase market and create mortgage efficiencies

SPONSORED | The mortgage industry is very volatile. How can lenders be ready? In this webinar, you’ll learn about how APIs can enhance the experience for both borrowers and lenders and preparing for the purchase market with your own online application.
May 01, 2022 | Independent Banker   Lending 

Future Security Trends to Bank On

SPONSORED | Financial institutions have a unique set of requirements when it comes to security and surveillance, beyond the traditional methods of on-premise security camera monitoring. Find out how to navigate through the post pandemic world with future security trends you can bank on.
May 01, 2022 | Independent Banker   Payments 

New ICBA podcast: why cybersecurity goes beyond IT

The latest episode of ICBA’s Communities of Innovation podcast focuses on why cybersecurity is no longer simply an IT issue for community banks.
April 28, 2022 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Cybersecurity 

FDIC names new community bank committee members

ICBA congratulates the new members of the FDIC Advisory Committee on Community Banking, which provides advice and recommendations to the agency.
April 28, 2022 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   FDIC 

Hsu calls for stablecoin standard-setting initiative

Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael Hsu issued a statement calling for a joint effort to develop standards for stablecoin interoperability.
April 28, 2022 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Digital Assets 

Chopra pledges to engage community banks in Senate testimony

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra told Congress that engaging community banks is one of his key priorities as head of the agency.
April 27, 2022 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Community Bank Awareness 

Senate approves Brainard for Fed vice chair

The Senate voted 52-43 to approve Federal Reserve Governor Lael Brainard’s nomination for Fed vice chair.
April 27, 2022 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Federal Reserve 

Deadline today for Capital Summit registration

The deadline to register for the 2022 ICBA Capital Summit is today, April 22. The industry’s premier advocacy event is scheduled for May 1-4 in Washington, D.C.
April 22, 2022 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

Banking Associations Raise ‘Significant Concerns’ with Proposed Changes to Fed Master Account Guidelines

A coalition of banking associations responded today to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve as it seeks to establish guidelines for how institutions applying for a Fed master account will be evaluated.
April 22, 2022 | Press Release   Payments Technology Fintech Regulation 

OCC penalizes converted crypto bank

The OCC issued a consent order against Anchorage Digital Bank, one of the first crypto firms to receive conditional approval for a national trust charter.
April 22, 2022 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Cybersecurity Digital Assets Technology 

ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator Demo Day Showcases the Future of Community Banking Innovation

The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) and The Venture Center, in partnership with the State of Arkansas, today hosted the fourth annual ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator Demo Day.
April 20, 2022 | Press Release  

ICBA, groups urge flexibility for MDI, CDFI program

ICBA and other groups called on the Treasury Department to exercise flexibility in Emergency Capital Investment Program participation.
April 20, 2022 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Capital 

ICBA offers Small Business Week custom resources

ICBA released customizable resources community bankers can use to commemorate Small Business Week, which is scheduled for May 2-6.
April 20, 2022 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Community Bank Awareness 

CFPB report on rural challenges doesn’t account for reg burden

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a report on the challenges faced by Americans in rural communities.
April 20, 2022 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   CFPB Agriculture 

ICBA ThinkTECH Demo Day on Wednesday

The 2022 ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator Program’s Demo Day is scheduled for this week to present participants’ solutions tailored for community banks.
April 18, 2022 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

Michael Barr tapped as Fed vice chair for supervision

President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate former Treasury official Michael Barr as the next Vice Chair for Supervision of the Federal Reserve.
April 18, 2022 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Federal Reserve 

ICBA: BNPL non-bank providers should face greater reg scrutiny

Regulatory scrutiny of Buy Now Pay Later programs should focus on non-supervised institutions that don’t need to comply with the same rules as banks, and may end up harming customers, ICBA’s Michael Emancipator told PYMNTS.
April 18, 2022 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Payments 

FS-ISAC covers Russian threats, data center cyber risk

The Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center’s most recent weekly risk summary report covers the latest threats from the Russia-Ukraine conflict; Octo, a new Android banking trojan; and phishing campaigns targeting financial institutions.
April 15, 2022 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Cybersecurity 

ICBA accepting service awards nominations

ICBA this month is accepting submissions for the 2022 National Community Bank Service Awards.
April 15, 2022 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

ICBA “dashboard” updates advocacy efforts for Q2

ICBA’s second quarter “Advocacy in Action” government relations dashboard recaps key issues at the forefront and offers an update on efforts to advance ICBA’s policy positions before Congress and financial agencies.
April 14, 2022 | News  

ICBA issues custom op-ed on credit union-bank acquisitions

ICBA issued a customizable op-ed that community bankers can use to raise awareness of credit union acquisitions of community banks.
April 14, 2022 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Credit Unions 

ICBA ThinkTECH Demo Day next week

The 2022 ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator Program’s Demo Day is scheduled for next week to present participants’ solutions tailored for community banks.
April 14, 2022 | ICBA NewsWatch Today  

Join the ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator Virtual Showcase on April 20

The Independent Community Bankers of America and The Venture Center, in partnership with the State of Arkansas, will host the 2022 Virtual Demo Day, a culmination of the 2022 ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator program’s 16-week incubator and immersive bootcamp.
April 12, 2022 | Press Release  

ICBA Wins Association Trends Award for Campaign Opposing IRS Bank Reporting Proposal

The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) earned an Association Trends 2022 TRENDY Award for its campaign opposing a plan to require banks to report customer account information to the IRS.
April 11, 2022 | Press Release   Advocacy Taxes & Budget 

Congress should join states in responding to CU bank acquisitions: op-ed

While credit union advocates support credit unions leveraging their tax exemption to acquire community banks, these subsidized transactions harm local communities, ICBA Chairman Brad Bolton writes in a new op-ed.
April 11, 2022 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Credit Unions 

OCC’s Hsu addresses key stablecoin policy considerations

Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael Hsu identified three key policy issues critical to understanding and shaping the stablecoin system: stability, interoperability, and separability.
April 11, 2022 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Digital Assets Technology 

ICBA urges CFPB to reduce remittance rule burden

ICBA called on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to reduce the regulatory burden of its rule on remittance transfers to avoid disadvantaging community bank customers.
April 11, 2022 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

Treasury announces additional Russia sanctions

Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced additional sanctions on Russia’s largest banks and individuals connected to top Russian officials.
April 07, 2022 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Advocacy 

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen Speech on Digital Assets Reflects ICBA Priorities

Independent Community Bankers of America President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s remarks on digital assets.
April 07, 2022 | Press Release   Cybersecurity Digital Assets Technology 

ICBA engaging policymakers amid rising payments emphasis: blog

A new ICBA blog post spotlights the growing policy focus on payments and how ICBA represents community banks’ payments needs.
April 07, 2022 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Payments 

Minnesota rules against credit union bank acquisitions

A proposed credit union acquisition of a community bank in Minnesota was rejected by the state’s business regulator—the latest state-level roadblock for credit unions.
April 07, 2022 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Credit Unions 

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