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.
ICBA Applauds OCC s Commitment to Regulatory Relief for Community Banks
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) expressed strong support for today’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) announcement of a series of regulatory relief measures aimed at empowering community banks to continue serving their customers and communities.
October 06, 2025 |
Press Release
OCC
FDIC issues Q2 state profiles
The FDIC issued its state profiles for the second quarter. The series provides quarterly summaries of banking and economic conditions for each state.
October 03, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
FDIC
ICBA updates advocacy dashboard
ICBA updated its “Advocacy in Action” government relations dashboard for the fourth quarter with the latest community banking advocacy successes and priorities.
October 03, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Independent Banker shares tips for tackling cyber threats
The latest Independent Banker magazine shares ways that community banks can fight cyber attacks that are being supercharged by AI and other technological capabilities.
October 03, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Cybersecurity
President nominates Travis Hill as FDIC chairman
President Donald Trump nominated FDIC Acting Chairman Travis Hill to be FDIC chairman.
October 02, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
FDIC
Agencies share shutdown information
Federal agencies shared information on their programs and functionality during the government shutdown.
October 02, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Government Banks
SBA releases form to help community banks report on debanking compliance
As requested by ICBA, the Small Business Administration released a streamlined form to help community banks comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order on ensuring access to fair banking.
October 02, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Small Business Administration
Patriots Bank Goes Pink to Fight Breast Cancer
Patriots Bank launched a special debit card to generate emotional and financial support for breast cancer patients, and it has generated over $20,000 so far.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Balancing Innovation & Cost Control: A Community Banker’s Guide
SPONSORED | IBT Apps' newest ebook is available! Shopping for new technology can often feel like a lose-lose situation. With this guide, you’ll learn how to innovate smarter and spend wiser. A high-level, must-read for bank executives, operations, finance, and technology leaders.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Payments
What Role Do Wealth Managers Play Amid Economic Uncertainty?
Community banks that offer wealth management can play a notable role in easing customers’ anxiety amid economic and financial uncertainty.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Growing the Community
The Key to People-Focused Insurance Strategies
People make mistakes, but insurance can help ensure the bank doesn’t foot the bill for them.
October 01, 2025 |
News
FHFA Updates Enable Faster, Fairer Mortgages
The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced updates that it says are designed to deliver more efficiency, cost savings and a fairer appraisal process for borrowers and lenders alike.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Compliance
Specialty Lending That Strengthens Communities
Community banks continue to be the engines of their local economies. Doing what they do best, these three community banks offer financing in specialty areas for organizations that contribute to the well-being of their served markets.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Lending
Tackling Familiar Cyber Threats with Smarter Tools
Cyber attack methods remain the same, but they’re being supercharged by AI and other technological capabilities. Learn how your community bank can fight back using tools and education that are evolving, too.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Payments
Fighting Fraud with Tech and Training
Community banks have to take a heavy hand when it comes to fraud. Amid both high-tech and check fraud, these banks are encouraging a watchful eye through technology and education.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Compliance
How Each Bank Department Contributes to a Core Conversion
Core conversions are a huge undertaking, which is why every bank employee, from IT to HR, plays a critical role in the transition.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Payments
Scott Anchin: Keeping Up with Instant Payments Fraud
With instant payments becoming more mainstream, there are more opportunities for fraud.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Compliance
Bank of the Pacific Strikes Up Support for a Local Nonprofit
In March, Bank of the Pacific in Aberdeen, Washington, sponsored the Bowl-A-Thon fundraiser for Friends of the Children Portland.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Jacob Eisen: Playing Offense in Today's Fraud Environment
They say the best defense is a good offense, and with payments fraud, nothing rings truer. A proactive fraud strategy is a necessity.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Compliance
Jim Reber: The Rule of Three
Bond portfolio yields are at multiyear highs.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Growing the Community
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Battling the Many Faces of Fraud, Together
“When community bankers alert their peers to a new type of fraud or a rise in a particular form of attack, they empower the community to act.”
October 01, 2025 |
News
Out of Office: Brad Henion
The executive vice president and chief lending officer at $4.4 billion-asset ChoiceOne Bank in Sparta, Michigan, has trained hunting dogs for decades.
October 01, 2025 |
News
How Bridge Loans Can Bolster Your Mortgage Offerings
In a complex real estate environment, these community banks are providing bridge loans and other offerings to supplement their mortgage services.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Lending
The Secret to Engaging Customers Through Podcasts
With the popularity of podcasts, these community banks are riding the sound waves. Learn how they plan and produce episodes and build up engaged audiences.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Growing the Community
Mickey Marshall: Why National Trust Bank Charters Sparked a Growing Policy Fight
Fintech and crypto firms continue to seek out trust charters for deposit-like products,
raising policy questions and competitive risks for community banks.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Advocacy
MainStreet Bank Empowers the Community, One Employee At a Time
Through its Making Change program, MainStreet Bank implores its employees to engage in and contribute to community work.
October 01, 2025 |
News
ICBA Certification Q&A: Susan McLaughlin
Susan McLaughlin is assistant vice president, auditor and financial reporting analyst at Merchants National Bank in Logan, Ohio. As a certified community bank internal auditor (CCBIA), McLaughlin shares how internal auditors play a vital role in community banking.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Jack E. Hopkins: Employing a Multilayered Cybersecurity Approach
“We address cybersecurity from day one; our new employee orientation includes cyber training.”
October 01, 2025 |
News
Powering Potential: How ICBA's Letters Influence Congress
When a member of Congress introduces a bill that would affect the community banking industry, ICBA analyzes its implications, provides guidance and begins putting pen to paper. Here’s how ICBA uses letters to try to influence Congress.
October 01, 2025 |
News
Advocacy
CDFI Fund announces first awards of 2025
The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund announced it has awarded 56 organizations $8.8 million in technical assistance awards under the fiscal 2025 funding round.
October 01, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA Congratulates Travis Hill on Nomination as FDIC Chairman
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on President Donald Trump’s nomination of Travis Hill to serve as chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
October 01, 2025 |
Press Release
FDIC
Treasury issues consumer guidance as federal paper checks end
The Treasury Department shared options for consumers who receive federal payments by check as the government officially ceased issuing checks.
October 01, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA shares Cybersecurity Awareness Month marketing tools
ICBA offers ready-to-use marketing tools that community bankers can use in October via its Marketing Resource Center.
October 01, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Cybersecurity
The New Era of Risk: Why GRC Is a Strategic Imperative
SPONSORED | As governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) challenges evolve, you must adapt. Discover how emerging GRC trends are shaping the future – and how Jack Henry™ can help your stay compliant, resilient, and ready for what’s next.
September 30, 2025 |
News
Compliance Payments
Your Handshake is Your Promise. Less Complexity is Ours.
SPONSORED | Rocket Pro is built for financial institutions that believe home loans shouldn’t feel like an obstacle course. Learn more about partnering with Rocket Pro at rocketpro.com.
September 30, 2025 |
News
Lending
Outdated Positive Pay Leaves Banks Exposed
SPONSORED | Over 90% of banks report rising fraud attacks, yet most remain dissatisfied with Positive Pay adoption—while fintechs win business customers with modern tools. Here’s how community banks can protect accounts, strengthen loyalty, and create new revenue.
September 30, 2025 |
News
Compliance
ICBA FDIC should raise reporting requirement threshold
ICBA called on the FDIC to raise the threshold for auditor attestation and reporting requirements under its proposal to adjust and index certain regulatory thresholds.
September 30, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
FDIC
Shutdown would affect SBA USDA programs
Several programs that community banks rely on would be affected by a federal shutdown if Congress can’t agree on a short-term funding resolution before midnight tonight.
September 30, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Congressional Matters Government Banks
ICBA state groups urge broad implementation of ACRE Act tax exclusion
ICBA and its affiliated state community banking associations called on the Treasury Department to ensure an ICBA-advocated tax exclusion passed under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act applies to as many agricultural loans as possible.
September 29, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Revising community bank capital framework a key priority Bowman
Revising community bank capital standards and addressing check fraud are top priorities for the Federal Reserve, Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman said.
September 29, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Former NCUA official calls for transparency in credit union bank acquisitions
A new blog post spotlights the lack of information that credit union member-owners are privy to when their credit union decides to acquire a bank.
September 29, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
ICBA groups request Treasury comment extension on GENIUS Act
ICBA and other groups called on the Treasury Department to extend the 30-day comment period for its advance notice of proposed rulemaking on the implementation of the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act.
September 25, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
ICBA raises profile of payments fraud at interagency commission meeting
ICBA spotlighted payments fraud trends in a presentation to the Financial Education and Literacy Commission, a statutory commission chaired by the Treasury secretary and comprising the heads of 24 federal agencies.
September 25, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Fraud
Cybersecurity coordination law to lapse next week if Congress doesn t act
ICBA continues working with Congress to advance an extension of a law that strengthens public-private cybersecurity coordination before the law expires next week.
September 25, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Cybersecurity
ICBA community bankers meet with banking agencies on core processors
Ten ICBA community bankers and several staff members met with federal regulators to discuss community bank experiences and concerns with core service providers.
September 24, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Agencies/Regulators
Credit union acquisitions of community banks continue garnering media attention
Credit union acquisitions of community banks received renewed media attention this week with a new article on the largest acquisition so far this year.
September 24, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Credit Unions
Feds prepare for Sept 30 transition from paper checks
The federal government launched an updated webpage with information on its Sept. 30 transition away from issuing paper checks for most federal payments, while the IRS said it will publish guidance before the 2026 filing season begins.
September 24, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Checks Government Banks
Fed s Miran Interest rates too restrictive
New Federal Reserve Governor Stephen Miran said the Fed’s target interest rate is roughly 2 percentage points too tight, risking unnecessary layoffs and higher unemployment.
September 23, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Federal Reserve
ICBA Community tops 6 000 members
ICBA Community, the exclusive digital network for ICBA members, has surpassed 6,000 members.
September 23, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA CISA hosting Cybersecurity Awareness Month tabletop exercise
ICBA and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency are scheduled to host a members-only tabletop exercise to support community bank cybersecurity at noon (Eastern time) Thursday, Oct. 16.
September 23, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Cybersecurity
ICBA urging comments to FDIC on raising regulatory thresholds
ICBA is calling on community bankers to submit comments this week on the FDIC’s proposal to adjust and index certain regulatory thresholds, most notably Part 363 independent audit and reporting requirements.
September 22, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
FDIC
Treasury seeks comments on implementing GENIUS Act
The Treasury Department issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking seeking public comment related to its implementation of the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act.
September 22, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
ICBA urges FDIC to reject risky ILC applications
ICBA told the FDIC that it has a statutory duty to reject the applications of industrial loan companies that pose undue risks to the Deposit Insurance Fund and fail to serve the convenience and needs of their community.
September 22, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
FDIC
ICBA Urges FDIC to Reject Applications Under Industrial Loan Company Loophole to Prevent Risks to Consumers
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today told the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) that it has a statutory duty to reject the applications of industrial loan companies (ILCs) that pose undue risks to the Deposit Insurance Fund and that fail to serve the convenience and needs of their communities.
September 19, 2025 |
Press Release
Advocacy FDICIA
ICBA AI can help community banks if regulated properly
ICBA told Congress it believes artificial intelligence has the potential to help community banks meet regulatory burdens and expand access to credit, but thoughtful regulation is needed to ensure that innovation does not come at the expense of consumer protection or financial stability.
September 19, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Artificial Intellegence
ICBA Community banks lead the fight against fraud
ICBA told Congress that community banks are on the front lines of fraud mitigation and are leading the response but cannot solve the problem alone.
September 19, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Congressional Matters
OCC announces ICBA advocated supervision restructuring
Following ICBA advocacy, the OCC announced it will reverse its ICBA-opposed plan to merge its community, midsize, and large bank supervision functions into a single unit.
September 19, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
OCC
ICBA Urges FDIC to Reject Applications Under Industrial Loan Company Loophole to Prevent Risks to Consumers
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today told the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) that it has a statutory duty to reject the applications of industrial loan companies (ILCs) that pose undue risks to the Deposit Insurance Fund and that fail to serve the convenience and needs of their communities.
September 19, 2025 |
Press Release
FDIC
FedNow delivering instant payments for disaster relief disbursements
FedNow announced that participants recently started receiving instant disaster-relief disbursements for their account holders.
September 18, 2025 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Fed lowers interest rates by 25bp
The Federal Open Market Committee voted to lower target interest rates by 25 basis points to a range of 4.0% to 4.25%.
September 18, 2025 |
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.
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