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.
Why community banks are acquiring nonbanks
Acquiring a wealth management firm, fintech, title business or other nonbank organization can unlock new opportunities for community banks. These acquisitions can add new revenue generators, specialized employees and other assets to a community bank in place of organic growth. But experts say that finding the right business to acquire can be tricky.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Growing the Community
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Starting a new chapter
As we enter a new chapter and start a new financial statement cycle, know that ICBA will be there to support you with tools, resources and advocacy efforts.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
First Home Bank’s PPP pivot
First Home Bank doubled down on Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) lending, dedicating its entire SBA lending division and dozens of other employees to delivering much-needed funds to businesses. The result? More than $1.2 billion in PPP loans.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Lending
Is CRE lending bouncing back?
Commercial real estate lenders had a stellar year in 2019, but the pandemic hurt that momentum. According to experts and the latest data, however, some sectors of the CRE lending market are beginning to move full steam ahead, and deposit-laden community banks, like Cadence Bank, are primed to fulfill that demand.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Lending
Robert Fisher: Accelerating ahead
In today’s marketplace, we can’t be afraid to experiment and fail. Let’s embrace some out-of-the-box, entrepreneurial thinking to attack our problem areas.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Jim Reber: Pick and roll
Multiple institutional relationships influence bond yields.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Charles Potts: Embrace the digital experience
Consider ICBA your partner and advocate on the digital transformation journey. That’s why ThinkTECH exists and why we continually innovate to introduce new resources as the industry evolves.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Payments
What young borrowers want in the loan journey
Younger borrowers have different expectations when it comes to how they bank and do business. The needs of these digital-first customers are leading some community banks to prioritize digital loan processes that make the loan journey more efficient.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Lending
Meet 2021’s ThinkTECH Accelerator finalists
Starting in 2018, ICBA’s ThinkTECH Accelerator has helped create a new ecosystem of community bank-friendly fintechs through a rigorous incubator boot camp involving hundreds of community bankers serving as mentors. Read on to learn about this year’s fintech cohort and their diverse mix of lending, cybersecurity and other solutions.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Payments
Who made ICBA's 2021 list of Top Lenders?
Last year, community bank loan producers were faced with both record-low interest rates and a glut of deposits. But as they always do, they came through for individuals and businesses in their communities with a combination of personalized service and prudent risk management practices. Here, we highlight some of last year’s most successful loan producers in the areas of agriculture, commercial and consumer/mortgage lending.
July 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Lending
FinCEN issues AML/CFT priorities
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued the first government-wide priorities for anti-money-laundering and counter-financing-terrorism policy.
July 01, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
ICBA Supports Senate Bill Offering Tax Relief for Rural Lending
The Independent Community Bankers of America today expressed its strong support for the Senate introduction of the Enhancing Credit Opportunities in Rural America (ECORA) Act to support farmers, ranchers and rural homeowners.
July 01, 2021 |
Press Release
Agriculture
IRS enables direct deposit updates for Child Tax Credit payments
The IRS upgraded an online tool to enable families to update their bank account information so they can receive their monthly Child Tax Credit payment.
July 01, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Taxes & Budget
Vanessa Hanson Joins ICBA Marketing and Communications Department as Director of Digital and Social Engagement
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), announced today the hire of Vanessa Hanson as director of digital and social engagement.
July 01, 2021 |
Press Release
CFPB reports on 2020 consumer reporting, servicing violations
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a report highlighting legal violations identified by bureau examinations in 2020.
June 30, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
HUD proposes restoring ‘disparate impact’ rule
The Department of Housing and Urban Development recently proposed rescinding its 2020 rule interpreting the Fair Housing Act’s "disparate impact" standard and restoring its 2013 rule on discriminatory effects.
June 30, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance
As Credit Union-Bank Acquisitions Accelerate, ICBA Urges Congressional Hearings
The Independent Community Bankers of America today reinforced its call for Congress to investigate tax-exempt credit unions acquiring taxpaying community banks following a resurgence in interstate acquisitions.
June 18, 2021 |
Press Release
Credit Unions
Ransomware renewing agency crypto response: blog
Escalating attacks against critical infrastructure are bringing renewed focus to the role of cryptocurrencies in facilitating criminal activity, which has implications for community banks, ICBA’s Brian Laverdure writes in a new Main Street Matters post.
June 18, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Cybersecurity Digital Assets
Blog: Faster payments have arrived — now what?
The pandemic has accelerated the implementation of instant payments and the need for community banks to have a strategy in place, according to the latest Main Street Matters post.
June 18, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Payments
HMDA relief reflected in 2020 reporting data
The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council released 2020 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data showing the impact of regulatory relief on HMDA reporting.
June 18, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance Mortgage Rules Housing Finance/GSEs
ICBA Services Network Announces New Community Banker Board Members
ICBA Services Network, the business services subsidiary of ICBA, today announced the appointments of several high-profile community banker board members.
June 15, 2021 |
Press Release
Advocacy
ICBA Provides Tips for Preventing Elder Financial Abuse
June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, and the Independent Community Bankers of America and its subsidiary, the Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation are providing tips for preventing the disturbing trend of elder financial abuse.
June 15, 2021 |
Press Release
Advocacy
Ohio Community Banker to Chair ICBA Reinsurance Board of Directors
ICBA Reinsurance, the captive reinsurance company of the Independent Community Bankers of America, today announced the election of Jack Hartings, chairman of The Peoples Bank Co. in Coldwater, Ohio, as chairman of the ICBA Reinsurance board of directors.
June 14, 2021 |
Press Release
Georgia Community Banker Named Chairman of ICBA Securities Board of Directors
ICBA Securities Inc., the broker-dealer subsidiary of the Independent Community Bankers of America, today announced the election of Derek Williams, president and CEO of Century Bank & Trust in Milledgeville, Ga., as chairman of the ICBA Securities board of directors.
June 11, 2021 |
Press Release
Farm Credit System loan volume jumps 10%
The Farm Credit Administration released its quarterly report on the ag economy and the performance of the Farm Credit System, whose growth is largely generated by tax free ag real estate lending.
June 11, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Agriculture FCS
Basel regulators begin vetting crypto capital rules
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision published a public consultation document with preliminary proposals for the prudential treatment of banks' cryptoasset exposures.
June 11, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Digital Assets
FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, June 11, 2021
As the G7 summit kicks off, the US has pledged 500 million doses of vaccine to be given to lower-income countries to help combat the coronavirus pandemic.
June 11, 2021 |
News
Advocacy Operational Risk Crisis Preparedness
Fed outlines instant payments fraud considerations
The Federal Reserve released an article on fraud management considerations to evaluate when preparing for instant payments
June 10, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Data Security/Fraud Payments
IRS issues another 2.3M EIPs
The IRS said it disbursed more than 2.3 million additional Economic Impact Payments over the past two weeks. The latest batch includes those with official payment dates through June 9.
June 10, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Advocacy Crisis Preparedness Lending
ICBA to Congress: Postal banking not the answer
ICBA told Congress that postal banking is not the solution to reaching more unbanked Americans and lawmakers should reject such proposals.
June 10, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Government Banks Postal Service Banking
FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, June 10, 2021
The seven-day average of daily US infections held below 15,000 as of Tuesday, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, down 17% from a week ago and a level not seen since the early days of the pandemic.
June 10, 2021 |
News
Advocacy Operational Risk Crisis Preparedness
FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, June 9, 2021
Declines in US Covid-19 cases, emergency department visits, hospital admissions and deaths were largest in age groups that were most vaccinated. according to a new CDC-published study.
June 09, 2021 |
News
Advocacy Operational Risk Crisis Preparedness
Crapo challenges new bank IRS reporting proposal
Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) pushed back against a Biden administration proposal that would require financial institutions to report information on account flows to the IRS.
June 09, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Lending
ICBA continues push against House ‘true lender’ repeal
ICBA and other groups again urged in a joint letter to House members their opposition to a Senate-passed resolution to repeal the OCC’s “true lender” rule.
June 09, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Lending
Swap guidance continues LIBOR transition
A Commodity Futures Trading Commission panel recommended best practices for switching interdealer trading conventions from LIBOR to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate in U.S. dollar interest rate swaps.
June 09, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Lending LIBOR
CFPB issues FAQ on EFT and Reg E
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued frequently asked questions on unauthorized transfer and error resolution provisions under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act and Regulation E.
June 08, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Compliance Compliance
IRS begins contacting families on Child Tax Credit
The IRS said it started sending letters to more than 36 million American families who may be eligible to receive monthly Child Tax Credit payments starting in July.
June 08, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Taxes & Budget
ICBA releases new elder abuse awareness resources
ICBA released customizable resources to help community banks recognize World Elder Abuse Awareness Day next week.
June 08, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Advocacy
FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, June 8, 2021
People who have been vaccinated against coronavirus are more than 90% protected against infection and, if they do become infected, they have milder disease than unvaccinated people, a new CDC study shows.
June 08, 2021 |
News
Advocacy Operational Risk Crisis Preparedness
ICBA requests more time for interchange feedback
ICBA and other groups called on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors to grant a 30-day extension for its Notice of Proposed Rule Making on Debit Card Interchange Fees and Routing.
June 03, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Interchange
ICBA updates data privacy guide
ICBA recently released an updated guide for community banks on data privacy laws and regulations. The guide walks community bankers through some of the more prominent state, federal, and international data privacy laws.
June 03, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Risk Cybersecurity
ICBA to OCC: Rescind charter policy shift
ICBA and other groups wrote to request the OCC rescind its interpretive letter expanding eligibility to apply for a national trust charter as well as the conditional charter approvals for Anchorage Digital Bank, Paxos National Trust and Protego Trust Bank.
June 02, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Regulatory Relief
Nick Denning Joins ICBA Bancard as Senior Vice President, Payments Industry Relations
ICBA Bancard, the payments services subsidiary of the Independent Community Bankers of America, announced the hire of Nick Denning as senior vice president of payments industry relations.
June 02, 2021 |
Press Release
ICBA Offers Tips to Help Demystify the Home Buying Process
In recognition of National Homeownership Month in June, ICBA and the nation’s community banks are reminding consumers to consult their local community bank to learn about programs that can make homeownership easier and more affordable
June 02, 2021 |
Press Release
Housing Finance/GSEs
GAO urges agency collaboration re: alternative data use
The Government Accountability Office reissued its recommendation to the FDIC for enhanced collaboration with other financial regulators concerning the use of alternative data in credit underwriting.
June 02, 2021 |
ICBA NewsWatch Today
Regulatory Relief
Out of Office: Kyle DeCicco
The executive vice president and senior loan officer at $740 million-asset Sanibel Captiva Community Bank in Sanibel, Fla., competes in Ironman triathlons, tests of endurance that involve swimming 2.4 miles, cycling 112 miles and running a marathon.
June 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Chief risk officers on how they manage today’s risks
The more community banks grow, the more risk they take on. Chief risk officers are the ones behind the scenes making growth possible. Four CROs sound off on their increasingly important role within community banks.
June 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Sunflower Bank is making change for schools
For two decades, Sunflower Bank has empowered customers to raise money for schools in their community. These efforts have generated more than $1.4 million for schools and started financial conversations among students.
June 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Jim Reber: Tighten up
Agency spreads continue to grind lower.
June 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
How your bank can attract and keep diverse talent
Community banks are close to the areas they serve, so it follows that having a diverse workforce that’s representative of their communities would be part of their mission. But doing so often requires a conscious effort to attract talent of various backgrounds. Here’s how experts say banks can appeal to a diverse pool of candidates.
June 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Why community banks are banking on artists
Boosting the arts is a natural extension of the commitment many community banks make to their communities. For some institutions, this work is about championing the work of local creatives. For others, it’s part of their brand. Here’s how several community banks are engaging art and artists in their own ways.
June 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Will 2021 be another banner year for mortgage lending?
Even with the disruption of the pandemic, 2020 was a huge year for mortgage lending, with many community banks seeing record numbers of home loans, refinancings and more. The question is whether that momentum will continue.
June 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Lending
Aaron Stetter: Congress needs hearings on credit unions
We’re calling on Congress to hold hearings on credit unions’ misuse of their outdated tax exemption. With credit union acquisitions of banks rising, policymakers must re-evaluate and eliminate this exemption.
June 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Advocacy
Lindsay LaNore: Time for a check-in
Employees thrive when they receive regular, constructive feedback. Some experts suggest that having additional midyear or quarterly check-ins can be more effective than traditional annual reviews alone.
June 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Tenacity drives Stearns Bank
The community bank in St. Cloud, Minn., has cultivated a culture that combines creativity and hard work. The result is an award-winning workplace that fosters growth for both employees and the bank.
June 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Robert Fisher: Lead with integrity
One of my early mentors told me, ‘It’s often easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.’ That piece of advice has … allowed us to be a little more progressive as a bank.
June 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Staying the course
We must work to remain optimistic in the face of adversity and keep in mind that no matter how difficult that feat may be, it’s worth the effort.
June 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Charles Potts: A culture of innovation
Innovation is a high priority for many community bank leaders, so it’s critical that we have a foundational definition of innovation.
June 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Payments
What you need to know about digital issuance
Instant issue cards are becoming more common at financial institutions, as they can maximize card usage and even attract customers. But another option, digital issuance, combines that speed with increasingly popular digital services.
June 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Payments
Stop elder financial abuse with data analytics
Elder financial abuse has been on the rise for the past decade, but so has data analytics technology, which banks can use to fight this fraud. Experts share strategies for community banks to protect their customers from identity fraud.
June 01, 2021 |
Independent Banker
Compliance Payments
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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