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Southern Bancorp is building wealth for everyone
As CEO of Southern Bancorp, Darrin Williams wants to promote relationships between community banks and CDFIs to create more prosperous communities.
New Trends Redefining the Role of Community Banks
SPONSORED | Discover the evolving trends that will determine your institution's long-term success.
De novos in the time of COVID
The 2008 financial crisis kept the number of de novos low for years but had started to rebound. Then, the pandemic happened. Today, de novos and beginner banks face a unique set of challenges and...
Community Bank CEO Outlook 2022: Your priorities for the new year
Independent Banker’s annual Community Bank CEO Outlook survey reveals how community bank leaders plan to leverage today’s deposit-laden banking environment to grow this year.
Our first Innovation Conversation
Citizens Bank of Edmond evolves its innovation strategy by working with—and for—its community partners. We spoke to two of its business customers for the first article in a new series.
Inside the evolving roles of community bank tellers
Today’s tellers meet very different customer needs than they did just a decade ago. In the wake of trends like falling in-branch transactions and rising digital services, some community banks are...
Partners in Fraud Prevention – A Conversation with Pioneer Trust Bank’s Betsy Steinberg and ICBA Bancard’s Rebecca Kruse
Host Charles Potts, CIO of the Independent Community Bankers of America, sits down with Eric Sprink to discuss his storied career and passion for community banking. This episode is brought to you...
Community Banking and Cryptocurrency – A Conversation with Quontic Bank’s Steve Schnall and ICBA’s Brian Laverdure
Host Charles Potts, CIO of the Independent Community Bankers of America, sits down with Eric Sprink to discuss his storied career and passion for community banking. This episode is brought to you...
Why community banks form charitable foundations
Supporting local causes and charities is a core differentiator of community banks. To that end, some community banks have elected to form foundations to be lasting stewards of their charitable...
Now is a prime time for digital account opening
How Americans bank has been changing for years, including how they start their banking relationships. Offering the ability to open an account online can be one way to reach customers who are unable...
Jim Reber: Bill Shakespeare, community banker
The Bard had some thoughts on balance sheet management.
How University Bank is redressing redlining
Widespread housing discrimination made homeownership unattainable for Black Americans for generations. To address this, University Bank and a nonprofit launched a new mortgage program, creating a...
Overcoming banking hurdles for Native American customers
Native American customers on tribal lands have historically been redlined and ignored by the mainstream financial system. Native-owned community banks have been there to serve these communities by...
Jim Reber: Financing, fine-tuned
New risk profiles call for attention to details.
How BankMD’s experiment paid off
Digital-only brand BankMD has shaken up the medical lending arena since its launch in 2019, led by Moses D. Luevano. Anchored by San Antonio-based TransPecos Banks, the experiment has brought huge...
“Baby Stepping” Got Coastal Community Bank to BaaS - A Conversation with Eric Sprink, CEO
Host Charles Potts, CIO of the Independent Community Bankers of America, sits down with Eric Sprink to discuss his storied career and passion for community banking. This episode is brought to you...
Jim Reber: Balance sheet, complete
Investors have turned their sights on loan purchases.
Brattleboro Savings & Loan is a force for good
Brattleboro Savings & Loan is the ninth bank in the country to become an official B Corporation, a designation that certifies the community bank’s commitment to its community, the environment and...
Why internships could benefit your community bank
An internship provides opportunities for young people to be exposed to an industry and lay the groundwork for a future career. For community banks, they can be a tool for finding the right...
ICBA’s 2021 National Community Bank Service Award winners
ICBA’s National Community Bank Service Award winners for 2021 demonstrate that when their local areas need support, community banks are there with innovative, compassionate and thoughtful responses.