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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...
Community banks grow alongside their ag customers
The community bankers serving agricultural communities know how to roll up their sleeves and help with harvest, move cattle and work alongside their customers. Their commitment to keeping rural...
What’s a special-purpose credit program?
In an effort to help financial institutions expand access to credit, the CFPB recently addressed regulatory uncertainty around special-purpose credit programs, or SPCPs. These programs are intended...
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....
Is CRE lending bouncing back?
Commercial real estate lenders had a stellar year in 2019, but the pandemic hurt that momentum. According to experts, however, some sectors of the CRE lending market are moving forward, and...
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...
Who made ICBA's 2021 list of Top Lenders?
Our top lenders of 2021 made the most of one of the toughest years in recent memory through personal connection, ingenuity and dedication to their communities.
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...
How your bank can build its construction loan portfolio
The pandemic significantly changed the landscape for construction lending, but with the possibility of economic recovery on the way, there are opportunities to grow your community bank’s...
Mark Scanlan: Fighting for ag and rural tax relief
ICBA is pushing for the Enhancing Credit Opportunities in Rural America Act, legislation that would help rural borrowers and level the playing field against unfair competition.
Growing Your Loan Portfolio with Construction Lending
SPONSORED | Community Bankers have historically considered construction loans an essential part of their loan portfolio. The current market conditions lend themselves to an opportunity of portfolio...
Community Bank CEO Outlook 2021: What's the path ahead?
No Magic 8 Ball could have predicted the year community banks had in 2020. What will 2021 bring? Independent Banker’s annual Community Bank CEO Outlook survey asked bank executives how they plan to...
2021’s lending outlook: cautious optimism
Many community bankers are cautiously optimistic that this year will bring the same, if not more, demand for loans. They also describe a year that may bring opportunities to gain market share from...
10 mobile lending UX best practices
The easier and more intuitive your mobile lending platform is to use, the more high-quality loan applications you’ll receive.
Who made ICBA’s 2020 Top Lenders list?
Our top lenders’ exceptional performance last year has set them up for success even in a time of turmoil. Read on to meet the year’s most successful loan producers in the agriculture, commercial...
Banks that found their niche lending markets
Technology has blurred community banks’ geographic borders for some lending niches—but for others, face-to-face remains the gold standard. These community banks know one size doesn’t always...
Preventing and detecting mortgage fraud
Many compliance functions are needed to detect mortgage fraud, from FACTA and FCRA to the SAFE Act. Here’s a look at the requirements.
Who made our list of top industry loan producers for 2019?
Meet ICBA’s top industry loan producers for 2019. Whether they specialize in agricultural, consumer or commercial lending, they’re keeping America’s economy moving.
Site visits still matter. Here’s why
Site visits are the key to protecting your community bank’s commercial and industrial portfolio. Here’s why.
The pros and cons of niche lending
In niche lending, your community bank’s fate comes down to expertise and passion for the work.