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How Banks Can Combat Deposit Insurance Disruption
Following the failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, community banks look to alternative deposit insurance options.
Charles Potts: Budgeting for the Future
We’re in a tricky economic environment, but by focusing further down the line, we can get ahead of industry evolution and prepare for what’s next.
Jenna Burke: Are Changes to Bank M&A Rules on the Horizon?
The Department of Justice and other banking agencies are evaluating a new potential M&A framework. What does this mean for community banks?
ICBA's 2023 National Community Bank Service Award Winners
ICBA’s 2023 National Community Bank Service Award winners, First Federal Savings & Loan Association and Cross Bank, explain why, in the face of devastating natural disasters, it was natural to help...
ICBA's 2022 National Community Bank Service Award winners
The winners of ICBA’s National Community Bank Service Awards, which recognize member banks for their extraordinary efforts during the past year, are shining examples of the community bank difference.
Should You Talk to Customers about your Community Bank's Finances?
With the recent failures of a few megabanks, customers may have questions and concerns about their own banks. Here’s how you can address them.
How to Streamline Balance Sheet Risk Management
Balance sheet risk management is a constantly evolving area. Luckily for community bankers, new tools are being created in turn to help optimize the process.
Lindsay LaNore: The Swift Swap
How to build community in your teams and incorporate fun into the workday without breaking the budget or eating up valuable work time.
Tips for Better Community Bank CMS Testing
By understanding and leveraging compliance management system testing, community banks can limit potential risk.
Derek Williams: Part of the Family
A bank that demonstrates it truly understands and cares about individual needs will create a meaningful relationship with that employee and strengthen retention in the process.
9 Ways for Community Banks to Cut Expenses
As the start of the fiscal year approaches, it’s a great opportunity for community banks to revisit vendor contracts, technology and more to limit expenses. We asked experts for their top tips on...
CFOs' Tips on a Changing Environment
Community bank chief financial officers are currently facing one of the most challenging environments in decades. Independent Banker recently spoke with community bank CFOs to see how they are...
Troy Bank & Trust Banks Carries the Torch for its Founder
Charles Henderson’s legacy as a businessman, politician and philanthropist continues to guide Alabama’s Troy Bank & Trust nearly a century after his death.
Member Benefits: ICBA Career Center
ICBA’s Career Center serves bankers who are both hiring and looking for jobs, connecting them to the financial institution careers and talent that they desire.
Out of Office: Dick Behl
The president of $35 million-asset Farmers & Merchants State Bank in Scotland, S.D., doubles as a weekend scuba instructor.
In Pictures: The ICBA Capital Summit 2023
To advocate for community banks across the nation, ICBA and participating bankers went straight to the source: Capitol Hill.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: A Tried-and-True Business Model
So much of what we’ve seen in the last six months is banks doubling down on what they’re good at doing: helping their customers and communities in ways that nobody else can.
Member Milestones: Keeping the Community Bank Spirit Alive
Each year, ICBA recognizes member banks celebrating significant anniversaries: 100, 125, 150 or 175 years. Each has a story that proves why these community banks remain staples of their towns and...
Susan Sullivan: Staking a Claim in the Digital Assets Debate
As Congress and other federal agencies discuss the evolving marketplace of cryptocurrency and a CBDC, ICBA is ensuring the voice of community banks are being heard.
How Choice Bank Used Tech to Recapture Ag Business
When ag retailers started offering financing options from national companies at the point of sale, Choice Bank hit back with the development of an innovative POS digital origination platform.
OceanFirst Bank's Financial Literacy Push
With a goal of improving financial literacy statewide and within its served communities, OceanFirst Bank N.A. in Toms River, N.J., donated $10,000 to Junior Achievement (JA) of New Jersey.
Out of Office: JD Bubel
The vice president and CIO of $240 million-asset Security First Bank in Center, N.D., is retiring from his second career as a rodeo stock contractor, a job he did with his father for the love of...
Compensation and Benefits for Community Banks' C-Suite
When selecting benefits for your executive employees, their wants and needs may differ depending on the state of the market, where they are in life and other factors. Learn how to tune into those...
First Community Bank Paints the Town Pink for Charity
In October 2022, First Community Bank in Batesville, Ark., raised more than $16,000 for breast cancer research. The community bank joined White River Health System’s Paint the Town Pink initiative...
Jim Reber: Portfolio Power
Barbell structure may be the right regimen.
Lindsay LaNore: 5 Skills to Master Early in Your Career
What are the career skills you need to learn in your twenties?
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Here for the Long Haul
Community banks … commit for the long haul as a true partner, helping customers withstand market turbulence and come out successfully on the other side.
Stephen Keen: ICBA Defends Against FDIC Special Assessment
As soon as the news broke about Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, ICBA sprang into action, shielding community banks from paying for the failures of the megabanks.
40 Under 40: 2023 Community Bank Leaders
In our fifth annual 40 Under 40 community bank leaders awards, meet the winners who are making a difference in their banks and communities through trailblazing innovations, a philanthropic spirit...
Charles Potts: The Importance of Curiosity
What makes an innovation leader? By its very nature, innovation doesn’t conform to a particular series of checkboxes, yet all innovation-focused leaders exemplify one critical trait: curiosity.
How Banks Can Approach Cannabis Compliance
For community banks that are interested in or are already working with cannabis-related businesses, understanding compliance guidelines surrounding that sector is vital. We spoke with experts on...
Charles Potts: The Myth, Lure and Reality of AI
AI has become more advanced, but in a cost-effective manner, making it available to the masses.
Q&A: Computer-Security Incident Notifications
To prevent cyber incidents, new computer-security incident notification requirements were established in late 2021, changing the way community banks need to react in case of a cybersecurity event.
Minnesota's First Black-Owned Bank
In 2022, Detroit-based First Independence Bank became the first Black-owned bank to open a branch in Minnesota, with the goal of creating greater economic prospects for underserved people.
How Community Banks Can Better Protect Their ATMs
Branches aren’t the only bank properties that bad actors target. The number of ATM robberies is steadily increasing, and your security around them should, too.
Tompkins Community Bank Nurtures Youth Programs
Tompkins Community Bank has a long history of helping fund youth programs, making a difference in the lives of future leaders, game changers and creatives.
Derek Williams: A Show of Support
By supporting the people and businesses we know and understand, we are supporting our employees and our shareholders, and making our communities better places to live.
Why FedNow isn't a Payments App
FedNow launches this month. That’s why it’s critical that community bankers understand the payments rail and how it differs from widely used payment apps.
A Risk Management Clinic for Community Bankers
Risk management is as important a function of community banking as are loans and deposits. But are there better ways of keeping on top of risks that are constantly emerging and changing? Step into...