Search Articles
Aaron Stetter: Return to Capitol Hill
The 2023 ICBA Capital Summit is next month. Here’s a peek at what you can expect from the premier community bank advocacy event.
Meet ICBA's 2023/24 board of directors
With important legislative and regulatory changes on the horizon, the 2023/24 ICBA board of directors is ready to step up for community bankers across the country.
Unity Bank’s fields of gold
Unity Bank volunteers help people facing food insecurity in their community.
How to market your community bank as an employer
In the wake of the Great Resignation, the hiring landscape is tough. Learn how to get the word out about why your community bank is a great place to work.
Community banks putting community first
Community banks do more than meet the financial needs of their customers and communities. They go above and beyond to make a difference in revitalizing, building and serving their communities.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: The importance of outreach
Through national advertising, media relations outreach, social media and more, we will differentiate community banks in the hearts and minds of Americans.
Member Benefits: ICBA's national public awareness campaign
At ICBA LIVE 2023, ICBA announced the launch of its national public awareness campaign targeting millennials, who now present a significant market opportunity for community banks.
Brad Bolton: Keep advocating
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve as chairman. I will continue to advocate for community banking, and for the rest of my career, stand side by side with you to fight our future...
ICBA's Marketing Communications Toolkit
Using ICBA’s Marketing Communications Toolkit, your community bank can tell its story with intention and precision.
Jim Reber: Collateral advantage
A variety of MBS pools can spread your risk.
Out of Office: Natalie Bartholomew
The Northwest Arkansas community president of $2.4 billion-asset First Community Bank in Batesville, Ark., is part of the fifth generation to live on her family farm.
Listen Up: Partners in fraud prevention
Episode 4 of the Independent Banker podcast features Pioneer Trust Bank’s Betsy Steinberg and ICBA Bancard’s Rebecca Kruse discussing the many ways you can protect your financial institution from...
Valley Bank helps lead women home
Valley Bank is working side by side with Walter Hoving Home, a place of refuge for women struggling with addiction and other personal challenges, to offer residents financial empowerment.
BankOnBuffalo redefines mobile banking
BankOnBuffalo has hit the road with its new mobile bank, BankOnWheels, to meet the needs of underserved communities.
Lindsay LaNore: 7 ideas for cultivating inspiration
The theme for ICBA LIVE 2023 is “Light the Fire. Light the Way.” As leaders, that’s a huge part of what we do: spark enthusiasm, encourage creativity and guide our teams on the paths to success.
Charles Potts: How to use data to drive bank growth
Working hand in hand with digital transformation, data provides a powerful tool for community banks. Its accessibility, readability and applicability in today’s digital-first environment has...
Phishing solutions for community banks
Phishing has been around almost as long as email itself, which means hackers have had plenty of time to perfect their practices. It’s more likely than not that community bank staff will fall for a...
Aaron Stetter: Setting a course for the new Congress
ICBA is getting the community banking message out, from sending a letter detailing ICBA’s policy priorities to every member of the new Congress to reinforcing that messaging with advertisements in...
Updates to the beneficial ownership rules
Starting in 2024, banks will be required to collect beneficial ownership information on accounts they maintain. Here’s what’s changing and what it means for community banks.
The benefits of offering virtual advisor services
Spurred by social distancing and shutdowns during the pandemic, many community banks turned to virtual financial advisory services, and these new practices are expected to stick around.
Community banks’ guide to FedNow resources
The time has come for the long-awaited FedNow launch. As community banks navigate this process, there are plenty of resources available to answer questions and provide guidance.
Excel Disasters: 5 spreadsheet mistakes that cost billions
Learn how your team can fight the hidden danger lurking between the columns: human error.
Independent Banker Podcast: Fighting the Good Fight — with Anne Balcer
Anne Balcer talks to host Charles Potts, ICBA’s chief innovation officer, about the value of her background as a community banker, the advocacy wins community banks saw last year, the issues her...
Listen Up: Talent recruitment and retention
Is there a strategy to recruiting and retaining talent? In episode 3 of the Independent Banker podcast, community banker Kim Kirk and fintech insider Tommy Marshall discussed today’s job market and...
Market your community bank with first-party data
Customer data fuels efficient and effective marketing these days. Community banks own an enviable amount of data, but not all are leveraging it to its fullest extent.
ICBA's Terry Jorde has eyes to the horizon
As Terry Jorde, ICBA chief of staff, prepares to retire, she and her colleagues reflect on her journey from bank teller and bookkeeper to an industry leader.
Crafting a marketing plan when a community bank merges
Community bank marketing teams need to consider many factors following a merger or acquisition. We spoke to experts and community bankers on how to market during a merger.
New ICBA chairman Derek Williams’ commitment to community
Derek Williams, president and CEO of Century Bank & Trust in Georgia, is bringing his passion for community banking to his term as ICBA chairman for 2023/24.
Getting Started with Faster Payments and FedNow
Your customers are demanding faster payments and the ability to provide it to them creates a big win for your bank. PCBB's insights paper helps you prepare for faster payments and explores FedNow...
New Guide Helps Banks Make Informed Cannabis Lending Decisions
Cannabis-related businesses are actively seeking bank lending, while bankers are increasingly viewing these customers as a source of new earning assets.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Authentic connection
For community banks, marketing often points to finding ways to educate, support and grow community, as well as customer knowledge and awareness.
Out of Office: Brian Dowers
Since 2009, senior vice president and chief operations officer of $700 million-asset Fountain Trust Company in Covington, Ind., has made several long-distance motorcycling trips across the U.S.
First Bank of Alabama: STEM day at the races
First Bank of Alabama partners with Talladega Superspeedway track to host a hands-on educational STEM program event for seventh graders.
Community banks that weathered Hurricane Ian
Following the damage of Hurricane Ian last fall, Florida’s community banks rallied to help affected employees and customers, providing above-and-beyond service without missing a beat.
How community banks can leverage payment trends
Data analysis can illuminate patterns and trends in your customers’ transactions. Community bankers and industry experts share how to best put this data to use.
Navigating new overdraft fee guidance for community banks
The CFPB recently issued new guidance on overdraft fees that was unanticipated by community banks. Learn what this means for the industry and how community banks can stay in compliance.
Jim Reber: Time to lock in?
SBICs can hit the sweet spot on the yield curve.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Our banking family
When we assemble at LIVE, it’s about coming together to ignite the passion for community banking on behalf of our communities in a way that moves the industry forward.
Member Benefits: Advocacy through digital channels
Digital media gives community bankers a platform for advocacy, and ICBA’s Virtual Advocacy Primer details how you can put it to work.
MDIs and CDFIs bolster minority-owned businesses
When the U.S. Treasury created the Emergency Capital Investment Program (ECIP), it provided MDIs and CDFIs with an influx of capital that they’re using to help minority-owned businesses in their...
