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The Importance of Change Management at Community Banks
As new technology and solutions ebb and flow, community bankers have to manage the change that comes with them. While change can be hard, offering a hand and lending an ear can ease the transition.
Keeping in Line With Equal Lending Practices
Regulators continue to crack down on unfair lending practices and redlining.
Lucas White: Showing Pride In Independence
Throughout his banking career, my dad had a standard saying that became a regular refrain: “If you need a quick answer, it’s no.”
How To Drive Auto Loan Opportunities
By working with local car dealers and using new lending technology, community banks can boost their presence in the auto lending sector.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Connected As Independent Community Banks
When you enter ICBA’s headquarters, you are greeted with a large U.S. map that contains a peg for each community bank and a singular cord linking them all together.
Kianga Lee and Michael Emancipator: MDI and CDFI Designations Elevate Community Banks' Influence
A Treasury Department report shows the positive effect minority depository institutions and community development financial institutions have on their served markets.
Could Freelancers Solve Your Bank's Staffing Problems?
During staff shortages, leaves and short-term projects, freelancers can fulfill the needs of your community bank in a variety of areas and concentrations.
Maximize Your Community Bank's Digital Experience
A high-functioning digital platform is no longer an added perk for bank customers—it’s the standard.
Who are ICBA's Top Lenders of 2024?
Whether it’s navigating tumultuous markets or providing employees with remote work options, flexibility is a key component in the success of this year’s ICBA top lenders.
Fine Tuning the Fine Print for Bank Disclosures
As regulators continue to go through financial institution messaging with a fine-tooth comb, community banks must be diligent about maintaining best compliance and regulatory practices.
Charles Potts: Setting the Stage for Banking the Next Generation
In recent years, community bankers have embraced constant change to drive the future of banking.
Securing Your Cloud Banking Network
Cloud banking is rising in popularity. And as with every new technology, community bankers must learn how to limit risk and secure the platform to protect bank customers and their data.
Lindsay LaNore: Make Space for Creativity
Out of all the qualities that make a great leader, it could be argued that creativity ranks highest.
Lucas White: The Compelling Case for Thoughtful Leadership
Throughout his banking career, my dad had a standard saying that became a regular refrain: “If you need a quick answer, it’s no.”
Out of Office: Mark Jones
The president and CEO of $1.3 billion-asset Saco & Biddeford Savings Bank in Saco, Maine, lives to capture the moment through photography.
KS Bank Invests in Tomorrow's Bankers
Last summer, KS Bank of Smithfield, N.C., partnered with the Career and Technical Education center at Johnston County Public Schools to hire its first summer intern.
Powering Potential: Start Planning for the August Recess
In August, your member of Congress will be back in your district looking for things to do. Help them fill their schedule with a visit to your bank.
Jim Reber: The Fed Loosens Up
A slowdown in quantitative tightening has an element of policy easing.
Chippewa Valley Bank: Fueling Growth With Innovative Bank Stock Lending
Chippewa Valley Bank has pioneered an innovative bank stock lending program, providing community banks with an expedited and cost-efficient avenue to acquire capital and interest-earning assets.
Generative AI Fraud: How to Fight It
Generative AI allows fraudsters to easily impersonate real people and makes phishing emails even harder to detect—but your community bank can still dodge these attacks by staying vigilant.
Furthering Education at Dream First Bank
Dream First Bank empowers agriculture, entrepreneurial and commercial business customers with educational seminars and programs designed to fuel business success.
Opportunities in Infrastructure Lending for Community Banks
With $1 trillion in federal infrastructure funding rolling out across the U.S., community banks have a rare opportunity to enter or deepen their involvement in this dynamic sector.
Lance Noggle: New ICBA Resource Aims To Combat Check Fraud
Even with checks becoming less common to use, check fraud continues to rise. To address this issue, ICBA has created a guide that explains how to stop this type of fraud in its tracks.
Sanibel Captiva Toys Around
From late November until Dec. 15, 2023, $890 million-asset Sanibel Captiva Community Bank hosted a toy drive at all seven of its open branches.
Charles Potts: How Community Bankers Are Leading the Financial Evolution
One of my favorite reads is the story of Ted Turner’s rise. I’m struck by how it points to exactly the path community bankers are taking to drive the future of financial services.
Extend Customer Relationships With Better Business Payments
Consistently fulfilling commercial customers’ payments needs can make community banks indispensable to small businesses.
b1Bank Paves the Way for New Businesses
Entrepreneurs find education and capital through b1Bank’s b1 Foundation, furthering its small business relationships and the community’s economic development.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Change Is Hard, Good Leadership Is Critical
The mere mention of change can send pulses racing and blood pressure rising. But while change can be hard, it’s unavoidable, and it’s only going to continue to accelerate in our evolving marketplace.
Readying the Bench: A Guide for Community Bank Succession Planning
Community banks can prevent costly and disruptive talent gaps by kicking their succession plans into gear sooner rather than later.
40 Under 40: 2024's Community Bank Leaders
Our sixth annual 40 Under 40 community bank leaders awards recognize an insightful group of professionals who have continuously stepped up to make a difference in their communities.
Out of Office: Ben Flowers
The CEO of $770 million-asset Mainstreet Community Bank of Florida in DeLand, Fla., learned to ride a unicycle in elementary school and still puts his skills to use nearly 50 years later.
Powering Potential: A Successful Year for ICBA's National Campaign
Since its debut in April 2023, the ICBA National Campaign and its vital marketing resources have made significant headway in raising awareness for community banks and their mission.
4 CFPB Rules to Watch for This Year
From limitations on fee practices to personal financial data rights, these proposed and final Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rules could have a significant impact on the community bank industry.
Jim Reber: Rolling With the Curve
An upward slope can bolster market values.
Lindsay LaNore: How To Be An Ambassador For Change
Whether your bank is a de novo or a long-established institution, change is an inescapable constant.
Mission Valley Bank: Giving Where You Live
Serving its community in the Santa Clarita Valley is one of Mission Valley Bank’s founding principles. Its community work is best exemplified by its Give Where You Live program for nonprofits.
Lucas White: Banking Outside the Box for Small Businesses
When it comes to serving small businesses, community banks just get it.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: A New Tool For Your Team's Career Development
As community bankers, we each wear multiple hats and have throughout the course of our careers.
Practical Tips for Community Bank Innovation
Innovation doesn’t just happen. It takes forethought, planning and follow-through.
RESPA and HMDA Violations: What to Know
In the second half of 2023, the CFPB penalized Freedom Mortgage for violating both RESPA and HMDA. Here’s what community banks need to know about complying with these acts.