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Building greater strength with FICO
SPONSORED | As the world has evolved, so has the way we analyze credit. New and exciting technology makes way for innovative algorithms that give us a more defined look at an even greater data set.
Developing leaders in mortgage lending – Navigating uncertainty with leadership strategies
SPONSORED—Will the high loan origination activity originally witnessed in 2020 continue over time? Numbers from 2021 would indicate that a decline is underway. Download Finastra’s white paper on...
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.
Success stories of Black-owned banks and their customers
After a long history of systemic economic oppression, Black-owned banks are playing a key role in improving the economic fortunes of their communities. We asked community bankers and their...
Why community banks should partner with fintechs
With consumer expectations seeming to evolve faster every year, community banks could consider partnering with a fintech to keep up with technological innovation.
Robert Fisher: The journey ahead
From new competition and new technology to new regulation, we have adapted and continued to offer the relationship-centric experience that our communities, customers and missions depend on.
5 Questions: Is it Time to Refresh Your Check Processing Solutions?
SPONSORED—Deciding when it’s time to upgrade your check processing and payments infrastructure can be tricky. Your aging solutions are likely still “getting the job done,” but at what cost to your...
Community banks are thriving in Texas
With the record growth of San Antonio, Houston and Austin, southern Texas is becoming a hub for business. Here’s how four community banks are thriving in this environment.
The benefits of micro-lending programs
Despite the large number of PPP loans distributed to small businesses, funding didn’t always reach those who needed it the most. These community banks are working to fix that through microlending...
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Stronger together
It’s hard to put my finger on exactly what makes ICBA LIVE so special, but I believe it is in a shared sense of purpose that arises whenever community bankers convene.
Finding and Keeping Talent – With Kim Kirk of Queensborough National Bank & Trust Company and Tommy Marshall of Georgia Fintech Academy
A timely conversation about recruiting and retaining top bank talent in today’s competitive job market with Kim Kirk, COO of Queensborough National Bank & Trust Company and Tommy Marshall,...
How to respond to buy now, pay later
Consumers are increasingly interested in buy now, pay later products, which are cutting into credit card usage. Here’s what community banks need to know about these products and how they can take...
How to build up your Gen Z customer base
Generation Z represents one in four Americans today, and they’re looking for their bank. To attract this new generation of potential customers, community banks must understand what banking means to...
Lindsay LaNore: Creative retainment
In this challenging labor market, how do you make sure you retain new talent? Employee retention starts with powering up engagement, and here are some key issues to consider.
Charles Potts: Next-level collaboration
ICBA has a growing network of people and resources community banks can tap into as they continue their innovation journeys. The ThinkTECH Accelerator is one of several initiatives underway this...
Jim Reber: Positive/negative charges
Net-of-inflation returns provide a battery of observations.
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.
FNB Community Bank is conquering TikTok
FNB Community Bank’s investment in social media has paid off. Marketing manager and assistant vice president Julie Waddle has excelled at making fun, informative videos that engage the bank’s...
Paid social media's place in your marketing strategy
As social media platforms tinker with algorithms, marketing experts say one trend is clear: Paid social campaigns are becoming increasingly necessary to cut through the noise and reach customers....
Rebeca Romero Rainey: The spirit of innovation
A spirit of innovation and can-do attitude will serve you well this year, helping you remain ahead of the curve and address issues that arise.
Lindsay LaNore: Revisiting recruitment
There’s much talk these days about talent acquisition and retention, with the three Rs—Recruit, Retain and Reward—taking center stage. Let’s start the year by looking at Recruit.
Taking Bold and Brave Action for Community Banks – with Rebeca Romero Rainey, President and CEO of ICBA
Rebeca Romero Rainey, President and CEO of ICBA, talks with host Charles Potts, Chief Innovation Officer, about how and why ICBA made the decision to stand alone in public opposition to the...
Out of Office: Chrissy Neff
Chrissy Neff, a digital systems administrator at $1 billion-asset Bank of Clarke County in Berryville, Va., adopted her first pet goat in 2018 and has since expanded her farm family to three...
The power of a CDFI
First Southwest Bank is carving out new business models to address a need for credit and financial services through nonprofit lending programs and software that leverages its community development...
Compliance changes coming this year
Driven by uncertainty around the pandemic, few compliance reforms were realized in 2021. This year, regulators are considering reforms centered on the Community Reinvestment Act, the Fair Housing...
Robert Fisher: The nimbleness of community bankers
Let’s rediscover what it means to be community bankers. Let’s exercise our nimble natures to exceed customer expectations. Because as community bankers, it’s what we do.
Charles Potts: Challenging the status quo
ICBA has preached the importance of innovation, not as a project or something to silo inside a department but as an inclusive cultural and philosophical endeavor that should be part of an...
Jim Reber: Supply chain histrionics
To start the year, here are my thoughts on the municipal bond market.
Aaron Stetter: Nonstop advocacy
ICBA stands at the ready to protect the franchise value of the nation’s community banks and develop tools to empower them to speak up and be heard.
2021’s Best Community Banks to Work For
This year’s winners do everything in their power to keep their community bankers happy and fulfilled. We asked both leaders and staffers to tell us what makes their community banks stand out as...
Beneficial State Bank’s financial activism
The idea that community banking can be a force for positive change is at the heart of Beneficial State Bank, which engages its customers through financial activism.
New Era of Consumer Engagement by Mladen Vladic
Over the past 18 months, the marketplace has experienced huge disruptions. The world has changed, and so have consumers. In fact. 75% of consumers have changed their spending habits since early 2020.
Evaluate New Core Providers With Successful Vendor Management
SPONSORED | When selecting a new core provider, there are critical conversations that need to happen before signing a contract. Here are some discussion points for successful vendor management.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Focus on the light
While our decisions over the past year have been driven even more by our mission than by our bottom lines, we’ve also achieved good results.
Robert Fisher: Committing to being in the moment
Let’s collectively commit to being more present in all of our interactions. It won’t be long until we recognize what a true gift that is to ourselves and those we serve.
Charles Potts: 2021: A year of awakening
Community bankers’ awakening to new possibilities has made for an impactful year and will help position community banks to flourish in 2022 and beyond.