Search Articles
Your Core Should Support Your Bank’s Strategy
Community banks are expected to deliver convenient experiences, operate efficiently and keep pace with change. For many, the biggest obstacle isn’t outdated technology. It’s a core relationship...
Rethinking Check Fraud Mitigation in the Age of AI
SPONSORED | Fraud losses are only part of the cost. For community banks, excessive reviews and false positives consume valuable staff time. AI can help prioritize risk and focus human expertise...
Alice P. Frazier: Relationship Banking vs. Transaction Speed: How Community Banks Build Trust and Loyalty
Discover how community banks balance immediate transactions with long-standing relationships. Learn why relationship-first banking, around-the-clock responsiveness, and smart digital innovation...
Rebecca Romero Rainey: Data-Driven Banking for Growth and Risk Mitigation
Learn how community banks can use a practical data strategy to drive business development, mitigate risk, strengthen data security, and streamline operations—plus how ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator...
F&C Bank Restores Historic Downtown Clock, Celebrating Community Bank Heritage in Holden, MO
See how F&C Bank, a hometown community bank in Holden, Missouri, restored a 1960 downtown clock—preserving local history, strengthening community identity, and celebrating its 145th anniversary...
SEO, AEO & GEO for Community Banks: How to Win Visibility in AI Search
AI-powered search is changing bank digital marketing. Learn the difference between SEO vs AEO vs GEO, plus practical steps—FAQs, bullet lists, header hierarchy, and trust signals—to improve ChatGPT...
Community Banker Suzanne Broyles on BSA/AML, Internal Audit & Deposit Operations
Learn how Suzanne Broyles built a community bank compliance career—from internal audit banking to deposit operations and BSA/AML. Get practical tips on productivity, cross-training, and when manual...
Community Bank Giving Back: Commencement Bank’s Hams for the Holidays Food Insecurity Initiative
Learn how Commencement Bank organized a successful community bank holiday giving event to address food insecurity initiatives in Pierce County, WA—powered by local partnerships, employee volunteer...
New Era of Payments: Q&A with the Chief FedNow® Executive
FedNow_Sponsored New Era of Payments: Q&A with the Chief FedNow® Executive SPONSORED | In this new Q&A, Chief FedNow® Executive Nick Stanescu shares what’s driving instant payment growth and how...
Public Funds as a Strategic Anchor in a Rising-Rate Funding Market
Public Funds as a Strategic Anchor in a Rising-Rate Funding Market SPONSORED | With the Fed raising rates and Treasury yields climbing, funding costs are resetting higher. PTMA Funding connects...
Jim Reber: Moving on Up
Bond portfolios’ yields are beginning to catch up.
Richwood Bank Cultivates Community with Each Cup
Richwood Bank brews up both coffee and funding for the community through its one-of-a-kind bank-owned coffee chain. Here’s how it worked with the Fed to make it happen.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Remaining Nimble Against a Litany of Regulation
Flexibility: It’s one of the characteristics that sets our community banks apart, enabling us to meet the needs of distinct communities in unique ways.
Powering Potential: Special Assessment Success Sparks Membership Momentum
ICBA’s success in achieving a community bank exemption from the FDIC’s special assessment leads to expanded membership.
7 Steps to a Successful Regulatory Audit
Preparation is key to passing a regulatory exam with flying colors. These tips for the stages before, during and after an audit will ensure your bank and management impress regulators.
Charles Potts: 4 Natural Advantages of Solution Provider Partnerships
I have been evangelizing for a while about the importance of strategic partnerships, and now, we’ve come to a place where these very relationships are bolstering community banks’ businesses.
Elkhorn Valley Bank & Trust: The Bankers Behind the Screen
Elkhorn Valley Bank & Trust strikes a balance between personalized service and quick convenience with its growing collection of Teller On Demand kiosks.
Lindsay LaNore: 7 Essentials for Your Leadership Backpack
It’s August, and for many, it’s time to get back to school. Supply lists are on their way, reminding us to get organized for the coming year.
A Compelling Employee Perk: Education Benefits
Investing in employees’ professional growth has proven to contribute to their success and retention rates. What steps can banks and their leadership take to help employees along their career paths?
Lucas White: Getting Comfortable With Fintechs
When I first got involved with ICBA’s ThinkTECH Accelerator, I must admit that I believed fintechs were scary.
8 Budgeting Ideas That Support Growth
Smart budgeting allows for adaptation to changing financial and economic conditions. But the most important thing, say experts, is that community banks focus on investing in what’s working for them.
Powering Potential: Fuel Your Team's Career Growth
ICBA Education’s Professional Development Planner provides clear direction for community banks aiming to support the career growth of their staff.
Out of Office: Rich Ohnmacht
The executive vice president and chief commercial banking officer of $425 million‑asset Woodsboro Bank in Woodsboro, Md., shares his passion for the saxophone and what keeps him playing.
6 Things to Consider Before Opening a New Branch
A new branch can present new opportunities for community banks—if you plan thoroughly and calculate the risk involved.
Charles Potts: Making the Case for Responsible Innovation
The rapid pace of today’s financial services landscape pulls community banks in varied directions. You must balance technology upgrades with budgetary constraints and identify pressing priorities.
CFO Roundtable 2024: Preparation, Perspective, Diligence
This past year has been one of fluctuation for many community banks, amid inflation, rule changes and other uncertainties.
Ron Haynie & Tim Roy: Deciphering FHFA's Credit Score Transition
The FHFA continues to transition away from FICO, leaving lenders wondering about the potential impact it may have on the industry. Here’s what we know so far.
How To Assess Your Community Bank's Physical Security Risk
Evaluate your community bank’s zones, employees and strategies to ensure your physical security is strong enough to dissuade criminals.
Tioga State Bank Celebrates 160 Years
It’s an extraordinary achievement when any institution surpasses 100 years of service, much less 150 years. But this year, Tioga State Bank, N.A., has gone beyond even that impressive milestone.
Certification Q&A: Guadalupe Arroyo
Guadalupe Arroyo has found her passion in financial auditing as senior auditor and assistant vice president of Western State Bank in Garden City, Kan.
Member Milestones 2024: Steadfast Banks for Modern Times
Every time a community bank celebrates a significant anniversary, it’s a reminder that our relationship-based business model transcends time and generations.
3 Ways Banks Can Increase Deposits Amid Slow Loan Demand
Maximize your SMB's financial potential amidst tough market conditions! Unlock three powerful strategies to help you increase SMB deposits and turn challenges into opportunities.
Michael Benedict: Are We There Yet?
Take a look at the nagging persistence of portfolio mark‑to‑market.
Lindsay LaNore: Practical Tips for Knowledge Transfer
When community bankers with decades of experience retire, they take with them a precious commodity: their knowledge. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Explore and Evaluate Core Providers With IBT Apps’ Resource Kit
Whether you’re just beginning your core modernization journey and exploring your options or evaluating your current provider and considering a change, you’ll greatly benefit from this kit.
What Is Behavioral Economics, and Could It Help Your Bank Grow?
Much of our financial decision-making is driven by cognitive biases and emotions—and behavioral economics is the science behind that.
Managing Liquidity in an Uncertain Rate Environment
With elevated customer demand for safe cash investments banks are strategizing carefully to maintain competitiveness while minimizing risk exposure when it comes to savings rates.
Navigating Compliance in Cannabis Banking
With potential regulatory guidance for cannabis banking on the horizon, these community banks are positioning themselves strongly and safely within this growing industry.
Customers Bank's Dynamic AI Strategy
In response to the growing prominence of artificial intelligence in everyday bank operations, Customers Bank has embraced generative AI and developed an internal training program.
Rockland Trust Turns Small Business Dreams Into Reality
Through its annual Small Business, Big Dreams contest, Rockland Trust offers small businesses a chance to win up to $20,000 in funding.
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.