Search Articles
Out of Office: Ilene Baker
The vice president, human resources manager, of $2.2 billion-asset First Western Bank & Trust in Minot, N.D., and her husband run an organic farm and have even started a local farmers market.
Digitizing the Commercial Lending Process
With a new digital commercial loan solution, The Killbuck Savings Bank Co. has catapulted its commercial lending and loan origination system into the high-speed digital era.
United Community Bank's Patriotic Fundraising for Veterans
Last September, $330 million-asset United Community Bank in Perham, Minn., raised $16,600 for Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN during its “Food for Flight” fundraiser.
ENTER NOW: 40 Under 40: Community Bank Leaders awards
Nominations for 40 Under 40: Community Bank Leaders 2024 are now open! 40 Under 40 seeks to recognize community banking’s brightest, most promising young professionals. Winners are featured in...
American Savings Bank Rallies Around Maui
Right after the devastating fires in Hawaii last August, American Savings Bank jumped into action to support those affected not just as bankers, but as fellow community members.
Stearns Bank N.A.'s Mission for Senior Housing
Though Stearns Bank N.A. has experienced significant growth over the years, the $2.2 billion-asset community bank hasn’t forgotten its roots.
How Community Banks Target and Support Fast-Growing Cities
Surging population growth brings opportunities for community banks that are positioned to take advantage of it.
Out of Office: Tim Aiken
After only having cycled as a way to stay fit in college, the president and CEO of $370 million-asset Union Bank in Middlebourne, W.Va., recently returned to the sport.
Member Benefits: New Look, Expanding Values
In November, ICBA announced a rebrand that would better represent the organization and its mission as a whole. Here’s what inspired and drove this change.
A Rare Partnership Between Two Community Banks
When Oconee State Bank acquired Elberton Federal Savings & Loan in a merger earlier this year, it saved the mutual savings institution from closing and deepened its commitment to the community.
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank Gives Blood and Gives Back
With blood supply levels critically low in southwest Florida, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank and its staff stepped up.
Member Benefits: Welcome to ICBA Community
An online network exclusively for member community banks, ICBA Community provides a platform for peer-to-peer discussion, advice and resource sharing.
Citizens Bank & Trust Brings Banking Back to School
Citizens Bank & Trust saw a need and a demand for financial literacy in local high schools. Now, the community bank has two school branches that are run by student tellers and teacher presidents.
Best Community Banks to Work For 2023
How many other industries can boast that 97% of workers would recommend their employer to potential employees? The winners of the 2023 Best Community Banks To Work For Awards tell us how they keep...
Out of Office: Robert Fricke
The president of $120 million-asset Farmers and Merchants Bank in Ashland, Neb., has a deep appreciation for boats, particularly older wooden ones from the 1930s to the 1960s.
Moultrie Bank & Trust Makes Its Mark
Moultrie Bank & Trust opened in 2022 outside of a large metropolitan area and already has more than 400 investors and $21 million in capital. Here’s how they did it.
Bank of Anguilla Weathers the Storm
In the wake of a destructive tornado in Mississippi, Bank of Anguilla continues to develop initiatives that will help people recover from the damage and return home.
Out of Office: Kenesha Davis
Kenesha Davis, with Lincoln Savings Bank in Reinbeck, Iowa, has turned her hobby of crocheting into a successful side business. She creates handmade crochet goods that allow her to express her...
Tips For Community Bank Mentorship Programs
Mentorship programs benefit both mentors and mentees—and it doesn’t have to be an overly formal undertaking. We give tips for getting started.
Out of Office: Kris Ausborn
The CEO of $488 million-asset Iowa Trust & Saving Bank in Emmetsburg, Iowa, spends his free time waterskiing. Whether it’s with friends and family or as part of his club, he enjoys every second.
A Happy Halloween from First National Bank & Trust
First National Bank & Trust in Iron Mountain, Mich., sponsors the second annual Downtown Iron Mountain Pumpkin Walk event.
Lindsay LaNore: How to Dress Up Discussions
Workdays can bring exciting opportunities and challenging headwinds, and the ability to have open dialogue makes it easier to manage both. Communicating effectively within your team can unlock...
Oxford Bank Presents Cybersecurity Lessons from the FBI
Oxford Bank connected its community with the FBI during an educational, interactive session about the importance of cybersecurity and awareness.
Out of Office: Rich Moldenhauer
The vice president of operations and information technology at $185 million-asset New Market Bank in Elko New Market, Minn., carries on the beekeeping legacy of his father and grandfather.
Football, Fun and Fundraising at One Community Bank
On October 21, One Community Bank in Waunakee, Wisconsin, will host an outdoor viewing party for the University of Wisconsin-Madison football game. The event is a fundraiser for the Waunakee School...
Charles Potts: How Curiosity Leads to Innovation
How many times have you asked your customers what they need or how you can serve their needs? Asking these questions is crucial to improving the customer experience and ultimately ensuring lifelong...
Lindsay LaNore: Look for Learning Everywhere
Learning happens everywhere, and those lessons can have a big impact on our work performance, perspective and team culture.
Veritex Community Bank Throws a Fastball for Financial Literacy
This baseball season, every strikeout thrown by Houston Astros pitcher Ryan Pressly spurs a $100 donation to Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas—courtesy of Veritex Community Bank.
Primis Bank Brings Banking to Your Front Door
Inspired by a fateful food delivery, Primis Bank launched V1BE, a banking delivery service that serves both individuals and businesses.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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...
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...
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
Who are ICBA's Top Lenders of 2023?
In an uncertain economic environment, community banks have continued to make smart lending decisions that help individuals and businesses in their communities. Here are 2023's most successful loan...
How to See the Value of Customer Complaints
No one likes customer complaints, but they can provide a wealth of information that can improve both your community bank and your customers’ experience.
Lindsay LaNore: How to Work the Room
These days, we do a lot of our networking online via forums like LinkedIn, but they’re no match for meeting in person.
Texas First Bank Lends a Helping Hand
When a tornado struck their community in January, employees of Texas First Bank in Pasadena, Texas, joined forces with a local Jersey Mike’s and Orangetheory Fitness to hand out free lunches to...
Loren Brown: Above it All
The president and chief executive officer of $88 million-asset Ascent Bank in Helena, Mont., has fulfilled his childhood dream of being a pilot and skydiver.
Bankers Trust Illustrates a Love of Art
Bankers Trust in Des Moines, Iowa, hosts a gallery of artwork created by local artists and rotates each piece through its branches.
Julie Bauer: Hotel hero
The assistant vice president of $1.6 billion-asset First Citizens Bank in Mason City, Iowa, is the chair of a local fundraiser that benefits the last remaining Frank Lloyd Wright-designed hotel in...
Clinton Savings Bank’s animal rescue
Clinton Savings Bank's has supported Animal Adventures, an exotic animal rescue in Bolton, Mass., for more than 25 years. The Bank's recent donation will help the organization continue its mission...
Listen Up: Taking bold and brave action
In episode 6 of the Independent Banker podcast, host Charles Potts speaks with Greg Ohlendorf of First Community Bank and Trust and Joe Ehrhardt of Teslar Software about the digital imperative for...
Lindsay LaNore: You're a new community banker—now what?
Preparation and establishing good habits allow you to optimize your workday—and ultimately your whole team’s productivity.
ICBA's top-performing community banks of 2023
Through creativity, local knowledge and dedication to their customers, community banks continued to demonstrate the value of their relationship-based model in the past year.
Bulletin Board: A look into ICBA LIVE 2023
Community bankers from across the country gathered in beautiful Honolulu to attend ICBA LIVE 2023. In addition to listening to guest speakers and networking, bankers had the opportunity to learn...
Liz McIntyre: Friend of the flock
The director of social media and VP of marketing at $17 billion-asset Renasant Bank in Tupelo, Miss., delves into the world of birding.
One Community Bank supports the trees
In January, the One Community Bank in Oregon, Wisc., donated $5,000 to the Terrace Tree program, the village of Oregon’s tree planting initiative.
Webster Bank's financial literacy
To help the children of low- to moderate-income families, Webster Bank made a $100,000 donation to the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club to aid financial education.