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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.
Native American Bank supports Indian country's recovery
Native American Bank secured financing for the construction of a $10 million opioid treatment clinic in North Dakota as just one effort in a series of community projects.
6 ways community banks can build a better onboarding experience
The first few weeks of an employee starting a new job are pivotal in terms of how they’ll connect to the bank and their role. We spoke with community bankers about how they perfected their...
Unity Bank’s fields of gold
Unity Bank volunteers help people facing food insecurity in their community.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
Brad M. Bolton: Passion for LIVE
[ICBA LIVE is] an opportunity to continue training up the next generation, so I would encourage community bank leaders to join us and bring your rising community continuators with you.
Lindsay LaNore: Fighting the February lull
Here are 12 ways to light up your February and find your focus.
Scottsdale Community Bank: Making microloans
De novo Scottsdale Community Bank set out to provide microloans to small and mid-size businesses, family organizations and nonprofits—a project that was inspired by the humble lemonade stand.
ICBA LIVE 2023: What to expect
With sessions on hot‑button issues, inspirational speakers and beneficial networking opportunities, ICBA LIVE is the greatest community banking event in the country. Here’s a sneak peek of the...
First Reliance Bank's adoption benefits
To help ease the process, First Reliance Bank offers assistance for associates who welcome a foster or adopted child into their family.
Out of Office: Adrianne Brignac-Gradney
For the past eight years, the vice president and branch manager at $888 million-asset Evangeline Bank and Trust Company in Ville Platte, La., has been creating beauty, lifestyle and banking content...
Lindsay LaNore: A new year’s reading list
In a rapidly evolving world, it’s more important than ever to commit to lifelong learning, but it’s just as challenging to make time for it.
Jim Reber: Shop talk 2023
To start the year, let's listen in on a conversation with our consummate community banker.
Brad M. Bolton: Our greatest assets
One of our greatest assets is our reputation as relationship bankers. When things get tough, people want to be able to talk to their banker.
The resurgence of de novos
As the number of financial institutions have dropped, the number of de novos has started to rise. The founders of three startup banks discuss the importance of community banks to the country as...
What are power skills?
The skills needed to succeed in the workplace are changing, with companies placing greater value on soft skills like communication and leadership. In response, community banks have an opportunity...
Out of office: Ryan Monica
The assistant vice president and sales manager of Metairie Bank in Metairie, La., is a passionate music producer, guitarist and DJ. He plays gigs all around Louisiana, including outdoor festivals,...
Charles Potts: ICBA's legacy of success
In 2022, ICBA’s award-winning ThinkTECH Accelerator program reached more community banks with innovative solutions and partnerships than ever before.
Best Community Banks to Work For 2022
What great resignation? In our annual workplace survey, employees of ICBA’s best community banks to work for told us they benefit from engaging cultures, opportunities for advancement and...
Rebeca Romero Rainey: The people make the bank
How we hire, retain, recruit and advance our missions amid momentous change will remain a key topic for community bank leaders and will influence our plans for the future.