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Jim Reber and Ron Haynie: Fannie and Freddie 3.0
The Trump administration shows interest in reprivatizing the housing GSEs.
The Data Advantage: Key Strategies for Community Bank Success
With larger regional banks increasingly viewing community financial institutions as rising competition, the time to tap into your data advantage is now.
2025 Community Bank CEO Outlook: Balancing Between Deposits and Loans
While the business of community banking is ongoing, a new year is always a good time to take stock of the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Charles Potts: Banking and Staffing Gen Z Into the Future
As Gen Z graduates into the full-time workforce, they are looking to community banks as financial partners as well as potential employers.
Gen Z's Top 5 Financial Goals and How You Can Help
Many Gen Zers are now in their 20s, which means they're facing new financial tasks and dilemmas.
Charles Potts: Driving Strategy With AI as a Tool
Artificial intelligence has become the buzzword for financial services, but it’s moved beyond just hype.
How Community Banks Can Nurture Relationships With Next-Gen Customers
With the “great wealth transfer” approaching, now’s the time for community banks to plan with individuals passing on their generational wealth and to connect with those who will receive it.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Practical Tips for Community Bank Innovation
Innovation doesn’t just happen. It takes forethought, planning and follow-through.
Jim Reber: Whole lotta thinkin’ going on
I hope the readers of this column will excuse the lack of decorum in the title, but in reading and listening to the words of the Federal Reserve Board’s members over the past month, I hear a lot of...
Evaluating Credit Card Rewards in Modern Banking
Younger generations prefer debit to credit, but consumers’ appetite for card rewards is still strong. Learn how your community bank can integrate rewards as part of its payments strategy.
Law Firm Evaluation for Community Banks
Community banks need to maintain a healthy relationship with their legal representatives, especially when it’s through a third party.
ICBA's Best-Performing Banks of 2024
These community banks hit their stride in 2024, and they intend to keep the momentum going with hard work, flexibility and the expertise they've built over their years of service.
The Status of De Novos Going Into 2024
De novos breathe new life into the banking sector, but activity is still far below its historic highs. That said, a new crop of community banks shows there’s great potential for success.
The Lending Outlook for 2024
A pullback in lending from some institutions creates opportunities for community banks to pick up new customers.
CEO Roundtable 2024: The Year Ahead
With the economic uncertainty that defined most of 2023 showing signs of easing, community bankers are optimistic about the year ahead.
Jim Reber: Don't Discount Discounts
Below-market coupons could be your friends in 2024.
Jim Reber: Monetary Policy for the WIN
The Fed was battling inflation 50 years ago, too.
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...
Jim Reber: Returns, in Total
A wide range of market prices requires analysis.
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.
Jim Reber: Time to lock in?
SBICs can hit the sweet spot on the yield curve.
Charles Potts: Innovation trends for 2023
As we turn the page to a new year, the innovation evolution continues. ICBA is leaning into it, bringing its ThinkTECH Accelerator program and innovation efforts in-house to provide community...
Jim Reber: Shop talk 2023
To start the year, let's listen in on a conversation with our consummate community banker.
CEO Roundtable: Ideas for a successful 2023
We recently spoke with community bank CEOs from across the country to gain insights on how they’re proactively positioning to manage risks and take advantage of growth opportunities in the coming...
7 smart strategies during economic uncertainty
Community bank leaders and other industry professionals provide tips for proactively tightening up your community bank’s finances, increasing revenue streams and preparing customers for what's...
Jim Reber: New trials, new tricks
Proactive investment strategies are appearing in bank portfolios.
Aaron Stetter: ICBA's fall legislative outlook
Legislation addressing everything from farm lending to credit union overreach is set to go before Congress this autumn. Now’s the time to make your voice heard on the issues that affect community...
Commercial real estate outlook
The commercial real estate market is changing, as demand for new construction grows along with rising costs and interest rates. How do community banks fit in the bigger CRE picture? Lenders share...
Jim Reber: Floating rate assets are back
Floaters are gaining popularity. Again.
Brad M. Bolton: Working through difficult times
Working through any difficulty or crisis at your community bank won’t be a walk in the park, but it may lead to an experience for which you’re truly grateful.
Jim Reber: What we hoped for?
Community bankers wished for higher rates in 2022. And now…
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.
Jim Reber: Supply chain histrionics
To start the year, here are my thoughts on the municipal bond market.
Will 2021 be another banner year for mortgage lending?
Even with the disruption of the pandemic, 2020 was a huge year for mortgage lending, with many community banks seeing record numbers of home loans, refinancings and more. The question is whether...
CFOs on how to account for the year's uncertainty
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has required community banks to adjust business practices, roles, budgeting and projections. We spoke to several chief financial officers and other community...
Community Bank CEO Outlook 2020: How your peers plan to grow
Independent Banker’s Community Bank CEO Outlook survey asked community bank leaders how they plan to grow their institutions this year. This year’s survey reveals what community bankers have...
Community Bank CFO Outlook 2019: What are your peers forecasting?
Independent Banker’s Community Bank CFO Outlook survey asked community bank C how they plan to tackle financial challenges, from complying with high-profile accounting standards to utilizing...
Community Bank CEO Outlook 2019: What’s on your peers’ to-do list?
Independent Banker’s inaugural Community Bank CEO Outlook survey asked community bank CEOs how they plan to meet their challenges this year. Read on for a glimpse of their to-do lists for 2019,...
ICBAs State of Community Banking survey results are in
Our annual State of Community Banking Survey of ICBA member banks reports that you’re planning to grow through creating efficiencies, introducing new technology, and investing in digital marketing....
CFO Roundtable: Interest Rates, Tariffs, Examiners
Amid the difficult economic environment community banks face today, our 2025 CFO Outlook survey shows a shift in priorities and thoughtful insight into changes to come.
Why Community Banks Are Revamping Their CD Strategies
Certificates of deposit are nothing new, but these products’ reputation for reliability is leading some community banks to reposition and market them more competitively.
Jim Reber: Buying time (maybe)
A sell-off in 2022 isn’t following previous bear markets.