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Rebeca Romero Rainey: The importance of outreach
Through national advertising, media relations outreach, social media and more, we will differentiate community banks in the hearts and minds of Americans.
Member Benefits: ICBA's national public awareness campaign
At ICBA LIVE 2023, ICBA announced the launch of its national public awareness campaign targeting millennials, who now present a significant market opportunity for community banks.
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...
ICBA's Marketing Communications Toolkit
Using ICBA’s Marketing Communications Toolkit, your community bank can tell its story with intention and precision.
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.
Charles Potts: How to use data to drive bank growth
Working hand in hand with digital transformation, data provides a powerful tool for community banks. Its accessibility, readability and applicability in today’s digital-first environment has...
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.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Authentic connection
For community banks, marketing often points to finding ways to educate, support and grow community, as well as customer knowledge and awareness.
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.
Member Benefits: Advocacy through digital channels
Digital media gives community bankers a platform for advocacy, and ICBA’s Virtual Advocacy Primer details how you can put it to work.
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.
What to expect at ICBA’s 2021 LEAD FWD Summit
This year, the LEAD FWD Summit will continue to be open to more community bankers than ever thanks to its virtual format. It’s time to expand what you know about leadership, technology and more.
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...
Member Benefits: Fighting elder financial exploitation
Billions of dollars are lost to elder financial exploitation each year. Equip your team with the skills needed to protect your customers.
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.
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...
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...
How To Boost your CRA Efforts with Zogo
SPONSORED | In an ever-changing digital age, don’t keep your CRA programs analog. Zogo’s mobile-first solution can help you modernize your approach. Read to learn how digital-first financial...
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.
Aaron Stetter & Joe Schneider: ICBA state association partnerships
ICBA works closely with our affiliated state associations to identify creative ways to communicate our collective message to Congress and the regulatory agencies.
Board succession planning after a merger
From blending differing values to choosing a new chairman, many challenges can arise after a merger or acquisition.
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...
Lindsay LaNore: The art of saying "thank you"
The end of the year is the perfect time to share your appreciation for the hard work and successes of the year gone by.
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.
Brad M. Bolton: Putting the “community” in community banking
People want to be a part of something bigger than themselves, and community banks provide that opportunity.
Brad M. Bolton: FedNow and faster digital payments
FedNow can be another positive differentiator for our nation’s community banks, but we must be ready for this real-time service and its 24/7/365 requirements.
Jim Reber: Inversion investing
Upside-down yield curve offers some possibilities.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Navigating the digital movement
The habits of our customers change, and we’re constantly walking beside them, transforming our services to meet their needs.
Charles Potts: Opportunities in the fintech landscape
A convergence of economic and marketplace factors presents community banks with new opportunities for innovation and growth as they look to the new year.
Mark Scanlan: Nobody serves rural America better than community banks
ICBA is dedicated to ensuring the role of community banks is properly communicated to policymakers so community banks can remain viable and compete on a level playing field.
Lindsay LaNore: Winning the war for talent
Providing employees with the opportunity to learn has proven time and again to increase engagement, fulfillment, performance and productivity.
John V. Anderson: 75 years in community banking
John V. Anderson celebrates 75 years in community banking this year. The chairman emeritus of F&M Bank offers us a glimpse of his life, his career and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
How these community banks support Native communities
Community banks with deep roots and pride in their Native American heritage are committed to providing financial assistance, housing aid, lending and educational outreach to underserved tribal...
Brad M. Bolton: Protect customers against fraud
The knowledge we have cultivated over years of circumventing attacks means that we have a depth of understanding about cyber and data security that the general population doesn’t—and those...
Jim Reber: New trials, new tricks
Proactive investment strategies are appearing in bank portfolios.
Aaron Stetter: ICBA fighting Durbin amendment credit card expansion
The newly proposed Credit Card Competition Act could severely restrict community banks’ freedom regarding credit card payments, with cost hikes unfairly passed along to the consumer and the greater...
Charles Potts: Fighting cybercrime one innovation at a time
Community banks are at a critical juncture when it comes to cybersecurity. ICBA has extensive knowledge, expertise and education you can tap into to help you chart the path ahead.
Lindsay LaNore: How to beat burnout
The leading causes of burnout include dealing with unclear expectations, and feeling overworked, underappreciated or unsupported by a manager or team. Combat burnout by renewing your bank’s focus...
Brad M. Bolton: Compliance as a focal point
Managing compliance is a role that community bankers take more seriously than any other segment of the financial services industry.
Charles Potts: Agtech’s innovation opportunities
Agtech—the application of technology to every aspect of the food production process, from farm to table—is growing in importance to the mission of ICBA and community banks.
Lindsay LaNore: Lessons from an escape room
As teams, how well do we work under pressure? The ICBA Community Banker University team recently had a chance to think about that when, at our annual strategy and teambuilding meeting, we found...
Rebeca Romero Rainey: The spirit of service
Community banks stand out in today’s financial services space because our business model depends on an ecosystem where the bank only benefits when customers do.
Charles Potts: Fueling growth through innovation
Innovation is taking place all around us at a pace unlike anything we have ever experienced. We’ve developed an ecosystem to foster growth through innovative partnerships and community involvement.