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Out of Office: Evelyn Franco
The chief operating officer at $970 million-asset Frontier Bank of Texas in Elgin, Texas, is determined to hike and canyoneer through all 63 U.S. national parks alongside her sister.
First American Bank Draws a Chalk Path of Kindness
First American Bank in Artesia, New Mexico, embraced the spirit of Random Acts of Kindness Month in February.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Conversations Must Determine Our Innovation Budgets
Innovation is one of those line items that can be hard to wrap our heads around.
Member Milestones 2025: Community Banks Are Here to Stay
Community banking requires vigor, skill and passion to withstand the test of time. That’s why ICBA is honoring member banks celebrating 100, 125, 150, 175 and even 200 years in service.
KS Bank Helps Make Retirement Plans Happen
KS Bank’s wealth division provides retirement benefits planning services to its business clients to help them save money and attract and retain employees.
Jack E. Hopkins: Turning Vendors Into Partners With ICBA
When faced with a crisis, community banks step up.
Jacob Eisen: Make Payments a Strategic Budget Priority
Payments have transformed into a strategic opportunity. They no longer simply perform a routine function. Instead, they offer revenue potential, enhanced customer experiences and more.
Jack E. Hopkins: Riding the Pendulum of Regulatory Compliance
Over the past decade, community banks have experienced our fair share of pendulum swings when it comes to regulation.
Out of Office: Skyler Kanipe
The project manager at $1.4 billion-asset Community Financial Services Bank (CFSB) in Benton, Kentucky, is always on the lookout for her next vintage find.
CedarStone Bank Recognizes and Thanks Local Teachers
Through its annual Teacher of the Year program, CedarStone Bank recognizes the dedication of Wilson County educators who inspire students and make a difference in their schooling every day.
What Benefits Does Gen Z Value Most?
Gen Z and community banks are both purpose-driven, so attracting the youngest employees largely depends on which benefits companies offer. Here’s how some community banks are doing it.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Making a Difference, One Act at a Time
Community bankers are driven by a spirit of service. Giving back to our communities is simply a part of who we are.
Building Bright Futures with Financial Education
High school financial literacy courses are an opportunity for community banks to set local youth up for success. See how some community banks are making a difference in financial education today.
2025 National Community Bank Service Awards
Gulf Coast Bank and Legends Bank run thoughtful and strategic programs that support their neighbors. That’s why they’ve been named the winners of the 2025 National Community Bank Service Awards.
Katahdin Trust Company Shoots and Scores for Youth Athletes
In March, $1 billion-asset Katahdin Trust Company (KTC) in Houlton, Maine, teamed up with Big Time Hoops to host its All Star Weekend.
Powering Potential: Inside the ThinkTECH Accelerator
ICBA’s ThinkTECH Accelerator readies participating companies that have early-stage solutions and helps them tailor their products for community banks.
Lindsay LaNore: How to Play Well Without the Ball
There’s a rule that applies on the basketball court that can also be applied in the workplace. It’s called the 95% rule, and this is how it works.
How Community Banks Can Build a Risk-Savvy Board
For community bank board members to mitigate risk effectively throughout the organization, each director needs to understand their role.
Patriots Bank Goes Pink to Fight Breast Cancer
Patriots Bank launched a special debit card to generate emotional and financial support for breast cancer patients, and it has generated over $20,000 so far.
Bank of the Pacific Strikes Up Support for a Local Nonprofit
In March, Bank of the Pacific in Aberdeen, Washington, sponsored the Bowl-A-Thon fundraiser for Friends of the Children Portland.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Battling the Many Faces of Fraud, Together
When it comes to fraud, we are being hit on all fronts with scams that range from the very basic to the most sophisticated.
Out of Office: Brad Henion
The executive vice president and chief lending officer at $4.4 billion-asset ChoiceOne Bank in Sparta, Michigan, has trained hunting dogs for decades.
MainStreet Bank Empowers the Community, One Employee At a Time
Through its Making Change program, MainStreet Bank implores its employees to engage in and contribute to community work.
ICBA Certification Q&A: Susan McLaughlin
As a certified community bank internal auditor (CCBIA), Susan McLaughlin shares how internal auditors play a vital role in community banking.
Jack E. Hopkins: Employing a Multilayered Cybersecurity Approach
Cybersecurity keeps me up at night.
Digital Banking for the Modern Age
For community banks, digital transformation has moved from an industry colloquialism to a punch list reality.
BayCoast Bank Helps Craft a Playhouse Fit for a Princess
In June 2023, BayCoast Bank in Swansea, Massachusetts, joined forces with a network of community partners to create a playhouse for a young girl with life-limiting medical challenges.
Rising Concerns Over National Bank Trust Charters
Over the past few years, we’ve witnessed an alarming upsurge in the number of nonbank financial technology firms applying for national bank trust charters.
Succession Planning Essentials for Family Banks
Creating succession plans for family-owned community banks can be complicated in all sorts of ways.
Inviting Questions to Spark Better Conversations
We all know how powerful curiosity can be. Every great leader knows that inviting feedback and questions from their team can be a highly collaborative and productive process.
Out of Office: John and Lou Buhrmaster
John Buhrmaster, chief executive officer at 1st National Bank of Scotia in Scotia, New York, shares how he and his father, chairman Lou Buhrmaster, have a unique connection to vintage taxi cabs.
Community State Bank Brews Up Coffee and Community
Community State Bank and Shepherds College united to create Shepherds Community Café, a donation-based coffee shop that fosters occupational experience for students with different needs.
Marching into 2026 on the Advocacy Frontline
Looking back on the past year, we have advocacy successes to celebrate.
It's a Wonderful (Community Banking) Life
While I may be biased, I believe that being a community banker is the best profession there is.
First National Bank Colorado Fights Hunger in Its Community
Last August, team members from First National Bank Colorado in Las Animas, Colorado, got to work at the Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado.
Does Your Community Bank Need an Advisory Board?
Distinct from a board of directors, advisory boards are dedicated to advocating for and offering insight into the needs and interests of the local population.
American Heritage Bank Offers Financial Donations, No Questions Asked
American Heritage Bank’s Community Chest program brings the community together to support those in need, one donation at a time.
How to Encourage Innovation Beyond the C-Suite
Thinking outside the box isn’t only a job for the C-suite. Employees at all levels can—and should—contribute to innovation at their community banks. Here are some ideas from your peers about how to...
The Best Community Banks to Work For 2025
Our 2025 Best Community Banks to Work For winners pride themselves on competitive benefits, fun and fulfilling cultures, and a belief in work-life balance. Hear from leaders and staff about how...
Do You Want to Be Featured in Out of Office?
Over the years, we’ve shined a spotlight on community bankers with hobbies ranging from skydiving and vintage shopping to winemaking and showing livestock. Now, we’re on the hunt for more...
Karin Smith's Journey from Banking to Beading
A California community banker on her passion for creating and selling her own jewelry.
Community Bank of Cameron Spices Up Fundraising with a Specialty Barbecue Rub
Commuinity Bank of Cameron regulary supports local food shelves with food donations. But this holiday season, they put a new spin their annual giving by launching "Banking with BBQ."
Inside ICBA Education's Webinars
Live and on-demand webinars can help take your community bank to the next level. Here's how and why to take advantage of them.
How a Community Bank Uses Customer Stories
For its 25th anniversary, Willamette Valley Bank turned customer testimonials into a high-impact video asset. Discover how community-focused storytelling builds trust, deepens relationships, and...
How Penn Community Bank Tackles Food Insecurity
As food insecurity surged, Penn Community Bank went beyond a traditional food drive mobilizing employees, donations, and nonprofit partnerships to support neighbors across five Pennsylvania counties.
Lindsay LaNore: How to Celebrate Someone Else's Win
In this highly competitive world, we all need reminders to slow down and celebrate success, including the wins of others. Community bank leaders are uniquely positioned to be a cheerleader and...
Incoming ICBA Chairman Alice Frazier on Leadership
Meet Alice Frazier, president and CEO of Potomac Bank and incoming ICBA chairman. Learn how her leadership journey, advocacy work and focus on developing the next generation of community bankers...
Future of Community Banking: Mentoring the Next Generation
Discover how ICBA and industry leaders are mentoring the next generation of community bankers through targeted succession planning and professional development.
Ballston Spa National Bank Hits a Hole-in-One for the Community
Ballston Spa National Bank (BSNB) in Ballston Spa, New York, brought creativity, connection and community spirit to the Saratoga County Annual Business Showcase last fall, transforming a...
Payments Policy for Community Banks: Digital Asset Rules
Learn how community banks can navigate the new era of payments policy, digital asset regulations, and advocacy efforts with ICBA Payments CEO Jacob Eisen.
Meet the ICBA 2026/27 Board of Directors: Community Bank Leadership
Get to know the ICBA 2026/27 board of directors. Discover their strategic goals, top advocacy priorities, and advice for the next generation of community bankers.
Why Choose a Community Bank? Community Banking Benefits
Discover the top reasons to love community banking. Learn how community banks support colleagues, customers, local businesses, and communities.
How to Nurture the Next Generation of Community Bank Leaders
Learn how to identify, train, and retain Gen Z workers as the next generation of community bank leaders. Explore expert strategies and real-world banking examples.
Claremont Savings Bank Provides $4 Million Line of Credit to SAU 6
Learn how Claremont Savings Bank (CSB) saved the SAU 6 school year with a $4 million line of credit and a $100,000 donation during a severe budget shortfall.
Q&A: Betty Brannock
Betty Brannock, executive vice president of risk management at Legence Bank in Eldorado, Illinois, has spent over three decades in the industry. She holds ICBA’s Certified BSA/AML Professional...
How Queensborough Bank Supports Jefferson Hospital
Learn how Queensborough National Bank & Trust Company supports rural healthcare through $600,000 in donations to Jefferson Hospital and the Georgia HEART Program.
A Drive to Remember
For over a decade, Lesa and Andrew Black of $125 million-asset Princeville State Bank in Princeville, Illinois, and Doug Parrott of $325 million-asset State Bank of Toulon in Toulon, Illinois,...
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Let's Continue the Course in the New Year
Rebeca Romero Rainey, president and CEO of ICBA, shares why it's more important than ever to ensure that community banks are actively engaged and leveraging the power of the tools that ICBA provides.
Jack E. Hopkins: Setting Our Priorities for 2026
There’s something about the new year that brings with it a clean slate and a fresh start. As we kick off 2026, we have the opportunity to shape where we want to go.
Out of Office: Olympia Reed
The regional branch operations manager for Lumbee Guaranty Bank in Pembroke, North Carolina, regularly cooks for family, friends and coworkers at the $540 million-asset community bank.