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Jim Reber: Performance? Simple
Some of the least complex bonds now have attractive returns.
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.
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...
Market your community bank with first-party data
Customer data fuels efficient and effective marketing these days. Community banks own an enviable amount of data, but not all are leveraging it to its fullest extent.
Crafting a marketing plan when a community bank merges
Community bank marketing teams need to consider many factors following a merger or acquisition. We spoke to experts and community bankers on how to market during a merger.
Expanding horizons with cross-country branches
Community banks across the nation are breaking into markets outside their typical areas of operation. Here’s how four banks are successfully finding new locations, acquiring new customers and...
Enhancing content with AI
From grammar suggestions to content ideation, artificial intelligence has evolved to be an asset for marketing industries. Learn how AI can enhance the work of community banks’ marketing teams of...
Board succession planning after a merger
From blending differing values to choosing a new chairman, many challenges can arise after a merger or acquisition.
Is it time to rebrand your community bank?
Some community banks are taking a cue from consumer products and marketing companies as they rebrand with catchy new names they believe are more memorable and better represent their values as an...
ICBA pushback on FHFA capital standards rules makes headlines
ICBA’s joint letter urging the Federal Housing Finance Agency to align its capital standards with federal banking agencies was covered in PoliticoPro, American Banker, and Housing Wire.
What community banks need to know about ESG
SPONSORED | The conversation on ESG went from a murmur to deafening in a short amount of time, so much so that taking a first step might seem overwhelming. There are many reasons to consider ESG...
Become a thought leader on social media
Becoming a social media thought leader isn’t something that happens overnight. It takes time, consistency and authenticity—but the benefits can be worth the effort.
Jim Reber: Inversion investing
Upside-down yield curve offers some possibilities.
5 marketing strategies to put on your radar for 2023
SPONSORED | Now is the time to evaluate marketing strategies for 2023. Given the latest marketing trends as identified by Vericast in its latest Financial TrendWatch, these five strategies can make...
Should you offer financial planning services?
Offering financial planning services is one way to expand a community bank’s footprint and deepen customer relationships. We spoke with several banks about why and how they offer wealth management...
Entering the cannabis banking market
While the federal legal status of banking cannabis-related businesses remains fuzzy, community banks in some states are finding that, with proper controls, they’re able to enter this niche market...
Does your bank need cyber insurance?
As digital crime evolves, cyber insurance could be part of the solution. We explore how it can protect banks against financial losses and provide resources in the event of a cyber attack.
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.
Capitalize on social payments
Social payments methods like Venmo and Cash App continue to grow in popularity, creating an opportunity to give customers 24/7 access to cashless, P2P and mobile transactions. So how do social...
4 trending social media tips to know
The Social Bankers, a collective of community bank marketers, offers inspiration, information and professional development advice to community bankers focused on marketing and social media. We...
Efficiency now: 8 smart strategy tips
Fallout from recent global events presents an obstacle to generating revenue for community banks. How can they counteract these effects and maximize financial efficiency? As we enter budgeting...
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.
Gamification’s Place in Community Banking
SPONSORED—How can gamification benefit your community bank? In more ways than you might realize. Zogo has mastered the art of incentivizing gamification that bolsters loyalty, engagement, activity,...
Brad M. Bolton: Retaining the best
Community bank employees fill a special role, unlike no other position in the market today, and we must do a better job of telling that story.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Budget prioritization
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.
4 Ways to Find International Business Customers
SPONSORED | International expansion means more opportunities to acquire new customers. PCBB's insights paper, "Strategies to Attract New International Business Customers", identifies ways to find...
Are Bankers and Customers on the Same Page?
SPONSORED—Vericast surveyed financial services marketers and consumers about their banking goals, priorities, expectations and experiences. Industry experts analyzed the data and identified five...
Charles Potts: Growing small business banking
We live in unprecedented times, filled with new challenges and opportunities for small businesses. Fortunately, community banks have greater access than ever before to advanced solutions and...
Brad M. Bolton: Advancing our communities
My bank’s tagline is ‘Where dreams meet solutions,’ and it serves as my guiding inspiration at the bank and, now, at the national level. As community bankers, our customers depend on us to keep...
Can fintechs enhance your bank’s marketing campaign?
Customized, well-thought-out interactions are integral to wooing new customers and retaining existing ones. We asked several banking leaders how they’ve employed fintech to ramp up their marketing...
6 smart marketing moves for 2023
When it comes to customer acquisition tactics, it’s never too early to start thinking about next year’s budget. Here, experts give their take on trends that can freshen up your community bank’s...
Build your community bank's brand with swag
Promotional merchandise, or swag, has long been regarded as a no-brainer approach to branding. Community banks are shedding those thrifty connotations with a mindful approach to company gifting...
Six ways data can boost your community bank's brand
Combining data with customer feedback can help community banks understand what customers think about their services and turn those thoughts into action.
How to collect positive customer reviews
When customers look up businesses online, reviews are one of the first things they see. These community bankers share how they collect positive reviews, and how to respond to negative ones.
How to build up your Gen Z customer base
Generation Z represents one in four Americans today, and they’re looking for their bank. To attract this new generation of potential customers, community banks must understand what banking means to...
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...
FNB Community Bank is conquering TikTok
FNB Community Bank’s investment in social media has paid off. Marketing manager and assistant vice president Julie Waddle has excelled at making fun, informative videos that engage the bank’s...
Paid social media's place in your marketing strategy
As social media platforms tinker with algorithms, marketing experts say one trend is clear: Paid social campaigns are becoming increasingly necessary to cut through the noise and reach customers....
Rebeca Romero Rainey: The spirit of innovation
A spirit of innovation and can-do attitude will serve you well this year, helping you remain ahead of the curve and address issues that arise.
7 ways community banks can boost profitability
A profitability strategy has a lot to factor in given today’s uncertain market. Here’s what community bankers need to know when planning their budgets for the next year.
Why community banks are acquiring nonbanks
Acquiring a wealth management firm, fintech, title business or other nonbank organization can unlock new opportunities for community banks. But experts say that finding the right business to...
ICBA’s best-performing community banks of 2020
Independent Banker’s annual listing of America’s best-performing community banks shows that nimble thinking and an adherence to good old-fashioned customer service can bring success, whatever the...
Improve your next marketing campaign with data
Using data from your community bank, an ad campaign or public sources allows your marketing efforts to find potential or existing customers who’ve already shown interest in your brand.
6 ways to boost your social media strategy
Community banks are building relationships through an active, thoughtful presence on social media, and these platforms are an extension of the relationships that community banks foster. Experts...
The advertising regulations you need to know
Like any business marketing its products and services, a community bank must keep its advertising truthful. There are plenty of regulations specific to financial institutions under the FDIC, CFPB...
Why going public is still an option
In recent years, some community banks have made the decision to go public as part of their strategy for growth. In 2020, however, COVID-19 cast uncertainty over the market. But experts say...
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...
4 community banks with eye-catching names
These community banks know you never get a second chance to make a first impression. From Ergo Bank in Wisconsin to Happy State Bank in Texas, we uncover the roots of four banks’ eye-catching...
ICBA’s best-performing community banks
Our annual list of the year’s top-performing community banks boasts institutions that focus on efficiency and the personal service that builds strong, lasting relationships. Their success last year...
How to get and keep new customers
Customers have more choices than ever about where and how to do their banking. Community banks must find the right ways to engage them if they want to win and retain their loyalty. Here are the...
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...
Why your bank should be budgeting for the big picture
Your community bank’s strategic plan often takes things like innovation, growth and succession planning into account, but does the budget? How can your bank plan for these often unpredictable...
Five steps to building an effective deposit strategy plan
SPONSORED | Building an effective deposit strategy plan is an integral tool to acquiring new, and retaining existing, deposits. Here are the five steps for designing, organizing and implementing a...
Why your bank needs dedicated cyber insurance
Some banks have relied on their existing insurance policies to protect them from today’s security threats. But as the amount of data that community banks amass grows, they should consider dedicated...
Revealed: ICBA’s best-performing community banks 2019
Our annual list of the year’s go-getters is here! Read on to see the 75 community banks that took the crown, and hear from nine that shined because of their cutting-edge technology, strategic...
What’s in your bank’s swag bag?
Forget toasters. Community banks are standing out from the competition and luring new customers with innovative incentives.
Digital marketing tools your bank should know about
Digital marketing is evolving rapidly to meet customers where they are. We look at how remarketing, geofencing and other techniques can help your community bank get the word out.
How to build a successful payments strategy
Customer expectations and fierce competition—it’s never been more important to think strategically about your payments offering.
Revealed: ICBA’s best-performing community banks 2018
Our annual coast-to-coast roster of high achievers is here! Read on to see the 75 community banks that made the cut, and hear from nine we’ve highlighted for their consistent high performance and...