Search Articles
Mickey Marshall: Mutual Banks Are Mutually Beneficial
Customer-owned mutual banks offer a community-focused banking model.
Q&A: Amy Ledig on the EGRPRA Review Process
Independent Banker caught up with Amy Ledig, vice president of capital, accounting and finance policy at ICBA, to discuss the regulatory outlook.
Amy Ledig: Setting Deregulatory Priorities to Help Community Banks
A rundown of five areas where ICBA’s advocacy is making an impact.
Mickey Marshall: Why National Trust Bank Charters Sparked a Growing Policy Fight
Fintech and crypto firms continue to seek out trust charters for deposit-like products, raising policy questions and competitive risks for community banks.
Powering Potential: How ICBA's Letters Influence Congress
Here’s how ICBA uses letters to try to influence Congress.
Safeguarding Borrower Data
The HPPA curbs trigger leads and reinforces the trust at the heart of community banking.
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.
John Coleman: Make the Most of the August Congressional Recess
When members of Congress return home during congressional recess, it’s a great opportunity for community bankers to engage with them over policy—with the right preparation.
Mark Scanlan: Speaking out for rural America in the new Farm Bill
The five-year Farm Bill is set to expire later this year. ICBA is lobbying Congress in the reauthorization with six important provisions.
Listen Up: Taking bold and brave action
What does it mean to be innovative? In episode 5 of the Independent Banker podcast, host Charles Potts talks to Rebeca Romero Rainey, president and CEO of ICBA, about her passion for community...
Aaron Stetter: Return to Capitol Hill
The 2023 ICBA Capital Summit is next month. Here’s a peek at what you can expect from the premier community bank advocacy event.
Aaron Stetter: Setting a course for the new Congress
ICBA is getting the community banking message out, from sending a letter detailing ICBA’s policy priorities to every member of the new Congress to reinforcing that messaging with advertisements in...
Independent Banker Podcast: Fighting the Good Fight — with Anne Balcer
Anne Balcer talks to host Charles Potts, ICBA’s chief innovation officer, about the value of her background as a community banker, the advocacy wins community banks saw last year, the issues her...
Navigating new overdraft fee guidance for community banks
The CFPB recently issued new guidance on overdraft fees that was unanticipated by community banks. Learn what this means for the industry and how community banks can stay in compliance.
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.
MDIs and CDFIs bolster minority-owned businesses
When the U.S. Treasury created the Emergency Capital Investment Program (ECIP), it provided MDIs and CDFIs with an influx of capital that they’re using to help minority-owned businesses in their...
Lilly Thomas: Shaping the regulatory year ahead
With a full agenda of topics that need attention, ICBA’s government relations team is meeting with the regulatory agencies, writing comment letters and offering up research and ideas to help shape...
Aaron Stetter: Welcome, new members of Congress
As new members find their footing on Capitol Hill, learning the ins and outs of their new roles, ICBA is there to help them understand the strength of community banks and the critical role they...
A fund for diverse tech companies
First National Bank and Black Tech Nation Ventures teamed up to support minority-owned startups in the Pittsburgh community and beyond.
Lexicon Bank: A bank that shows its hand
When it comes to supporting outliers in the Las Vegas community, Lexicon Bank knows how to play its cards.
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.
2022 regulatory compliance review
While the creation of new compliance regulations was slow this year compared with years past, some regulations were implemented as expected, and some continue to evolve.
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...
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...
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...
Tailor-made community banking
These community banks tailor their products and services not just to their neighborhood demographics but to everyone’s needs, from bank accounts for gig economy workers to microloans for consumers....
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...
Jenna Burke: Leading the climate risk charge
As lawmakers and regulatory bodies discuss their approach to managing climate-related rules, disclosures and oversight, ICBA pushes back against regulations that could prove disadvantageous to...
Mark K. Scanlan: Overregulation is strangling rural America
After the CFPB released its report on the financial issues facing rural America, ICBA emphasized that leveling the playing field and easing rural community banks’ regulatory burden would drive...
These Asian-American led banks are helping their communities
May marks Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month—and these Asian American-led community banks are adding to that heritage every single day by helping bring dreams within reach.
Deborah Matthews Phillips: Stop the Durbin Amendment expansion
ICBA and other trade partners join the push for Congress to gain awareness and take action against the harmful financial effects of Reg II.
Robert Fisher: Driving change
Community banks have an amazing reputation on Capitol Hill, and we need to leverage it to drive necessary change.
Success stories of Black-owned banks and their customers
After a long history of systemic economic oppression, Black-owned banks are playing a key role in improving the economic fortunes of their communities. We asked community bankers and their...
Robert Fisher: The journey ahead
From new competition and new technology to new regulation, we have adapted and continued to offer the relationship-centric experience that our communities, customers and missions depend on.
Compliance changes coming this year
Driven by uncertainty around the pandemic, few compliance reforms were realized in 2021. This year, regulators are considering reforms centered on the Community Reinvestment Act, the Fair Housing...
Robert Fisher: The nimbleness of community bankers
Let’s rediscover what it means to be community bankers. Let’s exercise our nimble natures to exceed customer expectations. Because as community bankers, it’s what we do.
Aaron Stetter: Nonstop advocacy
ICBA stands at the ready to protect the franchise value of the nation’s community banks and develop tools to empower them to speak up and be heard.
Michael Emancipator: The case against the Section 1071 proposal
The CFPB’s proposed rule to implement Section 1071 would add a burdensome and costly reporting requirement onto all community bank small business lenders.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Mitigating cybercrime
We know that despite the frights cyberattacks bring, you continue to flourish by safeguarding the communities you serve.
Aaron Stetter: Sounding the alarm on IRS reporting overreach
ICBA is building a coalition of associations, community banks and customers to oppose a Treasury Department proposal adding burdensome reporting to the plates of all financial institutions.
Ponce Bank serves the underserved
Ponce Bank has brought banking services to minority neighborhoods in the Bronx and greater New York City for more than six decades with a clear focus on community investment.
Aaron Stetter: Pushing back against postal banking
ICBA is fighting a flawed proposal that would have the U.S. Postal Service enter the banking industry.
Deposit Insurance Reform: Community Bankers' Goals
Community bankers share common goals for protecting depositors.
Revealed: The Impact of Credit Union Acquisitions
Credit union acquisitions of community banks are leaving lasting scars on local economies—reducing small business lending, limiting mortgage access and weakening community reinvestment. But...
Deregulation Ahead: Community Bank Regulatory Outlook
Learn how regulatory changes in 2026, including stablecoin legislation and Section 1071 exemptions, will shape the future of community banking.
ILC Loophole Impact on Community Banks & Regulation
Learn about the historical context of the ILC loophole, its implications for community banks and the ongoing regulatory debates surrounding this critical issue.
A Look at ICBA's Community Banker-Led Committees
How member-driven ICBA committees and councils power advocacy, innovation and education for community banks.
Rhonda Thomas-Whitley: Why Risk-Based BSA Compliance Matters for Banks
BSA compliance is critical to financial security, but it works best when oversight aligns with risk. Learn how outdated thresholds, inconsistent exams, and evolving guidance affect community banks,...
How CDFIs and MDIs Are Navigating Uncertainty
CDFIs and MDIs share how potential funding cuts and regulatory shifts could affect their ability to serve underserved communities, and why their mission matters more than ever.
Tim Roy: Pushing Back Against Upcoming FHLB Regulations
Significant changes could be in store for the Federal Home Loan Bank system, with possible negative effects for community banks.
Susan Sullivan Kinney and Brian Laverdure: The Cryptocurrency Debate
Despite its popularity and precarity, cryptocurrency remains mostly unregulated at a government level.
Powering Potential: Strengthening Community Banking State by State
ICBA’s links with state banking associations help shape organizational growth and drive powerful collaborations.
Lucas White: Tenacity for the Regulatory Win
When I’m asked about necessary skill sets for community banking, I talk about problem-solving and a passion for helping people.
Jenna Burke: The Supreme Court of the United States Is Reshaping Administrative Law
Three recent SCOTUS decisions could affect the community banking sector.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Remaining Nimble Against a Litany of Regulation
Flexibility: It’s one of the characteristics that sets our community banks apart, enabling us to meet the needs of distinct communities in unique ways.
Lucas White: Getting Comfortable With Fintechs
When I first got involved with ICBA’s ThinkTECH Accelerator, I must admit that I believed fintechs were scary.
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.
Ron Haynie & Tim Roy: Deciphering FHFA's Credit Score Transition
The FHFA continues to transition away from FICO, leaving lenders wondering about the potential impact it may have on the industry. Here’s what we know so far.
Michael Benedict: Are We There Yet?
Take a look at the nagging persistence of portfolio mark‑to‑market.
Lindsay LaNore: Practical Tips for Knowledge Transfer
When community bankers with decades of experience retire, they take with them a precious commodity: their knowledge. But it doesn’t have to be that way.