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Charles Potts: Embrace the digital experience
Consider ICBA your partner and advocate on the digital transformation journey. That’s why ThinkTECH exists and why we continually innovate to introduce new resources as the industry evolves.
Meet 2021’s ThinkTECH Accelerator finalists
Starting in 2018, ICBA’s ThinkTECH Accelerator has helped create a new ecosystem of community bank-friendly fintechs through a rigorous incubator boot camp involving hundreds of community bankers...
Charles Potts: A culture of innovation
Innovation is a high priority for many community bank leaders, so it’s critical that we have a foundational definition of innovation.
What you need to know about digital issuance
Instant issue cards are becoming more common at financial institutions, as they can maximize card usage and even attract customers. But another option, digital issuance, combines that speed with...
A community bank guide to cloud migration
Many community banks are moving their software, hardware and even core systems to the cloud in search of more flexible, scalable and affordable services.
Charles Potts: Innovation drives performance
With the advent of new, innovative solutions like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, community banks have opportunities to eliminate or reduce inefficient manual processes and...
Stop elder financial abuse with data analytics
Elder financial abuse has been on the rise for the past decade, but so has data analytics technology, which banks can use to fight this fraud. Experts share strategies for community banks to...
4 ways to conquer compliance challenges
For community banks, regulatory burdens and compliance costs are constant challenges. But by taking steps including building a culture of compliance, they’re challenges that can be met.
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.
Are real-time international payments the future?
Two rising technologies, faster payments and cross-border payments, are coalescing as more countries lay foundations to make such transactions possible. Experts say the U.S. is on a path to...
Going Through a Data Conversion Project Doesn’t Have to Be Painful
With mergers, acquisitions and other changes affecting the industry, ensuring your data is effectively converted has never been more critical. we’ve compiled a toolkit of what to consider before,...
Why it pays to offer cross-border payments
Offering cross-border payments used to have a high barrier of entry, but thanks to new technology and increasing revenue opportunities, they may be an untapped growth opportunity for enterprising...
Community First Bank’s PPP partnership
With little time to spare, Community First Bank prepared itself for a wave of Paycheck Protection Program applications by quickly implementing technology through a new fintech partner. Now, it’s...
Could apps improve your customers’ financial health?
Fintech-developed apps that help customers manage their finances are looking to partner with community banks to help them reach new customers and deepen existing relationships.
Will the dollar go digital? What you need to know
The private sector has had its hands in the world of cryptocurrencies for years, but the country’s central banks have held off—until now. While far from a certainty, here’s what you need to...
Charles Potts: 6 innovation trends for 2021
As we start the new year, much remains uncertain. In general, “uncertainty” implies a state of limited knowledge that makes it impossible or impracticable to describe a future outcome.
The bank pioneering banking as a service
With the help of a fintech partnership, Coastal Community Bank has blazed a trail by providing banking as a service (BaaS).
How to defend your bank from ransomware
Cybercriminals take advantage of ransomware’s low barrier of entry to compromise data and networks from banks, service providers and even customers. Community banks can protect themselves with...
3 ways to protect your bank’s customer data
Community banks collect more customer data than ever before. A data security plan will ensure this valuable information is kept safe from hackers.
How the world's banks are using the IoT
Banks and fintechs are experimenting with web-connected devices—collectively, the Internet of Things (IoT). While some experiments have worked and some have failed, their efforts offer a...
What you need to know about instant issue cards
Adoption of instant issue cards has never been easier thanks to new technology. But community banks should ensure best practices for protecting cardholders and staying compliant.
Secrets of 4 community bank–fintech partnerships
Community banks and fintechs are working together to boost internal efficiency and improve the customer experience. But good partnerships don’t just run like clockwork. They require close...
FedNow is coming. Here’s what you need to know
Years of advocacy culminated in the Fed’s announcement of a real-time payments and settlement service. Here’s what to know about FedNow and what remains to be answered.
How to create an effective digital payments strategy
Faster payments. p2p. It would be easy to feel overwhelmed at the speed of change. The key, say experts, is to ensure your payments strategy aligns with your corporate strategy.
Protect your bank from remote deposit capture risks
Despite the advancements of today’s banking industry, checks remain a common part of the customer experience, and remote deposit capture (RDC) has followed. What risk management strategies should...
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...
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.
What exactly is encryption, and how does it work?
Whether data is in storage or being beamed across the internet, the security expert’s motto is “Encryption everywhere” to ensure that information is safe. But what exactly is it, and how does it...
Timeline: 180 years of banking technology
A look at the history of retail banking technology—and where it’s going.
E-Signature Approval
Legally and operationally, digital John Hancocks come of age in lending.
Instant Payments Insights Every Community Bank Needs
Vendors share their specialized insight into the instant payments market to help community banks understand how they can grow in this technology-forward area.
Charles Potts: The Process of Bringing Innovation to You
Technology has become an integral part of success in banking.
What Innovative Advantage Does Cloud Lending Give Community Banks?
Community banks are using cloud technology to improve efficiency and enhance customer convenience. See how cloud lending is transforming operations for banks and borrowers alike.
Jacob Eisen: A Can't-Miss Business Card Opportunity
Thirty-four percent of small businesses in the U.S. are not comfortable with their cash flow in today’s economy, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index for Q1 2025.
Maximizing Profitability with Today's Point-of-Sale Tech
The goal of community banks in a digital age: Be top of wallet. Learn how to take advantage of growing POS innovations like digital wallets.
Charles Potts: Turning Strategy Into Success With the Right Tech
In the current economic environment, your bank’s strategy is worth its weight in gold.
Unlocking Strategic Advantages with ECM Technology
Selecting the right ECM solution for your financial institution can unlock strategic advantages.
Jacob Eisen: Changing for the Better
Winston Churchill famously said, “To improve is to change, so to be perfect is to have changed often.”
What Role Will Your Core Play in Open Banking?
The CFPB’s open banking rule opens financial data to authorized third parties. Will your core processor be ready if it takes effect?
5 Ways Community Banks Can Take Advantage of FedNow
FedNow has solidified its place in the banking industry, and now’s the time for community banks to get in on the action. Learn how your bank can ease the instant payments system into its operations.
Proven Practices For Back-Office Efficiency
Shrinking net interest margins, rising costs, and manual processes challenge community banks to maintain efficiency and profitability in a competitive market.
IT MSP, Integris, Reveals Top IT Trends for the Second Year in New Report, “Understanding US Banks’ Annual IT Spend in 2025”
Discover where banks stand on technology in 2025! Our survey of 1,000+ bank executives reveals IT’s growing role, key infrastructure needs, cybersecurity concerns, and economic impacts.
Loan Pricing strategies: Don’t let your bank become a Castaway.
With rapidly changing market conditions, your bank could easily find itself isolated like Tom Hanks in Castaway, on a desert island alone.
Jacob Eisen: The Difference Between Direct and Agent Bank Credit Card Programs
Credit cards remain the most widely used credit product in the U.S., and the Federal Reserve’s latest payments study points to a continued climb in the number of card transactions, their overall...
Kick Lending Up a Notch With Digital Solutions
Increased efficiency and fewer errors are just two of the benefits of digitalizing your loan production process.
Future-Proofing Community Banks: Upgrading Check Processing to Enhance Security, Efficiency, and Remain Competitive
Checks remain vital, requiring banks to consolidate systems for better efficiency and fraud mitigation. Modern solutions enhance security, streamline processing, and provide real-time fraud detection.
7 Lessons Learned by FedNow® Service Participants
Financial institutions live on the FedNow Service have shared valuable lessons they learned along their instant payment journeys.
Powering Potential: Rethinking Your Payments Strategy With ICBA Payments
ICBA Payments hasn’t just rebranded. It has begun a multiyear phased investment strategy to modernize its technology and service offerings, which are designed to elevate your bank’s payments strategy.
Lance Noggle: It's Time to Bolster Cybersecurity Measures—Now and Forever
As the costs of data breaches continue to rise, it’s essential for community banks to access and use available federal cybersecurity tools for combating fraudsters and bad actors.
How Can Community Banks Ride the Digital Wallet Wave?
Looking to drive card usage and ensure continued deposit recapture? As the use of digital wallets continues to accelerate, here’s how you can participate and benefit from this trend.
Can Software Solve Your Bank's Board Management Woes?
From scheduling and information-sharing to bolstered security, board management software could smooth the bumps in the road that come with manual management processes.
The Hidden Risks of Legacy Technology: A Community Banker’s Guide
IBT Apps’ newest ebook is available now! Explore the critical risks of legacy systems and learn about a modern solution that helps future-proof your bank.