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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...
Internal audit: in-house or third-party?
An internal audit reveals opportunities for improvement across the board, making your community bank safer and more efficient. Take a look at the pros and cons of conducting an internal audit...
Timeline: 180 years of banking technology
A look at the history of retail banking technology—and where it’s going.
2017 ICBA National Community Bank Service Award Honorees
In extraordinary circumstances, this year’s National Community Bank Service Award honorees have gone the extra mile for their communities.
How to boost creativity at your bank
Large corporations that lack the agility of startups often turn to “intrapreneurship” to make time and space for creative development in the workplace. Should community banks be doing the same?
Qualitative ALLL
Considering qualitative factors in calculating loan-loss allowances
What happens when a bank hits $10 billion?
How—and when—should you prepare for the regulatory and cultural aftershocks? And can smaller but ambitious community banks learn from these best-practice preparations?
E-Signature Approval
Legally and operationally, digital John Hancocks come of age in lending.
Is Your Bank Overspending on Tech?
It goes without saying that keeping up to date with the latest technology can cost a pretty penny, but many community banks don’t realize some of their current tech practices are racking up a bill.
Scott Anchin: How to Prevent Wire Fraud
With electronic payments increasingly the norm, wire fraud is becoming more common and varied in format.
Powering Potential: Unlock Your Leadership Potential With ICBA Resources
ICBA offers a comprehensive suite of resources designed to equip professionals with the tools and knowledge to thrive in our industry.
How One Bank Tackled Online Gambling Friendly Fraud
A fraud case at Williamstown Bank sheds light on how community banks can combat rising online gaming “friendly fraud” claims and navigate Regulation E compliance hurdles.
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.
Boost Your Non-Interest Income with Credit Cards
ICBA Payments helps community banks increase their non-interest income with credit card programs that span the revenue and risk spectrum.
Mickey Marshall: Mutual Banks Are Mutually Beneficial
Customer-owned mutual banks offer a community-focused banking model.
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.
Yes, You CAN Offer Government-Guaranteed Lending Without Burdening Staff
Government-guaranteed lending isn’t just smart—it’s essential for community banks looking to serve more local businesses, add non-interest income, and stay competitive.
Q&A: Growth-Related Challenges for the Evolving Community Bank
Whether growing organically or through M&A, even positive change can present challenges. We talked to two community bankers about considerations and issues they’ve noticed as their banks have grown.
Rob Birgfeld: Amplify Community Banking With Local Influencers
Influencer marketing doesn’t have to target social media stars with millions of followers, it can start at a local level.
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.
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.
Reduce Collateralization: A Path to Greater Efficiency and Depositor Satisfaction
Banks can use a reciprocal deposit network to make large deposits eligible for millions in aggregate FDIC insurance across network banks — replacing the need for collateral or repos.
Charles Potts: How the Regtech Revolution Represents Banking Today
In many ways, ICBA’s core pillars—advocacy, education and innovation—define today’s community bank priorities.
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.
What Should Community Banks Know About Cross-Border Payments?
As cross-border payments reforms take shape, community banks must navigate promising opportunities and significant adjustments in this evolving space.
How to Balance Collections With Compassion for Customers
Community banks face the delicate task of collecting past-due loans while maintaining a compassionate approach, There are ways to be successful at both, experts say.
Amy Ledig: Setting Deregulatory Priorities to Help Community Banks
A rundown of five areas where ICBA’s advocacy is making an impact.
How the MPF® Program Keeps Community Banks Competitive
Through the Mortgage Partnership Finance® (MPF®) Program, community banks gain access to the secondary mortgage market while benefiting from key competitive advantages.
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.
4 Regulatory Challenges Community Banks Face Today
The regulatory environment for banks feels like it’s being turned upside down, but the fundamentals of compliance and risk management remain the same.
Still Processing Checks Like It’s 1995? Fraudsters Are Counting on It
Outdated check processing systems expose community banks to rising fraud and compliance risks.
Evaluating Credit Card Rewards in Modern Banking
Younger generations prefer debit to credit, but consumers’ appetite for card rewards is still strong. Learn how your community bank can integrate rewards as part of its payments strategy.
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.
Strengthening Franchise Value: Community Banks’ Growing Use of Reciprocal Deposits
In an environment where deposit competition is intensifying and customer concerns about deposit safety remain top of mind, reciprocal deposits have emerged as a vital tool for community banks.
Free IT Assessment for Banks—Limited-Time Offer
Banks: Get a free, expert-led IT assessment covering firewalls, MFA, email security, and more. Reduce risk, boost compliance, and plan for growth. Offer ends December 31, 2025. See if you qualify...
Powering Potential: Maximize Your Social Media Impact
ICBA’s marketing resources, education programs and compliance tools provide community bankers with strategic social media solutions and regulatory guidance to amplify their online presence.
Fraud Moves Fast. Are You Keeping Up?
Fraud flows across entire financial ecosystems. Without a unified approach, you risk operating with the same limited visibility that fraudsters exploit.
The Key to People-Focused Insurance Strategies
People make mistakes, but insurance can help ensure the bank doesn’t foot the bill for them.
The Secret to Engaging Customers Through Podcasts
With the popularity of podcasts, these community banks are riding the sound waves. Learn how they plan and produce episodes and build up engaged audiences.
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.
Fighting Fraud with Tech and Training
Community banks have to take a heavy hand when it comes to fraud. Amid both high-tech and check fraud, these banks are encouraging a watchful eye through technology and education.
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.
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.
Powering Potential: How ICBA's Letters Influence Congress
Here’s how ICBA uses letters to try to influence Congress.
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.
Balancing Innovation & Cost Control: A Community Banker’s Guide
Shopping for new technology can often feel like a lose-lose situation. With this guide, you’ll learn how to innovate smarter and spend wiser. A high-level, must-read for bank executives,...
The New Era of Risk: Why GRC Is a Strategic Imperative
As governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) challenges evolve, you must adapt. Discover how emerging GRC trends are shaping the future – and how Jack Henry™ can help your stay compliant,...
Outdated Positive Pay Leaves Banks Exposed
Over 90% of banks report rising fraud attacks, yet most remain dissatisfied with Positive Pay adoption—while fintechs win business customers with modern tools. Here’s how community banks can...
Jack E. Hopkins: Employing a Multilayered Cybersecurity Approach
Cybersecurity keeps me up at night.
Your Handshake is Your Promise. Less Complexity is Ours.
Rocket Pro is built for financial institutions that believe home loans shouldn’t feel like an obstacle course. Learn more about partnering with Rocket Pro at rocketpro.com.
Jim Reber: What’s next for investments
Looking to make changes to your investments this year? Bond opportunities abound in 2021.
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...
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.
Streamlining Social Media for Community Banks
Don’t have a dedicated social media person? No problem. New tools and an inclusive approach make your community bank’s social presence simpler to establish and maintain.
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.
Safeguarding Borrower Data
The HPPA curbs trigger leads and reinforces the trust at the heart of community banking.