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Why banks are becoming B Corps
With a commitment to better business practices, B Corps, designated by the non-profit B Lab, are a growing force that count many financial institutions and household brands as members. Could being...
Community Bank CFO Outlook 2019: What are your peers forecasting?
Independent Banker’s Community Bank CFO Outlook survey asked community bank C how they plan to tackle financial challenges, from complying with high-profile accounting standards to utilizing...
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.
Ways to avoid flood insurance compliance violations
Avoiding flood insurance-related violations requires understanding loans, notifying customers and/or assessing insurance coverage requirements.
Site visits still matter. Here’s why
Site visits are the key to protecting your community bank’s commercial and industrial portfolio. Here’s why.
Community Spirit: Dennis Frandsen
After a lengthy entrepreneurial career, Dennis Frandsen of Frandsen Bank & Trust is giving back by helping Minnesota students pay their tuition.
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.
Community Bank CEO Outlook 2019: What’s on your peers’ to-do list?
Independent Banker’s inaugural Community Bank CEO Outlook survey asked community bank CEOs how they plan to meet their challenges this year. Read on for a glimpse of their to-do lists for 2019,...
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.
Meet the winners of ICBA’s 2018 National Community Bank Service Awards
Whether they are overhauling local education, main streets or even their own reputation, ICBA’s 2018 National Community Service Award winners were unafraid to dig deep—figuratively and...
The pros and cons of niche lending
In niche lending, your community bank’s fate comes down to expertise and passion for the work.
ICBA’s 2018 top lenders: Who made the cut?
Every year, ICBA calculates the top community bank loan producers in the agricultural, commercial and consumer categories. This year’s lending leaders point to many different success factors, but...
Community banks get creative with unused branch space
As branch square-footage requirements shrink, community banks are reserving extra space for everything from community events to small-business meetings.
10 tips to boost cross-selling
Throw your sales goals out the window. Help customers get what they want, and your bottom line will take care of itself.
Two approaches to overdrawn accounts
What community bankers should know about overdraft and sweep account rules.
Inside the new style of leadership
Successful community bank leaders inspire from the top while putting the team first. Here’s how.
Focus: The Right to Financial Privacy Act
What community bankers need to know about protecting and disclosing customers’ financial records.
ICBA’s top loan producers for 2017: Find out who made the list
Every year, ICBA calculates the top community bank loan producers in the agricultural, commercial and consumer categories, broken down by asset size. Read about 2017's lending leaders.
Who are ICBA’s best-performing community banks 2017?
Independent Banker’s annual listing of America’s best-performing community banks
Best practices for fighting counterfeit bills
Cash may no longer be king in the U.S., but millions of dollars in counterfeit bills make their way into the system each year. Fortunately, there are some simple ways community banks can stop...
ICBAs State of Community Banking survey results are in
Our annual State of Community Banking Survey of ICBA member banks reports that you’re planning to grow through creating efficiencies, introducing new technology, and investing in digital marketing....
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.
West Shore Bank and Timberland Bank Offer Unique Avenues for Charitable Giving
West Shore Bank and Timberland Bank are fostering generosity by giving their customers unique avenues to support local charities.
CFO Roundtable: Interest Rates, Tariffs, Examiners
Amid the difficult economic environment community banks face today, our 2025 CFO Outlook survey shows a shift in priorities and thoughtful insight into changes to come.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mickey Marshall: Mutual Banks Are Mutually Beneficial
Customer-owned mutual banks offer a community-focused banking model.
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.
Why Community Banks Are Revamping Their CD Strategies
Certificates of deposit are nothing new, but these products’ reputation for reliability is leading some community banks to reposition and market them more competitively.
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.
The Most Notable 2025 Audit Updates So Far
A change in government leadership has led to adjustments in how examiners conduct audits. Learn what experts are seeing at a bank level.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Addressing Operational Pain Points With Regtech
Community banks face a variety of challenges day to day—risk, fraud, cybersecurity, etc.—that are perpetuated by a lack of time or staff. Regtech can help take the weight off bankers’...
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.
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.