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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.
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.
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.
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’...
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.
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.
2025 National Community Bank Service Awards
Gulf Coast Bank and Legends Bank run thoughtful and strategic programs that support their neighbors. That’s why they’ve been named the winners of the 2025 National Community Bank Service Awards.
Starion Bank Targets New Depositors Through Gig Economy Program
Starion Bank’s pioneering finance program for contract workers is designed to empower DoorDash drivers with seamless payments and exclusive rewards.
Tackling Familiar Cyber Threats with Smarter Tools
Cyber attack methods remain the same, but they’re being supercharged by AI and other technological capabilities.
How Each Bank Department Contributes to a Core Conversion
Core conversions are a huge undertaking, which is why every bank employee, from IT to HR, plays a critical role in the transition.
How Community Banks Can Build a Risk-Savvy Board
For community bank board members to mitigate risk effectively throughout the organization, each director needs to understand their role.
Specialty Lending That Strengthens Communities
Doing what they do best, these three community banks offer financing in specialty areas for organizations that contribute to the well-being of their served markets.
FHFA Updates Enable Faster, Fairer Mortgages
The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced updates that it says are designed to deliver more efficiency, cost savings and a fairer appraisal process for borrowers and lenders alike.
Patriots Bank Goes Pink to Fight Breast Cancer
Patriots Bank launched a special debit card to generate emotional and financial support for breast cancer patients, and it has generated over $20,000 so far.
What Role Do Wealth Managers Play Amid Economic Uncertainty?
Community banks that offer wealth management can play a notable role in easing customers’ anxiety amid economic and financial uncertainty.
Jim Reber: The Rule of Three
Bond portfolio yields are at multiyear highs.
How Bridge Loans Can Bolster Your Mortgage Offerings
In a complex real estate environment, these community banks are providing bridge loans and other offerings to supplement their mortgage services.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Battling the Many Faces of Fraud, Together
When it comes to fraud, we are being hit on all fronts with scams that range from the very basic to the most sophisticated.
Strategic Loan Modifications That Work
When a customer gets into trouble with loan payments, a modification is sometimes the easiest way to help them get back on track.
Managing Third-Party Fintech Risk
No matter how much effort your community bank puts into compliance, a third party can still put the bank at risk. Learn how to keep partners in check and ensure they’re compliant with regulations,...
Rising Concerns Over National Bank Trust Charters
Over the past few years, we’ve witnessed an alarming upsurge in the number of nonbank financial technology firms applying for national bank trust charters.
Making Homeownership Achievable, Together
Prospective homebuyers today might feel like the odds are stacked against them as they face increasing costs, market challenges and other socioeconomic barriers.
The Anatomy of a Rate-Cut Cycle
Examine the current Fed cycle versus the past to inform portfolio strategy.
Succession Planning Essentials for Family Banks
Creating succession plans for family-owned community banks can be complicated in all sorts of ways.
Ozark Bank Offers Custom Solutions for Nonprofit Partners
From lease-purchase solutions to crisis support, Ozark Bank shows how tailored financial services help local nonprofits and municipalities thrive.
Understanding the Opportunities and Concerns for Agentic AI
Here’s what you need to know about the newest form of AI, known as agentic AI.
Personalization Strategies, Driven by Community Bank Data
By exploring and analyzing data-driven customer insights, community banks can enhance their personalization efforts to deliver proactive solutions with enhanced trust.
Up-and-Coming Bank Technology: Separating Innovation from Hype
Community bankers, fintech experts and consultants alike are keeping their finger on the pulse when it comes to the latest technology—with the goal of understanding what’s useful and what’s...
The Best Community Banks to Work For 2025
Our 2025 Best Community Banks to Work For winners pride themselves on competitive benefits, fun and fulfilling cultures, and a belief in work-life balance. Hear from leaders and staff about how...
Marching into 2026 on the Advocacy Frontline
Looking back on the past year, we have advocacy successes to celebrate.
How to Build an AI Policy at Your Community Bank
Artificial intelligence is here to stay, whether it’s generative AI, part of your bank’s neural network or both. That’s why having an AI policy is important.
Community Banks Step Up After California Wildfire Devastation
In the wake of the wildfires that devastated areas of southern California, community banks stepped up to help locals recover and rebuild.
Alpine Bank Racks Up Thousands of Volunteer Hours
Alpine Bank’s “24 in ’24” campaign inspired employees to dedicate thousands of hours to the causes they care about, boosting staff and customer satisfaction along the way.
Why Face-to-Face Lending Still Matters
Many people want face-to-face interaction when they’re on the cusp of a major financial decision.
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.
Creative Solutions for Fortifying ATM Defenses
Faced with continued ATM security theft and threats, community banks and vendors are banding together to share creative strategies and bolster ATM defenses.
The Key to Winning Over SMBs With Merchant Services
Local businesses appreciate having resources that will give them the boost they need to succeed. With merchant services, community banks can offer those resources and stay competitive.
Michael Benedict: Finding the Portfolio's Fit in Your Balance Sheet
Address common problems with creative solutions.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: We Empower Our Nation's Small Businesses
When it comes to community banking, we are a nation unto ourselves.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Offering Financial Freedom to Communities Nationwide
As we celebrate Independence Day this month, I can’t help but equate that sense of freedom with what we do as community bankers.
Crossbridge Community Bank Elevates Its Employee Onboarding Experience
Crossbridge Community Bank built a robust onboarding process to ensure new hires feel supported as they settle into their new job.
What's the Secret to Becoming an Exceptional Lender?
Whether it’s loans for individuals or businesses, community banks’ lending activities keep America running.
Nominations Open for 2025's Best Community Banks to Work For Award
Does your community bank pride itself on being an amazing place to work? Now’s your chance to be recognized as one of ICBA’s Best Community Banks to Work For.
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.
Community Banks Propel Multi-Family Home Growth
During a housing shortage, community banks are using their agility, relationships and market insight to support apartment developments when larger lenders fall short.
40 Under 40: 2025's Community Bank Leaders
Our seventh annual 40 Under 40 community bank leaders awards shine a light on inspiring people who take bettering their workplaces to the next level.
What Makes a Leader Truly Great? Experts Weigh In
Good leadership is about much more than one individual’s impact on the bottom line. It’s about how effective leaders use these skills both internally and in the community to build a stronger bank.
Building Stronger Futures Through the Heartland Bank Community Foundation
Focused on youth development and family enrichment, Heartland Bank’s charitable foundation delivers meaningful results through strategic giving and community partnerships.
How Can Legal Expertise Smooth Succession Transitions?
Succession planning is complicated in all sorts of ways. An attorney or legal team can help iron out the issues and lay out documents that ensure long-term continuity for community banks.
What Every Community Bank Needs to Fight Fraud
When it comes to fraud, everything old is new again—and then some.
CFG Bank Uplifts Baltimore's Resilience Following Local Tragedy
From donations to innovative money market accounts, CFG Bank is supporting Baltimore as it rebuilds and recovers from the 2024 Key Bridge collapse.
Powering Potential: ICBA Welcomes Peter Nelson
In February 2025, ICBA welcomed Peter Nelson as senior EVP of member engagement. As a long-time community banker, Nelson brings with him a history of robust involvement with ICBA.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Coming Together to Address Fraud
When it comes to fraud, it takes a village. That may be in part because fraudsters continue to get more sophisticated, and fraud’s effect on banking is skyrocketing.
Michael Benedict: The Resilience of Agency MBS in a Shifting Financial Landscape
Agency mortgage-backed securities rise above the rest in this relative value update.
What's Attracting Small Businesses to Small-Dollar SBA Loans?
Lenders are seeing an increase in small-dollar loans as demand from small business customers surges due to new SBA 7(a) program reforms and higher interest rates.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Your Advocacy Impact
Sometimes in life, we’re fortunate enough to see our labor yield results, and that’s precisely what’s been happening with our advocacy efforts.
Strengthening Work Relations Through Bank Employee Surveys
Are your employees happy? Staff surveys are a great way to find out. The key, say community bankers and experts, is following up on what you hear.
Workplace Culture: A Make or Break for Community Bank Employees?
Culture keeps a workplace and its employees running—whether they know it or not. From values and practices to the way colleagues interact, culture drives a community bank from the inside out.
Bank of Zachary: Building Financial Foundations
The Bank of Zachary is equipping high school students with real-world banking skills to shape a financially literate future.