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Deposit Insurance Reform: Community Bankers' Goals
Community bankers share common goals for protecting depositors.
First Liberty Bank is Digging Deep Into Energy Lending
With tailored solutions and long-term partnerships, First Liberty Bank’s energy lending program is fostering growth for businesses, communities and the bank itself.
American Heritage Bank Offers Financial Donations, No Questions Asked
American Heritage Bank’s Community Chest program brings the community together to support those in need, one donation at a time.
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...
How to Encourage Innovation Beyond the C-Suite
Thinking outside the box isn’t only a job for the C-suite. Employees at all levels can—and should—contribute to innovation at their community banks. Here are some ideas from your peers about how to...
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...
Do You Want to Be Featured in Out of Office?
Over the years, we’ve shined a spotlight on community bankers with hobbies ranging from skydiving and vintage shopping to winemaking and showing livestock. Now, we’re on the hunt for more...
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Let's Continue the Course in the New Year
Rebeca Romero Rainey, president and CEO of ICBA, shares why it's more important than ever to ensure that community banks are actively engaged and leveraging the power of the tools that ICBA provides.
Jack E. Hopkins: Setting Our Priorities for 2026
There’s something about the new year that brings with it a clean slate and a fresh start. As we kick off 2026, we have the opportunity to shape where we want to go.
Out of Office: Olympia Reed
The regional branch operations manager for Lumbee Guaranty Bank in Pembroke, North Carolina, regularly cooks for family, friends and coworkers at the $540 million-asset community bank.
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.
Innovation Strategies for Community Banks
Explore how community banks can use data insights, fintech tools and innovation to stay competitive.
4 Reasons Community Banks Should Offer E-Invoicing
E-invoicing can transform community banking by increasing deposits, reducing check fraud and fostering deeper customer connections.
How Community Banks Are Navigating Lending Growth
Explore the 2026 lending landscape for community banks, including trends in CRE, SBA loans, consumer spending and credit quality monitoring.
The Power of Healthy Dissent in Leadership
Discover how healthy dissent fuels stronger teams and better decisions. Learn leadership strategies to foster dialogue and innovation.
Should Community Banks Offer Subscription Management?
Build your customers’ financial health by helping them manage their subscriptions in-app.
Ladder vs. Barbell: Portfolio Management Tips
Learn how community banks can leverage barbell strategies to balance risk, improve yields and manage bond portfolios effectively.
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.
Community Bank CEO Outlook 2026: Challenges & Opportunities
Discover how community banks plan to stand out in 2026. Explore strategies for differentiation, deposit growth, fintech partnerships and loan opportunities
Adding a New Business Line? Key Bank Tips
Thinking of expanding your bank’s services? Explore expert advice on creating specialty lines, conducting due diligence and ensuring long-term profitability.
Financial Wellness: Community Banking & Investments Services
Learn how First National Bank of Pasco connects banking, lending, and investment services under one roof, focusing on women investors, retirement, and business planning.
Community Banking & Healthcare in Illinois
See how Longview Capital Corporation partnered with Remote Area Medical to provide free medical, dental and vision care, transforming lives in Illinois communities.
Powering Potential: ICBA Certification Q&A With McKenzie Humpal of First Citizens Bank
McKenzie Humpal, VP and compliance officer at First Citizens Bank in Mason City, Iowa, shares her journey and insights on compliance.
Powering Potential: How ICBA LIVE Is Crafted for Community Bankers
Every year, ICBA puts together a dynamic conference that puts community bankers front and center. Learn more about ICBA LIVE and how every educational session, speaker and meet-up event is built...
Word of Mouth: Community Bank Growth
Discover how community banks can leverage word of mouth to grow their customer base. Learn 10 actionable strategies to boost referrals, testimonials and engagement.
ENTER NOW: 40 Under 40: Community Bank Leaders awards
Nominations for 40 Under 40: Community Bank Leaders 2026 are now open! 40 Under 40 seeks to recognize community banking’s brightest, most promising young professionals. Winners are featured in...
Public Funds as a Strategic Anchor in Modern Wholesale Funding
Public Funds as a Strategic Anchor in Modern Wholesale Funding SPONSORED | PTMA Funding links community banks and local governments, providing stable public deposits that diversify liquidity....
The IT Vendor Decision That Could Make or Break Your Bank
The IT Vendor Decision That Could Make or Break Your Bank SPONSORED | Choosing the wrong IT vendor can cost your bank in security, compliance, and growth. Discover how to evaluate your MSP and make...
Your 2026 Budget Is Complete. Now Is the Right Time to Fix What Made It Hard.
Your 2026 Budget Is Complete. Now Is the Right Time to Fix What Made It Hard. SPONSORED | Budget season is behind you, but those frustrating spreadsheet errors, manual ALM imports, and limited...
Climbing the Community Bank Career Ladder
What’s special about community banking is the support and growth young bankers see throughout their careers.
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.
Jim Reber: Whole lotta thinkin’ going on
I hope the readers of this column will excuse the lack of decorum in the title, but in reading and listening to the words of the Federal Reserve Board’s members over the past month, I hear a lot of...
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.
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.
Build a Better Banking App With These 5 Tips
If you want your app to be a cut above the rest and give your customers the ideal experience, take note of accessibility, gamification, demographics and other appealing features.
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.
Glacier Bank Inspires Young Minds at Annual Career Fair
When is the right time to learn about banking? Glacier Bank in Kalispell, Montana, believes financial literacy can start at any age.
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.
Lindsay LaNore: Why Following Up After Training Matters
We all know how important training programs are. Education is critical for keeping up to date with new developments and expanding skill sets, plus it’s often a great boost to morale.
Charles Potts: The Process of Bringing Innovation to You
Technology has become an integral part of success in banking.
What's the Secret to Becoming an Exceptional Lender?
Whether it’s loans for individuals or businesses, community banks’ lending activities keep America running.
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.
ICBA Certification Q&A with Michael Hoehn
Michael Hoehn, assistant compliance officer and CRA officer at First Metro Bank in Alabama, shares how he navigates regulations and ensures compliance using his expertise and certifications.
Powering Potential: Finding Common Ground on ICBA Community
ICBA Community gives more than 5,000 bankers space to band together on the industry’s hot topics and issues. Its 14 groups focus on regulation, bank size, personal development and more.
Michael Benedict: Finding the Portfolio's Fit in Your Balance Sheet
Address common problems with creative solutions.
Jack E. Hopkins: Community Banks Are Leaders in Times of Crisis
When faced with a crisis, community banks step up.
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.
Out of Office: Andy Johnson
The chairman, co-CEO and CFO of $385 million-asset Bank of Vernon in Vernon, Alabama, is a seasoned fisherman who casts out any chance he gets.
Kari Neckel: It Matters to Community Banks Who Has Master Accounts
Master accounts are a notable part of the traditional financial institution’s ecosystem, but nontraditional financial companies like crypo-native institutions and nonbanks are gunning for access.
A Decade of Trust. Ready For the Future of Governance.
Is your bank’s board ready for AI? Take the 2025 survey to benchmark your readiness, explore what peers are doing, and request a VIP seat at our exclusive webinar with ICBA’s Charles Potts.
The Overlooked Role of ECM in Compliance, Privacy, and Customer Experience
Enterprise content management (ECM) systems have traditionally been viewed as tools for organizing documents and managing retention schedules.
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.
Jack E. Hopkins: Meeting the Needs of Tech-Savvy Small Business
COVID accelerated the digital banking landscape, and as a result, community banks have embraced front-facing technology that’s user-friendly for our small business customers.
CorTrust Bank's Blue Jeans Fulfill Big Dreams
CorTrust Bank in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has turned “casual Fridays” into a rally for community causes.
Embracing Lending Transformation to Control Your Destiny
Today’s banks can gain a competitive advantage by providing a digital experience throughout the entire loan lifecycle – from onboarding to boarding to core and loan management.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: We Empower Our Nation's Small Businesses
When it comes to community banking, we are a nation unto ourselves.
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.
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.
Establishing a Lifelong Career in Community Banking
Individuals looking for a fulfilling career can find their calling within the community banking industry—even if they’d never considered it before.