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Customers Bank's Dynamic AI Strategy
In response to the growing prominence of artificial intelligence in everyday bank operations, Customers Bank has embraced generative AI and developed an internal training program.
The Importance of Change Management at Community Banks
As new technology and solutions ebb and flow, community bankers have to manage the change that comes with them. While change can be hard, offering a hand and lending an ear can ease the transition.
Lucas White: Showing Pride In Independence
Throughout his banking career, my dad had a standard saying that became a regular refrain: “If you need a quick answer, it’s no.”
Kianga Lee and Michael Emancipator: MDI and CDFI Designations Elevate Community Banks' Influence
A Treasury Department report shows the positive effect minority depository institutions and community development financial institutions have on their served markets.
Maximize Your Community Bank's Digital Experience
A high-functioning digital platform is no longer an added perk for bank customers—it’s the standard.
Charles Potts: Setting the Stage for Banking the Next Generation
In recent years, community bankers have embraced constant change to drive the future of banking.
Lindsay LaNore: Make Space for Creativity
Out of all the qualities that make a great leader, it could be argued that creativity ranks highest.
Lucas White: The Compelling Case for Thoughtful Leadership
Throughout his banking career, my dad had a standard saying that became a regular refrain: “If you need a quick answer, it’s no.”
Out of Office: Mark Jones
The president and CEO of $1.3 billion-asset Saco & Biddeford Savings Bank in Saco, Maine, lives to capture the moment through photography.
KS Bank Invests in Tomorrow's Bankers
Last summer, KS Bank of Smithfield, N.C., partnered with the Career and Technical Education center at Johnston County Public Schools to hire its first summer intern.
Powering Potential: Start Planning for the August Recess
In August, your member of Congress will be back in your district looking for things to do. Help them fill their schedule with a visit to your bank.
Jim Reber: The Fed Loosens Up
A slowdown in quantitative tightening has an element of policy easing.
Chippewa Valley Bank: Fueling Growth With Innovative Bank Stock Lending
Chippewa Valley Bank has pioneered an innovative bank stock lending program, providing community banks with an expedited and cost-efficient avenue to acquire capital and interest-earning assets.
Furthering Education at Dream First Bank
Dream First Bank empowers agriculture, entrepreneurial and commercial business customers with educational seminars and programs designed to fuel business success.
Lance Noggle: New ICBA Resource Aims To Combat Check Fraud
Even with checks becoming less common to use, check fraud continues to rise. To address this issue, ICBA has created a guide that explains how to stop this type of fraud in its tracks.
Sanibel Captiva Toys Around
From late November until Dec. 15, 2023, $890 million-asset Sanibel Captiva Community Bank hosted a toy drive at all seven of its open branches.
Charles Potts: How Community Bankers Are Leading the Financial Evolution
One of my favorite reads is the story of Ted Turner’s rise. I’m struck by how it points to exactly the path community bankers are taking to drive the future of financial services.
Readying the Bench: A Guide for Community Bank Succession Planning
Community banks can prevent costly and disruptive talent gaps by kicking their succession plans into gear sooner rather than later.
Out of Office: Ben Flowers
The CEO of $770 million-asset Mainstreet Community Bank of Florida in DeLand, Fla., learned to ride a unicycle in elementary school and still puts his skills to use nearly 50 years later.
Powering Potential: A Successful Year for ICBA's National Campaign
Since its debut in April 2023, the ICBA National Campaign and its vital marketing resources have made significant headway in raising awareness for community banks and their mission.
Jim Reber: Rolling With the Curve
An upward slope can bolster market values.
Lindsay LaNore: How To Be An Ambassador For Change
Whether your bank is a de novo or a long-established institution, change is an inescapable constant.
Mission Valley Bank: Giving Where You Live
Serving its community in the Santa Clarita Valley is one of Mission Valley Bank’s founding principles. Its community work is best exemplified by its Give Where You Live program for nonprofits.
Lucas White: Banking Outside the Box for Small Businesses
When it comes to serving small businesses, community banks just get it.
Practical Tips for Community Bank Innovation
Innovation doesn’t just happen. It takes forethought, planning and follow-through.
Safeguarding Borrower Data
The HPPA curbs trigger leads and reinforces the trust at the heart of community banking.
Jacob Eisen: Playing Offense in Today's Fraud Environment
They say the best defense is a good offense, and with payments fraud, nothing rings truer. A proactive fraud strategy is a necessity.
BayCoast Bank Helps Craft a Playhouse Fit for a Princess
In June 2023, BayCoast Bank in Swansea, Massachusetts, joined forces with a network of community partners to create a playhouse for a young girl with life-limiting medical challenges.
Scott Anchin: Keeping Up with Instant Payments Fraud
With instant payments becoming more mainstream, there are more opportunities for fraud.
Digital Banking for the Modern Age
For community banks, digital transformation has moved from an industry colloquialism to a punch list reality.
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...
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.
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.
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.
The Key to People-Focused Insurance Strategies
People make mistakes, but insurance can help ensure the bank doesn’t foot the bill for them.
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,...
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.
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...
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.
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.
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...
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.
Jim Reber: Manage Interest Rate Risk With Strategic Portfolio Decisions
Yield curve shape reflects bond market’s mood.
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.
Kari Mitchum: New NACHA Rules Strengthen Security of ACH System
Credit-push fraud in the ACH system has spurred the introduction of new rules from Nacha. With ICBA’s support, these new rules have changed how receiving institutions can address such fraud.
ICBA Certification Q&A: Lisa Cronk
In the first of our new Powering Potential series, we meet Lisa C. Cronk, the compliance and audit control officer at Lake Elmo Bank in Minneapolis.
Charles Potts: How Core Providers Are Becoming Core to Innovation
On February 5, the ICBA Innovation team conducted our first core day with our AP5 Accelerator cohort.
Out of Office: Ashley Burt
The CEO and president of $230 million-asset Gunnison Bank and Trust Company in Gunnison, Colo., likes to live life in the fast lane as a race car driver.