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Extend Customer Relationships With Better Business Payments
Consistently fulfilling commercial customers’ payments needs can make community banks indispensable to small businesses.
b1Bank Paves the Way for New Businesses
Entrepreneurs find education and capital through b1Bank’s b1 Foundation, furthering its small business relationships and the community’s economic development.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Change Is Hard, Good Leadership Is Critical
The mere mention of change can send pulses racing and blood pressure rising. But while change can be hard, it’s unavoidable, and it’s only going to continue to accelerate in our evolving marketplace.
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.
40 Under 40: 2024's Community Bank Leaders
Our sixth annual 40 Under 40 community bank leaders awards recognize an insightful group of professionals who have continuously stepped up to make a difference in their communities.
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.
4 CFPB Rules to Watch for This Year
From limitations on fee practices to personal financial data rights, these proposed and final Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rules could have a significant impact on the community bank industry.
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.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: A New Tool For Your Team's Career Development
As community bankers, we each wear multiple hats and have throughout the course of our careers.
Practical Tips for Community Bank Innovation
Innovation doesn’t just happen. It takes forethought, planning and follow-through.
RESPA and HMDA Violations: What to Know
In the second half of 2023, the CFPB penalized Freedom Mortgage for violating both RESPA and HMDA. Here’s what community banks need to know about complying with these acts.
6 Ways to Deepen Small-Business Relationships
When it comes to small businesses, a personal touch is needed to develop the relationship between bank and business.
Law Firm Evaluation for Community Banks
Community banks need to maintain a healthy relationship with their legal representatives, especially when it’s through a third party.
Paycheck Protection Program's Impact Four Years On
Community banks went above and beyond to help customers and noncustomers alike during the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) four years ago, and they continue to reap the benefits of that service.
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's Best-Performing Banks of 2024
These community banks hit their stride in 2024, and they intend to keep the momentum going with hard work, flexibility and the expertise they've built over their years of service.
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.
7 Strategies for Raising Bank Deposits
Community banks must maintain a competitive edge to stay on top of their deposits.
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.
Alliance Bank Elevates Community Wellness
Last October, $440 million-asset Alliance Bank in Francesville, Ind., donated $1,000 to the Community Wellness Center of Winamac, a local gym.
How Marketing Impacts Community Banks' Recruiting
A marketing campaign could be the first thing a prospective employee sees while researching your community bank.
Jim Reber: Dialing It Back
Simple bonds find favor with portfolio managers in 2024.
Warsaw Federal Bank's Unique Path to MDI Status
Cincinnati-based Warsaw Federal Bank has just become one of the state’s two minority depository institutions, with a focus on bringing banking to the city’s underserved communities.
Q&A: Is it Time to Change Your Community Bank Core?
What questions do community banks need to ask to ensure they’re getting the most out of their core?
Lucas White: Driving Community Banking's Agenda with Advocacy
I am an avid motorcyclist. In fact, I have completed two Iron Butt rides, riding at least 1,000 miles in 24 hours.
Lindsay LaNore: 10 Quick Wins For New Leaders
Here’s the scenario: You’ve just been put in charge of a new team or new project. No matter how seasoned a leader you are, that can be daunting.
Dieterich Bank Inspires Young Entrepreneurs
Dieterich Bank’s KidPreneur Pop Up Shop program has taught the younger generation how to build and run their own businesses.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Why the Community Bank Story Matters in Advocacy
As we enter Community Banking Month, I am thrilled to honor the ways community banks step up to champion the needs of their communities.
Banking With Heart: How Community Banks Support Customers' Dreams
In honor of Community Banking Month, here are stories from six banks about how their work helps customers achieve their dreams.
Can Community Banks Benefit from Culture Leadership Positions?
Is culture something that falls into place naturally or something that is cultivated?
Could a Fintech Help Your Community Bank Keep Up With Faster Payments?
The faster payments landscape is constantly evolving—but staying on top of it can provide community banks with a competitive edge. Could working with a fintech be key to that success?
Out of Office: Beth Whitehead
The executive vice president and chief administrative officer of $9.2 billion-asset American Savings Bank (ASB) in Honolulu has more than 100 pairs of Converse shoes, also known as Chucks.
A Shadow Day for Students at State Nebraska Bank & Trust
State Nebraska Bank & Trust in Wayne, Neb., recently showed local high school students the ins and outs of community banking.
CRE Lending: Challenge or Opportunity?
CRE lending is down, but should community banks see it as an opportunity to win business that the megabanks won’t take?
John Coleman: An Opportunity for Advocacy at ICBA Capital Summit
As the ICBA Capital Summit approaches, it’s more important now than ever that community bankers understand what impact their stories can have on legislation.
Meet ICBA's 2024/25 Board of Directors
The 2024/25 ICBA board of directors is raring to go. With their eyes set on community bank advocacy, they have high hopes of what they can achieve during their term.
Community Banks' Best Defense Against Ransomware
Ransomware incidents are skyrocketing, and while banks are less likely to be hit, that doesn’t mean they can rest on their laurels. Constant vigilance is key.
Member Benefits: ICBA PAC
ICBA PAC is the only federal political action committee dedicated entirely to community bank causes. See how ICBA PAC elevates you—the community banker—and ensures your voice is heard.
How to Curate Your Community Bank's Social Strategy
Between Facebook, Instagram, X and other social media platforms, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to successfully follow every social trend when it comes to your marketing.
Test Driving Community Bank Mobile Banking Apps
With so many mobile banking apps available, a growing number of people are looking to try them out before they sign up. Can community banks give them a “test drive” function to attract more customers?
Charles Potts: Today's Data Marketing Mindset
Business planning functions as a life cycle. Strategy overlies everything, but it’s discovery that informs, leading to tactics and activation.
Lindsay LaNore: Purposeful Abandonment and the Art of Letting Go
There’s a great deal of pressure on organizations to be innovative. And in a constantly changing world, that can sometimes be daunting.
Derek Williams: Continuing the Community Bank Legacy
As I reflect on my year as ICBA chairman, I’m proud to say that it’s been a big win for ICBA and for community banks across the country, as our “one mission” has been on full display.
Traditional Advertising's Place in Community Bank Marketing
Marketing success is often measured against website traffic, comments and likes these days, but there’s still a place for traditional ads.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Putting the Person in Personalized Marketing
When it comes to community bank marketing, it’s about the person, not the product.
Anne Balcer: What Have We Learned One Year After the SVB Failure?
For the past year, ICBA has remained steadfast in advocating for community banks in the wake of Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse. Here are the results of those advocacy efforts.
Meet Lucas White, 2024/25 ICBA Chairman and Fourth-Gen Community Banker
Lucas White, fourth-generation family banker and president of The Fountain Trust Company in Covington, Ind., begins his term as the 2024/25 ICBA chairman.
Jim Reber: Shop Talk 2024
Another conversation with our consummate community banker, Charlie Brown.
How Santa Cruz County Bank's Technology Transforms the Customer Experience
Santa Cruz County Bank has maintained its top rank among local banks by balancing high tech and high touch and elevating the customer above all.
Update: Check Re-Presentment Guidance
Check re-presentment fees have resulted in violations of Section 5 of the FTC Act for some banks. Will updated guidance from the federal regulators make things clearer?
Crossbridge Community Bank's Golden Opportunity for Seniors
Through its Golden Community Club program, Crossbridge Community Bank goes the extra mile for its senior customers and offers an array of social and educational resources.
Making Mortgages Happen Amid Higher Interest Rates
Higher interest rates are discouraging many consumers from taking out new mortgages or refinancing existing ones—but community banks are taking steps to fill their pipelines in innovative ways.
5 Tactics to Turbo Boost Your Marketing
It can feel impossible to keep up with shifts in social media and other digital marketing channels.
What Makes a Good Manager?
Even though taking on managerial duties often comes part and parcel with a promotion, not everyone is suited to it.
Legends Bank Gives Local Charities a Real Shot
Thanks to Legends Bank, local charities have financial support to bolster their efforts.