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American Commerce Bank's digital-only branch
American Commerce Bank in Georgia recently launched Monesty, a “digital branch” focused on security and customer engagement.
Derek Williams: Charting the course
The core success of community banks stems from how well we meet the needs of the people we serve: our customers, employees, stockholders and communities.
General counsel strategies for community banks
Having general counsel is critical for community banks, but what’s the right balance between in-house and external counsel? Community bankers and legal experts weigh in on how to create the right...
Member Benefits: TCM Bank's suite of credit programs
Need help building or expanding your bank’s credit services? TCM Bank, N.A. can help your community bank grow with a well-rounded selection of personal and business credit cards.
Listen Up: Taking bold and brave action
In episode 6 of the Independent Banker podcast, host Charles Potts speaks with Greg Ohlendorf of First Community Bank and Trust and Joe Ehrhardt of Teslar Software about the digital imperative for...
Charles Potts: Why you need a digital back office
A bank’s innovation investment in back-office automation will deliver a streamlined, digital approach that increases efficiency and enhances front- and back-end experiences.
Lindsay LaNore: You're a new community banker—now what?
Preparation and establishing good habits allow you to optimize your workday—and ultimately your whole team’s productivity.
Strengthening your compliance management program
Wells Fargo was heavily fined for mismanagement of multiple functions, demonstrating the importance of having an effective compliance management system.
Availa Bank offers a different kind of college education
Understanding and seeking out financial assistance is difficult for many families with college-bound children, but Availa Bank alleviates this difficulty through its financial college prep program.
How community banks can minimize tech debt
Keeping old technology can be expensive, in terms of not only cost but also the missed opportunities to offer customers new solutions. The good news is, there are ways community banks can cut...
Rebeca Romero Rainey: A sharing of values
Community bankers know the people and needs behind the business, and that personal connection creates a recipe for mutual success.
Growing SBA lending for small businesses
Community banks are seizing opportunities to grow SBA lending and provide small and minority-owned businesses with capital that would otherwise be difficult to find.
ICBA's top-performing community banks of 2023
Through creativity, local knowledge and dedication to their customers, community banks continued to demonstrate the value of their relationship-based model in the past year.
Mark Scanlan: Speaking out for rural America in the new Farm Bill
The five-year Farm Bill is set to expire later this year. ICBA is lobbying Congress in the reauthorization with six important provisions.
Community mortgage lenders adapt to higher-rate cycles
Mortgage interest rates continue to rise, but community bankers are keeping it all in perspective, applying creativity and strategy to their lending portfolios.
Bulletin Board: A look into ICBA LIVE 2023
Community bankers from across the country gathered in beautiful Honolulu to attend ICBA LIVE 2023. In addition to listening to guest speakers and networking, bankers had the opportunity to learn...
Liz McIntyre: Friend of the flock
The director of social media and VP of marketing at $17 billion-asset Renasant Bank in Tupelo, Miss., delves into the world of birding.
One Community Bank supports the trees
In January, the One Community Bank in Oregon, Wisc., donated $5,000 to the Terrace Tree program, the village of Oregon’s tree planting initiative.
Listen Up: Taking bold and brave action
What does it mean to be innovative? In episode 5 of the Independent Banker podcast, host Charles Potts talks to Rebeca Romero Rainey, president and CEO of ICBA, about her passion for community...
Scaling your community bank's core as you grow
As community banks grow, their cores need to, too. We spoke with experts on how to prepare your core for scalability and growth.
Webster Bank's financial literacy
To help the children of low- to moderate-income families, Webster Bank made a $100,000 donation to the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club to aid financial education.
Lindsay LaNore: Crafting a standout job post
Ideas for capturing the attention of the perfect candidate for your position
Are your community bank's BSA/AML programs up to date?
FinCEN recently reported that a bank willfully violated the Bank Secrecy Act, highlighting the importance of community banks updating their BSA/AML programs.
Native American Bank supports Indian country's recovery
Native American Bank secured financing for the construction of a $10 million opioid treatment clinic in North Dakota as just one effort in a series of community projects.
Derek Williams: A relationship-first approach
For years, megabanks have said they would outperform us, that our business models wouldn’t hold. But we are gaining ground instead of losing it, and that all stems from our relationship-first...
Charles Potts: 4 great places to recruit tech talent
Upgrade your community bank's efforts to recruit qualified innovation candidates.
Add text-to-pay to your payments toolbox
When it comes to payments, customers want convenience. With text-to-pay, community banks can help small businesses meet the needs of their customers.
Jim Reber: Performance? Simple
Some of the least complex bonds now have attractive returns.
6 ways community banks can build a better onboarding experience
The first few weeks of an employee starting a new job are pivotal in terms of how they’ll connect to the bank and their role. We spoke with community bankers about how they perfected their...
Aaron Stetter: Return to Capitol Hill
The 2023 ICBA Capital Summit is next month. Here’s a peek at what you can expect from the premier community bank advocacy event.
Meet ICBA's 2023/24 board of directors
With important legislative and regulatory changes on the horizon, the 2023/24 ICBA board of directors is ready to step up for community bankers across the country.
Unity Bank’s fields of gold
Unity Bank volunteers help people facing food insecurity in their community.
How to market your community bank as an employer
In the wake of the Great Resignation, the hiring landscape is tough. Learn how to get the word out about why your community bank is a great place to work.
Community banks putting community first
Community banks do more than meet the financial needs of their customers and communities. They go above and beyond to make a difference in revitalizing, building and serving their communities.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: The importance of outreach
Through national advertising, media relations outreach, social media and more, we will differentiate community banks in the hearts and minds of Americans.
Member Benefits: ICBA's national public awareness campaign
At ICBA LIVE 2023, ICBA announced the launch of its national public awareness campaign targeting millennials, who now present a significant market opportunity for community banks.
Brad Bolton: Keep advocating
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve as chairman. I will continue to advocate for community banking, and for the rest of my career, stand side by side with you to fight our future...
ICBA's Marketing Communications Toolkit
Using ICBA’s Marketing Communications Toolkit, your community bank can tell its story with intention and precision.
Jim Reber: Collateral advantage
A variety of MBS pools can spread your risk.
Out of Office: Natalie Bartholomew
The Northwest Arkansas community president of $2.4 billion-asset First Community Bank in Batesville, Ark., is part of the fifth generation to live on her family farm.
Listen Up: Partners in fraud prevention
Episode 4 of the Independent Banker podcast features Pioneer Trust Bank’s Betsy Steinberg and ICBA Bancard’s Rebecca Kruse discussing the many ways you can protect your financial institution from...
Valley Bank helps lead women home
Valley Bank is working side by side with Walter Hoving Home, a place of refuge for women struggling with addiction and other personal challenges, to offer residents financial empowerment.
BankOnBuffalo redefines mobile banking
BankOnBuffalo has hit the road with its new mobile bank, BankOnWheels, to meet the needs of underserved communities.
Lindsay LaNore: 7 ideas for cultivating inspiration
The theme for ICBA LIVE 2023 is “Light the Fire. Light the Way.” As leaders, that’s a huge part of what we do: spark enthusiasm, encourage creativity and guide our teams on the paths to success.
Charles Potts: How to use data to drive bank growth
Working hand in hand with digital transformation, data provides a powerful tool for community banks. Its accessibility, readability and applicability in today’s digital-first environment has...
Phishing solutions for community banks
Phishing has been around almost as long as email itself, which means hackers have had plenty of time to perfect their practices. It’s more likely than not that community bank staff will fall for a...
Aaron Stetter: Setting a course for the new Congress
ICBA is getting the community banking message out, from sending a letter detailing ICBA’s policy priorities to every member of the new Congress to reinforcing that messaging with advertisements in...
Updates to the beneficial ownership rules
Starting in 2024, banks will be required to collect beneficial ownership information on accounts they maintain. Here’s what’s changing and what it means for community banks.
The benefits of offering virtual advisor services
Spurred by social distancing and shutdowns during the pandemic, many community banks turned to virtual financial advisory services, and these new practices are expected to stick around.
Community banks’ guide to FedNow resources
The time has come for the long-awaited FedNow launch. As community banks navigate this process, there are plenty of resources available to answer questions and provide guidance.
Excel Disasters: 5 spreadsheet mistakes that cost billions
Learn how your team can fight the hidden danger lurking between the columns: human error.
Independent Banker Podcast: Fighting the Good Fight — with Anne Balcer
Anne Balcer talks to host Charles Potts, ICBA’s chief innovation officer, about the value of her background as a community banker, the advocacy wins community banks saw last year, the issues her...
Listen Up: Talent recruitment and retention
Is there a strategy to recruiting and retaining talent? In episode 3 of the Independent Banker podcast, community banker Kim Kirk and fintech insider Tommy Marshall discussed today’s job market and...
Market your community bank with first-party data
Customer data fuels efficient and effective marketing these days. Community banks own an enviable amount of data, but not all are leveraging it to its fullest extent.
ICBA's Terry Jorde has eyes to the horizon
As Terry Jorde, ICBA chief of staff, prepares to retire, she and her colleagues reflect on her journey from bank teller and bookkeeper to an industry leader.
Crafting a marketing plan when a community bank merges
Community bank marketing teams need to consider many factors following a merger or acquisition. We spoke to experts and community bankers on how to market during a merger.
New ICBA chairman Derek Williams’ commitment to community
Derek Williams, president and CEO of Century Bank & Trust in Georgia, is bringing his passion for community banking to his term as ICBA chairman for 2023/24.
Getting Started with Faster Payments and FedNow
Your customers are demanding faster payments and the ability to provide it to them creates a big win for your bank. PCBB's insights paper helps you prepare for faster payments and explores FedNow...
New Guide Helps Banks Make Informed Cannabis Lending Decisions
Cannabis-related businesses are actively seeking bank lending, while bankers are increasingly viewing these customers as a source of new earning assets.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Authentic connection
For community banks, marketing often points to finding ways to educate, support and grow community, as well as customer knowledge and awareness.