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Out of Office: Brian Dowers
Since 2009, senior vice president and chief operations officer of $700 million-asset Fountain Trust Company in Covington, Ind., has made several long-distance motorcycling trips across the U.S.
First Bank of Alabama: STEM day at the races
First Bank of Alabama partners with Talladega Superspeedway track to host a hands-on educational STEM program event for seventh graders.
Community banks that weathered Hurricane Ian
Following the damage of Hurricane Ian last fall, Florida’s community banks rallied to help affected employees and customers, providing above-and-beyond service without missing a beat.
How community banks can leverage payment trends
Data analysis can illuminate patterns and trends in your customers’ transactions. Community bankers and industry experts share how to best put this data to use.
Navigating new overdraft fee guidance for community banks
The CFPB recently issued new guidance on overdraft fees that was unanticipated by community banks. Learn what this means for the industry and how community banks can stay in compliance.
Jim Reber: Time to lock in?
SBICs can hit the sweet spot on the yield curve.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Our banking family
When we assemble at LIVE, it’s about coming together to ignite the passion for community banking on behalf of our communities in a way that moves the industry forward.
Member Benefits: Advocacy through digital channels
Digital media gives community bankers a platform for advocacy, and ICBA’s Virtual Advocacy Primer details how you can put it to work.
MDIs and CDFIs bolster minority-owned businesses
When the U.S. Treasury created the Emergency Capital Investment Program (ECIP), it provided MDIs and CDFIs with an influx of capital that they’re using to help minority-owned businesses in their...
What is digital twin technology?
Through digital twinning, a range of industries are better understanding situational risk using technologies that can simulate scenarios using a virtual version of an organization.
Biometrics: Security technology for community banks
The field of biometrics is evolving every day, incorporating new technology that could enhance community banks’ defenses against fraud. Industry experts explain how this technology works and its...
Charles Potts: Assesing potential fintech partners
Maximizing each step in the innovation journey, including the fintech evaluation process, will set you on the right path to a fruitful fintech partnership.
Brad M. Bolton: Passion for LIVE
[ICBA LIVE is] an opportunity to continue training up the next generation, so I would encourage community bank leaders to join us and bring your rising community continuators with you.
What to expect at ICBA’s 2021 LEAD FWD Summit
This year, the LEAD FWD Summit will continue to be open to more community bankers than ever thanks to its virtual format. It’s time to expand what you know about leadership, technology and more.
Lilly Thomas: Shaping the regulatory year ahead
With a full agenda of topics that need attention, ICBA’s government relations team is meeting with the regulatory agencies, writing comment letters and offering up research and ideas to help shape...
Lindsay LaNore: Fighting the February lull
Here are 12 ways to light up your February and find your focus.
Scottsdale Community Bank: Making microloans
De novo Scottsdale Community Bank set out to provide microloans to small and mid-size businesses, family organizations and nonprofits—a project that was inspired by the humble lemonade stand.
3 Simple Strategies to Maximize your Financial Education Offerings
SPONSORED—The absence of accessible, effective financial education is decreasing the average financial literacy rate, thus handicapping people’s potential financial prosperity. This crisis of...
When Every Minute Matters, Choose FirstClose Equity
SPONSORED | If you want an all-in-one turnkey solution that delivers more home equity business with an enhanced customer experience, FirstClose Equity is where it’s at.
ICBA LIVE 2023: What to expect
With sessions on hot‑button issues, inspirational speakers and beneficial networking opportunities, ICBA LIVE is the greatest community banking event in the country. Here’s a sneak peek of the...
Union Savings Bank’s tech touch
By partnering with fintechs, Union Savings Bank has rolled out an innovative digital tool that uses AI to help customers achieve financial wellbeing.
First Reliance Bank's adoption benefits
To help ease the process, First Reliance Bank offers assistance for associates who welcome a foster or adopted child into their family.
Out of Office: Adrianne Brignac-Gradney
For the past eight years, the vice president and branch manager at $888 million-asset Evangeline Bank and Trust Company in Ville Platte, La., has been creating beauty, lifestyle and banking content...
Member Benefits: Fighting elder financial exploitation
Billions of dollars are lost to elder financial exploitation each year. Equip your team with the skills needed to protect your customers.
Lindsay LaNore: A new year’s reading list
In a rapidly evolving world, it’s more important than ever to commit to lifelong learning, but it’s just as challenging to make time for it.
Charles Potts: Innovation trends for 2023
As we turn the page to a new year, the innovation evolution continues. ICBA is leaning into it, bringing its ThinkTECH Accelerator program and innovation efforts in-house to provide community...
Jim Reber: Shop talk 2023
To start the year, let's listen in on a conversation with our consummate community banker.
Aaron Stetter: Welcome, new members of Congress
As new members find their footing on Capitol Hill, learning the ins and outs of their new roles, ICBA is there to help them understand the strength of community banks and the critical role they...
Brad M. Bolton: Our greatest assets
One of our greatest assets is our reputation as relationship bankers. When things get tough, people want to be able to talk to their banker.
Adapting lending practices during a recession
Many lenders are looking for ways to mitigate risk and ease economic burden for their customers amid a predicted recession. Three community bank lenders share their advice for lending during an...
Compliance changes to watch in 2023
From new fee practices to peer-to-peer fraud, keep an eye on what regulatory changes could be developing in the new year.
5 payments trends you should know about
The payments landscape is evolving, and customers’ needs are changing. Here’s how community banks can enhance their payments offerings.
Expanding horizons with cross-country branches
Community banks across the nation are breaking into markets outside their typical areas of operation. Here’s how four banks are successfully finding new locations, acquiring new customers and...
CEO Roundtable: Ideas for a successful 2023
We recently spoke with community bank CEOs from across the country to gain insights on how they’re proactively positioning to manage risks and take advantage of growth opportunities in the coming...
The resurgence of de novos
As the number of financial institutions have dropped, the number of de novos has started to rise. The founders of three startup banks discuss the importance of community banks to the country as...
Enhancing content with AI
From grammar suggestions to content ideation, artificial intelligence has evolved to be an asset for marketing industries. Learn how AI can enhance the work of community banks’ marketing teams of...
What are power skills?
The skills needed to succeed in the workplace are changing, with companies placing greater value on soft skills like communication and leadership. In response, community banks have an opportunity...
7 smart strategies during economic uncertainty
Community bank leaders and other industry professionals provide tips for proactively tightening up your community bank’s finances, increasing revenue streams and preparing customers for what's...
How To Boost your CRA Efforts with Zogo
SPONSORED | In an ever-changing digital age, don’t keep your CRA programs analog. Zogo’s mobile-first solution can help you modernize your approach. Read to learn how digital-first financial...
Out of office: Ryan Monica
The assistant vice president and sales manager of Metairie Bank in Metairie, La., is a passionate music producer, guitarist and DJ. He plays gigs all around Louisiana, including outdoor festivals,...
Charles Potts: ICBA's legacy of success
In 2022, ICBA’s award-winning ThinkTECH Accelerator program reached more community banks with innovative solutions and partnerships than ever before.
A fund for diverse tech companies
First National Bank and Black Tech Nation Ventures teamed up to support minority-owned startups in the Pittsburgh community and beyond.
Lexicon Bank: A bank that shows its hand
When it comes to supporting outliers in the Las Vegas community, Lexicon Bank knows how to play its cards.
Aaron Stetter & Joe Schneider: ICBA state association partnerships
ICBA works closely with our affiliated state associations to identify creative ways to communicate our collective message to Congress and the regulatory agencies.
Super apps: The rise of an all-in-one platform
Convenience is a growing desire from consumers everywhere. Across the world, people are using super apps to send messages, purchase tickets and, of course, bank online. What are they, and how can...
Board succession planning after a merger
From blending differing values to choosing a new chairman, many challenges can arise after a merger or acquisition.
Best Community Banks to Work For 2022
What great resignation? In our annual workplace survey, employees of ICBA’s best community banks to work for told us they benefit from engaging cultures, opportunities for advancement and...
3 ways to spot the right tech partner for banking innovation
SPONSORED | The right tech partner can be the difference between growing your business and watching it grind to a halt. Read our latest guide to learn which questions to ask and what to look for...
Lindsay LaNore: The art of saying "thank you"
The end of the year is the perfect time to share your appreciation for the hard work and successes of the year gone by.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: The people make the bank
How we hire, retain, recruit and advance our missions amid momentous change will remain a key topic for community bank leaders and will influence our plans for the future.
Maintaining momentum in an unpredictable lending landscape
In the past few years, the lending landscape was unpredictable, to say the least. Community bankers look back at what happened in 2022 and what’s on the road ahead.
2022 regulatory compliance review
While the creation of new compliance regulations was slow this year compared with years past, some regulations were implemented as expected, and some continue to evolve.
Can AI assist in vendor management challenges?
As community banks grow, their vendor partnerships usually also do, which can lead to challenges with organization, data security and more. To address these issues, some community banks have turned...
Is it time to rebrand your community bank?
Some community banks are taking a cue from consumer products and marketing companies as they rebrand with catchy new names they believe are more memorable and better represent their values as an...
Brad M. Bolton: Putting the “community” in community banking
People want to be a part of something bigger than themselves, and community banks provide that opportunity.
Harnessing technology to empower your staff and automate processes
SPONSORED | The Great Resignation is lingering longer than anticipated, leaving financial institutions with roles to fill. In this Dialogue on Demand session, we discuss the utilizing technology to...
What’s Ahead for ThinkTECH? — With Jack Hartings and Wayne Miller
Banking solutions that have already been through vendor due diligence and other compliance assessments? Sign us up. That’s what the ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator has aimed to do for the past four years.
ICBA pushback on FHFA capital standards rules makes headlines
ICBA’s joint letter urging the Federal Housing Finance Agency to align its capital standards with federal banking agencies was covered in PoliticoPro, American Banker, and Housing Wire.
What community banks need to know about ESG
SPONSORED | The conversation on ESG went from a murmur to deafening in a short amount of time, so much so that taking a first step might seem overwhelming. There are many reasons to consider ESG...