ICBA: Latest ThinkTECH Accelerator Cohort Announced
The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) today announced the selected companies for its ninth ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator program (AP9). In market May 19 – July 25, the solutions represented in the second cohort of 2025 cover a broad range of key areas critical in helping community bankers meet a wide range of customer needs. …
HUD: Disaster Aid and Financial Flexibility Delivered to Virginia Residents Impacted by Winter Storms and Flooding
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner announced the availability of Federal disaster assistance to the Commonwealth of Virginia to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe winter storms and flooding from Feb. 10-18, 2025. President Trump issued a Major Disaster Declaration on April 4, 2025 for the Commonwealth of…
OCC: Request for Information on Community Bank Digitalization Issued
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today issued a request for information (RFI) on the key challenges and barriers faced by community banks in the adoption and implementation of digital banking solutions. New and emerging technologies can be important tools for community banks to meet customer demand, increase revenue, improve efficiencies, and…
CDFI Fund: Acceptance of New Community Development Entity Certification Applications Will Pause on June 2, 2025
Beginning June 2, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) will pause acceptance of new applications for certification as a Community Development Entity (CDE). The CDFI Fund will implement this “blackout” period to allow the CDFI Fund to review and plan for possible policy and system improvements to streamline…
Treasury: Readout Provided for Treasury Roundtable on Opportunities to Lower Costs and Maintain Availability of Homeowners Insurance
Today, the Federal Insurance Office (FIO) at the U.S. Department of the Treasury hosted a roundtable discussion with representatives from the insurance sector, including insurers, reinsurers, brokers, state regulators, resilience and consumer groups, and academics to discuss ways to lower costs and maintain availability of homeowners insurance as part of the Trump Administration’s efforts to…
ICBA: Following Latest Credit Union Acquisition of a Community Bank, ICBA Continues Call for Taxing Largest Credit Unions
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement following the latest acquisition of a tax-paying community bank by a tax-exempt credit union. “With the latest interstate acquisition of a tax-paying community bank by tax-exempt credit unions extending into Montana for the first time, it is time for the increasing…
ICBA: ICBA Honors Community Banks’ Role in Powering Small Business Success During Small Business Month
In recognition of National Small Business Month this May, the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) is celebrating the critical role community banks play in supporting the nation’s small businesses—the backbone of the American economy. Community banks fund more than 60% of small business loans, helping entrepreneurs launch, grow, and sustain their businesses. Their relationship-based…
SBA: New Legislation Will Double SBA Loan Limits and Supercharge Return of Made in America
Administrator Loeffler Applauds Congressional Proposal to Increase Capital for Small Manufacturers Today, Kelly Loeffler, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) applauded Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Congressman Roger Williams (R-TX) for introducing new legislation(Link is external) that will double the individual loan limit for 7(a) and 504 small business manufacturing loans from $5 million to $10 million….
OCC: Acting Comptroller of the Currency Discusses Financial Literacy
Acting Comptroller of the Currency Rodney E. Hood discussed the importance of financial literacy at the U.S. Department of Treasury Financial Literacy Roundtable on April 30. The roundtable discussion, Empowering Americans in Underserved Communities through Financial Literacy, focused on ways to empower Americans in underserved rural and Native communities through financial literacy and education. In his…