Community Banks

ICBA: New Polling Shows Public Support for Strengthening Reporting Rules for Tax-Exempt Credit Unions

With a multimillion-dollar embezzlement scandal leading to the closure opens in a new tabof a tax-exempt credit union just days after its former CEO pleaded guilty opens in a new tabto federal criminal charges, new polling data from the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) shows strong public support for requiring tax-exempt credit unions to join the vast majority…

ICBA: ICBA Sues OCC Over National Trust Bank Charters for Crypto Firms

Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on the lawsuit filed today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) for authorizing novel entities primarily dealing in cryptocurrencies to enter the banking system without being subject…

ABA: Iowa Banker Elected as Chair of ABA’s Community Bankers Council

The American Bankers Association has elected Matt Lujano as chair of ABA’s Community Bankers Council for the 2026-2027 association year. Lujano is president and CEO of Westside State Bank in Westside, Iowa. The Community Bankers Council consists of bank presidents and CEOs from across the country who meet twice a year in person to strategize…

FDIC: Board of Directors Approves Proposed Rule on State Bank Parity

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Board of Directors today approved a notice of proposed rulemaking that would amend the agency’s regulations to promote parity between state banks and national banks. Under the proposed rule, when host state laws do not apply to a national bank, those laws would similarly not apply to an out-of-state…

ICBA: 2026 National Community Bank Service Award Recipients Honored for Transformative Efforts to Uplift Local Communities

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today announced the winners of its 2026 National Community Bank Service Awards, recognizing the innovative and exceptional efforts of the nation’s community banks to support and uplift local communities. Stories are featured in the September issue of ICBA’s Independent Banker magazine. “These award recipients demonstrate what makes community banks…

OCC: Secretary of the Treasury Bessent & Comptroller of the Currency Gould Highlight Community Bank Comeback at Arizona Bankers Association Roundtable

Local banks on the front lines of economic and national security; OCC acts to eliminate risks posed by extending financial services to illegal aliens Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent and Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan V. Gould today highlighted the Trump Administration’s efforts to alleviate regulatory burden on community banks, drive economic growth on…

ICBA: New Polling Shows Small-Business Support for Community Banks as Senate Debates Digital Assets

With the Senate debating the Clarity Act digital asset market structure bill, new polling data shows U.S. small-business professionals say lawmakers should ensure the legislation does not hamper community bank lending in local communities. “New ICBA polling demonstrates that small businesses understand firsthand the critical role of community banks in supporting local economies and want…

ICBA: Statement Issued on Proposal to Amend Community Reinvestment Act Rules

Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on today’s Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) proposed rule opens in a new tabto amend Community Reinvestment Act regulations. “While ICBA looks forward to closely reviewing today’s proposed rule, we are strongly…

ICBA: ICBA Reiterates Strong Concerns with Federal Reserve Payment Account Proposal

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today expressed strong concerns with the Federal Reserve Board’s proposed special-purpose payment accounts for nonbank financial institutions and urged the agency to ensure any such program is temporary. “The Federal Reserve’s proposed payment account for eligible nonbank institutions continues to face an inescapable problem: the Fed shouldn’t extend…

ICBA: ThinkTECH Accelerator Showcase Returns to GSBC, Connecting Fintechs with Community Bank Leaders

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) will host the ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator Program 11 Showcase on July 23, 2026 at the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado (GSBC) in Boulder, Colo. During the event, community bank leaders will engage with growth-stage, bank-enabling fintechs and vote on the solution that best helps community banks flourish….