ICBA: As Credit Unions Continue Tax-Subsidized Acquisitions of Community Banks, Washington Should Respond
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on the latest reported acquisition of a tax-paying community bank by a multi-billion-dollar tax-exempt credit union. “The data on credit union acquisitions of community banks is clear: these deals harm small businesses and reduce lending capacity in local communities despite the…
ICBA: ICBA Opposes OCC Approval of Coinbase’s National Trust Bank Charter Application
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today expressed opposition to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s reported final approval of Coinbase’s application for a national trust bank charter for its Coinbase National Trust Company subsidiary. The approval comes amid a New York State Attorney General’s lawsuit alleging that a separate Coinbase subsidiary, Coinbase Financial…
ICBA: ICBA Opposes OCC Approval of Ripple’s National Trust Bank Charter Application
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today expressed opposition to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s reported final approval of Ripple’s application for a national trust bank charter for its Ripple National Trust Bank subsidiary. “The OCC’s approval of Ripple’s trust charter application based on the agency’s flawed chartering rule for national trust…
ICBA: OpenAI & ICBA Announce Strategic Alliance to Bring Frontier AI Cybersecurity Capabilities to Community Banks
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) and OpenAI today announced a landmark strategic alliance opens in a new tabto help community banks access AI-enabled cybersecurity capabilities, training, and peer-to-peer engagement. The alliance builds on ICBA’s broader advocacy to ensure community banks are included as advanced AI capabilities are developed and deployed. Earlier this year, ICBA led…
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…
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…
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…