ICBA and community bankers focused much of our attention in 2023 on differentiating our industry in the wake of failures at larger institutions, while 2024 was all about elevating our positions on key issues at a time of intense political debate.

With a new Congress and administration descending on Washington, now is the time for policymakers to act decisively to free the government-sponsored enterprises, or GSEs, from government control to support the nation’s housing sector.

While we in the financial services sector start thinking about monetary policy in the coming year, there’s a new wrinkle to consider. Many Fed-watchers, rate prognosticators, economists and even investors had been betting on substantially lower rates in 2025 for many months.

Ninety-two percent of ICBA member banks rely on at least one ICBA Preferred Service Provider (PSP), and 52% of ICBA members say they would not be able to provide some services without ICBA, according to a recent ICBA member survey. These numbers demonstrate the tremendous value PSPs bring to community banks and highlight why ICBA is dedicated to fostering these relationships.

In today’s fast-paced and competitive landscape, it’s more important than ever for community banks to effectively share their stories. Through conversations with members like you, we’ve seen firsthand how your stories carry the heart and impact needed to elevate our industry in the eyes of consumers.

As an entrepreneur at heart, I truly like to build businesses. When I look at ICBA Payments, I see a fantastic opportunity to take a solid 40-year history and write our own story of innovation and growth into the future.

Leading a community bank means balancing countless responsibilities, managing your team, serving your customers, and keeping pace with the tempo of innovation in an ever-changing financial landscape. When your familiar rhythms are being tested daily, we understand how hard it can be to hit a new note.

In today’s environment, the proverb, “Hope for the best, prepare for the worst,” serves as a standard mantra for community banks. The regulatory landscape hurls new challenges, and community banks pivot, adjust, and act to ensure that, no matter the outcome, the best interests of their communities and customers remain the top priority.

The propensity of federal banking regulators to enact new regulatory burdens on community banks in response to the risky behavior of the largest institutions—a decades-long problem for local lenders—has only accelerated in recent months.

Bankers are operating in a fast-paced world, with solutions addressing customer growth and engagement. This technology can be a key driver to help them become more competitive; however, these solutions can only help if deployed strategically.