Main Street Matters Blog

Buy now, pay later or BNPL, is the latest cautionary payments tale for community banks. Much like digital wallets, its appeal—with instant gratification and integrated payment at checkout—has taken hold with Gen Z and millennials.

Community banks’ focus on next-generation digital solutions was on full display during a recent symposium hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and the Conference of State Bank Supervisors.

Generation Z already outnumbers millennials and baby boomers and in a matter of years they’ll become the most financially powerful generation in our lifetimes. This generation represents a huge opportunity for community banks

April may be Financial Literacy Month, but at Community Spirit Bank our focus on providing young people with a strong foundational knowledge of money management concepts and skills remains a priority throughout the year.

Since its debut, Bitcoin has experienced spectacular fluctuations in value. While some accept the risks that come with such swings, others are working to blend the potential benefits of cryptocurrency with enhanced stability mechanisms. These digital currencies are collectively known as stablecoins.

After 12 fully immersive weeks and hundreds of meetings with community bankers, core vendors, regulators and venture capital firms, the ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator 2021 cohort revealed a glimpse into the future of banking with high-tech solutions tailored for community banks and their customers.

If you don’t know what third party cookies are, you’re in luck. They’re on their way out. But you’re not completely off the hook — first party cookies and first party data still matter — now more than ever.

Countries are racing to create central bank digital currencies, or so it appears from the constant stream of reports, articles, and speeches by officials. Various surveys show 86 percent of central banks are actively researching an official digital currency. So, what exactly is a central bank digital currency?

ICBA and The Venture Center gave particular attention to identifying innovative back-office solution providers for this year’s ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator cohort. These solutions run the gamut from robotic process automation for online lending to cybersecurity oversight through an automated governance solution.

Last year I flew to Little Rock, Ark. to participate in the ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator program and found it to be a meaningful and constructive use of my time. But this year’s virtual forum raised the bar to a whole new level and allowed me to bring my entire team into the process — something we were all excited about.