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Main Street Matters Blog

Find out what's happening in communities across America, from grassroots advocacy efforts, to fintech innovations and everyday successes of Main Street banks.

Main Street Matters

Why ICBA opposes flawed Marshall-Durbin Amendment expansion legislation

Aug 25, 2022
Despite ICBA’s persistent communications on the negative impact of Durbin Amendment interventions on payment card systems, this latest iteration of Durbin only compounds the prior harm and furthers the misguided policies of the past that will inevitably lead to significant disruption in credit markets and consumer spending, if passed.

Is professional development the key to recruiting and retention in today's tight labor market?

Aug 23, 2022
The current worker shortage is creating real economic impacts across all industries. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, there are 3.4 million fewer Americans working today compared to February of 2020.

Striking the Right Balance: Innovation in Ag Banking

Aug 12, 2022
As the leading providers of agricultural loans, community banks make up 80 percent of all financing to agriculture, and opportunities exist to extend that support.

How Agility Bank and Rockland Trust are Leveraging Digital Services to Cultivate Personal Relationships

Aug 10, 2022
Relationship banking has entered a new, digital era as confirmed by recent research from Cornerstone Advisors that concluded, “There is a human element to mobile banking.” In fact, this Cornerstone study revealed that 60 percent of Gen Z and almost two-thirds of Millennials expect to connect with customer support directly from their mobile banking app.

Innovating on Customer Behaviors: The Case for Credit and Debit Rewards Programs

Aug 9, 2022
While the effects of COVID slowed consumer credit card spending, the first half of 2022 has pointed to a return to pre-pandemic behaviors. In fact, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported that in the first quarter of 2022 credit card balances have risen $71 billion higher than the same period in 2021.

Community Bankers Prepare for Cyber Risks with CISA/ICBA Tabletop Exercises

Jul 22, 2022
It comes as no surprise that cybersecurity tops community bankers’ list of risk concerns. In fact, cybersecurity ranks higher than government regulation, the cost and availability of labor, and inflation, as a chief threat for 2022, according to a Conference of State Bank Supervisors survey.

The Rise of the Super App… and What Community Banks Can Do About It

Jul 15, 2022
Everyone, including big tech and social media players, want a super app. That’s according to a 2022 Accenture Banking report, which underscores that the threat is real.

BNPL and the Illogical Argument for Credit Card Interchange Fee Regulation

Jul 11, 2022
When a shiny new object comes along like “buy now, pay later,” or BNPL, merchants will gladly pay significantly higher transaction fees than they do for credit cards. But this recent surge in BNPL adoption by merchants deflates their arguments that interchange—the fees for accepting card payments—harms them.

Where the Rubber Meets the Road: Creating Mutually Beneficial Relationships with Community Banks and Fintechs

Jul 6, 2022
Engaging community bankers to think about innovation in new ways continues to be my driving force, but I’m not doing it alone. This year I’m bringing along ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator alumni.

Three Ways Community Banks Can Respond to Generational Digital Payments Needs

Jun 22, 2022
When it comes to payments, the generational divide has been shrinking. While Gen Z and Millennials still lead the way in digital payments adoption, Baby Boomers and Seniors (over 76) are increasing their digital payments prowess.