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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

Regulators Tout Responsible Innovation, Collaboration at ICBA ThinkTECH Event

Mar 24, 2022
Bank innovation continues to be a central focus for regulatory agencies. From the launch of innovation offices and office hours to policy statements encouraging innovative approaches, regulators have embraced—and now expect—new forms of responsible innovation. Often, this innovation relies upon strategic bank-technology collaborations.

What’s Next in the Stablecoin Debate—and What it Means for Community Banks

Mar 22, 2022
While stablecoins have drawn increased scrutiny from policymakers in Washington, the policy response has only just begun. Here’s a look at the policy outlook and what it means for community banks.

The Year of Hiking Cautiously: What a New Cycle of Interest Rate Hikes Mean for Community Banks

Mar 17, 2022
The Federal Reserve recently took a major step toward curbing inflation by raising the effective federal funds rate by 25 basis points. Here’s a look at what this means for community banks and local communities.

As Washington targets overdraft, community banks remain customer-focused

Mar 16, 2022
Officials in Washington have in recent months increased their focus on overdraft programs and policies. With community banks already subject to strict overdraft regulations and offering overdraft services designed to meet the demands of their customers, ICBA and community bankers are fully engaged in the debate.

Stablecoin Expansion Raises Policy Questions in Washington and on Main Street

Mar 14, 2022
The volume of stablecoins in circulation has grown rapidly in recent months, drawing increased attention from policymakers and the media. Here’s a breakdown of where this increasingly significant market stands and how community banker concerns align with those in Washington.

How Expanding the Durbin Amendment Would Further Harm Community Banks and Their Customers

Mar 7, 2022
As the debate proceeds, ICBA is reminding policymakers that the Durbin Amendment has distorted the debit card and consumer checking markets to the detriment of community banks and consumers nationwide.

ThinkTECH Accelerator Showcase: Taking Innovation to the Profitable Next Level

Mar 4, 2022
“There is only one threat, and it’s inaction,” said The Venture Center’s Wayne Miller in his opening remarks at the ThinkTECH Accelerator Showcase at ICBA LIVE. That set the tone for the session, where each fintech in the cohort presented not only their solutions but emphasized the results behind them.

How the 8-Digit BIN Standard Impacts Your Community Bank

Feb 17, 2022
In less than two months, the International Standards Organization (ISO) standards update for 8-digit Bank Identification Numbers, or BINs, takes effect. This new standard means that card processors must be able to accommodate and manage transactions using 8-digit BINs.

New Federal Reserve Papers on CBDC: Key Takeaways for Community Banks

Feb 16, 2022
The Federal Reserve Board recently released its long-anticipated report on how the U.S. might advance towards an “age of digital transformation” with a future central bank digital currency (CBDC).

ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator Selection Committee: “We need to keep innovating.”

Jan 25, 2022
It’s hard to believe that we recently kicked off our fourth ThinkTECH Accelerator and even more astonishing that the caliber of companies applying to help community banks’ greatest pain points continues to improve.