ICBA Press Release Banner 2020

Washington, D.C. (Jan. 17, 2023) — The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) announced a series of curriculum-driven events as part of its expanded ICBA ThinkTECH innovation programming. The five-part series, launched through ICBA’s education division Community Banker University in conjunction with Wipfli LLP, a leading advisory firm, offers a roadmap to help community banks build, refine and expand their digital offerings.

“Digital transformation has become a top priority for financial institutions,” ICBA Chief Innovation Officer Charles Potts said. “As community banks strive to balance their business objectives against changing market demands, the need for ICBA guidance to help address ‘how’ to align those objectives became apparent. Our innovation series gets to the heart of that question, offering community bank-specific resources to help them evaluate where they are in the process while engaging in peer-to-peer learning opportunities that create actionable plans for their bank teams.”

The digital transformation demystified webinar series runs from Jan. 24-Feb 7 and includes:

  • Jan. 24: Digital Transformation 101

  • Jan. 26: Digital Transformation (Inside and Outside the Bank)

  • Jan. 31: Building or Perfecting a Digital Transformation Plan

  • Feb. 2: Working with Digital Transformation Partners

  • Feb 7: Preparing for Potential Challenges in Digital Transformation

“Digital transformation or evolution is not about the technology; it’s a mindset,” Wipfli Principal and Leader of Strategic Advisory Services said Marcie Bomberg-Montoya said. “It about removing the friction from a process to allow customers to interact with their community bank in a way that works for their lifestyle and needs. We are proud to partner with ICBA through this thought-provoking webinar series, designed to challenge and inspire, while arming community banks with market-tested concepts that produce measurable results.”

Launched in 2018, ICBA’s ThinkTECH initiatives were designed to complement the innovative spirit of community banks through an interactive forum addressing community bank pain points and business opportunities. These efforts include the launch of four successful accelerators, and structured community bank innovation programming through ICBA’s continuing innovation series, facilitated through Community Banker University. Previous topics in the innovation webinar series include: cryptocurrency and Banking as a Service (BaaS).

About ICBA

The Independent Community Bankers of America® creates and promotes an environment where community banks flourish. ICBA is dedicated exclusively to representing the interests of the community banking industry and its membership through effective advocacy, best-in-class education, and high-quality products and services.

With nearly 50,000 locations nationwide, community banks constitute roughly 99 percent of all banks, employ nearly 700,000 Americans and are the only physical banking presence in one in three U.S. counties. Holding more than $5.8 trillion in assets, over $4.8 trillion in deposits, and more than $3.5 trillion in loans to consumers, small businesses and the agricultural community, community banks channel local deposits into the Main Streets and neighborhoods they serve, spurring job creation, fostering innovation and fueling their customers’ dreams in communities throughout America. For more information, visit ICBA’s website at www.icba.org.

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