September 17 will possibly be a watershed day for Fed-watchers. Not only did we see the Federal Open Market Committee resume its rate cutting that’s been on hold since last December, we also got an update to its quarterly Summary of Economic Projections (SEP).

Community bank boards and executives have always shouldered responsibility for risk, strategy, and growth. What’s changed is how much technology now drives all three.

ICBA and community bankers have long warned about the dangers of tax-exempt credit unions acquiring tax-paying community banks, a concerning trend that peaked last year and has continued in 2025.

I hope the readers of this column will excuse the lack of decorum in the title, but in reading and listening to the words of the Federal Reserve Board’s members over the past month, I hear a lot of hedging. And far be it from me to second guess the respective governors and regional presidents of our central bank.

Artificial intelligence is here to stay, whether it’s generative AI, part of your bank’s neural network or both. That’s why having an AI policy is important—but how you go about writing it depends on how you plan to use this technology.

Data-driven personnel assessments have become a key part of how many banks and financial institutions enhance their human resources strategies and mitigate employment-related risks and liability. Although personnel data analyses offer many benefits, they can also generate risks if implemented or used without due care.

While it will possibly take months and even the rest of the year to see the full shakeout, April 2025 was a laboratory for market efficiency. Some might contend there was an element of ruthlessness in the activity. Starting even before the Trump administration’s trade policy tariffs went into effect on April 2, the “Bond Vigilantes,” a nebulous gang of institutional debt investors, started shooting up the place.

In periods of uncertainty, the only certainty is that risk increases. In statistical analysis risk is defined by a growing variance level. The wider the swings recorded between a bottom and top boundary determines the risk level. Recently, we have all watched the stock market vary widely on a daily and week-to-week basis. Part of the fluctuations have been caused by the talk of and decisions made regarding international trade tariffs. Understanding how the current policy movements surrounding the tariffs affect your bank is critical right now.

In periods of uncertainty, the only certainty is that risk increases. In statistical analysis risk is defined by a growing variance level. The wider the swings recorded between a bottom and top boundary determines the risk level. Recently, we have all watched the stock market vary widely on a daily and week-to-week basis. Part of the fluctuations have been caused by the talk of and decisions made regarding international trade tariffs. Understanding how the current policy movements surrounding the tariffs affect your bank is critical right now.

As the economic landscape continues to shift rapidly, the ability to navigate unforeseen macroeconomic changes is essential for a bank’s long-term success and the preservation of franchise value.

It’s not news that the number and severity of natural disasters in the U.S. has been increasing significantly in recent years. These events can be personally and economically devastating to local communities, and it’s important that community banks are prepared to help both themselves and the people they serve.

The community banking industry is undergoing a significant digital transformation. While large financial institutions have long used data analytics to drive customer engagement, community banks are now recognizing the value and importance of leveraging information and data to strengthen relationships with their customers.

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.

The importance of artificial intelligence (AI) literacy cannot be overlooked as AI is rapidly transforming the banking industry. As this technology evolves, so do the risks and opportunities.