Our mission is central to everything we do, and the pride that comes from that every day is nothing short of inspiring. Much like the community banks we serve, ICBA is continuously evolving, growing, and building momentum.
What is the true nature of cryptoassets? Are they securities or commodities? This question, perhaps more than any other, has propelled policy debates over the past few years.
Federal banking regulators so far have approached regulating the use of artificial intelligence through the lens of existing regulations, rather than creating a new set of guidelines. But based on various regulatory announcements, there are some salient risks community banks should consider when using the technology.
To help separate fact from fiction, let’s start with a working definition of AI and related terms, before discussing a few notable use cases for community banks.
Did You Know?
Did you know that all banking related courses have an automatic reminder notice to complete the enrolled course at the 30-, 60-, and 90-day mark?
The significant upheaval in the crypto markets—and its impact on consumers and national security—has accelerated Washington’s attention to digital assets policy. Prudential banking regulators, the White House, and the Treasury Department have pursued a range of intertwining policy initiatives, all with direct consequences for the nation’s community banks.
Having trouble keeping up with all the acronyms and initialisms in the banking world? You're certainly not alone. To streamline your understanding, we've put together a handy reference guide.
I’m speaking of the municipal bond market. It is a maxim of community banking that the more munis a bank owns, the higher performing the portfolio will be.
Cybersecurity should be a foundational element of any community bank, but do you really need to be insured for it—especially as premiums rise? We spoke to experts to learn more about this type of insurance.
We (community banks) used to be the department store of financial services. From cosmetics to kitchenware, whatever you needed could be found under the same roof. So, we really didn’t mind much when, one by one, niche providers started to siphon off specific lines of business.
Remaining aware of developments in the digital assets industry is critical as crypto entities seek greater access to the traditional financial system and policymakers in Congress deliberate paths forward.
Whether offering solutions that automatically track and analyze customers’ spending habits, utilizing time-saving cloud technologies, deftly refinancing agricultural loans that help farm customers invest in drones, or supporting one-of-a-kind businesses that serve unique market segments, community banks are critical partners to their customer’s success.
With traditional backup and recovery systems at risk of compromise in the event of a malware attack on IT systems, ICBA helped found the Sheltered Harbor initiative to protect against cybercrime.
AI technology is growing exponentially. While it can bring many advantages to community banks, some bankers may have concerns about possible security issues. So, why take the risk if your bank is performing well?
Did You Know?
Did you know it is renewal time for Standard Plan, Custom Plan, and Bank Compliance Bundle subscribers? You should have already received invoices via mail and email.
Sixty percent of all fintech startups are intersecting with the payments space in some manner. Increasingly, they’re partnering with banks or targeting their offerings directly to support community bank operations. Cue the rise of the banking- and payments-as-a-service relationship as exhibit A.
Innovation, like time, is constantly moving forward, which is why even before we wrapped up our 2023 ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator program, plans were well underway for the first of three ICBA ThinkTECH Solutions Forums this year.
A lot has changed in the 15 years that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been in federal conservatorship, including a restoration of the health of the mortgage market and the financial strength of these housing-focused enterprises. What hasn’t changed is the need for the federal government to follow established law and ensure its conservatorship of Fannie and Freddie is temporary.
“I think when you’re looking to buy any kind of a product, a data product,” says Kim Snyder, CEO of the fintech KlariVis, “you need to make sure that the vendor that you’re purchasing it from understands your industry and understands how that technology is going to be utilized in your industry.”
