Ohio Bankers Foundation Launches Education Programs
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Bankers Foundation has launched two community education programs designed to help banks provide financial education and fraud prevention resources in their communities. The Financial Success Seminars focus on financial literacy and everyday money management, including budgeting, saving, managing debt and planning for the future. Fraud Awareness Seminars address financial scams,…
ICBA Honors Community Bank Service
WASHINGTON — The Independent Community Bankers of America has named the recipients of its 2026 National Community Bank Service Awards, recognizing community banks for programs benefiting their local communities. Bank of Cave City in Arkansas received the Exceptional Community Bank Service Award for its response after a tornado struck Cave City, destroying several community facilities,…
WBA BankWork$ Program Graduates Seven
MADISON, Wis. — Seven participants graduated in August from the Wisconsin Bankers Association’s BankWork$ program, an eight-week training program designed to prepare participants for careers in retail banking. WBA offers the program in partnership with Employ Milwaukee. The free program focuses primarily on individuals from under-resourced communities and provides training in the technical and interpersonal…
OBL Joins Tokenized Deposit Initiative
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Bankers League has joined banking associations from 39 other states in an effort to develop an industry-owned, bank-governed network for tokenized deposits and other digital payment services. The BankChain Alliance initiative would create a common blockchain platform available to financial institutions of all sizes, supporting tokenized deposits, programmable payments and…
LaVigne Elected BankIn Minnesota Board Chair
ELK RIVER, Minn., — Bill LaVigne, president and chief operating officer of The Bank of Elk River, has been elected chair of the BankIn Minnesota Board of Directors for the association’s 2026-27 fiscal year. LaVigne, who has served on the BankIn Minnesota board since 2018, succeeds Greg R. Raymo and will serve a one-year term….
ICBA Criticizes Credit Union Acquisition of Community Bank
WASHINGTON, — The Independent Community Bankers of America criticized the proposed acquisition of Madison County Community Bank by Gulf Winds Credit Union, renewing its call for changes to the federal tax treatment of large credit unions. The Florida transaction would result in a credit union with approximately $1.7 billion in assets. Gulf Winds also plans…
ICBA Responds to Farm Bill Deadlock
WASHINGTON, — The Independent Community Bankers of America called for continued work on the Agricultural Act of 2026 after the Senate Agriculture Committee failed to advance the farm bill. “Although the bill did not pass, a tremendous amount of effort has been invested into this process by senators and their staff, and eventual passage is…
Small Business Supports Community Banks
WASHINGTON, — New polling commissioned by the Independent Community Bankers of America shows small-business decision makers favor policies designed to protect community bank lending as Congress considers digital asset market structure legislation. The Morning Consult poll, conducted in July, found: 86% said it is important for policymakers debating cryptocurrency policies to avoid harming bank lending…
Keene Named Michigan Bankers Association Chairman
CHEBOYGAN, Mich.,—Matthew Keene, president and chief executive officer of Citizens National Bank, has been elected chairman of the Michigan Bankers Association for the 2026–2027 term. Keene has more than three decades of experience in community banking. The Michigan Bankers Association represents financial institutions statewide, providing leadership, industry collaboration, and advocacy. As chairman, Keene will help…
Banking Groups Support Fed Payment Account Framework with Added Guardrails
WASHINGTON,—The American Bankers Association and the Consumer Bankers Association submitted a joint comment letter supporting the Federal Reserve’s proposed payment account framework, calling it a prudent approach to innovation while recommending key additions to safeguard the payments system. While acknowledging the proposal as a measured approach to expanding payment access, the banking groups stressed that…