504 loans could help your business customers. Here’s how May 01st 2020 08:05am on Business, Focus, Lending 504 loans could help your business customers. Here’s how May 01st 2020 08:05am on Business, Focus, Lending While not the most popular SBA loan program, 504 loans may offer an attractive financing option for both new and seasoned small business customers. They’re another tool in community banks’ toolbox for fostering small businesses’ success, at a time when they need support more than ever. By Beth Mattson-Teig The Small Business Administration’s 504 Loan […]
ICBA’s best-performing community banks May 01st 2020 08:05am on Agriculture, Banks, Business, Consumer, Industry Insight, Lending, Mortgage, slide Our annual list of the year’s top-performing community banks boasts institutions that focus on efficiency and the personal service that builds strong, lasting relationships. Their success last year has set them up to ride out this year’s storm. Less Than $300 Million By William Atkinson State Bank of Wheaton stays lean and green Drew Donnelly, […]
Banks that found their niche lending markets Apr 01st 2020 12:04am on Business, Focus, General, Lending Technology has blurred community banks’ geographic borders for some lending niches—but for others, face-to-face remains the gold standard. These community banks know one size doesn’t always fit all. By Katie Kuehner-Hebert The gold standard for community banks is finding a lucrative lending niche, but how do you decide which delivery channels are best for which […]
Preventing and detecting mortgage fraud Apr 01st 2020 12:04am on Consumer, Focus, Lending, Mortgage, Regulation & Compliance Many compliance functions are needed to detect mortgage fraud, from FACTA and FCRA to the SAFE Act. Here’s a look at the requirements. By Mary Thorson-Wright Mortgage fraud criminals scheme to separate people from their money (fraud for profit) or to obtain housing (fraud for property). The FBI, which routinely investigates incidents of fraud, defines […]
Community banks are financing ag innovation Mar 01st 2020 12:03am on Agriculture, Focus, Lending The U.S. agriculture industry continues to see big-picture changes, from consumer trends to erratic weather conditions, but community banks are there for them. That puts them in a key position to support agricultural innovation and help push the industry forward. By Ed Avis The pressure on America’s farmers is evolving. Climate change makes the weather less […]
These two banks are growing with green loans Mar 01st 2020 12:03am on Focus, General, Lending Following the rise of the renewable energy industry, some community banks have entered the green lending market. They’re offering financing for eco projects from solar power arrays to biofuel developments. Here’s how they do it. By William Atkinson The renewable energy industry is growing by leaps and bounds, with no end in sight. As such, […]
High-tech, high-touch lending Feb 01st 2020 12:02am on Focus, General, Lending, Technology, Trends Community bankers say they can get the best of both worlds by using the latest financial technology to meet the needs of customers—whether they want a digital banking experience or not. By Beth Mattson-Teig Community bankers are increasingly having to manage a balancing act: How do they expand their digital lending platforms to give the […]
Community Bank CEO Outlook 2020: How your peers plan to grow Jan 01st 2020 12:01am on Banks, General, General, Industry Insight, Lending, Operations & Management, slide, Technology, Trends Independent Banker’s Community Bank CEO Outlook survey asked community bank leaders how they plan to grow their institutions this year. The results of this year’s survey reveal what community bankers have planned for 2020, from adopting new technology to growing deposits. By Kelly Pike, Illustrations by Edu Fuentes Ask any self-help guru, and they’ll tell […]
What does 2020 have in store for lending? Jan 01st 2020 12:01am on Business, Focus, Lending, Mortgage Varying interest rates and a mixed outlook for the economy kept community bankers on their toes over the past year, but what can they expect lending to look like this year? By Beth Mattson-Teig Community bankers are trying to read the tea leaves on expectations for lending activity in the coming year in the wake […]
Twin City Bank: A leader in banking cannabis Dec 02nd 2019 12:12am on Business, Commercial/Business, Connections, Lending, Regulation & Compliance Twin City Bank in Longview, Wash., has been serving marijuana-related businesses for more than five years, making it a veteran in such a new—and quickly growing—industry. By Katie Kuehner-Hebert Name: Twin City Bank Assets: $58 million Location: Longview, Wash. Twin City Bank in Longview, Wash., has been banking marijuana-related businesses (MRBs), also referred to as cannabis-related […]
