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ICBA, The Venture Center Gear Up for 2022 ThinkTECH Accelerator

Application period for community bank-focused fintech solutions now open Washington, D.C. (Aug. 19, 2021) — The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) and The Venture Center, with support from the State of Arkansas, today launched the application period for the 2022 ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator program. The 2022 program builds on three consecutive successful programs solving for …

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Slippery slope: Another yield curve shift has community bankers guessing.

And now for something completely different. Except it’s not; it just hasn’t been around for a number of years. But it most assuredly has an impact on your community bank’s bond portfolio and on the securities you’ll be thinking about purchasing the next time you’re in the market. I’m speaking once again about the ever-popular …

Slippery slope: Another yield curve shift has community bankers guessing. Read More »

Munis for the Many: Taxable municipal bonds have appeal for nearly all community banks.

I have some good news for community bank portfolio managers who have grown weary of some or all of the following conditions that have persisted since 2020: declining portfolio returns erratic cash flows call option exposure paltry yield spreads Chances are, your bank’s portfolio has been affected by at least some of these conditions over …

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Kansas community banker Steve Handke elected Chairman

Memphis, TN (November 10, 2020) – The Paul W. Barret, Jr. School of Banking today announced it’s 2020-2021 Executive Committee during its fall Board meeting. Steve Handke, Chief Administrative Officer and Regional President of First Option Bank in Horton, KS will serve as Chairman. Joining Handke on the Executive Committee are: Brian Walhood (Chair – …

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Things You Never Thought You’d Say: COVID-19 has created a lot of first-ever conversations.

It may be a gross oversimplification to say this, but in many ways, community banks deal with their favorite broker the same way you deal with your dry cleaner. For one thing, there’s repeat business; we’re not a durable goods vendor that you visit every three years. For another, fixed-income brokers sell a set of …

Things You Never Thought You’d Say: COVID-19 has created a lot of first-ever conversations. Read More »

Kicking The Can: Congress and the Fed are on a spending spree.

If you ultra-busy community bankers have been able to catch some of our policymakers commenting on the waves of fiscal and monetary stimulus rushing toward the U.S. consumer, what you heard essentially translated into an elaborate game of Kick the Can. Please note that I said “elaborate” and not “elegant.” Here are some popular sound …

Kicking The Can: Congress and the Fed are on a spending spree. Read More »

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