Trying to keep pace with big banks that digitize as many processes as possible will undercut community banks’ strengths, according to speakers at this year’s ICBA convention.

Paul, one of American Banker's Community Bankers of the Year in 2012, made Eagle a formidable Washington-area institution.

Big banks’ edge lies in their sizable presence in faster-growing cities, not any unfair structural or regulatory advantages, according to a new report by the Bank Policy Institute, which represents large financial services companies. Community banks beg to differ.

First Bank is removing a competitor by agreeing to acquire Grand Bank for $19 million.

Mechanics Bank was close to buying Rabobank's U.S. unit last year, but pressed pause when the seller ran into serious legal troubles.

Until recently, biometric ATMs were very hard to find in developed markets other than Brazil, India and Japan.

Christopher Becker will succeed Michael Vittorio in January.

More than 20 banks have been sold to credit unions. A prominent banking lawyer made the case at this year's ICBA convention that banks can become more aggressive acquirers.

The credit card network has teamed up with an ICBA unit and the fintech Urban FT to offer a payments services program tailored to community banks trying to keep pace with bigger banks.

Under the recently appointed Director Kathy Kraninger, the bureau has the opportunity to address numerous problems with its collection and presentation of consumer grievances.

As competitive pressures mount for midsize banks, more institutions are likely to follow the lead of BB&T-SunTrust and amass more resources for investing in AI, digital platforms and other cutting-edge technologies.

The deal will give Janney greater access to the community banking sector.

Financial institutions that participate in state-administered EBT programs have a unique opportunity to put more money in the pockets of the nation’s neediest by eliminating surcharge fees on their ATMs, writes Kim Bynan, a senior vice president at FIS.

The companies could bring something new, such as merchant acquiring to community banks, but their merger could also cause anxiety about giant vendors.

Congress granted banks significant reg relief last year, but incoming ICBA Chairman Preston Kennedy says a lighter touch is needed with Bank Secrecy Act rules, loan-loss modeling and call reports.

On Dec. 31, 2018. Dollars in thousands.

On Dec. 31, 2018. Dollars in thousands.

The $35 billion deal could create "a global payments giant"; with the number of community banks dropping as low as 5,477, it may be time for new ones.

The federal government's more active role in GDP, payroll and other vital statistics produced by the island could hasten its recovery from Hurricane Maria and lift lending and bank valuations at the same time.

Mechanics, owned by a fund tied to investor Gerald J. Ford, will pay $2 billion for Rabobank in California.