2026 Pub. 15 Issue 3

Looking for reliable solutions to support your bank’s growth? Meet VACB’s 2026 Preferred Vendor Providers. These trusted companies have earned the approval of the Member Services Committee. We invite you to explore the lineup and see how they can help your bank succeed. Diamond ICBA CRA Solutions Marnie Stewartmarnie.stewart@icba.org(901) 529-4790 ICBA Payments Laura Piercelaura.pierce@icba.org(202) 821-4314

Following last year’s transformative year in community banking advocacy, marked by significant tax and regulatory relief, ICBA and community bankers entered 2026 prepared for a more challenging political landscape.

The headlines about consolidation and fintech disruption tell a story of decline. The data tells a different story. Community banks still hold something no national brand or app can fully replicate: decades of proximity, trust, and relationships with the small businesses, farmers, and families who make up local economies. That foundation isn’t the problem. The problem is that too many institutions are trying to defend it with yesterday’s operating model.

One thing that might have gone unnoticed over the past few months is the book price for the average community bank’s bond portfolio. It has dipped below par (100 cents on the dollar), according to the more than 700 financial institutions that process bond accounting reports with The Baker Group, though individual bank results may vary. More surprisingly, this hasn’t been the case since 2009.

Deposit networks are often described as funding tools, enabling banks to access funds and depositors to access FDIC insurance on large amounts. But they are far more than that. Deposit networks can also be balance sheet levers — mechanisms that allow banks to manage timing, risk, and optionality without sacrificing customer relationships.

Small businesses wear a lot of hats. They want to focus on serving customers and growing their business, not chasing invoices or managing manual tasks. As a result, they’re not just asking, “Where should I bank?” They’re asking, “Who can help me run my business better?”

Elder abuse continues to be a crisis that often goes unnoticed until the damage is done. While elder abuse can take many forms — physical, emotional, and neglect — financial exploitation remains the most prevalent and fastest-growing. For banks, this is not only a social issue but also a matter of risk management, regulatory compliance, and customer trust.

Community banks have always competed on trust. For generations, that trust was built one handshake, one Friday night football sponsorship and one branch visit at a time. That hasn’t necessarily changed, but where those relationships now begin has.

One of the things I value most about VACB’s relationship with the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) is that it is much more than an affiliation in name only. It is a working partnership that connects our members with additional resources, relationships and expertise. In turn, it strengthens VACB’s ability to serve our member banks.