IBANYS Weekly E-Newsletter | | |
Happy Independence Day from IBANYS
As we celebrate Independence Day, we pause to reflect on the freedoms and opportunities that make our nation strong. The Fourth of July is a time to honor the courage and vision of those who founded our country and to recognize the values of service, integrity, and community that continue to unite us.
Community banks embody these same values every day by supporting local businesses, helping families achieve their financial goals, and strengthening the communities they proudly serve throughout New York State.
On behalf of the IBANYS Board of Directors and staff, we wish you and your families a safe, relaxing, and joyful Fourth of July. Thank you for your continued commitment to New York's community banking industry.
| | |
JULY HAS ARRIVED—BUT REMEMBER TO SAVE THESE DATES FOR IBANYS’ FALL EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM. JOIN US October 5-7, 2026, at 1000 Harbor Hotel in Clayton, NY. It offers the perfect balance of education, networking, and fun. Registration will open soon, so make plans to join us in the Thousand Islands! See below for more information! Watch upcoming emails, Updates and newsletters for details. You can also visit https://ibanys.net/meetings-schedule/ for news about all IBANYS’ meetings.
. . .
DEADLINE IS TOMORROW – CHECK IT OUT: Nominations for the 2026 Best Community Banks to Work For awards, sponsored by FIS, are due by 11:59 p.m. TOMORROW. Eligible community banks must submit nominations by then. Once nominated, full-time employees of each nominated bank will be asked to complete a comprehensive workplace survey in August. Banks in five asset categories with the highest index scores will be selected as winners and recognized in the December Independent Banker, at the 2027 ICBA LIVE annual convention, and through other ICBA channels.
CRA GEOGRAPHIES: Federal banking regulators have issued the 2026 list of distressed or underserved nonmetropolitan middle-income geographies. These are geographic areas where revitalization or stabilization activities are eligible to receive Community Reinvestment Act consideration under the community development definition.
| | IBANYS EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM | | |
Executive Leadership Symposium – Where Leadership Meets the Thousand Islands
Join IBANYS October 5–7, 2026, at the beautiful 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel in Clayton, NY, for the Executive Leadership Symposium. This premier event combines timely educational sessions with outstanding networking opportunities, offering up to 10 CPE credits while providing valuable insights into today's most important banking topics, including AI, economic trends, executive leadership, and the future of community banking.
But it's not all business! The symposium also offers plenty of opportunities to relax, connect, and enjoy the Thousand Islands:
-
🎣 Fishing Excursion – Cast a line with fellow bankers during a guided fishing trip on the St. Lawrence River. Space is limited!
-
⛳ Golf at Thousand Island Country Club – Enjoy an afternoon on one of New York's most scenic golf courses. Registration includes greens fees, cart, lunch, and drink tickets.
-
🤝 Networking Receptions & Dinners – Build relationships with peers and industry partners during evening cocktail receptions and dinners.
-
🏈 Monday Night Football – Wrap up Monday evening by cheering on the Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints with colleagues.
-
🚤 Sunset Boat Cruise – Experience the breathtaking beauty of the St. Lawrence River aboard a sunset cruise featuring an open bar, hors d'oeuvres, and networking.
Whether you're looking to sharpen your leadership skills, stay ahead of industry trends, or simply enjoy a memorable few days with fellow community bankers, the 2026 IBANYS Executive Leadership Symposium offers the perfect balance of education, networking, and fun. Registration will open soon, make plans to join us in the Thousand Islands!
| | Associate and Preferred Partners | | |
State Financial Strength Slows for Fourth Consecutive Quarter
The Piper Sandler Financial Strength Index (FSI) ) continued its downtrend in Q1 2026 for the fourth consecutive quarter. The 50-state average fell to 102.20, dropping 0.43 points from the prior quarter and 0.43 points year over year. Although the broader index remains in expansion territory, the data points to continued deceleration in state-level financial performance. The Economic Strength Index (ESI), which excludes pension and fund balance metrics, also declined modestly but remains firmly above neutral at 108.88. Most economic readings signal a slower pace of year-over-year growth, although longer-term trends continue to point upward. State rating actions were positive but quiet, with only one upgrade across the three major rating agencies during the quarter.
| | |
Employee Recruitment, Selection, and Placement
- Recruitment standards for effective hiring
- Training importance for less-qualified applicants
- Selection tools and testing methods
- Behavioral traits for role alignment
| | |
Situational and Behavioral Interviewing
- Purpose of employment interviews
- Job analysis improves interview success
- Using structured interviews
- Situational and behavioral questions
- Individual vs. panel interviews
| | |
Driving Employee Engagement
- Engagement vs. satisfaction and commitment
- Engagement’s impact on performance
- How engagement evolves over time
- Key drivers of engagement
- Strategies to boost retention and performance
| | |
Creating an Accountability Culture
- Accountability issues and impact
- Barriers to accountability
- Improving individual accountability
- Strategies for mutual accountability
| | This program has been pre-approved for 12 HR (General) recertification credit hours toward aPHR®, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®).“ The content of the program submitted has met the criteria for Recertification Provider Program. | | |
Market Update
By Carson Francis, CFA, Financial Analyst, The Baker Group
The latest Baker Market Update – Week in Review examines the Federal Reserve's continued focus on inflation following Chairman Kevin Warsh's first FOMC meeting. Carson Francis reviews the latest economic data, market reaction, and what the flattening Treasury yield curve may signal for the months ahead. He also previews next week's closely watched employment reports and discusses what they could mean for the economy and interest rates.
Click here to read
| | |
ICBA 2026 Educational Offerings
Thank you for your continued support of both IBANYS and ICBA Education. As we work together to serve the community banking industry, our shared goal is to deliver comprehensive, high-quality training solutions that empower community banks to succeed.
To further streamline processes and enhance the overall experience for our bankers, we are retiring the State Affiliate code from transaction purchases. While this change also eliminates the associated revenue share, ICBA remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting our state association through a variety of educational programs and collaborative initiatives.
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to achieve shared goals and create meaningful impact.
Click here to learn more about ICBA offerings including:
- Certification Courses
- Live Events
- Online Courses
- Resources
| | |
Legislative & Political Items
-
HAVE YOU READ IBANYS’ SUMMARY OF THE 2026 NYS LEGISLATIVE SESSION? The State Senate and Assembly are not scheduled to return Albany until January 2027, when a newly elected Senate and Assembly will be seated. IBANYS has provided a detailed report on what relevant legislation passed – and did not pass — this past session. Read IBANYS’ Summary here. . .and, for in-depth coverage, visit https://ibanys.net/newsletters/ and read the June 10 IBANYS newsletter.
Regulatory News
-
DFS On Agentic Commerce & Payments. The American Banker (subscription required) reports the NYS DFS “is keeping a close eye on” how agentic commerce and payments are evolving, and considering questions surrounding liability and consumer protections as the agency builds out its regulatory position on the nascent technology. At the New York Fed's Innovation Conference last Friday, Acting DFS Superintendent Kaitlin Asrow said the Department was interested in maintaining long-standing consumer protections as AI adoption increases. Asrow noted: “The idea that a transaction can self-execute is a little jarring to a regulator." https://www.americanbanker.com/payments/news/new-york-financial-regulator-zeroing-in-on-agentic-commerce
-
New York farmers can now apply for $30 million in funding for tariff relief to offset what state leaders say are growing costs and lost income because of federal tariffs. The funding was proposed during Gov. Hochul in January. Read More
| | |
The House is in session this week before breaking for its July 4 recess. The Senate is out of session until July 13.
-
House Financial Services Markup. The House Financial Services Committee tomorrow will begin a two-day markup of various measures.
-
MAIN STREET CAPITAL ACCESS ACT: Ahead of a possible vote this month in the House of Representatives, ICBA is calling on community bankers to urge their representatives to support the Main Street Capital Access Act. H.R. 6955, sponsored by House Financial Services Committee Chairman Hill (R-Ark.) and Financial Institutions Subcommittee Chairman Barr (R-Ky.), includes numerous provisions to tailor community bank regulations, ease capital standards, support de novo bank formation, and more. Contact Congress now. . . Here and Here are materials for your use in discussions with Senators Schumer and Gillibrand either before or during the upcoming recess. They include ICBA’s CLARITY Act sign-on letter (which IBANYS will co-sig), and up-to-date language requests.
-
FRAUD: The House Financial Services Committee voted 51-0 to advance the ICBA-supported STOP Payments Fraud Act (H.R. 9331). Read H.R. 9331. ICBA had urged the committee to pass the legislation and send it to the House floor, calling it an important step in addressing the recent surge in financial losses that result from check and wire fraud. ICBA previously testified before Congress on legislative and regulatory recommendations to help community banks combat fraud and scams. Information and resources on fraud and scams is available on ICBA’s website.
-
House Financial Services GOP member Kim on His Fraud Bill (H.R. 9331): “My bill, the STOP Payments Fraud Act, would allow financial institutions to take an additional day to analyze checks and wires, to identify whether there is reason to suspect fraud. Utilizing this additional time, financial institutions will then be able to clear the funds or place an extended hold for fraud as they attempt to collect more information that could lead to the capture of these criminals.”
-
Conservative Rebellion Freezes Key House Votes. A "rebellion" by House GOP conservatives has jeopardized a list of GOP priorities as the legislative calendar ahead of the midterms grows shorter. There are only eight legislative days between now and the August recess, and just 16 more between then and November's midterm elections. House GOP leaders canceled votes on multiple major bills after a persistent rebellion over the stalled “SAVE America Act” kept the House floor frozen, POLITICO’s Mia McCarthy and colleagues write. Also left unaddressed on the House floor: The ceremonial resolution commemorating the one-year anniversary of the GOP’s “Working Families Tax Cuts.” More from POLITICO’s Inside Congress. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island) noted: “Who needs Democrats when you have your own party derailing the Trump agenda.”
-
CDFI FUNDING: The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund opened the 2026 application rounds for several programs, with deadlines this month to apply for funding. With congressionally approved funding set to expire Sept. 30, the CDFI opened the following programs for funding: Bank Enterprise Award Program: $40 million for FDIC-insured institutions to invest in CDFIs, with a series of application deadlines between July 24 and July 31; Small Dollar Loan Program: $9 million to help certified CDFIs provide alternatives to high-cost, small-dollar loans, with application deadlines running from July 23 to July 30; CDFI Bond Guarantee Program: Up to $500 million in guarantee authority for bonds purchased by the Federal Financing Bank to support CDFI capital, with issuer applications due July 7 and guarantee applications due July 8.
-
ICBA has worked to ensure full funding for the CDFI Fund. A recent Independent Banker magazine article details how CDFIs and minority depository institutions can weather potential funding cuts and regulatory shifts and continue to help underserved communities.
-
Meet With Your Representatives During Summer Recess. Members of Congress leave Washington in August for their home districts – a good opportunity for community bankers to strengthen relationships with local Representatives and continue educating them on community bank concerns and the key role that your banks play in the local and state economies. Invite them to your banks during recesses. ICBA’s free toolkit, “Meetings on Main Street,” walks bankers through the process. ICBA’s Take Action Center offers tools to contact officials, ways to follow-up after the meetings, track bills, and the latest “Meetings on Main Street” materials. Visit icba.quorum.us. Read a detailed article on the important grassroots process: https://www.independentbanker.org/w/how-to-advocate-for-the-industry-during-the-august-recess
| | | | |
