Welcome to the final week of July! As summer enters its closing weeks, we’re making plans for autumn. With that in mind. . .

Have You & Your Team Signed Up For IBANYS' Executive Leadership Symposium October 5-7, 2026 at the 1000 Island Harbor Hotel in Clayton, NY – in the heart of the beautiful Thousand Islands? Join us and experience a mix of timely educational sessions and great networking experiences. Earn up to 10 CPE credits as you gain valuable insights into today's most important banking topics.

• Register today Registration Deadline Sept. 18. (Register Early & Save — "Early Bird" Deadline: Aug. 14..)
• Secure your sponsorship before opportunities are gone! 

SEE BELOW FOR FULL DETAILS ON THE SYMPOSIUM.

. . .

• Use The August Recess To Meet With Your Federal & State Legislators! Members of Congress will be home in their districts throughout August — and, your local state legislators are out of session and back in the districts until January. What a great opportunity for community bankers to build and strengthen relationships with local Representatives and continue your dialogue on our priority issues AND on the vital role that your banks play in the local and state economies. Why not use the upcoming weeks to invite them to your banks?  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.

• . . .Meanwhile, IBANYS recently concluded regional meetings across upstate New York with Sate Senate Banks Committee Chairman Sanders (D-Queens) on community bank issues and priorities. . .Use this in your local meetings with your State Senators and Assembly members..

. . .

• Fed Leaves Rates Unchanged, With Three Dissenting Votes. Despite increasing support among some officials for a rate increase, the Federal Open Market Committee voted to leave the federal funds rate in a range between 3.5% and 3.75%. The post-meeting statement noted the three dissenters “preferred to raise the target range for the federal funds rate by ¼ percentage point at this meeting.” The dissenting votes were from regional presidents Hammack (Cleveland), Kashkari (Minneapolis) and Logan (Dallas), who had been the most explicit about the need for higher rates to address inflation that has been above the Fed’s 2% target for more than five years. (New York Fed President John Williams recently said he sees current policy well-positioned to bring inflation back to target.) Fed Chairman Warsh called the interest rate discussion “a real family fight.” https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/07/29/business/fed-meeting-rates-kevin-warsh?smid=nytcore-ios-share.

• CSBS Community Bank Survey: Community bankers nationally are broadly optimistic about future economic conditions, according to the Conference of State Bank Supervisors’ latest quarterly poll. Cyberattacks, bank fraud, competition, labor cost and availability, and the federal debt/deficit were identified as top concerns for the fourth straight survey. 

• FDIC Manual Updated. The FDIC updated its Consumer Compliance Examination Manual. The CEM provides supervisory information regarding consumer compliance examinations, Community Reinvestment Act performance evaluations, and other supervisory activities. The updates—which include Enforcement Actions, Violation Codes, Truth in Lending Act annual thresholds, Home Mortgage Disclosure Act loan-volume thresholds, and Community Reinvestment Act annual thresholds—can be seen in a redline version on the FDIC website.

 John

IBANYS EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM

Don't Miss the Banking Leadership Event of the Year!

2026 IBANYS Executive Leadership Symposium

October 5–7, 2026 | 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel | Clayton, NY

The future of community banking is evolving rapidly. Are you ready?

Join banking executives, senior leaders, and industry experts from across New York State for three days of timely education, strategic conversations, and unparalleled networking at the 2026 IBANYS Executive Leadership Symposium. Earn up to 10 CPE credits while gaining practical insights on the issues shaping today's banking industry.

What You'll Learn

Hear from nationally recognized speakers covering today's most important topics, including:

• Artificial Intelligence & Banking Innovation
• Cybersecurity & Emerging Threats
• Economic & Regulatory Outlook
• Executive Leadership & Board Communication
• Technology Modernization
• Community Banking Strategies
• Executive Talent & Succession Planning

More Than Great Education

Enjoy meaningful networking with peers while experiencing everything the Thousand Islands has to offer, including:

• Welcome receptions and dinners
• Sunset cruise on the St. Lawrence River
• Optional golf outing and fishing excursion
• Countless opportunities to connect with fellow banking professionals

Become a Sponsor

Put your company in front of New York's community banking decision-makers! Sponsorship opportunities include event recognition, logo placement, website and newsletter exposure, podium recognition, and more. Sponsorships are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Register Early & Save!

Early Bird Deadline: August 14, 2026

Registration Deadline: September 18, 2026

Don't miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and lead. Join us in beautiful Clayton, NY, for an unforgettable leadership experience that will inspire new ideas and strengthen valuable industry relationships.

Register today—and secure your sponsorship before opportunities are gone!

Fishing Boat

Breakfast - Tuesday

Sunset Boat Cruise

Fishing Boat & Golf Refreshment Cart

Dinner Wine - Tuesday & Golf Tee

Refreshment Breaks

IBANYS JULY WEBINARS

Associate and Preferred Partners

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.

ICBA Information

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

ALBANY UPDATE

Tax Hikes Battle Set To Return In 2027 

• 2027 Session Forecast: Difficult Budget Process Ahead, More Federal Changes Coming. More federal changes are expected to impact Medicaid eligibility, introduce new administrative burdens for the state through more frequent recertification, and change how Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are funded. State of Politics takes an early look at the dynamics that could be at play when budget season rolls around in January.

• Renewed Push For 2027 Tax Hikes. NYC democratic socialists (DSA members) recently confirmed their next order of business is "to pressure Gov. Hochul to raise income taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers" when the 2027 state legislative session begins in January, the Times reports. A coalition of left-leaning interest groups believes the move will be popular with rank-and-file voters and is “a winning issue in general elections.” The GOP would likely make tax hikes an issue in their campaigns – yet, raising taxes on the wealthy is perennially popular. Advocates are pressing this summer for the tax hikes, pointing to federal spending reductions impacting services. https://www.politico.com/newsletters/new-york-playbook/2026/07/24/surveillance-pricing-be-gone-or-not-01011096?nname=new-york-playbook&nid=0000014f-1646-d88f-a1cf-5f46b74f0000&nrid=00000152-f737-dcf0-a7d7-f73fb7700001. The New York Post reported Wednesday that NYC Mayor Mamdani plans a post-Labor Day push for tax hikes. Gov. Hochul resisted broad-based tax increases this year (she ultimately supported a narrowly tailored surcharge on high-cost second homes in New York City.)

State Regulatory Items

• Updated MWBE Platform. Governor Hochul announced the Empire State MWBE Hub, a new mobile-friendly online platform to modernize key operations of New York State’s Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise program. The Hub will make it easier for businesses to apply for MWBE certification, manage their applications and business profiles, receive assistance and connect with state contracting opportunities. Access the Empire State MWBE Hub.

• Latest On State’s Reg Relief Programs. The Hochul administration said the launch of the Empire State MWBE Hub builds on the state’s EXPRESS NY initiative, the effort to tackle outdated and burdensome regulations, policies and practices. In June, Hochul announced 50 actions across 22 state agencies — projected to save tens of millions of dollars in unnecessary fees and compliance costs, and over one million hours of time spent navigating the regulatory process. Earlier this month, Hochul also signed an Executive Order launching the Regulatory Reset Initiative requiring state agencies to conduct a comprehensive review of outdated regulations, fines and fees, and mandated reports in an effort to "save New Yorkers and small businesses time and money." https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-launch-empire-state-mwbe-hub-modernized-platform-new-yorks-minority

Economic News

• New Tariffs On Canada Upset Upstate.  New tariffs are being placed on more than 80 countries, The New York Times’ Ana Swanson reports. That includes Canada, “much to the dismay of North Country farmers and tourism operators.”

• CNBC analyzed all 50 states’ economic development marketing pitches as part of this year’s America’s Top States for Business. New York State is in a place it hasn’t been accustomed to in a while: the upper echelon of state economies. New York enjoyed the third-highest economic growth in the nation last year, behind Florida and South Carolina -- powered by the boom in financial markets and the big buildout in AI. Those booms left the state with one of the best financial pictures in the country, as tax revenues outpaced recent trends. However, some aspects of the state’s economy are “on very shaky ground.” N.Y.  leads the nation in out-migration of college-educated workers, its rate of new business formation is low, and the housing market faces a lack of affordability and high property taxes. https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/13/best-state-economies-2026.html

• New Ranking Of States Finds N.Y. Ranks 23rd. U.S. News & World Report released its 2026 Best States rankings, looking at a range of categories across all 50 states to see how states best serve their citizens. New York was ranked 23rd, one position lower than in 2025. https://www.rochesterfirst.com/new-york-state/us-news-releases-2026-state-rankings-where-does-ny-fall/

Political Items -- With Fewer than 100 days until Election Day

• Crucial congressional races -- including in swing districts in New York  -- are being closely watched in the battle for control of the U.S. House. https://link.cityandstateny.com/view/6945174f67f89086ca026496ru2g9.e0k/068dc5ec. Meanwhile, a new poll is showing Lawler 5 points up over his Democratic challenger, Cait Conley in the Hudson Valley.

• Key State Legislative Races To Watch. City & State took a look at some of the most competitive state legislative races on the ballot. Democrats hope to increase their numbers -- especially in the State Senate, where they briefly held a two-thirds veto-proof supermajority but lost it in 2024. With 41 current members, they need to add just one more seat while protecting their incumbents. Read more here. In the Assembly, Democrats hold103 of the 150 seats -- a supermajority, but less than their peak of 107 seats in 2022. While they do have some pick-up opportunities, they'll also be on the defensive in some races. Here are some of the big races to watch in November. Read more here. 

• Governor’s Race. Both Gov. Hochul and GOP gubernatorial candidate and Nassau County Executive Blakeman are projecting confidence in their campaigns. Hochul is leading Blakeman both in the polls and in fundraising. Read More

FEDERAL UPDATE

Congressional Activity

• Latest On Clarity Act – Part I. Tuesday’s edition of Bloomberg Crypto (starting at the 14:35 mark) featured ICBA President $ CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey urged Congress to get the Clarity Act right and protect community banks’ ability to lend. She said the Clarity Act must include a robust prohibition on yield-bearing stablecoin to avoid harming community bank deposits and lending. An ICBA economic data analysis shows failing to extend the prohibition on stablecoin yield could reduce community bank lending by $850 billion due to a $1.3 trillion reduction in the industry’s deposits. ICBA’s ongoing push to include a stablecoin yield prohibition in the Clarity Act spotlights how community banks power local communities and what’s at stake in the Clarity Act debate  ICBA’s interactive map detailing how stablecoin growth could put small-business credit at risk as well as ICBA’s 30-second video ad that pushes back against the crypto industry’s efforts to secure greater powers and less accountability.

• Clarity Act, Part II. ICBA’s Main Street Over Crypto resource center offers tools for community bankers, including ICBA’s grassroots alert on the Clarity Act, messaging playbook, and social media toolkit. With the Senate debate over the Clarity Act continuing, ICBA is calling on community bankers to use its Be Heard grassroots action center to urge their senators to strengthen the bill’s prohibition on stablecoin yield. IBANYS is asking New York community bankers to contact Senators Schumer: Read IBANYS' Action Alert.

• Before leaving Washington last week for a five-week recess, the House moved to head-off a potential federal government shutdown before this fall’s critical midterm elections by passing a bill to fund the federal government through Dec. 4, the AP reports. It’s unclear how the Senate will act on several House passed bills, as divisions “continue to deepen. https://rollcall.com/2026/07/24/wrapup-house-hustles-home-senate-stays-course/. 

• ICBA Supports Velazquez SBA 7(a) Act. In a letter to Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-Brooklyn) on her 7(a) Program Risk Oversight Act, ICBA supported her bill to promote transparency in the loan guarantee program. Community banks are important users of the 7(a) program and have a strong stake in a program that is healthy and free of fraud. Read about the Velázquez legislation. 

Federal Regulatory News

• OCC Denies Charter Application. The OCC denied the national trust bank charter application for Wise, an international financial services company that offers cross-border payment services, for many of the reasons that ICBA raised in a letter opposing the application. Read ICBA's national news release. ICBA noted: “Community banks welcome innovation and competition, but it must not come at the expense of safety and soundness, regulatory consistency, or the ability of community banks to continue serving local consumers, small businesses, and rural communities.”

• FDIC’s Proposed GENIUS ACT Implementation. The FDIC published new information on its recent proposed rule to implement requirements under the GENIUS Act. Comments on the proposed forms and instructions are due 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. In a joint letter, ICBA and others urged the National Credit Union Administration to work with the Federal Reserve, OCC, and FDIC to ensure requirements for permitted payment stablecoin issuers are substantially similar and appropriately rigorous. ICBA and 44 state banking associations (including IBANYS)  urged regulators to “ensure regulatory parity, proactively address systemic risks, address tokenized deposits, and ensure tokenized deposit policy is technology-neutral and accessible to community banks.”

• Fed’s Skinny Accounts. ICBA expressed strong concerns with the Federal Reserve's proposed payment account—commonly known as a “skinny” master account—and urged the agency to ensure any such program is subject to strict guardrails and mandatory review. In a national news release ICBA said the Fed should continue to limit account access to institutions that meet the financial services sector's highest standards and ensure that any “skinny” account program is temporary and subjects nonbank participants to sufficient guardrails. Read ICBA’s letter: https://www.icba.org/documents/45248/0/ICBA+Response+to+Docket+No+OP-1878.pdf/763e743b-bee2-d455-fbfc-ab14da1edd99?t=1785176558467

• ICBA & IBANYS: Don't Burden Community Banks. In a letter to the administration on President Trump’s “Restoring Integrity to America’s Financial System” Executive Order and FinCEN Advisory FIN-2026-A002, ICBA and 34 state banking associations (including IBANYS) urged the Treasury and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network to ensure that implementation of a recent executive order and advisory does not burden community banks. 

• GAO: Address These Regs. The Government Accountability Office said federal banking agencies should identify outdated, unnecessary, or unduly burdensome regulations and take actions to address them. Read a new report on bank regulatory reviews, for which ICBA was interviewed.

Economic News

• Consumer Confidence Down, Home Prices Up. The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index decreased by 1.4 points in July to 90.8. The Present Situation Index decreased by 3.6 points, while the Expectations Index of the short-term outlook remained unchanged. Meanwhile, home prices increased 1.1% in May from the same time a year ago following a 0.9% annual gain in April, according to the Case-Shiller index. House prices rose 0.3% in May from the previous month and were up 2.2% over the past 12 months, the Federal Housing Finance Agency reported,