January 2024

The Independent Community Bankers of Colorado (ICBC) has endorsed BHG Financial (BHG), the creator of the largest community bank loan and product network in the country. BHG was awarded the endorsement following a due diligence process and approval by the ICBC’s Board of Directors.

Employee burnout has become a growing concern in recent years, with more workers reporting feelings of exhaustion, cynicism and reduced professional efficacy. Burnout not only negatively impacts employee well-being but also affects organizational performance and productivity.

Software has been pivotal in enhancing productivity in the ever-evolving banking landscape. For instance, advanced CRM systems have streamlined customer interactions, while data analytics tools have improved decision-making processes. These innovations have not only bolstered efficiency but also significantly boosted the financial performance of banks. However, the COVID-19 pandemic underscored a crucial lesson: Productivity diminishes

Despite declining volumes, checks remain an important part of the overall payments ecosystem. With current market conditions, combined with aging technology that drives up processing costs, determining a strategy that keeps costs down and efficiencies up is critical for survival. In fact, a Finextra survey published in July 2023 ranked reducing processing costs through payments modernization (79%) as a top priority.

The Federal Reserve’s FedNow® Service, an instant payments rail that launched this past July, was a long time in the making. As you dive into the faster payments space, you probably have a few questions about how the FedNow Service was created. What were the criteria, who was in the room and — most importantly — are you behind if your team hasn’t gotten started yet?

ICBC Preferred Providers are selected by bankers just like you, so give them special consideration when considering their proposals for your bank! To learn more about ICBC’s Preferred Providers contact the ICBC at 303.832.2000. Please note: ICBC endorses the listed companies but not all products offered by the company. Contact: Scott Wintenburg | swintenburg@bbwest.com |

ATMs have become an attack vector for fraudsters who deploy a number of tactics to access the machines. Criminals compromise ATMs by installing skimming devices, executing hook and chain attacks and orchestrating “top hat” attacks.