Community Banking

Community banks have strong impact on the neighborhoods and people they serve.

By listening to and learning from community banks, we better understand the state of their business, the concerns of their customers, and the economic trends of the future.

As part of our core responsibilities to strengthen financial institutions and support an economy that works for all of us, the Federal Reserve acts as a primary supervisor for state member banks, and as a trusted source by connecting with community banks within the Twelfth District.

COMMUNITY BANKING

About Community Banks

Community banks are financial institutions with less than $10 billion in assets that serve businesses and consumers throughout the country.

Community banks serve businesses and consumers throughout the country, in both rural and urban areas, and are leading providers of credit to small businesses, often with strong relationships in their communities.

Resources for Bankers

By the Numbers:
Community Banks in the 12th District

14,811,739

Number of deposit accounts held by community banks

235

community banks

Every state and one territory is home to community banks

Featured

economic letter

Bank Franchise as a
Stabilizing Force

The banking shock of 2023 stemmed from banks’ exposure to interest rate risk by gathering short-term funds to invest in long-term assets.

Read the Economic Letter

EmergingTech Economic Research Network (EERN): Research, Insights and Events

Economic Letter

SF FedViews

Community Banking_ER Carousel_Around the District

Around the District: Investing in Community Through the CRA

Resources for
Community Bankers

Publications

Community Bank Access to Innovation through Partnerships (PDF) 
A document from the FederalReserve.gov webpage that is intended to serve as a resource for community banks as they embark on responsible innovation.

Community Banking Bulletin 
Insights on trends or activities of primary interest to the community banking industry from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.

Community Banking Connections / A Supervision and Regulation Resource 
Source for information on guidance, resources, and tools to help community banks across the United States.

Conducting Due Diligence on Financial Technology Companies: A Guide for Community Banks (PDF) 
A document from the FederalReserve.gov webpage that is intended to be a resource for community banks when performing due diligence on prospective relationships with fintech companies.

Regulation & Guidance

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve / Consumer Affairs Letters 

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve / Banking and Consumer Regulatory Policy Press Releases 

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve / Supervision and Regulation Letters 

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau / Compliance 

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) / Banker Resource Center 

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis / Federal Banking Regulations 

Additional Resources

Community Bank Research Conference 
The conference brings together community bankers, academics, policymakers and bank regulators to discuss the latest research on community banking.

Current Expected Credit Losses (CECL) Resource Center 
A one-stop resource for smaller financial institutions as they prepare for the changes associated with the Current Expected Credit Losses (CECL) method.

Federal Reserve Supervision Outreach / Resources for Bankers 
Site is designed to provide quick access to our resources that cover key topics for today’s community bankers.

Federal Reserve System / Ask the Fed® 
A program covering the latest financial and regulatory developments for bankers and their boards of directors.

Videos & Speeches

A History of the Fed’s Discount Window: 1913-2000 

Building a Community Banking Framework for the Future 

Challenges to the Community Banking Model 

Cyber Talk: A video series designed to help facilitate cybersecurity discussions 

Liquidity, Supervision, and Regulatory Reform 

The Fed’s Discount Window: 1990 to the Present 

Discount Window

The discount window plays an important role in providing liquidity and supporting the stability of the banking system. By providing ready access to funding, the discount window helps depository institutions manage their liquidity risks efficiently and avoid actions that have negative consequences for their customers, such as withdrawing credit during times of market stress. Therefore, the discount window supports the smooth flow of credit to households and businesses.

Learn More