Washington, D.C. (April 1, 2026) - The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) is celebrating Community Banking Month in April, highlighting the critical role community banks serve in powering local economies, supporting small businesses, and strengthening communities nationwide.

Each year, Community Banking Month recognizes the industry's relationship-driven model, which combines personalized service with modern financial tools to meet the evolving needs of consumers, small businesses, and farmers. Community banks provide nearly 60 percent of the nation's small-business loans and over 80 percent of the banking industry's agricultural loans, and they are the only physical branch presence in one in five counties nationwide, underscoring their outsized impact on economic growth and opportunity.

"Community banks are the economic engines of Main Street, delivering trusted financial guidance and fueling the growth of local businesses and families," ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey said. "They provide capital, reinvest in the communities they serve, and build lasting relationships that help individuals and small businesses navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and achieve long-term financial success."

Community banks are often the only physical banking presence in many communities and play a vital role in expanding access to credit and financial services. Their commitment to reinvesting local deposits back into local neighborhoods helps create jobs and sustain economic vitality across urban, suburban, and rural America.

"Community banking is about showing up every day for the people and places we serve," said ICBA Chair Alice Frazier, president and CEO of Potomac Bank in Charles Town, W.Va. "Whether it's helping a small business expand or supporting a family's financial future, community banks are deeply invested in the success of their communities. Community Banking Month is an opportunity to celebrate that impact and reinforce the importance of banking locally."

Consumers can find a community bank near them by visiting banklocally.org and join the conversation on social media using #CommunityBankingMonth and #BankLocally.

About ICBA

The Independent Community Bankers of America® has one mission: to create and promote an environment where community banks flourish. We power the potential of the nation's community banks through effective advocacy, education, and innovation.

As local and trusted sources of credit, America's community banks leverage their relationship-based business model and innovative offerings to channel deposits into the neighborhoods they serve, creating jobs, fostering economic prosperity, and fueling their customers' financial goals and dreams. For more information, visit ICBA's website at icba.org.