Reflecting on ICBA Live 2025: Innovation, Community, and the Future of Banking

After having the privilege of attending the ICBA Live conference in Nashville, the Rapid Finance team would like to reflect on what we saw, learned, and took away as we look to the future of community banking.

Upon arrival, it was clear to us that this conference wasn’t just a place for business deals and discussions. It was a family affair. It was not surprising given the nature of community bankers and the role they play in their communities.

The conference itself primarily focused on forward-looking discussions about the future of banking. Informative sessions concentrated on trends in digital banking, new offerings in financial technology, and how community banks can position themselves for success in a rapidly changing landscape.

From our specific conversations, two particular trends rose to the top: the increasing need for more automation tools and how all banks, no matter their size, were interested in new ways to combat fraud and manage risk in an increasingly digital world.

The move from manual to digital automation

We were surprised to learn that many community banks still rely on manual underwriting processes despite the technology available, but we understand the challenges with adoption. This highlights an opportunity to streamline and automate underwriting processes that improve efficiency and reduce human error. Many attendees shared their desire for solutions that would allow them to be more competitive, without losing the personal touch that makes community banking so successful.

The promise of digital automation envelopes not only the ability to move more quickly in servicing important customers, but applies a more rigorous synthesis of data to more quickly identify evolving threats of fraud and risk.

Staying on top of the ever-changing landscape of financial regulation was also a concern for attendees. The conference offered valuable insights into how regulatory shifts will impact not only the operations of banks, but the experiences of their customers. Again, emerging digital capabilities also have the promise of helping community banks keep up.

During the conference, we were proud to announce our latest product enhancement that helps community financial institutions scale their small business lending efforts while increasing non-interest income. Through our Decisioneer loan origination system (LOS) and Funding Network, banks can have a powerful, seamless, and automated solution that integrates into their present workflows to reduce operational inefficiencies and increase profitability in their SMB lending business.

As we reflect on ICBA Live 2025, it’s clear that while technology is driving change in banking, it must do so in a way that does not infringe on the hands-on dedication to the communities in which community banks operate and thrive. We look forward to continuing and growing our partnership with community banks in the service of their business. Schedule a conversation with our team today to learn how we can support your community bank.