Independent Banker - April 2019 - 48

environment and about fostering innovation so community
banks can compete and thrive.
Tim Zimmerman: I was exposed to this industry when I
was in public accounting and audited community banks. I
became convinced it was a unique industry that was based
on genuinely helping people.
Scott Heitkamp: ICBA is my voice for community
banking, and they work tirelessly on the issues that
affect my day-in-and-day-out of running our community
bank. It was easy for me to want to volunteer for an
I WANTED TO LEND MY
VOICE TO THE STRONG,
CLEAR AND CONSISTENT
ADVOCACY MESSAGE THAT
ICBA PROVIDES.
-PRESTON KENNEDY
organization that wholeheartedly represents everything
we stand for. There is no greater trade organization for
community banks.
Bill Loving: During my chairman year, I had the
opportunity to travel to Japan and learn more about
the various models of banking throughout the world. I
returned with a totally new perspective on the value of
community banking. As I stated in my chairman's speech,
the community model is a precious jewel and definitely
worth fighting for.
What do you want to accomplish this
year as part of the executive committee?
Kennedy: Shake the hands and hear the stories of as
many community bankers as possible, and encourage them
to support ICBA's mission of creating and promoting an
environment where community banks flourish.
Wilcox: I want to help mentor and foster the same kind
of passion I have for community banking in others. I want
to create more active engagement and involvement. And,
I want to continue my own strong advocacy for a procommunity
bank, regulatory relief agenda.
48 Q ICBA Independent Banker Q April 2019
Underwood: I am looking forward to helping
community banks improve efficiencies and the client
experience with technology. ICBA is supporting us with
the ICBA ThinkTECH Solutions initiative by providing
members with tools such as the fintech roadmap, the
online directory, the accelerator program, workshops at
the convention, etc. (See icba.org/fintech for more.)
Fisher: This year, I would like to continue our success
on the legislative front in differentiating community
banks from other types of banks and financial
institutions. The Dodd-Frank Act was an overreaction
to the financial crisis, and we now need to push for
continued regulatory relief for community banks.
Personally, I would also like to help bring more focus to
financial literacy. Astoundingly, 21 percent of Americans
reported they had more credit card debt than savings. I
would love to see increased financial literacy in our high
schools with a curriculum focus on such.
Frazier: I will advocate loudly for our industry and
continue to emphasize to all those who will listen (and
even those who won't) the importance of community
banks to our economy. I also hope to encourage young
bankers to become more involved with ICBA.
Zimmerman: I want to stay engaged and support
Rebeca, the great ICBA staff, Pres Kennedy as he takes
over as chairman and my fellow bankers on the executive
committee, and do whatever I can to move our objectives
forward. My passion for our industry is as strong as ever.
Heitkamp: I want community banks to stay relevant at a
time when things are evolving so quickly. Now that ICBA
has partnered with The Venture Center, community
banks will have the opportunity to be industry leaders in
offering products and services that expand our customer
experience. Community bankers will be able to directly
engage with fintech companies that focus on products
that fit the community bank model. Like I've said before,
" It's traditional banking with a modern twist. "
Loving: This year, the fight for our industry continues,
and I look forward to working with ICBA and community
bankers all across this nation protecting this jewel.
What are the most pressing issues for
community banks right now?
Kennedy: We need to preserve an open and fair
payments system. Ensure housing finance reform
http://www.icba.org/fintech
Independent Banker - April 2019

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