ICBA 2021/22 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Biden administration is cannabis banking. There has been bipartisan support in the past, but I could see this issue getting traction as more states look to legalize cannabis to help solve their current budget defi cits. This would fi nally provide a clear path for both the banking and cannabis industries. We also need to continue to advocate for a regulatory framework tailored to risk and business models. There is also a need to advocate for big banks to be held accountable when they make business decisions that do not adhere to regulations and laws. There is currently unequal justice as it pertains to adherence to regulations and laws. Bolton: We have an excellent opportunity to continue to diff erentiate our business model due to our historic, and unmatched, response to the pandemic and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). We can play off ense and defense with our relationship-driven model of community banking. No matter who is in control of the White House and Congress, the politics of community banking will remain our primary focus. We can easily prove the community banking industry is not a threat to consumers. Laff itte: Opportunities are always present with advocacy. With the change in Congress and so many new people in Congress this year, we will have the opportunity to teach so many about the diff erences between community banking and the credit unions and big banks. I believe we will see the largest gains in the cannabis debate and support of minorityowned depository institutions, but we will have opportunities with many other issues that will come down the pipeline in the next year. 48 Q ICBA Independent Banker Q April 2021 Photos (top to bottom) by Don Kadair, Roy Engelbrecht, Greg Thoen