Independent Banker - April 2021 - 7

FROM THE TOP
" In today's climate, our voices are
vital not only to the future of financial
services, but to the millions of small
businesses and consumers who
depend upon us. "
Robert M. Fisher
Chairman, ICBA
Robert Fisher is president, CEO
and chairman of Tioga State Bank
in Spencer, N.Y.
n today's data-driven society, we
hear a lot about engagement.
Whether it's social media likes,
website views, call center touchpoints
or branch visits, the bottom line
amounts to how we engage with our
customers and affect their experience.
As relationship bankers, these
insights mean more to us than
any others, yet our measure of
engagement must extend far beyond
simple interactions. Because an
engagement is a commitment to
meeting the needs of those with
whom we connect. And I believe it's
the single most important thing we
can do.
Being fully engaged is critical
to succeeding at anything in life,
particularly things that challenge us.
Even when it's a difficult step to take,
once you commit to the task at hand,
the process typically flows.
It's true: When the going gets
tough, the tough get going. That
I
statement speaks to the importance of
our collective commitment.
This deep community engagement
serves as the focal point of Community
Banking Month, because the more
bankers we can engage, the more
powerful our message. Legislators
and regulators listen to greater
numbers of people advocating for the
same position. Consider our success
in shaping the Paycheck Protection
Program. A lot of grassroots advocacy
went into that outcome, and when
I think back, I realize I was on
twice-a-week Zoom calls with our
congressman to help him understand
our issues. His office, in turn, echoed
our concerns to the Small Business
Administration, and that same
scenario played out in communities
throughout the U.S. It took our
collective efforts to achieve success.
That's why I'm calling on all
community bankers to become more
deeply engaged with ICBA. In today's
climate, our voices are vital not only
to the future of financial services, but
to the millions of small businesses
and consumers who depend upon
us. It's our duty to speak up on their
behalf and ensure an equitable
playing field, so we can offer the best
possible services.
My Top Three
When it comes to
entertainment, for
me, engagement is all about
varying types of humor. Take
my three favorite TV shows
as proof:
1. Seinfeld
2. The Grand Tour (it's the
British Top Gear)
3. Ozark
Connect with Robert @RobertMFisher
This year, I'm humbled and
honored to serve as ICBA chairman,
and I'm making it my mission to drive
engagement with the association.
If you have a question, problem or
need, please reach out to me directly
(rfisher@tiogabank.com). I may not
have the answer, but I'll find someone
who does. We're all in this together,
and if we want to change things and
make them better, we need bankers to
get engaged in the whole process.
I look forward to our efforts over the
next year and the successes that will
come from them. In the meantime,
happy Community Banking Month! 
independentbanker.org Q 7
Photo by Heather Esposito
http://www.independentbanker.org
Independent Banker - April 2021

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