Independent Banker - August 2017 - 26

Grassroots
EVENTS
Q&A: Greg Miskovsky
The Arizona-based community banker attended the ICBA Capital Summit for
the fi rst time this year. He tells us about the highlights-including a trip to the
White House.
Interview by Sara Schlueter
I
n May, Greg Miskovsky,
Arizona regional president
of the $2.4 billion-asset First
International Bank and Trust,
which is headquartered in
North Dakota, traveled to Washington,
D.C., for the 2017 ICBA Capital
Summit and Future of Banking Symposium.
As a fi rst-timer, what were
his impressions?
IB:
Why did you decide to
attend this year's ICBA
Capital Summit?
Miskovsky: As the newly elected
Arizona federal delegate, I was
excited to participate in the summit,
and I had heard good things about the
experience. I wasn't disappointed.
There are many benefi ts of going,
including meeting colleagues from
around the country and working
together to make sure community
bankers have our voices heard. Others
from First International Bank and
Trust had attended in the past, and
we have a history of supporting ICBA.
IB:
Did you meet with
any legislators?
Miskovsky: Our headquarters is in
North Dakota, so we met with Rep.
Kevin Cramer, Sen. Heidi Heitkamp
and Sen. John Hoeven. Our Arizona
legislators were unable to meet with
us at the appointed times, so we met
with the staffs of Sen. Jeff Flake and
Congressman David Schweikert.
We look forward to meeting them in
person next time.
IB:
What was the best part
of the Capital Summit?
Miskovsky: I enjoyed meeting the
various legislators and forging new
26 ICBA IndependentBanker August 2017
" It's critical that
congressional
delegations hear from
their constituents and
get fi rsthand reports
of how legislation is
aff ecting their districts. "
-GREG MISKOVSKY,
FIRST INTERNATIONAL
BANK AND TRUST
professional relationships. But without
a doubt, the highlight of the trip
was the opportunity to go to the Rose
Garden and listen to Linda McMahon,
Gary Cohn, Vice President Pence
and President Trump speak directly
to 100 ICBA members.
IB:
IB:
What were some key
takeaways for you?
Miskovsky: Your voice makes
a difference. It's critical that
congressional delegations hear from
their constituents and get fi rsthand
reports of how legislation is affecting
their districts.
What messages will
you bring back to
your bank?
Miskovsky: Bankers need to be
engaged and get involved. Community
banks play a vital role in our
nation's economy, and they need to
have a voice in Washington. The more
we work together to make necessary
changes, the better service we can
provide to our communities.
IB:
What was the primary
message of the Future
of Banking Symposium?
Miskovsky: To me, the key message
was that ICBA is consistently
advocating for change in areas that
affect community banking. Things
like capital, regulatory relief and
mortgage reform directly affect how
we run our business and service our
customers.
Sara Schlueter is associate managing
editor of Independent Banker.
Mark your calendars
If your interest is piqued, watch
icba.org/capitalsummit for
news of the 2018 summit,
which will be held from April 29
to May 2.
http://www.qmags.com/clickthrough.asp?url=www.icba.org/capitalsummit&id=20329&adid=P26E1
Independent Banker - August 2017

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