Independent Banker - February 2024 - 5

FLOURISH
The spirit of community
s it's often stated, " A rising tide
lifts all boats. " When applied to
community banking, that sentiment
couldn't be truer. We come together
as a community of bankers, having
one another's best interests at heart.
That's what makes us different
from others in the financial services
industry. We work hard to build
one another up, to differentiate
the community banking model
and to demonstrate the tangible
benefits customers receive from
a community bank. So, when we
come together at ICBA LIVE, it
becomes an uplifting time where we
collectively tackle issues and leave
feeling excited for new opportunities.
For example, community banks
are constantly evaluating new
fintech partners. ThinkTECH
programs, including the Accelerator
and solutions forums, provide not
only a path to identifying products
but a gateway to connecting with
community banks that have already
tested the waters of a particular
offering. Whether it's next steps
with FedNow, solutions for
back-office efficiencies, compliance
offerings in support of BSA/AML
procedures or something else, we
can find recommendations and
resources in our colleagues-we just
have to ask.
Yet, it's not about choosing
something because it worked for
a peer; it's about diving into the
experience, its problems and its
positive effects to fuel a more
knowledgeable decision-making
process. Through shared
experiences and examples,
community banks personalize and
A
adopt ideas to find the right fit to
serve their unique communities.
ICBA LIVE helps simplify that
process by providing a one-stop
forum for both knowledge and
connection. Whether it's gathering
with service providers on the expo
floor, coming to education sessions
to hear firsthand case studies,
attending workshops to generate
new ideas or joining ThinkTECH
events to get to know and engage
with solution providers, LIVE
fast-forwards the research phase
for any new solution that you may
be considering.
In addition, the connections
you've built follow you from
the conference into your bank.
Through ICBA Community, our
digital member platform, you can
communicate with colleagues and
ask questions in a secure, virtual
environment. Speaking from
experience, as you grapple with
new technology and big decisions, it
will make all the difference to have
another community banker who's
walked the path before you share
their knowledge.
As we look at the world around
us-the pace of change, the evolution
of tech competition from all angles,
the emergence of new possible
partners-we have to support one
another so we can continue to
flourish. We are stronger together
than apart, and I know that this
community of community bankers
will lift each other up as we navigate
the future.
Connect with Rebeca @romerorainey
Rebeca Romero Rainey
President and CEO, ICBA
" When we come
together at ICBA
LIVE, it becomes an
uplifting time where
we collectively
tackle issues
and leave feeling
excited for new
opportunities. "
Where I'll be
this month
I'll be attending an American
Society of Association
Executives (ASAE) event with
our chairman, Derek Williams,
and incoming chairman, Lucas
White. Then, I'll be hosting
current and new officers at our
offices in D.C., as we prepare
for ICBA LIVE 2024.
independentbanker.org // 5
Photo by Chris Williams
http://www.independentbanker.org
Independent Banker - February 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Independent Banker - February 2024
