Independent Banker - January 2021 - 37

support them.What's also signifi cant
is that it gives new members and
their staff an initial point of contact
with ICBA and an invitation to
reach out if there are ever questions
about banking issues-especially
those related to community banks.
Elected members and their staff
are responsible for keeping track
of and weighing in on literally
hundreds of issues. They can't be
experts in everything, and ICBA
stands ready to serve as a credible
resource on banking issues-
whether it's how a bill could aff ect
community banks in their state
or district, the pros and cons of
cosponsoring a specifi c bill, or
if a constituent needs help with
a bank-related issue or request.
Our goal is to be viewed by every
congressional offi ce as a valuable
and trusted source for accurate data
and information.
The association also serves as
a matchmaker of sorts, helping
connect members of Congress
with community bankers located
in their home district or state and
facilitating bank visits.
Outreach looks different this year
Though the COVID-19 pandemic
limits ICBA's ability to meet in
person with new members of
Congress and their staff , that
doesn't stop our lobbyists from
making these valuable connections.
This year's outreach meetings
are likely to take place over video
conference instead of traditional
face-to-face meetings. It is an added
challenge, but videoconferencing
creates a more personal connection
than a simple phone conversation.
Brian Cooney, ICBA's senior vice
president and legislative counsel, is
working with ICBA's talented team
of lobbyists to divide up the list of
new members and set up virtual
While ICBA's lobbyists engage early
and often with both new and seasoned
members of Congress, grassroots
community banking advocacy is still
critically important.
meetings early in the new Congress.
Oftentimes, lawmakers review
the schedules of their top staff ers
each day and will sometimes
drop in on ICBA's meetings to
introduce themselves or ask about
a particular matter. They may have
recently spoken to a constituent
about an issue with a loan or may
seek assistance in connecting with
community banks back in their
home state.
ICBA's lobbyists are especially
eager to form relationships
with members assigned to key
committees, including tax writing,
fi nancial services, small business
and agriculture. We at ICBA will
keep our ears to the ground as
congressional leadership makes
these committee and subcommittee
appointments, so we can begin
to establish a good working
relationship as soon as possible.
ICBA president and CEO Rebeca
Romero Rainey will be penning an
open letter to Congress to welcome
the new members, highlight ICBA's
bipartisan record of success and
outline our legislative agenda.
ICBA is also in direct contact
with President-elect Joe Biden's
transition team and will work
closely with them to assure that
they appreciate and understand the
community bank perspective.
How community bankers can help
While ICBA's lobbyists engage
early and often with both new and
seasoned members of Congress,
grassroots community banking
advocacy is still critically important.
In addition to establishing
lines of communication with new
members, ICBA will continue to
leverage existing relationships
community bankers have with
returning members of Congress.
Later this month, we'll be
sending out our State of Advocacy -
Grassroots Survey. Sent before the
beginning of every new Congress,
it asks community bankers about
their pre-existing relationships with
new and returning members.
Be on the lookout for it later
this month-and don't forget to
let us know if you've already built
a relationship with members of
Congress or their staff . 
Aaron Stetter (aaron.stetter@
icba.org) is ICBA's executive vice
president, policy and political
operations
Brian Cooney (brian.cooney@
icba.org) is ICBA's senior vice
president and legislative counsel
independentbanker.org Q 37
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Independent Banker - January 2021

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