Independent Banker - July 2024 - 5

FLOURISH
Connected as independent
community banks
W
hen you enter ICBA's
headquarters, you are greeted
with a large U.S. map that contains
a peg for each community bank
and a singular cord linking them all
together. It not only demonstrates our
collective impact; it also represents
the strength of our financial system,
built on thousands of local economies
around the country and fueled by
community banks.
Much more than surface-level
connections, community bank
relationships run deep. With detailed
knowledge of the communities in
which they live, play and work,
community bankers make informed
decisions using insights beyond
standard credit models.
Consider a new small business
that doesn't make sense on paper
but that you, as a financial steward
of that community, know meets
a community need or will be in
demand. This type of insight can
only be derived from being part of
the community-not thousands of
miles away in some ivory lending
tower. That sense of presence,
of connectedness, makes all
the difference.
Recently, Dave Fishwick, whose
story was featured in the movie, The
Bank of Dave, spoke at our Capital
Summit. His message was a reminder
of how unique our model is outside
of America's borders, how paramount
it is that we defend it with fervor and
how important the work we do to
protect relationship banking is. It's
the foundation of everything we do!
Community banks need to flourish
so we can continue to fight for the
little guy and stand up for what
matters in our communities. We need
to be there, so our customers have
access to the financial services they
need when they need them most.
The current environment threatens
this paradigm. One-size-fits-all
regulations don't support our efforts.
An uneven playing field puts us
at a disadvantage. Mounting and
constricting regulations hinder our
ability to tailor our offerings. And the
taxpayer-subsidized acquisition of
taxpaying community banks further
diminishes our numbers, while
stripping away a vital community tie.
Now, more than ever, as we think
about the impact of our banks, we
need to stand up and fight. We can't
take our independence for granted,
and independence requires action. It's
up to us to amplify our voices far and
wide and make sure the leaders of
this nation pay attention.
So, as you celebrate Independence
Day, I hope you take time to revel
in the role you play in our country's
financial wellness and recommit
to your independence. Because it's
bankers like you who are making the
country better, one community at a
time. Have a happy Fourth of July!
Connect with Rebeca @romerorainey
Rebeca Romero Rainey
President and CEO, ICBA
" It's up to us
[community
bankers] to amplify
our voices far and
wide and make
sure the leaders
of this nation
pay attention. "
Where I'll be
this month
I'll be at ICBA board meetings
and then heading to the
Independent Community
Bankers Association of New
Mexico Annual Meeting-
an opportunity to get back
to my home state and
reconnect with my
New Mexico family of
community bankers.
independentbanker.org // 5
Photo by Chris Williams
http://www.independentbanker.org
Independent Banker - July 2024

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