Independent Banker - June 2018 - 5

FLOURISH
" These 28 community banks
knew they needed to fight
back. If they did nothing,
the future of their banks and
communities would hang in
the balance. "
Rebeca Romero Rainey
President and CEO, ICBA
I'm writing this column on May 9-an important
date in ICBA's history. It's 88 years to the day
when 28 independent community bankers met in
Glenwood, Minn., to discuss an alarming trend.
Two Minneapolis-based holding companies were
rapidly buying up unit banks, with an offi cer of
one holding company reportedly stating there
wouldn't be an independent bank left in the ninth
Federal Reserve District within three years. The
holding companies wielded such power as correspondent
banks that some bankers were afraid to
be individually identifi ed as opponents.
And so, they passed around a hat-all putting
$25 into it-allowing for the birth of ICBA, an
independent banking organization that would
represent the interest of only community banks.
Staunchly independent and fi ercely dedicated
to the community bank mission, these 28 community
bankers knew they needed to fi ght back.
If they did nothing, the future of their banks and
communities would hang in the balance.
Fast forward 88 years and there are nearly 5,700
community banks across the country, serving the
unique needs of their customers and communities.
It's all thanks to those community bankers
who stood up for their convictions in a big way.
This issue of Independent Banker is full of big
ideas, and I couldn't help but be reminded of these
28 bankers who had a big idea when it was needed
Where I'll be
this month
I look forward
to attending
conventions
held by the North
Carolina Bankers
Association and
the Community
Bankers
Association
of Georgia.
the most. That's why I challenge today's community
bankers to think the same way. Where many
see challenges, we need to see big opportunities.
Whether it's through partnering with fi nancial
technology companies, fi nding ways to level
the playing fi eld for community banks or fi nding
solutions to spur de novo formation, community
bankers are there, advocating, innovating and educating.
S.2155's positive momentum in both the
Senate and the House is the latest example of what
can happen when we community bankers come
together and make our voices heard.
While we may not be passing around a hat
these days, we at ICBA are always passing
around big ideas for community bank growth
and opportunity. We have your back, helping you
drive change with policymakers, spur a culture
of innovation at your bank, provide time- and
money-saving products and services, and foster
future industry leaders.
The possibilities for community banks are endless.
We must seize every opportunity to drive
prosperity for our customers and communities
nationwide. That is the legacy that lives on
through all of us today.
Connect with Rebeca @romerorainey
independentbanker.org Q 5
http://www.independentbanker.org
Independent Banker - June 2018

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