Independent Banker - September 2018 - 5

FLOURISH
" Community service
is a timeless tradition
that's core to every
community bank. "
Rebeca Romero Rainey
President and CEO, ICBA
As I work on this column, I'm in Santa Fe, preparing
to speak at the Independent Community
Bankers Association of New Mexico's annual convention.
I was chairman of this great organization
10 years ago, and the theme of that convention
was " Independent Community Banks-A Timeless
Tradition. " When I think back on that theme
and look at the banks profi led in this issue for their
outstanding community service, I'm reminded
yet again how unique our industry truly is. Community
service is a timeless tradition that's core
to every community bank. That's something we
should continue to celebrate.
That's exactly why ICBA names its National
Community Bank Service Award winners every
year and why we share their stories in Independent
Banker every September. I'm struck by the
uniqueness of each of these service projects and
how they all tie back to the community bank
business model and the success they fi nd in serving
the needs of their communities. Community
banking is not a one-size-fi ts-all industry!
There is so much inspiration to glean from this
month's issue. Look at BayCoast Bank's eff orts to
transform lives and communities through its " Get
on the Bus " education initiative, which allowed
the bank to donate more than $800,000, launch a
fi nancial education program with 14 area schools,
and bring 800 seventh-graders on college tours
Where I'll be
this month
I'll be speaking
at ICBA's LEAD
FWD; a joint
meeting of
the California
Community
Banking Network
and Community
Bankers of
Washington; and
the Independent
Bankers
Association of
New York State.
to the University of Massachusetts. This community
bank is changing lives! Our national award
winners, Midwest BankCentre and Kennebec
Savings Bank, along with our honorable mention
winners, are doing great work too. Each
initiative is as unique as the communities they
serve. To date, Midwest BankCentre has brought
mainstream banking services to more than 1,200
previously unbanked or underbanked families in
the St. Louis metro area. Kennebec Savings Bank
is focusing on renovating, repairing and rebuilding
downtown waterfront properties to revitalize
arts and culture as well as business development.
That's community banking at work!
Community service and volunteerism are the
hallmarks of community banking. I commend
these community banks and their employees
for their unwavering commitment to ensuring
the vitality of their communities and the fi nancial
health of those who call those communities
home. I know every community bank out there is
doing the same in their own way, every day.
Thank you, community bankers-every one
of you-for making the world a better place, one
community at a time.
Connect with Rebeca @romerorainey
independentbanker.org Q 5
http://www.independentbanker.org
Independent Banker - September 2018

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