Independent Banker - September 2023 - 7

FROM THE TOP
" There's a commitment to the community
that's based on one fact: Service is not
something we strive for; it's simply a part
of who we are. "
Derek Williams
Chairman, ICBA
Derek Williams is president and
CEO of Century Bank & Trust in
Milledgeville, Ga.
've never been prouder to be a
community banker than I have this
year. As ICBA chairman, I have had
the opportunity to tour the country,
meeting community bankers from all
over. I have consistently heard stories
of how we support those who need us:
our communities. Everything I have
believed about community banking is
proving true this year.
In fact, it has struck me that people
work at community banks because
they are good people, not the other
way around. People who get into
community banking have compassion
and care in their DNA. There's a
commitment to the community that's
based on one fact: Service is not
something we strive for; it's simply a
part of who we are.
It's also what makes it unnecessary
to strap us with heavy-handed
regulation. Compliance, at its core,
is about treating people fairly, and
we do that naturally. Our spirit of
I
service gives us a huge head start
on meeting the compliance and
regulatory standards set for us. We
are fair because that's who we are. We
are equitable because that's who we
are. We do the right thing by the right
people because that's who we are. It's
why we advocate for tiered regulation.
We constantly remind regulators that
our model is different and intrinsically
lends itself to being fair by virtue of
the way we run our banks and care for
our communities.
At the risk of oversimplifying
it, service means everything to
Quote of the month
community banks. Just look at this
year's ICBA Community Bank Service
Award winners and the ways they
are going above and beyond. It's
not about just cutting a large check;
it's about investing time in helping
our communities thrive. We've got
people serving on community boards,
providing great advice, helping run
civic events and so much more.
Community banks have smart,
talented people, and we all should be
proud of the time they commit to our
communities.
The same stands true at the
national level. I encourage you to
get involved in ICBA and to help
advocate on behalf of our family of
community banks across this great
nation. Check out ICBA's Be Heard
Grassroots Action Center (icba.org/
advocacy) for the latest on issues
that need your support and how to
get involved.
" Nobody cares how
much you know
until they know how
much you care. "
What we do matters, and we need
to protect our way of doing business.
We are here to serve, and collectively,
we need to work to ensure that we
have an environment that allows us to
do just that.
Connect with Derek @DerekBWilliams
independentbanker.org // 7
Photo by Chris Williams
http://www.icba.org/advocacy http://www.icba.org/advocacy http://www.independentbanker.org
Independent Banker - September 2023

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