28 HќќѠіђџȱ юћјђџ юћѢюџѦȱ2014 FEATURE Over the past several years, I’ve had the opportunity to travel throughout the United States to represent the Independent Community Bankers of America and to speak at various state conventions. I so appreciate these times, because this is when I have an opportunity to talk to community bankers one-onone. Last November I had the opportunity to represent ICBA at another event and to be with community bankers. This time, ǰȱ ȱȱěǯȱ ȱǰȱ I had the opportunity and privilege to represent ICBA in Tokyo at the 24th Special Seminar on International Banking and Finance. This seminar, hosted by NIKKIN (The Japanese Financial News Co. Ltd.), focused on the theme, “The New Era of ‘Global’ ȯ ȱ ȱ from Financial Institutions.” It provided an ideal platform for me ȱȱȱȃ ȱ ȱ ȱȱ ¢ȱ ȱȱȱ ęȱ Financial World” and how ICBA’s Go Local initiative has created value for the communities we serve and, collectively, our entire economic system. The event commenced with a reception and keynote speech by ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ Chairman Martin Gruenberg. The following day I shared the podium with speakers from various countries, including the United States. This Our Global Message яќѢѡȱѡѕђȱ Ѣѡѕќџ William A. Loving is chairman of the Independent Community Bankers of America, and president and ȱ¡ȱĜȱȱ ȱ ¢ȱ Bank in Franklin, W.Va. An ICBA Securities director, Loving is a past president of the Community Bankers of West Virginia and a member of the executive ĴȬ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱ Pendleton County Economic and Community ȱ ¢ǯȱ ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱ Pendleton County Chamber of Commerce, Pendleton County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University and the West ȱ ȱȱ ǯȱ ȱęȱȱȱǰȱ ȱ Ĵȱ ȱȱ ¢ȱǰȱȱ ȱ ȱȱ ȱȱ LSU and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking. provided an opportunity to talk to bankers from Japan, Germany, Thailand and other parts of the world, as well as with industry ȱ ȱȱęȱ institutions globally. The bankers, in their own way, were community bankers and focused on the communities they serve. However they were not community bankers as we know in the United States, because of the ěȱȱȱȱ¢ǯȱ Our business model is unique and works as the economic engine for many rural and metropolitan communities across America. That is why I am more convinced than ever that we must continue to ęȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱǯȱ We have made great strides in this ęǰȱȱ ȂȱĚȱȱȱ country and globally is growing. However we have much more to do. We all must be engaged. I know that many have heard or read this plea before. I also know that many make New Year’s resolutions, either in jest or with full intention of following through. As we have recently turned the page on a new year, I ask that this year brings a renewed pledge and ȱȱȱȱȱęȱȱ this unique banking model we all love, called community banking. I look forward to seeing each of you at the ICBA Community Banking Live 2014 annual convention in Hawaii. WILLIAM A. LOVING Independent Community Bankers of America and Pendleton Community Bank, Franklin, W.Va.
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