When 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 the 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 It’s up to us [community bankers] to amplify our voices far and wide and make sure the leaders of this nation pay attention. BY REBECA ROMERO RAINEY, PRESIDENT AND CEO, ICBA CONNECTED AS INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY BANKS Flourish 4 In Touch
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