PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Dexter Schrodt Beyond how I’ve been welcomed into the NICB, I have also been able to experience and see the importance of community to our members as I’ve visited with them in their banks. I’ve now been on board as President and CEO for a few months and have enjoyed diving into all the moving pieces of the NICB, including getting to know some of our board members better. No doubt, there is still a lot to learn and appreciate about running this long-standing organization. My main takeaway thus far, however, is that the “community” in NICB is more than just a part of the organization’s name. To start, “community” at the NICB became apparent to me during the interviews for this position. At one point in the process, I met with a good portion of the board, and it was here that I began to realize how close-knit they were. Sitting around the table were leaders that someone on the outside could have easily viewed as competitors, yet it was apparent these board members had relationships that spanned years and went beyond their lines of work. After starting in this role, it did not take long for me to feel welcomed and part of this community. Everyone I’ve met thus far, whether it be a board member, bank member, or one of our vendor partners, has been warm, welcoming and helpful from the get-go. It is clear to me that what matters most to all involved is the success of NICB and preserving what that connection means to our community bank members. Beyond how I’ve been welcomed into the NICB, I have also been able to experience and see the importance of community to our members as I’ve visited with them in their banks. From Lyons to Loomis, one common theme I’ve seen has been the support for the local high school, with the mascot logo either painted on a window or on the sidewalk in front of the bank. As someone who grew up in a small town, seeing the mascot logos reminded me of what it is like to be part of a community where everyone is cheering on your success. It is a special feeling that is easy to lose appreciation for when you live in a bigger city like Lincoln or Omaha. When speaking with the bank leaders in these communities, it is clear they cheer on success, not only for the high school sports teams but also for their customers. I was told several times it is okay lending or extended credit for their ag customers was down this year, even if it results in less revenue for the bank because that meant those ag producers had a decent year last year and will continue to have a good year this growing season. To me, this is the greatest example of community I have seen, and the perfect primer to the values of our NICB members. My goal is to not only ensure the NICB continues to foster all these different types of “community,” but also to spread the message to policymakers and other stakeholders about what community means to our members. Community Aspect of NICB Shines Through President and CEO, NICB NEBRASKA INDEPENDENT BANKER 4
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