Pub. 18 2021 Issue 2

8 JOHN W. ANDERSON EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT NEW MEXICO BANKERS ASSOCIATION When you combine all funding sources, stimulus legislation infused $19.1 billion worth of funds and services into New Mexico. EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT: NMBANKERS.COM THANKS TO JASON WYATT AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS THANK YOU A s part of my President’s Message, I want to mention how much I appreciate our current NMBA President, Jason Wyatt. Although elected for a one-year term, Jason “gladly” agreed to serve for 2-plus years as President due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He has certainly served beyond the call of duty. I have very much come to appreciate Jason’s work ethic, sense of fairness and commitment to banking and – most importantly – his employees. Jason and I worked diligently with bankers, the SBA, Treasury and bank customers to assist in making the Paycheck Protection Program the most successful small business rescue program in the nation’s history. The program would have been a complete failure without the unbelievable effort of our banks and their employees. When the PPP came to a close in early 2021, banks were responsible for 80% of the 9.6 million PPP loans made and 93% of the $785 billion in PPP funding. I think Jason would agree that we did a fantastic job assisting New Mexico small businesses with the Association’s PPP efforts. During Jason’s term, he lost the greatest influence in his life and career, his grandfather, Don Kidd. Don was President, CEO and Chairman of Western Commerce Bank for 41 years. Jason noted in his first President’s Message in 2020 that his “grandfather has had the greatest influence on my career. He has been teaching me about banking, finance, human nature, work ethic, and the importance of education and reading my entire life.” After working with Jason for the past two years, I can only say that Mr. Kidd did one heck of a job in educating his grandson.