PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE DAVID HOCKMUTH President New Mexico Bankers Association It is with gratitude and respect that I write my final communiqué as President of the New Mexico Bankers Association. It has been an honor and privilege to serve this remarkable organization which has greatly improved our industry and strengthened our communities throughout New Mexico for over a century. Time seems to move faster as the years roll by; the end of my appointment is rapidly approaching. I have met many exceptional people in our great state. I want to commend those people who inspire others through their work to promote the well-being of our communities, notably John Anderson, Mark Anderson, Debbie Shaefer, the past and current board members of the NMBA, and the public servants and elected officials of our great state. As I reflect on the past several years, I am reminded of how hard bankers have worked to help New Mexico recover from COVID-19. There were close to 700,000 cases and 10,000 deaths in New Mexico alone as a result of the pandemic. Bankers served throughout that time, and we have worked relentlessly to help our state recover from the devastating impacts of COVID-19. We lost bankers along the way and there is no banker who did not suffer the loss of a loved one, friend, acquaintance or customer. Over 41,00 businesses received $3.4B through the Paycheck Protection Program facilitated by New Mexico bankers. Countless individuals were provided support and advice as our economy recovered. This work continues as we help small businesses grow stronger through the provision of products, services and financial education. Credit for these significant efforts is reflected in the loyalty of our customers. The NMBA engaged in a successful 2023 Legislative Session. Among numerous legislative issues that we addressed was the proposed establishment of a state bank, an idea of primary concern to the NMBA. John Anderson supervised a coordinated effort by bankers who wrote editorials, ran advertisements and appeared before interim legislative committees to testify that a state bank is a bad idea for our state. In the fall of 2022, we hosted legislative/banking meetings across the state to discuss the NMBA Legislative Agenda and received resounding support. As a result of our efforts, no bills creating a state bank were introduced in the 2023 Legislative Session. We continue to grow the bank Internship Program with the University of New Mexico and are now expanding those opportunities to New Mexico State University. Special thanks to Elizabeth Earls who has been a champion of the program from inception and is directly responsible for much of its success. Elizabeth has also graciously assumed the interim role of SecretaryTreasurer of the NMBA with the departure of Mike Lowrimore to Colorado. I invite you, your senior staff and directors to attend our 111th Annual Convention on September 14-16, 2023, at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort. We are going big this year in one of the most majestic areas of New Mexico, nestled in the ancient lands of the Tamayame people between the Sandia Mountains and the Rio Grande River on the Santa Ana Pueblo. There is much to do with the family: horseback riding, golfing, swimming (four incredible pools), hiking, biking and a spa set amongst breathtaking views. Incredible food and culture make this an ideal location for our convention. We have planned an PASSING THE TORCH 6
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