Pub. 9 2020 Issue 4

The CommunityBanker 6 Chairman’s Message M E S S A G E By J. Michael Thomas VACB Chairman Select Bank, Forest Gratitude A s we enter the season of being thankful for the many blessings in our lives, it can be difficult not to let the cur - rent environment shift our focus from being grateful to being filled with uncertainty or anxiety. While 2020 has brought its share of political, economic and social uncer- tainty, I also see many reasons to be grateful. Gratitude for this great nation and its 240+ year history of resilience in the face of uncertainty and trying circumstances. Gratitude for an even deeper appreciation for family and friends. Gratitude that when things “get back to normal,” that we will all appreciate the time spent with each other much more so than before. As a community banker, when I reflect on the many unprecedented challenges 2020 has presented us, I think of the opportunity given to our industry to demonstrate what community bankers stand for. Dedication, caring, hard work, creativity, and a readiness to serve the customers and commu- nities that deeply depended upon us during this crisis. As a re- sult of our collective response to this crisis, I truly believe that we have further highlighted the “bright line” that distinguish- es community banks from other financial services providers. We need to challenge ourselves to continue the forward-think- ing of an Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome mentality. One of our great opportunities moving forward hinges on embracing technology while maintaining and growing the personal relationships our customers depend upon. Our partnerships with our customers and communities are of great- est value and are further strengthened through new solutions. Who better than community bankers to maintain a balance of serving customers in new ways while not losing the ability to build and grow connections? I am thankful and extremely proud of the countless hours and unified effort Virginia bankers have given throughout 2020 and for the selfless, professional, diligent bankers who continue to serve our industry day in and out. Our industry has seen many difficult times, and this pandemic environment will not be the last. Despite our challenges, we find that there is always much to be thankful for, especially when we focus on helping those who need us most. During this season of being grateful, fellow banking leaders, please remind your entire team how much they are appreciated and how thankful our communities are for their continued commitment and unwavering dedication. Please join me in giving a special thanks to Steve Yeakel and his staff for serving our industry tirelessly and with great passion. It truly is a great day to be a Community Banker! J. Michael Thomas Select Bank Dear Fellow Community Bankers,