Do you remember writing term papers in college? Anybody who did a four-year tour of duty in an institution of higher learning is bound to recall being driven more by desperation than knowledge as you pulled an all-nighter to finish that paper due the next day. Knowing I needed to write this update for our publication after returning from the recent ICBA convention in our 50th state, I even surprised myself by letting inspiration guide the thoughts I couldn’t wait to share with you.
Hawaii is every bit as beautiful as I’ve always heard and our ICBA outdid themselves in putting together a truly memorable event. It was most welcomed after spending an eternity in TSA lines before getting on an airplane with 350 of our closest friends and sitting one row behind first class for what felt like three days. Never mind that I really am that cheap. That is a mistake my wife will never allow me to make again.
The Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort on Waikiki Beach was fabulous. Everyone there treated us as though ours was the only visit that mattered. We were in Hawaii for a meeting, yet the island experience was the icing on a cake we’d waited most of a lifetime to taste. There is so much to learn. From Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial to the fact you can order a Spam Breakfast Platter at the local McDonald’s, Hawaii overflows with sights and sounds we thought we would never have the opportunity to experience. Everywhere we went, Hawaiians ended with the local word for thank you: Mahalo.
The ICBA Convention lived up to its billing as a shining example of leadership in community banking. Early in the week, we heard from our now-Past Chairman, Brad Bolton, from Alabama. He gave a passionate speech about his year as Chairman as he inspired us all to go back home and advocate for community banking. Not to be outdone was incoming Chairman Derek Williams of Century Bank & Trust, Milledgeville, Georgia. His state was especially hit hard during the Great Recession with Georgia having lost 90+ banks to failure. Despite that, Williams’ faith in community banking never wavered. One only needs to look at the leadership of ICBA President/CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey to understand the origination of their inspiration.
Rebeca is the epitome of leadership as witnessed by her response to breaking news during the convention. Two large bank failures — California’s Silicon Valley Bank and New York’s Signature Bank — threatened the banking industry’s stability in the public eye. Unfazed, Rebeca immediately went before the press and bank examiners, defending the fact that community banks should not be characterized by these two bank failures. During a situation that could easily have put a damper on the convention and derailed all efforts to reinforce the standing of community banks in the United States, she deftly juggled both the annual convention and this big news story. It was impressive to watch her work. You should feel proud to be a member of the ICBA. They fight hard for us every day.
You can be proud that the community bank culture is authentic from its core to the very top of our association. With over 900 attendees at the convention, you could still feel the warmth and community banker mindset of those I got to meet. Despite their busy convention schedules and the people needing their attention, Rebeca, Brad and Derek made time to speak with me.
Derek Williams’ acceptance speech was particularly inspirational. I remember one comment he made during his acceptance speech, and it went something like this: “We understand our customers and communities in ways few do, so when rules and regulations harm those we serve — we must speak up and make our individual community banker voices heard.” He encouraged us, as community bankers, to stand with our customers to stimulate local economies and support our communities with compassion, courage and commitment. In short, he challenged us: “The future of our industry is in our hands.”
It was a great convention. I’ll cherish the trip and the fun we had, from the Hawaiian music to the picturesque beaches, oceanfront restaurants and shops, and even Brad and Derek doing the Hula. The ICBA is a great organization, serving as a champion for our industry. I encourage each of you to put a future ICBA Convention on your Before-I-Retire Bucket List.
Closer to home, the VACB annual convention will be in Roanoke the weekend of October 1-3. Your board continues to work diligently on the Strategic Plan developed last August. Watch for updates in the weeks and months ahead.
I’m inspired by the knowledge that our nation’s community banks play a critical role in our communities each and every day. As state banking leaders, your support and advocacy for community banking is invaluable and I am grateful for all you do to support our industry. Believe me, without us, life would look very different in the communities we serve.
Mahalo,
Jay Stafford
