Pub. 5 2016 Issue 3

The CommunityBanker 6 Chairman’s Message M E S S A G E By Mike Ewing VACB Chairman Oak View National Bank o matter how you size up the Presidential election of 2016, it’s safe to say that most of us see the race as a contest between bad and worse. And our nation could not be at a more challenging place in its history for this choice to befall us. There is gridlock in the Congress. The double whammy of that sad state of affairs is that even emergent issues like funding to combat Zika lan- guish, while tough choices on major issues that threaten our very financial foundation (Social security, Medicare, etc.), and have threatened it for years, are not even on the agenda. So how is it that VACB feels confident about “bank- ing on America”? Because we’ve faced hard times before as a nation, and rallied. Because what we see every day is that there are many more people who work hard, collaborate, and celebrate progress without fanfare, than there are people shouting on news shows and spreading inflammatory social media. We’re banking on America, and banking on Virginia, because we know who you are. Our member bankers are hardworking men and women of high purpose. Our leadership bankers share their time and talent to make our industry, our state and our nation a better place. If we keep the faith, we’ll outlast the current dilemmas. Actually, I’m banking on millen- nials – that group many of us are longing to understand – to bring the fresh perspective and the creative intellect that will solve many of our challenges. I know who I am voting for in the 2016 election. I am voting for you. I’m supporting elected officials who want to collaborate to solve problems. I’m supporting community bankers who commit their very best efforts to build their communities. I’m supporting vendors, regulators and others who are engaged in maintaining a strong community bank framework throughout the Commonwealth and our nation. I hope that you will continue to “vote” for us as well. he upcoming 2016 VACB Convention and Trade Show is being shaped around the three principle tenets of our association: Undiluted Advocacy. Targeted Education. Quality Collaboration. This year’s Convention theme, Banking on America, will be patriotic to correspond with the pivotal elections in November. Capitol Steps, a nationally renowned political satire group, will provide the banquet entertainment - they should have plenty of material by the time our Convention rolls around! The Convention will be held October 2 - 4 in the newly renovated Lansdowne Resort near Leesburg, Virginia and is one NOT to be missed. Visit vacb.org for more details and to register. Congressman Hurt and Congresswoman Com- stock are looking forward to joining us. Engagement with our representatives is vitally important to our success in repealing burdensome overregulation, and in October they are coming to us! For the second year in a row, the ICBA Chair will attend our Convention; this year’s Chair is Rebeca Romero Rainey, CEO of Centinel Bank in Taos, New Mexico. During your time at Convention be sure to speak with them and share stories from your bank and community. Advocacy for our industry is critical to our success. The lineup of Convention speakers promises to provide education we can take back to our organiza- tions and use immediately. Several presentations have been planned to specifically discuss how we can find new and better ways of collaborating with each other. I encourage you to make your reservations today and to invite other bankers to join you for the Convention. I sincerely look forward to seeing each of you in October. I want to acknowledge the great work that Steve Yeakel and the VACB staff are doing on behalf of the community banking industry in Virginia. Our Presi- dent and CEO is a humble guy; maybe a bit too humble to take credit for the great work he is doing continuing and building upon the VACB’s longstanding commit- ment to the success of community banks. Whether it is boarding the early train from Richmond to Washington to advocate on our behalf, or driving to the corners of the state to meet with member bankers and help them solve problems, Steve, the consummate gentleman, is on the job. This is important for our members to know so that you understand the value of your VACB membership. To Steve, Katharine, and Kelli… a big “thank you” from your member banks. President’s Message By Steve Yeakel, CAE VACB President & CEO We’re Banking on America…and Banking on You Banking on America is this Year’s Convention Theme N T