Pub. 9 2020 Issue 2

The CommunityBanker 6 Chairman’s Message M E S S A G E By Lloyd Harrison VACB Chairman Virginia Partners Bank Thank You “Community banks and bankers are a special part of the fabric of Virginia.” W e’ve said this for years. But now, mere words become mighty deeds. Without question, community banks across the Commonwealth and the nation have punched well above our weight in responding to the COVID crisis. We delivered when it mattered the most. Many of us received emails and phone calls from business owners who were worried about the survival of their businesses. We listened, we responded. Then we got the emails, letters, and phone calls from these very same people, grateful almost beyond words, thanking us for a payment deferral or a PPP loan. I also want to acknowledge the stress, and yes fear, that I heard in the voices and saw on the faces of our employees, of health care workers and first responders, of other workers in essential busi - nesses. This is a marvelously human reaction, for here you are, risk- ing your health and the health of your loved ones, to provide care, comfort, and support to your fellow man. If ever there is something to marvel at, it is this.