Independent Banker - April 2022 - 7

FROM THE TOP
" My bank's tagline is 'Where
dreams meet solutions,' and it
serves as my guiding inspiration at
the bank and, now, at the national
level. As community bankers, our
customers depend on us to keep
their dreams alive. "
Brad M. Bolton
Chairman, ICBA
Brad M. Bolton is president and
CEO of Community Spirit Bank in
Red Bay, Ala.
n today's tumultuous environment,
optimism is a skill worth
cultivating. Thankfully, that glasshalf-full
attitude comes naturally for
community bankers. So, as I take the
helm as ICBA's chairman, I do so with
a healthy dose of positivity.
My bank's tagline is " Where
dreams meet solutions, " and it
serves as my guiding inspiration at
the bank and, now, at the national
level. As community bankers, our
customers depend on us to keep their
dreams alive.
I
communities we serve. As community
bank leaders, the burden rests
on our shoulders to make good
decisions, so our banks can support
the next generation of customers
and employees.
Thankfully, we have ICBA as
a partner in this work. I became
involved in the association precisely
because I wanted to do my part to
ensure every community in the U.S.
has a community bank on which it can
rely. I see three ways in which we can
accomplish that goal:
1. Advocacy. We need to continue
our regulatory wins. What's
more, we need to ensure agency
heads and policymakers know
and understand the difference
Think about the thousands of small
businesses across the nation facing
permanent closure at the beginning
of the pandemic; we kept them afloat
by working countless hours to secure
Paycheck Protection Program loans.
Or consider our work to stop the IRS
reporting proposal; we went the extra
mile to oppose that governmental dip
into consumer and business privacy.
We take these actions because
we are community continuators.
We're more than just banks. Our
success leads to the success of the
My top three
Take these three steps
to deepen your ICBA
connection and strengthen your
bank's efforts:
1. Read and tweet about
NewsWatch Today.
2. Schedule a virtual visit to the
ThinkTECH Accelerator.
3. Send your leaders to the
LEAD FWD Summit (stay tuned
for dates).
between our business model and
that of " too big to fail " banks,
nonbank lenders and credit
unions. They need to see the
community bank difference.
2. Innovation. Technology is the
great equalizer. Today, we can
offer the same services as the
largest institutions in world,
but we bring a high-touch
relationship along with it.
3.
Education. Community bankers
have a never-ending quest for
knowledge on behalf of our
customers, but we also need to
invest in the next generation. We
must develop a strong lineup for
the future of our businesses, so
our banks remain viable, thriving
parts of our communities.
These are big asks, but ones we
can accomplish together. You have
my commitment to be accessible,
responsive and accountable. In
return, I ask that you continue to
keep advancing your banks and
communities. With our inherent
drive and positivity as a guide, our
efforts will ensure every community in
America has a community bank in its
corner now and in the future. 
Connect with Brad @BradMBolton
independentbanker.org Q 7
Photo by Chris Williams
http://www.independentbanker.org
Independent Banker - April 2022

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