Independent Banker - December 2022 - 5

FLOURISH
" How we hire, retain, recruit and
advance our missions amid momentous
change will remain a key topic for
community bank leaders and will
influence our plans for the future. "
Rebeca Romero Rainey
President and CEO, ICBA
ecember creates a natural
opportunity for reflection, and
as I look back on our efforts over
the past year, I'm struck by one
core truth: It's the people who make
the bank.
D
This month's issue focuses on
the best banks to work for, because
community banking is about so much
more than transactions. It is made up
of the spirit of community, deep and
personal relationships, and customer
trust. Our people-committed,
connected, caring-continue to
differentiate us as community
banks and keep our organization
relationship-first and mission-centric.
As we grow and respond to today's
environment, one of our greatest
challenges and opportunities is
cultivating the next generation of
leaders. As hiring organizations,
we are looking for skill sets that
extend beyond technical knowledge
to a values-based ideology that
prioritizes personal relationships,
customer service and community.
We are relationship businesses
that are looking for professional
relationship builders.
Thankfully, in this digital
landscape, we have more opportunity
independentbanker.org Q 5
than ever to cultivate the exact talent
we need. While many positions
remain vital on an in-person level,
some roles allow for off-site work
options, meaning that you now have a
larger applicant pool at your disposal.
You can remotely engage a tenured
community banking professional
to complement your team on the
ground. You can expand your search
for positions that are hard to source
in your market, or look for expertise
in particular technical skill sets. You
can broaden your ability to hire the
best and brightest staff both in market
and out.
This month's issue touches on
these trends, how community banks
continue to excel as employers and
what you can do to ensure you achieve
and retain that position. I hope that as
you read these stories, you're struck-
as I was-by the importance of the
people who make community banks
what they are, and the cascading
impact they have on one another,
customers and communities.
How we hire, retain, recruit
and advance our missions amid
momentous change will remain a key
topic for community bank leaders
and will influence our plans for the
future. But as the year closes, now is
the time to take a collective breath,
celebrate our successes and recharge,
so that come Jan. 2, we're renewed,
ready to write our next chapters
and fully prepared to embrace
new possibilities.
In that spirit, on behalf of the
entire team at ICBA, I wish you
a very happy holiday season and
new year!
Connect with Rebeca @romerorainey
Where I'll be this month
I'll be meeting with the team at TCM Bank in Tampa, making
a visit to our Sauk Centre, Minn., office, and just like you,
finishing budgeting, taking a deep breath and then jumping
right into 2023.
Photo by Chris Williams
http://www.independentbanker.org
Independent Banker - December 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Independent Banker - December 2022
