Independent Banker - February 2023 - 6

FLOURISH
" When we assemble at LIVE, it's
about coming together to ignite the
passion for community banking on
behalf of our communities in a way
that moves the industry forward. "
Rebeca Romero Rainey
President and CEO, ICBA
he Hawaiian word for family
is 'ohana, and as we prepare to
head to Honolulu for ICBA LIVE next
month, I'm struck by how much that
word describes this community. We
are a family of community bankers,
supporting one another and our
communities through our shared
mission, vision and values.
In many cases, we're not only a
chosen family; we're related by blood
as well. Many of us are fourth- or
fifth-generation community bankers,
embodying a long family tradition of
caring for community. We're passing
that ethos down, too. In fact, we have
more children attending LIVE this
year than we have in the past, and
I can't help but think of the rising
community bank leaders that may be
right in front of us and all they will
bring to the industry.
So, it's fitting that this year's
theme for ICBA LIVE is " Light the
Fire. Light the Way. " Not only are
we looking at the next generation of
leaders among us; we're also focusing
on what we can do today to preserve
and grow community banks' impact.
It's never been more important to
T
keep that flame of community banking
spreading throughout the country.
Our communities need our
continued support through these
complicated economic times.
They need us to remain advocates
for their needs. They need us to
continue to serve them as people,
not as transactions. So, when we
assemble at LIVE, it's about coming
together to ignite the passion for
community banking on behalf of our
communities in a way that moves the
industry forward.
As we look at the continued pace
of change, we are met with our fair
share of challenges but also great
opportunities. When we come
together, the energy that arises helps
us collectively identify the path
forward. Then, we lift our heads
up and address the technical and
nuanced aspects of what we do with
a focus on the long-term future of
the industry. We create progress
and momentum.
But possibly the most rewarding
part of LIVE is the opportunity to
meet fellow community bankers
from around the country. Those
hallway conversations where we share
anecdotes and make new connections
exemplify who we are as community
bankers. That sense of 'ohana shines
through, because in community
banking we're more than just business
leaders. We are a family, and I hope
to see you at LIVE to help us build
the relationships that will shape the
future of the industry.
Connect with Rebeca @romerorainey
Where I'll be this month
I'll be sharing the community bank perspective and speaking
at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta's Back to the Future:
2023 Banking Outlook Conference.
independentbanker.org // 5
Photo by Chris Williams
http://www.independentbanker.org
Independent Banker - February 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Independent Banker - February 2023
