Independent Banker - February 2023 - 8

FROM THE TOP
" [ICBA LIVE is] an opportunity
to continue training up the next
generation, so I would encourage
community bank leaders to join us
and bring your rising community
continuators with you. "
Brad M. Bolton
Chairman, ICBA
Brad M. Bolton is president and
CEO of Community Spirit Bank in
Red Bay, Ala.
he passion I have for community
banking was born at ICBA
LIVE 2011, which was my first ICBA
convention as an adult. I thought I
already loved community banking,
but I didn't realize how much until
then. Thousands of community
bankers convening in one room;
motivating videos playing; leaders of
the association delivering speeches
of who we are and why it matters;
keynote speakers inspiring with
stories of beating the odds and
thriving. It gets your blood pumping,
and once you go to one, you'll never
be the same.
Because when community bankers
assemble, remarkable things happen.
We realize that we're all facing the
same challenges and opportunities
and recognize that we're all part of
something bigger. We share firsthand
experiences, advice and support to
help each other succeed.
For example, when my bank was
looking to replace our core, we spoke
with potential partners in the expo
T
hall, but we also talked to bankers
who had used those solutions. In fact,
a casual conversation between our
bank's CFO and another banker led
to us leaving LIVE with the name of a
consultant we ended up using to assist
us with the core search. We've also
found social media monitoring and
rewards checking products through
recommendations from our peers
at LIVE.
There also is no better educational
event for community banks. It's an
opportunity to continue training
up the next generation, so I would
encourage community bank leaders
to join us and bring your rising
My top three
Ways to make the
most of ICBA LIVE
1. Attend all social and
education events to meet
your peers and learn.
2. Download the app and plan
your schedule in advance.
3. Purchase your auction ticket
and support ICBPAC.
community continuators with you.
From a business perspective, the
experiences you have at LIVE ensure
your bank grows and evolves. The
ideas we pick up from the program,
lessons-learned conversations and
new knowledge of today's landscape all
stem from LIVE's educational sessions
and networking events. There simply is
nothing better than being together in
person, and the convention is carefully
crafted to set us up for success.
But above all, ICBA LIVE is like
a homecoming. I think back on my
own journey, walking into that first
convention knowing no one except
people from my home state, and now
I have banker friends throughout the
country. It's like a big family reunion
that grows each year. It helps me
remember that we are all connected,
standing for a mission bigger than
ourselves, serving as protectors of
Main Street. It makes me proud to be a
community banker.
So, when you attend LIVE in Hawaii
this year, make sure you look me up.
I'll be the guy exuding enthusiasm
for this community, and I would love
to meet you. I look forward to seeing
you there!
Connect with Brad @BradMBolton
independentbanker.org // 7
Photo by Chris Williams
http://www.independentbanker.org
Independent Banker - February 2023

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