Independent Banker - January 2023 - 35

ICBA also uses these meetings
to set the stage for discussions
about regulatory relief for
community banks by showing that
the fi nancial services industry
can't be painted with a broad
brush. Our congressional relations
staff highlights the diff erences
between locally focused, taxpaying
community banks and the
megabanks, credit unions and
government-sponsored entities.
This gives ICBA the opportunity
to open discussions about key
legislative priorities, including
pushing back against Small
Business Administration (SBA)
direct lending, credit card routing
mandates, and climate risk
management and regulation aimed
at community banks. We explain
why tax-advantaged credit unions
and the Farm Credit System has
unfair advantages that stymie
community bank competition.
In addition, ICBA fl exes the
depth and breadth of its advocacy
reach, highlighting our active
partnership with 44 vibrant
affi liated state groups.
Adhering to the spirit of
community banking, ICBA also
off ers itself as a resource to
members of Congress and their staff
when they have questions about
banking. No matter how intelligent
a member or their staff is, no one
comes to Washington knowing
about every issue they will be called
to vote upon. Offi ces are responsible
for tracking hundreds of issues
and have limited resources and inhouse
expertise.
ICBA's congressional relations
staff makes themselves available to
provide credible, factual information
about banking industry issues-
whether it's discussing the pros and
cons of a specifi c bill, helping them
address constituent questions or
Many community bankers have already
cultivated relationships with their elected
members at the local level, making it
easier for ICBA to connect and engage in
legislative advocacy.
connecting them with a community
banker in their district or state. The
goal is to build a partnership with
open dialogue.
Grassroots plus ICBA outreach
yields success
While reaching out to more than 80
new members is a big job, the good
news is that not every relationship
will need to be built from scratch.
Many community bankers have
already cultivated relationships
with their elected members at the
local level, making it easier for
ICBA to connect and engage in
legislative advocacy.
To help identify members of
Congress with existing relationships
with community bankers, ICBA is
conducting its State of Advocacy
survey. It allows community bankers
to identify and log their personal
and professional relationships
with lawmakers and regulators-in
addition to measuring the awareness,
importance and eff ectiveness of
ICBA's grassroots advocacy eff orts.
Running through mid-February,
the survey helps ICBA fi ne-tune
its advocacy strategy, identifying
the best opportunities for making
inroads as well as the members
who have the least exposure to
community banking.
ICBA also pays close attention
to committee assignments, making
a special eff ort to reach out to
members assigned to committees of
particular importance to community
banks, including tax writing,
fi nancial services, small business
and agriculture.
Whether in-person or virtual
video meetings, ICBA's lobbyists are
ready to start making congressional
connections that will lead to
legislative success through this
session of Congress and beyond.
Building working relationships
with members of Congress and the
infl uential staff members that inform
their decision-making helps make
that a reality.
It also requires help from
community bankers. Be on the
lookout for the State of Advocacy
Survey this month. Let ICBA know
about relationships you've nurtured
with members of Congress and
their staff .
And make a point of reaching out
and congratulating the new members
yourself. Advocacy begins with you!
Aaron Stetter (aaron.stetter@
icba.org) is ICBA's executive
vice president of advocacy and
strategic engagement.
independentbanker.org // 35
http://www.independentbanker.org
Independent Banker - January 2023

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