Independent Banker - March 2019 - 7

FROM THE TOP
" Meeting with so many
great community bankers
over this whirlwind year is
something I'll never forget. "
Tim Zimmerman
Chairman, ICBA
Tim Zimmerman is CEO of
Standard Bank, Monroeville, Pa.
When I began my term as ICBA chairman
a year ago, I said I was anxious, humbled and
excited. As community bankers gather for
another ICBA LIVE convention-this time in
Nashville, Tenn.-those words still apply, though
for different reasons.
I'm still excited. A year ago, I was eager to
complete the final stretch of the debate over the
S.2155 regulatory relief law, which was a momentous
accomplishment in our years-long efforts
to achieve meaningful regulatory relief. But we
community bankers don't let grass grow under
our feet, and there are still many initiatives to be
excited about as we seek out new opportunities.
These range from fresh possibilities to continue
our advocacy gains under the 116th Congress
and Trump administration to the ICBA ThinkTECH
Accelerator and Network, which open new
doors to collaboration between community banks
and the most promising fintech providers.
I most certainly remain humbled by the opportunity
to serve you. Traveling across the country
over the past year and meeting with community
bankers from coast to coast has truly been
an honor. It provided insights into our beloved
industry that I would not have gained otherwise,
even after 30 years in this business. Meeting
with so many great community bankers over this
whirlwind year is something I'll never forget.
Last year, I was anxious because of the tremendous
responsibility of properly and effectively
representing you. But as this awe-inspiring year
as chairman comes to an end, I must say that
feeling of anxiety has ebbed, at least a bit. After
the positive interactions I've had with community
bankers and the successful year we've had in
Washington, I can look back and appreciate what
our industry has collectively accomplished since
we met in Las Vegas one year ago.
Did you
know?
Community
bankers
participated
in 25 total
grassroots
advocacy
campaigns last
year, according
to the 2018 ICBA
Advocacy Annual
Report.
While I remain fully committed to tackling the
challenges and opportunities we continue to face, I
must say that what I feel now, more than anything,
is gratitude. I am grateful for this opportunity to
serve and get to know my fellow community bankers
better than I ever have before. I am grateful
that I've been able to champion our shared values
and principles this year in Washington, Tokyo and
at the Financial Accounting Standards Board's
headquarters in Norwalk, Conn. But most of all,
I am grateful for you-my friends and colleagues.
Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I look
forward to continuing to give back to this industry
as we work together to create and promote an
environment where community banks flourish!
Connect with Tim @TimZimPgh
independentbanker.org Q 7
http://www.independentbanker.org
Independent Banker - March 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Independent Banker - March 2019
