Independent Banker - March 2021 - 46

community banks to step up their game when it comes
to leveraging their data. " Artificial intelligence is going
to come more and more into our industry, and we've
got to figure out how to utilize it, " he says. " We have a
tremendous amount of data. We need to figure out how to
utilize that data ourselves and anticipate customer needs
and products that they need. "
Other priorities
Beyond banking innovation, Fisher points to a level playing
field as a key topic on his agenda as chairman.
" We're fighting for a tiered regulatory framework for
community banks, " he says. " We will continue to press
upon our legislators and regulators that we're relationship
focused, not transaction focused. "
Fisher's priorities extend to the credit union imbalance
as well. The tax savings that credit unions receive allows
them to offer lower interest rates to borrowers, which
creates an unfair advantage over community banks. In
addition, this tax shelter means credit unions don't support
their communities with tax revenue the way community
banks do.
" I'm hopeful that we can get some leverage and start to
help people understand the difference between a credit
union and a community bank, " Fisher says.
He's also keeping a cautionary eye on the payments
system. With so much activity of late-from talk of a
central bank digital currency to technology giants dipping
their toes into the payments pond-he feels community
banks need to keep making their voices heard.
" One of the concerns I have is protecting the payments
system the way it is set up now, " he says. " Nonbanks
are looking to access the payments system, and trying
to get an OCC charter, which would potentially give
them access. "
Above all, Fisher hopes that community banks can get
back to some sense of normalcy during the course of his
chairmanship. While that may look different than it has
in the past, community banks are up for the challenge by
keeping their focus on their communities. That spotlight
on the customer will be what differentiates community
bankers from others in financial services, he believes. If
they rely on that as their guide, Fisher feels community
banks will stay on course, doing what's right for their
banks and communities.
" I still see our industry thriving 10 years from now, "
he says. " I see a lot of our customers and communities
becoming more focused on the importance of local. We're
trying to connect the dots, and say, 'Bank local, too. It's
just as important to our community to keep money spent
and money deposited in the community.' I'm confident our
model of relationship banking will continue to thrive. "
Colleen Morrison is a writer in Maryland.
In the driver's seat
As a navigator for the U.S. Air Force, Bob Fisher
has always had a propensity for speed, which also
applies to his on-the-ground hobbies. " I love cars.
I am a huge car guy. I like to go fast, " he says.
Fisher shared that one of his most memorable
trips was with his son, Josh, following his 2015
college graduation. The two embarked upon a
car-centric experience in Germany, touring the
Porsche museum and factory in Stuttgart and
cruising the autobahn.
" I think I did 156 miles an hour with my son in
the car, " he says. " He was kind of white-knuckled,
but it was fantastic. We had a great time. "
Fisher's love of German ingenuity means he has
a few cars in his personal collection that support
his need for speed, including a 1995 Porsche 911
993 C2, a much-beloved sports car. Coupled with
the fact that the Watkins Glen International (WGI)
Fisher takes his sports cars, including a 2008 Porsche Cayman
S Sport, for a spin at the Watkins Glen International racetrack.
racetrack is just 45 minutes away, Fisher has a way
to fuel his fast-paced passion.
" I've done a few high-performance driving
events at WGI, " he says. " I'm a wannabe race
car driver. "
46 Q ICBA Independent Banker Q March 2021
Independent Banker - March 2021

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