Independent Banker - September 2020 - 5

FLOURISH
" As the
cornerstones
of the community,
community bankers
off er a light in
the darkness of
hard times. "
Rebeca Romero Rainey
President and CEO, ICBA
September traditionally acts as " back to
school " month, where, after the slower-paced dog
days of summer, we settle back into our normal
routines. The same holds true this year, though
the image of what constitutes normal in 2020
looks incredibly diff erent than it has previously.
As we enter this new season, I hold out hope for
what is to come. Bolstered by the unfailing dedication
of community banks, our communities will
continue to weather the storm. In response to the
ongoing impact of COVID-19, community bankers
will continue to unfailingly support and lift up our
nation's communities. Our role is to ensure their
connectedness and long-term success.
That's precisely because the core of the community
bank business model revolves around serving
our communities. An ecosystem exists where, for
the community bank to be successful, the community
it serves must be as well. So, there's a
beautiful, symbiotic relationship that plays out
where the work community banks do enriches the
community, and the community's achievements
enhance the bank's impact.
That's why this month's National Community
Bank Service Awards highlight the work of all
community banks to lift up their communities
during this time. This issue features many good
deeds that exemplify the spirit of the community
banker and the true power we have to make positive
change in the communities we serve. Working
together, hand in hand with our communities,
community bankers make a diff erence.
What you
need to know
Over this month
and next, ICBA
is convening
various
leadership
groups to
prepare for
our collective
future in this new
normal. From
the virtual LEAD
FWD Summit
this month to
the Directors
Conference in
October, we are
setting the tone
at the top.
So, as we close out the third quarter of the
year and begin a more intense focus on 2021
planning, I encourage each of you to explore
where we go from here. How do we take this
commitment to service and extend it in our
communities? How can we address rebuilding
from the eff ects of COVID-19? How can we be
a positive force in diversity and inclusion; both
in having the conversation and in everyday
actions? How do we support our communities
in new ways?
These are heavy questions, but ones we
will work through together to achieve a better
outcome. Because as the cornerstones of the
community, community bankers off er a light
in the darkness of hard times. We are the community
leaders who can foster a commitment to
service in others around us. We can help chart
the future by increasing resiliency and strength
within our communities and building a stronger,
more connected world-one community at
a time.
I see community banks leading recovery
eff orts and forging a path where we grow, learn
and evolve together, becoming stronger as communities
every step of the way. I think that's a
picture of a new normal that we can look forward
to painting.
Connect with Rebeca @romerorainey
independentbanker.org Q 5
http://www.independentbanker.org
Independent Banker - September 2020

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