President’s Column

That’s a pseudo-Latin phrase that you can Google for a translation. Basically it says don’t let them grind you down. I have read several articles recently about the impending Presidential Election Cycle and the bank bashings that will come with it. We are 12 months out, and the early adopters have already started the next round of bank bashing. It makes me believe that we are in for a lot of negative publicity. The current administration will certainly point to the banking industry as the cause of all sorts of evil. And then we have Senator Warren and the Democratic Socialist Bernie Sanders, both of whom would rather change parties than miss a chance to bash a bank. Just last week Secretary Clinton caught the bug and began to play “whack-a-big-bank.” There is some consolation here though. Bank bashing goes back to the days of Teddy Roosevelt and his campaign promise to clean up Wall Street. Since that time candidates have chosen banking and a select few other targets — Big Oil or Pharmaceuticals, for example — to bash while making their campaign promise to clean up corruption and share the wealth with the common populace. If you wonder why, it is a lot like asking, “Why do people rob banks?” That’s where the money is. To avoid being seen as part of the housing problem or slow economy, they find someone else to blame. Banks are most visible since we house most everyone’s money. One of the articles I read had a Ralph Nader quote that also helps explain bank bashing. Mr. Nader said, “You bankers keep wanting to be loved. But remember, not only do you lend money, but you want to be paid back. Who could love such a person?” What a foolish notion, getting paid back. Who ever heard of such a thing? Well Mr. Nader, the answer to that question is what we will have to remember for the next 12 months. Who could love us? Our 2+ million employees who are committed to our banks and our communities, our shareholders and directors who keep us focused on being the economic engines in our Main Street locations. Non Illigitamus Carborundum!!

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PRESIDENT & CEO BILL HOLMES

…Then there are the local schools that are proud to have our names on their scoreboards, yearbooks and programs. …There is the small business that just opened on the town square. …Or the family traveling who was able to get cash from an ATM two thousand miles from home. …Or there’s the student at college who just had his Dad reload his debit card to pay for his room and board and books. So, instead of letting them wear us down, let’s promote what we do best to the folks that matter; the voters, our customers. Brag about our financial strength. Promote the fact that there is no place more safe and secure to keep your money than your local bank. Our banks make people’s lives more convenient, with innovations like ATMs, debit cards, and online banking. Hometown bankers are there to help in all of our customer’s milestone events. Remind our customers that we are here to serve them, to help guide them to their dreams. Sing your own praises in your communities. These are the people who love us. Remind them we are the ones who provide the capital for job growth in their communities and that banks have a stake in the economic growth, health, and vitality of their communities. So, from my high school Latin: Noli nothis permittere te terere.

Wishing you the happiness of good friends, the joy of a happy family, and the wonder of the holiday season. Have a magical Thanksgiving!

ROBERT Y. TAYLOR | CHAIRMAN Parkway Bank, Rogers DAVE DICKSON | VICE CHAIRMAN Union Bank & Trust Co., Monticello CHUCK MORGAN | PAST CHAIRMAN Relyance Bank, Pine Bluff SEAN WILLIAMS | CHAIRMAN-ELECT First National Bank of Wynne, Wynne JUDY LAWTON | TREASURER Heartland Bank, Little Rock BILL HOLMES | PRESIDENT/CEO Arkansas Bankers Association, Little Rock ABA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

PHIL BALDWIN | GROUP 2 Citizens Bank, Batesville GREG CONNELL | GROUP 2 The Farmers & Merchants Bank, Perryville TROY DUKE | GROUP 5 Gateway Bank, Rison ELIZABETH FARRIS | GROUP 4 Regions Bank, Hot Springs GARY GOLDEN | GROUP 4 First State Bank of DeQueen, DeQueen SCOTT HANCOCK | GROUP 3 Centennial Bank, Fayetteville DREW HARPER | GROUP 2 Bank of the Ozarks, Little Rock JON HARRELL | GROUP 3 First Bank, Rogers DARWIN HENDRIX | GROUP 4 Bank of Delight, Delight CHARLES HORTON | GROUP 1 Fidelity Bank, West Memphis J. MICHAEL JONES | GROUP 5 Merchants & Farmers Bank, Dumas CRAIG MOBLEY | GROUP 4 First Financial Bank of El Dorado, El Dorado WILSON MOORE | GROUP 2 Bank of America, Little Rock JERRY MORGAN | GROUP 1 Focus Bank, Jonesboro CATHERINE OWEN | GROUP 2 Eagle Bank, Little Rock RANDY SCOTT | GROUP 1 Farmers Bank & Trust Co., Blytheville MIKE SMITH | GROUP 5 McGehee Bank, McGehee JIM TAYLOR | GROUP 3 First Security Bancorp, Fayetteville STANHOPE WILKINSON | GROUP 3 Farmers Bank & Trust, Greenwood ABA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BILL HOLMES PRESIDENT/CEO 501.978.3602 | bill.holmes@arkbankers.org ABA STAFF

AARON GAMEWELL EVP/COO 501.978.3613 | aaron.gamewell@arkbankers.org

CARLA BRINKLEY VP/CONTROLLER 501.978.3608 | carla.brinkley@arkbankers.org

KAMI TAYLOR COLEMAN VP/PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 501.978.3614 | kami.coleman@arkbankers.org

AVA FRANKS VP/DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS 501.978.3606 | ava.franks@arkbankers.org

TRACI LOGSDON DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS 501.978.3603 | traci.logsdon@arkbankers.org

JESSICA SAHENE MARKETING COORDINATOR 501.978.3609 | jessica.sahene@arkbankers.org

STUART THALHEIMER EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT 501.978.3605 | stuart.thalheimer@arkbankers.org