PRESIDENT’S COLUMN You Are Making an Impact As you can tell from this issue, we just returned from our Annual Washington Visit. Both the Senate and the House had been on recess the month of August, and had spent considerable time in their home districts. Every one of our delegation commented that they had at least one — and most several — meetings with their bankers in the district. Each was quick to relate a story that they had heard explaining the effects of overregulation on one of their constituents, as told to them by their banker. Because you have supported your community all of these years, you have laid the foundation to serve as a trusted source of information and expertise. We heard from both sides of Congress that you are changing their views on over-regulation.
Scenario 1: Earlier this year a Congressman asked a regulator what the effect of a specific new reg was on community banks. After the regulator responded, the Congressman rebutted the regulator’s answer. The Congressman knew because, not only had he been a community banker, but he had heard over and over from community bankers what the effects were. Scenario 2: Arkansas bankers prepared for a meeting with our delegation: preparation that included numbers and percentages, facts and figures, dollar signs — the things that are usually the focus. And then, instead, the delegation talked about the effects continued over-regulation was having on their home district’s small businesses and on their voters. Even better, they had already drafted some common sense solutions, and were working with others to build a consensus.
What a pleasant change! This was because our Congressmen have talked with local bankers who shared specific examples of what would happen at home if we don’t get some Reg Relief legislation through Congress this year. Our bankers talked about the impact it would have on jobs at their respective banks, how it would slow the economic growth in their communities and, most importantly, how it would affect customers and their families.
PRESIDENT & CEO BILL HOLMES
Have we won yet? No. We are still facing an uphill battle, but we have found new and better ammunition. We will have to stay committed and engaged. We have to maintain contact with our delegation and push them to share our stories with their peers. Those efforts must intensify as we draw closer to the end of the year. It seems clear that it is somewhat “now-or-never” in Washington, D.C., at least as it pertains to Reg Relief for our banks. That may seem a bit dramatic, but if we don’t act now, it is likely that our community banking issues won’t be on the agenda for a long time. After the fall session of Congress, all eyes will be on the presidential election and chances to move legislation in favor of our industry will be slim. It is likely that we will ask you to call your Senator, or to tweet your Congressman as we try to push through some of the proposed Reg Relief legislation. It is certain you will again answer that call, as you have so much in the recent past. For that we say thank you. Please continue to be an integral part of our advocacy. You are making an impact. Attending the ABA Annual Washington Visit were, from left, Hunter Windle, Malvern National Bank, Malvern; Ava Franks, ABA; Randy Dennis, DD&F Consulting, Little Rock, Randy Scott, Farmers Bank & Trust Company, Blytheville; Kevin Thompson, Centennial Bank, Fayetteville; Scott Hancock, Centennial Bank, Fayetteville; Hunter Norton, First Security Bank, Fayetteville; Leslie Harp, Heartland Bank, Little Rock; Jim Taylor, First Security Bancorp, Fayetteville; Blake Fletcher, Stone Bank, Little Rock; Michael Lambert, FHLB-Dallas, Dallas; Sean Williams, First National Bank of Wynne, Wynne; Bill Holmes, ABA; Robert Taylor, Parkway Bank, Rogers; Greg Connell, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Perryville; Dave Dickson, Union Bank & Trust Company, Monticello; Cathy Owen, Eagle Bank, Little Rock; Aaron Gamewell, ABA; and Mike Jacimore, Arvest Bank, Fort Smith.
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The Arkansas Banker | October 2015
