CHAIRMAN’S COLUMN It’s Been an Honor and a Privilege
It’s been an honor to serve as your Chairman for the past year and a pleasure to work closely with the outstanding Arkansas Bankers Association team on behalf of our industry. The ABA team is extremely talented and passionate about serving, educating and advocating on behalf of our industry. I very much appreciate them and want to personally thank each of them for their consistent efforts and unwavering commitment to strengthening and building our industry. The past couple years have also granted me the privilege and opportunity to work closely with many of you across our state and also to develop relationships with bankers across our great nation. That opportunity has been an amazing blessing for which I am most appreciative. Banking is still built one relationship at a time, and in our state we live that every single day. I want to take this opportunity to remind you of something you already know, that is: Our industry is one that is incredibly impactful and consequential. The challenges we face don’t just impact you and I, and our bottom lines. Our work greatly affects the viability of our communities and, therefore, our great state and all of America. Bankers, and the decisions we make, are impactful to families, friends, co-workers, customers, and even strangers. That level of impact matters, and it’s why our time to grow and build strength in advocacy is now. The winds of politics have created an opportunity, and the time to engage and to be involved is now. For the benefit of your family, your bank and your community, I encourage you to tell your story to our state and federal legislators and to others. I encourage you to share your daily challenges and success stories! You might also make calls, write letters, or send emails so that others understand the triumphs of our industry as well as the road blocks that inhibit our economies from growing to their full potential. Your experiences matter, and there are many ways to be involved and to advocate for our industry. Ava Roberts, or other members of the ABA team, can help you get started if you’ve not already done so. We recently had a strong group of bankers in D.C. for the American Bankers Association Government Relations Summit. While visiting with our federal delegation, Jim Taylor appropriately referred to our opportunity today as a “generational opportunity.” He is absolutely correct because we now have a significant opportunity for meaningful regulatory relief. While it is difficult to precisely define that window of opportunity, there is no question that your involvement in that process is vital for a stronger and more impactful influence on lawmakers and, ultimately, the communities we serve. Rob Nichols, President & CEO of the American Bankers Association, often says, “We are stronger together”. And, it’s so true. In Arkansas, we’re certainly not all exactly the same. Our banks are various sizes, with differing goals, complexities and a wide array of personalities. But, there are many things we all share as Arkansas bankers. We’re all community bankers. Every single one of us is a community banker. We all serve our communities. We honor and keep our commitments. We stay steady in our principles and values because, in our state, our industry is built on values. And, we really are “stronger together.”
CHAIRMAN SEAN WILLIAMS President & CEO First National Bank of Wynne
Again, it has truly been my privilege to serve as your chairman the past year. Leslie and I thank you for your confidence, support and, most of all, for your friendship. Arkansas bankers are a remarkable group of people. It’s a group I’m proud to be a part of, and I enthusiastically look forward to working with Dave Dickson, Cathy Owen, Rob Robinson, Judy Lawton, and each of you on behalf of our industry for years to come.
A Legacy of Leadership 2017-18 ABA Executive Committee: Treasurer Judy Lawton, Heartland Bank, Little Rock; Past Chairman Sean Williams, First National Bank of Wynne, Wynne; Chairman Dave Dickson, Union Bank and Trust, Monticello; Chairman-Elect Cathy Owen, Eagle Bank, Little Rock; Vice Chairman Rob Robinson, Simmons Bank, El Dorado.
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The Arkansas Banker | April 2017
