Page 26 - Spring 2023_Neat

FLOURISH

“Through national advertising, media relations outreach,
social media and more, we will differentiate community
banks in the hearts and minds of Americans.”

To me, the community bank story is with these factors at play, it’s more
personal. Growing up in a small town and important than ever for us to take a step
seeing first-hand the impact community back, remember why we do what we do
banks make shaped not only my career and share that with the nation.
path, but also how I define community. I This is why ICBA is investing big in the
witnessed how a bank’s connection to its future of our industry with the launch of a
neighbors brings hope, prosperity and national campaign for community banks.
continued purpose for so many, The public awareness campaign, which has
demonstrating the importance of been two years in the making, officially
REBECA supporting one another so all can thrive. launched at ICBA LIVE 2023. Through
ROMERO I daresay that’s a collective experience for national advertising, media relations

RAINEY most community bankers, one so familiar outreach, social media and more, we will
that we almost take it for granted. But too differentiate community banks in the
ICBA President and CEO. many Americans are in the dark about the hearts and minds of Americans.
ACB is the ICBA state affiliate. community bank difference and the way it
@romerorainey changes their community’s potential. They And we’re making it as simple as possible
for you and your community bank to plug
don’t realize the tremendous value in a into the campaign so our reach can be
community bank’s ability to respond in even greater. With an ICBA member-only
times of need and crisis; they don’t national campaign toolkit, you’ll receive
understand the resilience and flexibility access to research and industry insights,
that’s afforded by working with a bank that along with turnkey deliverables like ads,
is a true part of the community. They press releases, social media posts and
simply are unaware of the genuine more that you can use in your local
difference a community bank relationship market.
can make.
Because as we continue to prove, we are
That’s why it’s important to tell our stories. most effective when we work together. So,
If members of our community have not
I encourage you to join us as we educate
witnessed the community bank difference the American public and our target
personally, they don’t know what they’re audience of community-minded millennials
missing. When you’re exposed to that and show them the community banking
impact over time, you see economic difference. I truly believe this national
development in action—how people come campaign is central to ICBA’s mission of
together and how local deposits are used creating and promoting an environment
to support the greater good.
where community banks flourish.
In today’s landscape, there are lots of So come along with us as we shine a light
variables competing for our attention: on community banking. Because now more
industry change, regulatory pressures, than ever, it’s our time to shine.
competitive threats and more. But even

Where I’ll be this month
I’m on the road rallying community bankers to tell their stories! I’ll be speaking at the
Independent Bankers of Texas Edge event and then joining colleagues at the Louisiana
Bankers Association annual convention in Asheville, N.C.
A COMMUNITY BANKER | 26 | Spring 2023
RKANSAS