Pub. 5 2016 Issue 1

l e a d i n g a d v o c a t e f o r t h e b a n k i n g i n d u s t r y i n k a n s a s 22 F ORMANYOFUS, THEHOLIDAY SEASON provided an opportunity to pause and reflect on the things for which we are thankful. As I assume my responsibilities as ABA’s new president and CEO and look ahead to all the challenges and opportunities facing our industry, there’s one thing that I’m especially grateful for: the alliance that ABA has forged over the years with our 53 state association partners. I have worked in Washington long enough to know how critically important — and sometimes rare — such effective, nationwide alliances are. And there is no doubt that they provide a strategic and tactical advantage for any lobbying organization lucky enough to boast one. That’s why the day I was named ABA’s next CEO last spring, the first thing I did was pick up the phone and personally call each state association executive. In these conversations, I had the opportunity to listen to the priorities, concerns and aspirations of the people that I will have the privilege of working closely with in the coming days, months and years. My message to them, and to you, is simple: as we fight for the common goals of regulatory relief for our industry and a fair playing field for banks in the face of growing nonbank competition, we must all — community banks and large institutions alike — stand together as one. A unified industry is essential for success in Washington. We’ve all witnessed the difficult realities of getting meaningful legislation through Congress. Lawmakers face too many demands from too many different areas to worry about bankers if we all disagree. The responsibility lies with us to focus on the things we have in common and the ways that we can work together to elevate our industry and strengthen our economy — and our partnership with the state associations is indispensable to finding that unified focus. With such a diverse industry, building consensus can sometimes be a challenge, but it is both doable and worth doing. ABA and the state associations together represent the full range of banks — institutions of different asset sizes, business models and charters — that help American businesses, consumers and communities succeed. Each member of our diverse industry plays a critically important role in the financial ecosystem, making our economy stronger and our country’s banking sector the envy of the world. That impresses policymakers. It makes them want to know where we stand, and it helps them understand the implications of their policy decisions. Our partnership with the state associations is not only critical to creating unity, it also produces a muscular response when grassroots action is needed. Effective advocacy organizations need both strong fundraising and boots on the ground in every congressional district. State associations deliver that. They have been the key to making BankPac a top-10 PAC, and between our joint Washington Visit program and the annual Government Relations Summit, they bring more than 2,000 bankers to the nation’s capital every year for face-to-face meetings with policymakers. So as we roll up our sleeves and get to work on our priorities for 2016, I’m thankful for many things. I’m thankful for the opportunity to lead ABA as we navigate through whatever challenges the future has in store. I’m thankful for the strong alliance with our state associations that will help us remain unified as an industry and achieve our common goals. And most of all, I am thankful for all of you — for everything you have done and continue to do to help us succeed. E-mail Rob Nichols at nichols@aba.com © 2015 American Bankers Association. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission. STANDING TOGETHER FOR A STRONG INDUSTRY By Rob Nichols, President and CEO American Bankers Association