Pub. 10 2015-2016 Issue 5

www.nebankers.org 8 Extraordinary Service for Extraordinary Members. Washington Update Standing Together for a Strong Industry Rob Nichols, President & CEO, American Bankers Association Email Rob Nichols at nichols@aba.com . © 2016 American Bankers Association. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission. A S I ASSUMEMY RESPONSIBILITIES as ABA’s new president and CEO and look ahead to all the challenges and opportunities facing our industry, there’s one thing 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 impor- tant—and sometimes rare—such effec- tive, nationwide alliances are. And there is no doubt they provide a strategic and tactical advantage for any lobbying or- ganization 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 pri- orities, concerns, and aspirations of the people who I will have the privilege of working closely with in the coming days, months, and years. Mymessage 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 suc - cess inWashington. We’ve all witnessed the difficult realities of gettingmeaning - ful legislation through Congress. Law- makers face too many demands from too many different areas to worry about bankers if we all disagree. The responsi- bility lies with us to focus on the things we have in common and the ways 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, build- ing consensus can sometimes be a challenge, but it is both doable and worth doing. ABA and the state as- sociations together represent the full range of banks—institutions of differ- ent asset sizes, business models, and charters—that help American busi- nesses, 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 themwant to knowwhere we stand, and it helps them understand the implica- tions of their policy decisions. Our partnership with the state as- sociations is not only critical to creat- ing unity, it also produces a muscular response when grassroots action is needed. Effective advocacy organiza- tions need both strong fundraising and boots on the ground in every congres- sional district. State associations deliver that. They have been the key to making BankPac a top-10 PAC, and between our jointWashington Visit programand 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 asso- ciations that will help us remain unified as an industry and achieve our common goals. Andmost of all, I am thankful for all of you—for everything you have done and continue to do to help us succeed. 