Pub. 13 2018-2019 Issue 1

WWW.NEBANKERS.ORG 8 WASHINGTON UPDATE NEW TOOLS TELL THE STORY OF AMERICA’S BANKS Rob Nichols, President & CEO, American Bankers Association O NE OF THE REASONS THE BANKING INDUSTRY IS SEEING an improved policy environment in Washington is because bankers have spent the last few years telling their stories. They didn’t ask for regulatory relief because they were tired of red tape (even though they undoubtedly are). They asked for regulatory reform because rules were making it hard for their banks to make good loans to creditworthy customers and were diverting resources that could be better spent helping their communities thrive. Those stories—of how a perhaps well- intentioned but poorly executed provision in law was harming the people it was supposed to help—have made a difference. ABA, too, has been telling bankers’ story. We started our reputational campaign a couple years ago with a special By amplifying the story of America’s banks, you can help policymakers and the public better understand how banks deliver jobs, growth, safety, and convenience.