Pub. 5 2010-2011 Issue 5

www.nebankers.org 8 Extraordinary Service for Extraordinary Members. I T’S BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO WORK WITH volunteer banker leaders from across the country, and side by side with a staff of extremely talented ABA professionals who have always put your interests first and foremost in the nation’s capital. Together we have been through many battles, including the latest re- ally big one—Dodd-Frank. This battle required a huge effort by the ABA, the state associations, and grassroots bank- ers across the country. Despite all our hard work, a recent poll of bankers showed that 94 percent oppose the law. And they have every reason to oppose it. Now, the conversation—a case in point was the discussion during our recent ABA America’s Community Bankers Council meeting here inWash- ington—is about how banks can move forward and get our economy going again. There’s a reason to be optimistic because, despite all of the tough fights and tough times, our industry has al- ways emerged from the darkness and prospered. We will do so again. As I said in my October speech to the ABA Annual Convention in Boston, we always come through for two rea- sons. First, banking is critical to our economy, and indeed to our way of life. What you do is very, very important, and you should never forget it. Second, we always come through because bankers are good people. There is no group of people I would have rather worked for. You are caring, dedicated, hard-working, and very capable people. You do more in your communities than almost anyone. This financial crisis has really hurt our industry: Hurt its financial strength and its reputation—in most cases un- fairly—and it has left us with regulatory overkill and fundamental questions about our business model. But we will come through it. Many of you have devoted tremen- dous effort to working for our indus- try through your state association and the ABA. I especially want to thank the ABA officers I have worked with over the years. They always gave me great advice and provided our indus- try great leadership. There is much that remains at stake and much more needs to be done. We need more participation and more resources to do it. Every bank should belong to its state association and to the ABA. Every banker should be partici- pating in our grassroots efforts. Don’t let your friends sit on the sidelines as the future of the industry and the banking business model is under the political microscope. Remember that the ABA is you. We bring together tremendous resources to serve you, and we are your champion in Washington, but as an industry we can, and should, be doing even more. Everyone should be involved. I can’t tell you what a great honor it has been for me to work for all of you, and to work with the state associations and the volunteer bankers who have led the ABA. As I also said at the ABA Conven- tion, this old soldier is not going to fade away just yet. I am, however, taking off my officer’s uniform and becoming an enlistedman, and will continue to fight alongside you for our great industry. Z Washington Update A League of Extraordinary People Edward L. Yingling , President & CEO, American Bankers Association In my 25 years of service to you, one thing has always stood out, and it’s one thing that I will happily take away with me in my retirement as ABA’s president and CEO and in my new life as a humble bank attorney. It’s the people. Ed Yingling retired from the ABA at the end of 2010.