Pub. 8 2013-2014 Issue 1

www.nebankers.org 10 Extraordinary Service for Extraordinary Members. Q Chairman-Elect’s Message — continued ing to grow and prosper. A thriving town is a town with a bank full of employees who understand that what they do is important. Bankers care. This isn’t just a job for most of us. It’s a calling. It’s a commitment. It’s our passion. We are bankers because we want to make life better in our communities. And in so many ways, for so many of us, it’s about putting “service above self.” That’s what’s so great about pursuing a career that makes the world a better place. Community bankers make a difference in creating and retaining jobs, building homes, financing our farmers and ranchers, and strengthening our communities. Whether it’s working with the local Habitat for Humanity to build homes, hosting the town picnic, donating a scoreboard to the high school, sponsoring school programs, or lending to our ag producers and Main Street businesses, community bankers are building their communities. And we’re making America stronger. Those who criticize banking overlook the immense good that bankers do for our financial system, for our communities, and for our country. We are a diverse industry. But there is one common denominator: Our business helps our custom- ers and communities grow. And that’s how banks help our country grow. The strength of our nation is due in part to our diverse banking system. Our dynamic financial structure has created opportunities for institutions large and small. It welcomes multiple charters. It provides for a great variety of ways for us to serve the needs of our communities. Banks of every charter, every size, every business plan, and from every part of this state come together through the Ne- braska Bankers Association. We all care about the same thing: serving our customers. Our desire tomake loans, develop our communities, grow agriculture, and expand business is far stronger than anything that draws a distinction between us. I’man optimist. And I’ma believer. I’moptimistic because our customers and our communities need us. And I believe that when you get a group of bankers together under the NBA banner, we will produce solid solutions for our state. Banking is the engine of economic growth. A strong bank- ing system leads to a strong economy, and that will strengthen this great country for all the challenges to come. Z Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. nebraskablue.com for the road ahead. Count on us Reach Craig Brewster by email at cgbrewster@buttebank.com . Brewster was elected chairman-elect of the Nebraska Bankers Association during the NBA Annual Convention, held May 1-3 in La Vista, Neb.