Last week’s simultaneous congressional hearings featuring ICBA witnesses spotlighted the industry’s policy priorities while demonstrating that community banks are being heard in Washington, ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey wrote in a new op-ed.
Attention to Key Issues: In the op-ed on LinkedIn, Romero Rainey said her testimony before the House Financial Services Committee and ICBA Vice Chair Alice Frazier’s appearance before the House Small Business Committee have shown that community banks have a receptive audience in Washington.
Scrutiny from Detractors: Romero Rainey noted that while ICBA’s progress in achieving policy reforms has even drawn scrutiny from others on the outside looking in, ICBA knows better than to be diverted or to play defense at a time of opportunity.
Staying on Offense: “Rather than be distracted by the attacks—which is, after all, their entire purpose—we already have the answer to our critics,” Romero Rainey wrote. “It is our ongoing push for reform that is advancing in our nation’s capital. It is the urgent attention that our policy priorities are drawing in Congress. It is the strength of our message.”
Grassroots Call to Action: To continue the fight for reform, Romero Rainey called on community bankers to spread the word to every member of Congress using customizable messages on ICBA’s Be Heard Grassroots Action Center.