In particular person for the primary time since 2019, the ICBA Capital Summit in Washington, D.C., is your likelihood to make your voice heard by your members of Congress—with assist from ICBA each step of the way in which.
By Aaron Stetter, ICBA
Neighborhood bankers, pack your baggage for Washington, D.C. After a yr of digital visits, the ICBA Capital Summit—essentially the most high-profile and highly effective neighborhood financial institution advocacy occasion of the yr—is again in particular person Might 1–4.
No different occasion supplies extra alternatives for neighborhood bankers to interact with lawmakers, regulators and authorities officers. They will advocate for his or her business whereas getting the within scoop from pundits and different insiders. Extra than simply an alternate of concepts, the ICBA Capital Summit can be a spot the place neighborhood bankers can inform their tales en masse, highlighting the fervour and dedication of establishments that drive development and prosperity in America’s communities.
Assembly with members of Congress and their extremely influential employees—typically organized by ICBA’s affiliated state associations—is the only handiest method to be heard. A research by the Congressional Administration Basis discovered that in-person constituent conferences with members of Congress and their employees are the best method to affect them.
Visiting a congressional workplace in Washington, D.C., whether or not it’s assembly with the member of Congress or a key employees member, reveals lawmakers that the problems going through neighborhood banks are so essential that bankers are prepared to take a position the time to journey and be away from their banks. It’s additionally a step comparatively few constituents take, so it makes those that go to memorable, and is a good way to begin to construct or reinforce a relationship.
Washington’s main voices
Whereas on the ICBA Capital Summit, neighborhood bankers will get pleasure from insights from knowledgeable audio system. Prior to now, this has included former Treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin, former Senate Banking Committee chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Home Monetary Providers Committee chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) and lots of extra.
When Crapo and Waters spoke on the summit back-to-back in 2019, The Economist took observe, writing that “the category of the visitors displays the clout of the hosts … two highly effective guests,” and describing ICBA and its members as “each deeply rooted of their residence soil and properly organized.”
Advocacy teaching
A part of being organized is realizing what to say and the best way to say it. ICBA supplies intensive teaching and speaking factors on key coverage initiatives to arrange neighborhood bankers for his or her conferences. World-class coverage specialists put together bankers to take advantage of their conferences, briefing them on the best way to inform compelling tales that illustrate the challenges of neighborhood banking and constructing communities. Additionally they assist bankers clarify how particular legislative adjustments would higher serve constituents—whether or not it’s leveling the enjoying subject with credit score unions or adjusting the neighborhood financial institution leverage ratio to account for the massive improve in deposits ensuing from federal pandemic monetary aid.
ICBA teaches neighborhood bankers the best way to make “the ask,” in order that bankers know what particularly they’d like a congressperson’s workplace to do—whether or not it’s sponsoring, cosponsoring or voting for a invoice—and after they’d like them to do it.
This yr’s agenda will embody essential points comparable to:
- pushing again towards indiscriminate tax will increase, IRS reporting mandates, and unfair credit score union and Farm Credit score System competitors
- urging Senate passage of the SAFE Banking Act and cosponsorship of the Enhancing Credit score Alternatives for Rural America Act of 2021 (ECORA, H.R. 1977/S. 2202)
- elevating consciousness of the necessity to shut the ILC loophole.
Grasstops advocacy
The ICBA Capital Summit usually attracts greater than 1,000 attendees desirous to advocate for his or her business and their neighborhood in a metropolis identified for its historical past and wonder. They train their primary proper to petition the federal government.
There are additionally alternatives to find out about “grasstops” advocacy—those that transcend telling their very own story to assist arrange teams of neighborhood bankers. It’s a useful method to give again to the business and amplify your influence.
In in the present day’s setting, the place a number of priorities compete for lawmakers’ consideration, the loudest and most persistent voices are the toughest to tune out. Advancing ICBA’s agenda requires the voices of 1000’s of neighborhood bankers.
Register for the ICBA 2022 Capital Summit and assist advocate for change that may guarantee vibrant and resilient communities. Don’t miss this chance to listen to immediately from these in energy and make the case on your business.
Your business and your neighborhood want your voice.
Register for the ICBA Capital Summit 2022
Learn more and register to attend today.
Vital observe: The well being and security of all ICBA Capital Summit attendees is prime precedence. We’re taking acceptable security measures and following all federal and native pointers. Washington, D.C., has masks and vaccine necessities for indoor venues, together with resorts and eating places, for these ages 12 and over.
Aaron Stetter ([email protected]) is ICBA’s govt vice chairman of coverage and political operations