Pub. 6 2018 Issue 3

18 The Community Banker www.mibonline.org E arlier this year, Rebeca Romero Rainey took on the top leadership role of the Independent Community Bankers of America as President and CEO. She follows in the footsteps of Camden R. Fine, who had been leading ICBA since 2003 before retiring effective May 5. A lifelong banker, Romero Rainey is the third generation of her family to serve in community banking. Before joining ICBA, she was chairman and CEO of Centinel Bank of Taos, New Mexico. During her tenure with the bank, she served the larger banking community as President of the Independent Community Bankers of New Mexico in 2007-08. On a national scale, Romero Rainey be- came engaged with ICBA through committee service. She was the first chairman of ICBA’s Minority Bank Council, and she also served on ICBA’s Executive Committee and as ICBA chairman in 2016-17. She has also been active with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., serving on the Advisory Committee on Community Banking, and on the Kansas City Federal Reserve Community Depository Institution Advisory Council. A community advocate, Romero Rainey is the cofounder of the Bridges Project for Ed- ucation. She was selected as Taos Citizen of the Year in 2009 and has been awarded the New Mexico Governor’s Award for outstand- ing women. Romero Rainey is a graduate of Wellesley College and of the Pacific Coast School of Banking. For Community Banker readers, Romero Rainey addresses the following questions about her service to community banking as leader of ICBA: What are your responsibilities as presi- dent and CEO of the Independent Commu- nity Bankers of America? As president and CEO of ICBA, my mission is ICBA’s mission – to create and promote an environment where community banks flourish. As a third-generation community banker, I’m honored and passionate about REBECAROMERO RAINEY: WRITING THE NEXT CHAPTERAT ICBA leading community banks as we continue to build on our solid reputation and legacy of consumer trust. As a former ICBA chairman, I’ve had such an advantage coming into this position, knowing so many community bankers and our state association executives. Over the past weeks, I’ve had several opportunities to visit state association conventions and catch up with bankers and state association leaders, which I’ve enjoyed immensely. I’ve also had the opportunity to forge new relationships with members, which is a highlight. In my eyes, this is a very exciting time to be a community banker, as we look towards a fu- ture of innovation, blended with the steadfast relationship business model that’s unique to our industry. It’s a time unlike any other, and we need to leverage all of the opportunity that is out there to help us advance our indus- try and our individual banks. My role as ICBA president and CEO will be to lead ICBA and community banks into this exciting future, as we write the next chapter of our community banking story. And yes, you know I’m all about community bankers telling their story. It was my platform message as ICBA chairman, and it will continue to be my call to action as ICBA president and CEO. There are a few key themes that will help us tell this story. First, advocacy. ICBA has and always will advocate for the unique needs of community banks – and only community banks. ICBA exclusively promotes the commu- nity bank agenda before Congress, the admin- istration and regulators, ensuring the needs of community bankers are heard. My priorities will be to ensure a tiered and proportionate regulatory environment for community banks, along with a level playing field for those who want to be part of the banking system. The second key theme is innovation. ICBA has invested significant resources in this space, as we will continue to promote innovation opportunities and solutions that will help community banks grow and thrive. I’m also very passionate about our third theme – education. ICBA will continue to promote the community bank profession and is fully committed to helping community bankers and their staffs grow in all stages of their community banking careers. With advocacy, innovation and education being key priorities, I know that ICBA will be doing everything possible to create and pro- mote an environment for community banks to flourish. Feature Article