Lucas White: Translating Advocacy Into Action

While advocacy has always been a core ICBA pillar, the massive number of new regulations we have faced over the past year serves as a stark reminder of the importance of community bankers taking part in advocacy efforts. 

This community has really stepped up. For instance, we had a record number of first-time attendees at the 2024 ICBA Capital Summit, and we were able to successfully advocate for the Congressional Review Act resolution on the 1071 rule last year—with both the House and Senate voting to overturn the CFPB’s regulation. Despite its presidential veto, this was a huge victory, in large part because it has set the stage for the current Congress. 

It has never been clearer to me that we, the community bankers across the nation, need to use our voices. While ICBA does a stellar job of advocating on our behalf, the simple fact remains that when we tell our stories on Capitol Hill and in our state legislatures, it is more effective. Lawmakers prefer to hear from us, their constituents. They want to understand how community banks make an impact in the districts they serve, and they need to know that when regulations tie our hands, it’s their community that suffers. 

In short, we need them to be aware of the community bank difference. Although we are the economic engine of the country, most lawmakers don’t truly understand all we do to power their districts. We need legislators to know who we are and what we represent to protect our banks, communities and customers. Engaging them has to be a part of our day-to-day jobs.

Throughout my tenure as ICBA chairman, I have made it my mission to rally community bankers to come to D.C. In fact, the proudest moment I experienced over the past year was when a few bankers told me that they came to Capital Summit for the first time because of my speech at ICBA LIVE. It meant a lot that the message resonated.

Because more than ever, we need to continue to act, advocate and ensure our legislators understand who we are. We need new, younger generations of bankers stepping up to show that what we do is in line with modern financial services’ needs. We need an amplification of our voices to demonstrate our commitment to our customers and communities.

So, as I end my term as chairman, I do so with a full heart and a dedication to community banking that will continue to fuel my advocacy work and hopefully inspire yours. I look forward to seeing you on Capitol Hill.