On May 12, community bankers from across the U.S. will converge at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md., for a four-day event focused on strengthening their institutions and communities. At the annual ICBA Capital Summit, attendees engage in important discussions about the future of community banking, advocate for policies that support local economies and share best practices with peers.  

This year’s event will be particularly important for community banks, which are navigating a complex regulatory landscape and are focused on providing access to financial services for individuals, small businesses and other customers. With much policy uncertainty coming out of Washington this year, the Capital Summit will give bankers a platform for collectively addressing emerging challenges and ensuring that their voices are heard by policymakers.   

The key issues and topics

With a new Congress and administration in place, ICBA is advocating for comprehensive reforms that address challenges facing community banks to help them meet the needs of local communities. ICBA’s three-part regulatory and legislative agenda, Repair, Reform and Thrive: Powering Local Economies, focuses on the economic impact of community banks, starting with the local communities, consumers and small businesses we serve.

The topics ICBA will focus on at the event include Section 1071 reform, the Community Reinvestment Act, Section 1033, fair credit reporting and GSE reform for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. 

This year’s summit will also include: 

  • General sessions: Keynote speakers, addresses from ICBA leadership and discussions about the state of the industry

  • Legislative briefings: Analysis of key legislative and regulatory issues affecting community banks

  • Meetings with lawmakers: Meeting with members of Congress and their staff to advocate for community banking priorities

  • Workshops and breakout sessions: Delving into topics in more detail and offering practical advice and strategies for banks

  • Networking: Connecting with fellow community bankers from across the country to share best practices and build relationships

  • Special events: Receptions, dinners and other events to foster networking and camaraderie

Encouraging action

Register for Capital Summit today

Visit icba.org/capitalsummit to learn more about the event and register to join your fellow community bankers in Washington.

The preeminent lobbying event for community bankers nationwide, the ICBA Capital Summit is the place to be for all community bankers frustrated at the thought of overregulation by banking regulators. With a new administration and Congress in place, this is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the Repair, Reform and Thrive plan, which ICBA is advancing before the Congress, banking regulators and the administration. 

It would behoove any community banker to come to Washington, D.C., this year to make sure that your voice is being heard. And while attendance has always been respectable at this annual event, given the opportunities that we have before us right now, we’re encouraging as many community bankers as possible to attend this year. The event complements ICBA’s partnerships with 44 affiliated state associations that conduct more than 300 in-person congressional visits annually. 

The event will also offer a Capitol Hill Lobbying Refresher training for anyone who is new to the process. Attendees will come away with vital, actionable tips on how to communicate with their elected officials for the benefit of community banks and the communities they serve. 

Individual community bankers are positioned to make a difference right now and in the future. A good starting point for someone who wants to do more on this front is to read ICBA’s daily newsletter, NewsWatch Today. Delivered directly to your inbox, the newsletter offers timely updates on legislative and regulatory developments, including potential effects of proposed rules and laws on community bank operations.   

Community bankers can also take action through ICBA’s Be Heard Action Center (icba.quorum.us). Bankers can use the online platform to engage in grassroots advocacy efforts. It empowers bankers to connect with their elected officials on key legislative issues affecting the industry and the communities they serve, and incorporates important topics like regulatory burden relief, farm bill reauthorization, the credit union tax exemption and addressing the expiration of provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act at the end of 2025. 

Right now, ICBA members who want to get involved can reach out to their legislators in support of the community bank legislative agenda. Any community banker can get involved at this level; you don’t have to be a C-suite banker to come to Washington for the Summit. Anyone who appreciates what community banks do can take this step and make sure their voices are heard on Capitol Hill.