ICBA Foundation Receives Pledges of More Than $200,000 for Community Banks and Employees Affected by Hurricane Ian

Washington, D.C. (Nov. 3, 2022) — The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) Foundation today announced that the disaster relief program, activated in coordination with ICBA-affiliated Florida Bankers Association, has over $200,000 pledged to assist employees and families of Florida’s community banks affected by Hurricane Ian.

“With Hurricane Ian creating significant destruction of property and tragic loss of life, I am so grateful for the outpouring of support from our community banking family during these challenging times,” ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey said. “ICBA members from around the country generously participated, demonstrating, once again, their roles as financial first responders in times of need.”

In addition to the support of community bankers, ICBA matched the first $50,000 raised to help donations go further in supporting relief. Funds will be distributed via the Florida Bankers Association to those community banks and bankers who may need assistance with hurricane-related expenses.

“We are grateful for the partnership with ICBA and the response from our community bank colleagues across the country,” Florida Banker Association President and CEO Alex Sanchez said. “This display of support from our community banking family across the nation will have a significant impact on our ability to recover and rebuild after Hurricane Ian.”

The ICBA Foundation Disaster Relief Program supports ICBA-affiliated state associations, ICBA Federal Delegates, and—in states where neither are present—ICBA leadership bankers in fundraising when areas of their state have been affected by presidentially declared or state governor-declared disasters.

In coordination with the affiliated state association and ICBA Federal Delegate or other ICBA leadership banker in the state, funds are collected and disbursed for the express purpose of assisting affected community banks and community bank employees. The ICBA Foundation does not use any of the funds collected to pay the costs of administering this program.

About ICBA

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) is the nation’s voice for community banks with its mission to create and promote an environment where community banks flourish. We are dedicated exclusively to representing the interests of the community banking industry and its membership through effective advocacy, best-in-class education, and innovative products and services.

With nearly 50,000 locations nationwide, community banks constitute roughly 99 percent of all banks, employ nearly 700,000 Americans and are the only physical banking presence in one in three U.S. counties. Holding nearly $5.8 trillion in assets, over $4.9 trillion in deposits, and more than $3.5 trillion in loans to consumers, small businesses and the agricultural community, community banks channel local deposits into the Main Streets and neighborhoods they serve, spurring job creation, fostering innovation, and fueling their customers’ dreams in communities throughout America. For more information, visit ICBA’s website at www.icba.org.

About ICBA Foundation Disaster Relief Program

The ICBA Foundation Disaster Relief Program supports ICBA-affiliated state associations, ICBA Federal Delegates, and—in states where neither are present—ICBA leadership bankers in fundraising when areas of their state have been affected by presidentially declared or state governor-declared disasters.

In coordination with the affiliated state association and ICBA Federal Delegate or other ICBA leadership banker in the state, funds are collected and disbursed for the express purpose of assisting affected community banks and community bank employees. The ICBA Foundation does not use any of the funds collected to pay the costs of administering this program.

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