ICBA Names Community Banker and Former Regulator Anne Balcer as New Head of Government Relations

Washington, D.C. (June 6, 2022) — The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today announced that Anne Balcer, executive vice president, general counsel and internal auditor for Forbright Bank, formerly Congressional Bank, in Chevy Chase, Md., will succeed ICBA Senior Executive Vice President of Government Relations and Public Policy Karen Thomas following her retirement in July. Balcer has served in an executive role at the bank since 2013, advising its executive management team and board of directors while managing all aspects of legal, regulatory and compliance oversight. She begins her role as ICBA senior executive vice president of government relations and public policy on July 11.

“With first-hand experience on the front lines of financial regulation at a growing community bank, Anne is uniquely suited to lead ICBA’s powerful and respected government relations team as we continue to fight for a more level regulatory environment for the nation’s community banks,” ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey said. “Anne’s background as a state regulator, combined with her community banking and financial services experience, will lend a critical voice and further perspective to ICBA’s government relations efforts.”

Prior to joining Forbright Bank, Balcer served as Maryland’s deputy commissioner of financial regulation from 2010 to 2013. During her tenure, she received praise for her common sense and consensus building approach to regulation and policy. Experienced in government relations and public policy at the state and federal level, Balcer has testified before Congress, the TARP Oversight Committee and in state and local legislatures. She received her J.D., magna cum laude, with honors, from the University of Baltimore School of Law and her B.A. from Randolph Macon College.

ICBA also recognizes and thanks Karen Thomas for her 30 years of service to ICBA and community banks. Under her leadership, ICBA secured countless wins and navigated complex public policy and regulation on behalf of community banks. After stepping down from her current position, Karen will serve ICBA for a period of time as senior advisor to aid in the transition.

“We thank Karen for her 30 years of incredible service to ICBA and the community banking industry and wish her all the best as she moves into retirement knowing that her work helped keep the light of community banking burning brightly for the customers and communities that depend on their local community bank,” Romero Rainey said. “We look forward to welcoming Anne to the ICBA team as she will continue this important legacy of success—leading the impactful advocacy that will write the next chapter for community banking.”

About ICBA

The Independent Community Bankers of America® creates and promotes an environment where community banks flourish. ICBA is dedicated exclusively to representing the interests of the community banking industry and its membership through effective advocacy, best-in-class education, and high-quality 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 $5.9 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.

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