Florida Banking October 2023

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

A SILVER ANNIVERSARY: TWENTY-FIVE YEARS WITH FBA IN THE BOOKS BY ANTHONY DIMARCO, FBA EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

O n October 26, 1998, I began my career with the FBA as the Vice President of Government Affairs. I have thoroughly enjoyed my twenty-five years representing the FBA in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. I was a bright-eyed 30-something with a wife, Mary Rose, two young boys, Frank and James, and two dogs when I started. Today, my wife and I also have a daughter, Mary Joy, and will soon have a daughter in-law, Lauren. We still have two dogs, albeit not the same two from before.

My parents were also happy that I was working at the FBA. My mother and father met at the First National Bank of Tampa, proofing checks at night. They married, had me, and my mother left the bank to raise me and my two younger brothers. Dad went on to have his entire career at the bank; he become an EVP in charge of operations, secretary to the holding company, and was involved with many more aspects of the bank. I often tell the story about a lobbyist friend who was upset with me because we held up his amendment on

a bill until we could figure out if we liked it or not. He turned to me in front of the House Chamber and called me “a little SOB!” I thanked him, because that stands for “son of a banker.” He laughed and I remember that we worked it out. Throughout my 25 years at the FBA, I have watched changes in the banking industry. My first Session, the big issue was banks selling insurance under state law and Gramm Leach-Bliley was passed

Alex Sanchez hired me all those years ago and I thank him. We have had a great working and personal relationship over the years. More on him at a later date. My career with the FBA began right after the FBA/ CBF merger took effect. These were interesting times, as the merger was not even a month old. The “Co-Bros,” Rudy Schupp and Kim Davis, led the FBA with Alex as CEO. Charlie Brinkley and Steve Price were the immediate

“I HAVE THOROUGHLY ENJOYED MY TWENTY-FIVE YEARS REPRESENTING THE FBA IN TALLAHASSEE AND WASHINGTON, D.C.”

Past Chairs of the two respective associations, and Wally Dodson and Miriam Lopez were in line to take the helm as the two incoming Chairs. These leaders were instrumental in making the FBA what it is today. My first year here was a whole new experience after leaving the Legislature and the former Department of Banking & Finance. I had to learn a whole new way of thinking and accomplishing success with more responsibility leading the banking industry in the Capitol.

which permitted this. Some banks jumped into the insurance market and then decided against it. Another big issue that first Session was ATM fees. We moved on to privacy opt-in/opt-out battles, high costs home loans, and Florida Cabinet Reorganization. Then the state suffered under the Great Recession with bank closures and foreclosures. Now, both political parties want to decide whom we can bank. One side wants us to debank certain groups, while the other side wants to require us to bank everyone who walks in the door.

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