Florida Banking September 2022

STRAIGHT TALK FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK

WE DO NOT EMAIL OR FAX IT IN

BY ALEJANDRO “ALEX” SANCHEZ, FBA PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

I f I had one wish, it would be that every banker who receives my emails could walk the hallways of Congress with the FBA at least once. It is a high energy experience going from one office to another and concentrating on three to four issues that our industry cares about. We explain to each member of Congress that if these issues were approved, or sometimes defeated, it would make it easier for

Another main reason for this type of transparent communication is out of respect and gratitude to our bankers — starting with the FBA Chairman, which in our 135th year is Bill Penney. I want my emails to show you the great efforts of our Chair and the bankers who take the time to be away from their families, banks and communities to walk the hallways of Congress to fight and advocate for our industry.

the nation’s banking industry to serve our customers and our communities. Why is that important? Because the nation’s banking industry provides the capital that makes the economy go forward and helps make Americans home and business owners. The FBA engages members of Congress; we do not email or fax our advocacy points. In my communications with you, I share photographs of our meetings with key elected officials because I want you to know who we are meeting with and what we are doing. In my role as CEO of one of the most active political associations in the country, imagine if I never shared

Having our bankers in Washington walking those hal lways makes the difference. In our democratic system, being out of sight and out of mind is not a good thing. Elected officials need to hear from us. They need to hear what our concerns are to help our customers achieve the American dream of home and business ownership. In this column I am sharing with you some of the photos from our recent trip, where we engaged members of Congress to discuss important issues like ESG, credit unions, closing the ILC loophole,

“IN MY COMMUNICATIONS WITH YOU, I SHARE PHOTOGRAPHS OF OUR MEETINGS WITH KEY ELECTED OFFICIALS BECAUSE I WANT YOU TO KNOW WHO WE ARE MEETING WITH AND WHAT WE ARE DOING.”

a photo with you of who the FBA meets with, or quite frankly even the name of an elected official. And, when asked who we met in Washington, imagine I responded, “…a lot of important people behind the scenes.” That answer is absolutely unacceptable. You would then have the right to question what it is the FBA does. That will never be the case. When you read my emails, my goal is to make you feel like you were on the trip. I want you to see photographs showcasing how and why we advocate for you, our industry and for our nation’s economy.

and passage of the Safe Banking Act issue. Quite frankly, this engagement with elected officials is fun. I love doing this, and you would too once you’ve done it once or twice. It is our duty as American citizens to engage elected officials in our democracy. They are not subject matter experts, and they depend on us to share with them how certain pieces of legislation can help the nation’s banking industry better serve our customers to enhance their economic vitality. Together we can make a difference.

6 — FLORIDA BANKING THE VOICE OF FLORIDA BANKING