Chairman’s Letter
The door to a new year is standing wide open awaiting each of us to step across the threshold. In preparing to take that step I’m certain that bankers across the state have spent the past several weeks reviewing plans, establishing budgets, assessing goals, and communicating expectations. As well, I’m thinking some are contemplating resolutions to address certain personal intentions. The late American author Hal Borland had this to say about the dawning of a new year, “Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.” Wisdom derived from experience is rooted in preparation.
In reflecting on preparation I think of the staff at First National Bank & Trust Company’s Gassville branch. Our bank experienced a robbery at that branch on November 18, 2008. The four person staff was about to close out the day’s business when the perpetrator entered the branch, uttered his threatening intentions, bound each employee, and proceeded on his mission to pilfer cash drawers. An alert manager seized an opportunity and activated a silent alarm. Law enforcement responded and apprehended the suspect at the scene. A well-trained staff acting with professionalism avoided disaster as it stared them in the face. The key ingredient was preparation for which I am particularly thankful. During economic declines instances of bank robbery seem to increase. I remind each of you that our Association has presented our membership with bank robbery prevention and awareness programs designed to deter and thwart such activity.
Not too many weeks ago I was rummaging through some boxes of “stuff” found in the attic of my parents’ house. In one of these boxes I discovered several “old” personal items from days long gone. Among the items were my Boy Scout uniform and a sash filled with merit badges, a Little League uniform, and a t-shirt and cap from Boy’s State. One’s initial impression is that these are items a mother would save to mark the accomplishments of a child. The items also symbolize the partial fulfillment of a parent’s dream. From a banker’s perspective such items represent an investment in the development of future community leaders. That Little League uniform is emblazoned with the name of M&P Bank. First National Bank sponsored my attendance at Boy’s State. The local banks financially supported my Boy Scout troop. Teamwork, active citizenship, and preparedness were the points of emphasis in these experiences and their many participants reaped significant education from these programs. Towns across America are the beneficiaries of the leadership that has been groomed in these activities over the years. Appreciation must be expressed to community banks and other small businesses for their contributions to these and related programs. These banks recognize that their commitment to such programs prepares young people for the future.
About the same time I discovered that box of “stuff” in my parents’ attic, a letter over my signature was sent to every ABA member bank seeking financial support for Economics Arkansas. Economics Arkansas (previously referred to as the Arkansas Council on Economics Education) is a private, not for profit organization promoting economic literacy in grades K-12 in our Arkansas schools. The Arkansas Bankers Association was instrumental in the founding of this program in 1962 and has since provided support through an annual capital campaign. Teachers who embrace the initiative go well beyond state standards by integrating fundamental economics into the curriculum. Economics Arkansas emphasizes the importance of human capital, hones financial decision making skills, and raises the consciousness of caring for and managing limited resources. Your investment in this important program is vital to the economic education of our youth and to the enhancement of our future economy. It is an excellent preparation tool. I am convinced that when you “teach your children,” you reap tremendous rewards yourself. Thank you to those who have given to this year’s campaign in support of Economics Arkansas. If you have not already made your commitment to this program you can expect to receive a second letter as a reminder in the not too distant future. The current year’s campaign will accept contributions through May 2009.
I believe that communities evolve from and revolve around four basic institutions – schools, churches, hospitals and banks. These institutions feed the mental, spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the citizenry. Our Arkansas banks are often the economic engine and difference makers in the success of local programs that are the building blocks of a progressive community.
Last month at the American Bankers Association’s annual convention in San Francisco, the attendees heard commentaries from several enlightened speakers. I found the words of Carly Fiorina, the former CEO of Hewlett-Packard and most recently an economic advisor to Republican presidential hopeful John McCain, pertinent to our times. Ms. Fiorina stated that community bankers are called upon every day to balance the requirements of shareholders, customers, employees and the communities we serve. She went on to say that the organizations that we bankers represent are in a pivotal position to correct the present economic situation that is paralyzing parts of our country. Her position that succeeding in today’s environment will depend on a solid foundation in the “fundamentals” of common sense, good judgment, perspective and ethical behavior is spot on. Those organizations represented by bankers that Ms. Fiorina mentioned as being pivotal to an economic turnaround go beyond the bank itself. I am confident that she was including local school boards, church boards, hospital boards, civic groups, and charitable foundations on which many bankers serve. Bankers make considerable contributions of both time and money to the success of these endeavors that are all important to the well being of a community. Ms. Fiorina’s comments reinforced the recognition that communities often look to local bankers for leadership. It is our duty to be prepared to lead and to assist the next generation in its preparation.
Such talk brings me full circle. At the time of year when all bankers are putting the final touches on strategic plans and contingency plans for the year ahead, I wish to take a moment to say “thank you” for your emphasis on preparation. Thanks to bankers around our state who devote volunteer time and financial resources to enhance the quality of life in their respective communities. Thanks to those bankers who recognized a need and teamed with Dr. Bessie Moore and the ABA to establish an organization like Economics Arkansas to prepare young people for tomorrow’s demands. Thanks to those bankers who came before us and guided us in preparation for the present day.
As far as making personal resolutions for the New Year are concerned, once made I must admit I have had little success in keeping them. The Irish playwright Oscar Wilde had this to say about them, “Good resolutions are simply checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account.”
Regardless of the promises one makes to one’s self on the eve of the New Year, most people will find it challenging to adhere to any resolution. As we step through the door to the New Year with high expectations, I leave you with the tried and true words of the Boy Scout motto, “Be Prepared.”
I wish each of you a prosperous 2009 sprinkled with the essential ingredients of good health, love and laughter…………lots and lots of laughter!
Around the state and across the Miles………….there is work to be done. Let’s go have some fun!
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