14
www.
cbai
.com
+
Community Bankers Association of Illinois
Bank
notes
Call on Washington, where CBAI
members meet with their lawmakers
and regulators.
Schroeder also meets regularly with
representatives of the Federal Reserve,
FDIC, OCC, FHFA, CFPB, and
the Federal Home Loan Bank, often
at their Chicago regional offices.
Given the emphasis on federal
rulemaking to implement banking
legislation, Schroeder’s time is
increasingly devoted to researching
and commenting on proposed rules.
CBAI’s goal in rulemaking is to
convince the regulators to construct
new or revised rules which are
appropriate for community banks
including outright exemptions.
In addition, Schroeder coordinates
CBAI’s federal activities with the
ICBA. Karen Thomas, ICBA senior
executive vice president, government
relations & public policy, said, “ICBA
appreciates CBAI’s commitment to the
federal effort. Schroeder’s real-world
community-banking experience is a
valuable resource and complements
ICBA’s efforts to encourage the
Illinois delegation to support and pass
legislation which will help community
banks compete and thrive.”
Schroeder is also responsible for
informing CBAI members about the
Association’s federal activities and
initiatives through E-News articles,
website postings, Action Alerts, and
speaking at various CBAI conferences
and events. These efforts are
intended to keep members informed,
generate support for CBAI’s federal
agenda, and build participation in
grassroots lobbying.
Concluding Comments
Community banks need regulatory
relief via implementation of tiered
regulations based on size and risk
that outright exempts community
banks from some regulations and
lightens the impact of others. Mega
banks generally do not support
exempting community banks from
regulations unless they are exempted
as well. Mega banks oppose being
downsized or functionally restricted
so they can continue to take large
risks for large rewards.
Community banks must maintain
autonomous representation to insure
that their needs and interests aren’t
compromised by the self-interests
of mega banks. Community banks
need to engage in grassroots lobbying
with the guidance and direction of
CBAI and ICBA. Now is the time
for community banks to effect sorely
needed changes!
n
Greg Ohlendorf
(First Community
Bank and Trust,
Beecher) testifies
before the House
Financial Services
Committee.
