My congratulations to Jeff Gerhart, a fourth-generation banker who is chairman of Bank of Newman Grove in Nebraska, and was recently named chairman of the Independent Community Bankers of America. In an interview with American Banker, Gerhart took some time to explain his thoughts on the banking industry and the role of ICBA.
It is great Gerhart sees reducing regulatory burdens for community bankers as a top priority, and he understands the important role community banks play within their local communities. What is particularly interesting is Gerhart’s answer to what motivates him to be a banker:
“It’s the chance to keep a local businesses open in town, and we’ll work with pretty near anybody to make sure it works. If we weren’t there, I don’t know whether those loans would be made. We’re making loans that the big banks probably wouldn’t take a look at out here.”
This is exactly why we are working to save the American Dream. Without our community-based financial institutions, our economy and the nation as a whole will continue to suffer, as Main Street America will be crippled and unable to maintain its role as the job creator, innovator and economic driver of the country.
You can read the entire Q&A between American Banker and Gerhart here.
