CSBS, Federal Reserve Publish National Survey, Town Hall Summaries on the State of Community Banking
October 1, 2015
Gathering for the third annual “Community Banking in the 21st Century” Research and Policy Conference at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) and the Federal Reserve published the results of a national survey and town hall meetings with bankers from across the country. The “By Invitation Only” conference included only two Connecticut representatives: Banking Commissioner Jorge L. Perez and Chandler J. Howard, President and CEO of Liberty Bank (headquartered in Middletown, CT). The conference brings together community bankers, policymakers, and state and federal regulators from around the country to discuss the latest community bank research.
“I am pleased to be participating in this event with Chandler Howard, President and CEO of Liberty Bank, who clearly represents the Connecticut community bankers, and look forward to the presentations which will explore research and policy initiatives on strengthening community banking now and in the future,” Commissioner Perez said.
The Community Banking in the 21st Century National Survey was administered by state bank commissioners in 39 states. A total of 974 community bankers participated in the survey. The survey provides a national view of how bankers are thinking about key issues facing the industry and how they are responding to market conditions.
Additionally, state regulators in 27 states held town hall meetings with more than 500 community bankers from April to July. The town hall summaries within the Community Banking in the 21st Century publication provide insight from the industry on the state of community banks. The results of the town hall meetings provide a unique opportunity to connect the quantitative data in the survey with the stories and experiences of bankers serving their communities.
In the state of Connecticut, the town hall meeting was facilitated by the Connecticut Department of Banking in cooperation with the Connecticut Bankers Association (CBA). Connecticut town hall attendees included the CBA’s executive board members and community bankers from across the state.
“Community banks play a vital role in the economy and are integral members of the communities they serve. They not only provide loans and other vitally important financial services to grow and strengthen their communities, but also donate significant time and financial resources to improve the communities they work and live in,” Commissioner Perez said.
The survey results and town hall summaries are available on the Community Banking in the 21st Century Research Conference website, www.communitybanking.org.