From our Chairman
Stewardship, Committment
J.R. Buckner, MBA Chairman First Federal Bank of Kansas City
One of our proof of value statements at First Federal Bank addresses stewardship of the resources we’ve been entrusted with and the reputation of the bank. Tis same value of stewardship is at the heart of what the MBA stands for. For decades, MBA has fought for a level playing field for Missouri banks to allow us to efficiently and effectively serve the financial needs of our communities. Tose battles have been fought by men and women just like you and me who agreed to stand up for what we believe in.
If you have not participated in a trip to Washington, D.C., or Jefferson City to visit our elected officials, I strongly encourage you to do so. I am grateful MBA CEO Max Cook persisted in asking me to attend. My eyes were opened on my first trip, and I’ve made it a point to be active ever since. Every day, there are droves of individuals, community
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groups and lobbyists telling our representatives we are the bad guys, that we need more oversight and that our profits are too large. So unless that is the story you want to be told, we must be more active. Make that trip to Washington and Jefferson City to personally tell your bank’s story and the valuable role you have in your communities.
We hire folks at First Federal Bank based on three attributes — hunger or drive, emotional intelligence and humility. Humility is an admirable quality I think most bankers possess, but when it comes to advocacy, we shoot ourselves in the foot. We must be more vocal and aggressive in showing our representatives all the good we do in our communities. We do not need more oversight, compliance or regulation. We built our banks on relationships in our communities, and
we will strengthen our industry through advocacy and relationships with our representatives. You should be on a first name basis with your representatives and their chiefs of staff, regardless of party affiliation. Te Department of Homeland Security came up with the slogan “If you see something, say something.” Every time we participate in activities in our communities or lend our services, we need to blast it — post it, share it, like it, heck even make a TikTok about it! If we don’t share our stories and how our banks make an impact in our communities, who will?
I see several headwinds facing us in the coming year — economic uncertainly, succession, social pressures, shiſting political winds, regulatory upheaval and the expanding powers of our tax-free competitors, the credit unions. We still must contend with CECL and, if the economy takes
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