As part of my President’s Message, I want to mention how much I appreciate our current NMBA President, Jason Wyatt. Although elected for a one-year term, Jason “gladly” agreed to serve for 2-plus years as President due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He has certainly served beyond the call of duty. I have very much come to appreciate Jason’s work ethic, sense of fairness and commitment to banking and – most importantly – his employees.
Jason and I worked diligently with bankers, the SBA, Treasury and bank customers to assist in making the Paycheck Protection Program the most successful small business rescue program in the nation’s history. The program would have been a complete failure without the unbelievable effort of our banks and their employees. When the PPP came to a close in early 2021, banks were responsible for 80% of the 9.6 million PPP loans made and 93% of the $785 billion in PPP funding. I think Jason would agree that we did a fantastic job assisting New Mexico small businesses with the Association’s PPP efforts.
During Jason’s term, he lost the greatest influence in his life and career, his grandfather, Don Kidd. Don was President, CEO and Chairman of Western Commerce Bank for 41 years. Jason noted in his first President’s Message in 2020 that his “grandfather has had the greatest influence on my career. He has been teaching me about banking, finance, human nature, work ethic, and the importance of education and reading my entire life.”
During Jason’s term, he lost the greatest influence in his life and career, his grandfather, Don Kidd. Don was President, CEO and Chairman of Western Commerce Bank for 41 years. Jason noted in his first President’s Message in 2020 that his “grandfather has had the greatest influence on my career. He has been teaching me about banking, finance, human nature, work ethic, and the importance of education and reading my entire life.” After working with Jason for the past two years, I can only say that Mr. Kidd did one heck of a job in educating his grandson.
Finally, as you know, the NMBA sponsors internship and emerging leader programs. When I prepare to work on these programs, I always utilize the advice Jason gave young bankers in his opening message as President: “The best advice I can give a young banker would be the same advice my grandfather gave me. He said there are five words that will make you successful. Those words are ‘Why don’t you let me?’, i.e., ‘Why don’t you let me do that report?’, ‘Why don’t you let me come early and open the bank?’, ‘Why don’t you let me do that inspection?’ Basically, make yourself invaluable to your employer and never sit and do nothing. If you finish a task that you are given, don’t wait for someone to give you another task, be proactive and ask for one.”
Jason continued in his message, “I would also say never stop learning and don’t assume you know everything. Banking isn’t something you can learn in a year or even ten years. Banking is a lifetime of learning. I continue to learn something new every day. Another one of my grandfather’s sayings is, ‘Most people don’t have twenty years of experience; they have one year of experience twenty times.’ Learn as much as you can, continually educate yourself by reading, attending conferences, and asking questions. Knowledge is power, and the more you know, the more you will succeed.”
Thank you, Jason.
When you combine all funding sources, stimulus legislation infused $19.1 billion worth of funds and services into New Mexico.
Political Action Update
With all of the changes in banking over the past several years, it is interesting that the primary functions of the NMBA have basically remained the same – government relations advocacy, banking education, communications with member banks and the general public, and providing a legal resource for member banks.
While each of these areas is important, government relations are critical. The NMBA has held a highly positive reputation for having the highest level of credibility in representing the interests of member banks and their customers with both state and federal policymakers. There can be no doubt that credibility is the most crucial element in having success with legislators at the local or national level.
I recently read an article written by a retired association CEO, who told the story about a former association lobbyist and attorney. This individual told the CEO to “keep in mind that if a legislator agrees to support what you are saying, it is not because he or she likes you, it’s not because they think you’re smart, and it is certainly not because they think you are good-looking. It is because of who you represent!”
For our government relations advocacy to be effective, it is crucial for our members to be involved. That includes individual contact with public officials and political action contributions. As I have said numerous times, the importance of your NMBA PAC contributions cannot be overstated. The ever-increasing cost of elections requires greater expenditures with each election cycle. We receive requests throughout the year for financial support from pro-banking candidates as elections approach. We had the funds to assist our friends. But as election costs increase, so do the requests. So please contribute along with your colleagues at the bank.
The NMBA has always been viewed by elected officials, regulators, and the news media as a highly successful representative of our industry. The Association will continue to excel as a diverse and reliable professional resource for New Mexico banks.
Zoom
Many of you will disagree, but, in my opinion, Zoom is here to stay in one form or another – at least for legislative sessions. Representative Daymon Ely (D-Corrales), Chairman of the House Rules Committee, said he will push for remote public testimony during the 30-day session in January because “we learned valuable things from Zoom, including the fact that it is incredibly helpful to people in the remote areas of the state.” And House Speaker, Brian Egolf (D-Santa Fe) said Zoom “made public participation a real option for thousands of people who were unable to do so before.”
One commentator noted that “involvement is easier said than done when you drive hundreds of miles to the capitol only to learn the bill you wanted to testify on in committee has been rescheduled for another day. Who covers the expense to put you up in Santa Fe? Or drive all the way back to Carlsbad, Hobbs, Lordsburg, Silver City, and then try again another day? And what about the time off work and away from family responsibilities?”
There are many advantages to in-person meetings and debates, but Zoom provides greater access to the legislative process to more New Mexicans, something that is undeniably positive.
