Robert Fisher was elevated to chair of the Independent Community Bankers of America today in a virtual event; the association’s annual convention originally was planned to take place in Hawaii. Fisher, a fifth generation banker, is president and CEO of Tioga Bank in Spencer, N.Y.
In brief remarks before a virtual audience of nearly 1,700 people, Fisher said his top priorities for the coming year are financial literacy, credit union competition and better member engagement in advocacy for common sense, tiered regulation.
Fisher explained that his family has a history of fighting for parity with unfair competition from credit unions. He noted that his father was involved in a lawsuit against the credit union industry in the 1980s over rules that allowed credit unions to pay interest on share draft accounts while preventing banks from paying interest on checking accounts.
Fisher, who dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot and served in the Air Force, returned to the family bank 28 years ago. He said he is optimistic that the industry will get back to “handshakes and hugs” within the coming year.
“We all have amazing stories that we need to share, to get involved, get engaged, and together we will move the needle for the benefit of our customers and communities,” Fisher said. “If our members are engaged and passionate, we will prevail. We are fighting on behalf of a great mission — to create and promote an environment where community banks flourish.”
Fisher shared that he attended his first ICBA convention when he was 8 years old and his grandfather brought the extended family with him to Hawaii, where the convention occurred in 1976.