ACB: Press Releases

Joint News Release

Contact:	Robert Schmermund (202) 857-3104 Jim Eberle (202) 857-3145	ICBA Karen Thomas (202) 659-8111	For Immediate Release January 6, 2003
E-mail: [email protected]

ACB, ICBA FORM PRIVACY WORKING GROUP TO ADVANCE INTERESTS OF COMMUNITY BANK CUSTOMERS

Press Release Tools
	E-mail This Press Release
	Printer-Friendly Format

Joint News Release

America’s Community Bankers • Independent Community Bankers of America

WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 6, 2003 — The two trade associations representing the nation’s community banks announced formation today of the Privacy Working Group to advance the interests of community bank customers in the evolving debate over consumer privacy protections.

The working group, which held its first meeting today, was formed by the Independent Community Bankers of America and America’s Community Bankers. The group will be co-chaired by Robert I. Gulledge, immediate past chairman of ICBA and chairman and president, Citizens Bank, Robertsdale, Ala., and Curtis L. Hage, immediate past chairman of ACB and chairman and CEO, Home Federal Bank, Sioux Falls, S.D.

“We want to ensure that the unique concerns of community banks are fully considered by Congress,” said Gulledge. “We especially want to avoid new restrictions on information sharing that is essential to how we deliver products and services to our customers. Community banks use of outsourcing and joint ventures is essential to serving their customers’ financial needs.”

“As Congress debates the reauthorization of the information sharing preemptions in the Fair Credit Reporting Act, our overall goal will be to maintain a national standard and avoid a fragmented system of state-by-state standards,” said Hage. The preemptions expire at the end of this year.

The working group also includes the following bankers:

ICBA: ICBA Treasurer Tom Hawker, County Bank, Merced, Calif.; Terry Jorde, CountryBank USA, Cando, N.D.; ICBA Past Chairman Tom Sheehan, Grafton State Bank, Grafton, Wis.; and ICBA Chairman Pierce Stone, Virginia Community Bank, Louisa, Va.

ACB: ACB Past Chairman David Bochnowski, Peoples Bank, SB, Munster, Ind.; D. Tad Lowrey, Jackson Federal Bank, Brea, Calif.; James F. McKenna, North Shore Bank, FSB, Brookfield, Wis.; and ACB First Vice Chairman William W. Zuppe, Sterling Savings Bank, Spokane, Wash.

America’s Community Bankers is the national trade association committed to shaping the future of banking by being the innovative industry leader strengthening the competitive position of community banks. To learn more about ACB, visit www.AmericasCommunityBankers.com.

ICBA is the nation’s leading voice for community banks and the only national trade association dedicated exclusively to protecting the interests of the community banking industry. We aggregate the power of our members to provide a voice for community banking interests in Washington, resources to enhance community bank education and marketability, and profitability options to help community banks compete in an ever-changing marketplace. ICBA has 5,000 members with branches in 17,000 locations nationwide.

-30-