Local banker participates in Washington, D.C., summit

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WASHINGTON — Alvin Kooiman of First State Bank Southwest, Worthington, participated in two days of congressional visits as part of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) Washington Policy Summit, which took place May 2-3 in the nation’s capital.

During the summit, First State Bank Southwest advocated the needs of Main Street and pertinent community banking issues that help drive economic stability and prosperity within Worthington.

Each year, the ICBA Washington Policy Summit brings community bankers from across the country to Washington to meet with their members of Congress and federal regulators and discuss a wide range of issues that affect community banking.

This year, the nearly 1,000 attendees heard from Sen. Mary L. Landrieu (D-La.), Reps. Spencer T. Bachus III (R-Ala.) and Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Mo.), Deputy Treasury Secretary Neal S. Wolin and Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City President Thomas M. Hoenig.

“Personal contact with policymakers is the most effective way for First State Bank Southwest to educate our representatives in Washington about the issues facing community banks, our customers and our local community, which we so proudly serve each and every day.” Kooiman said. “It’s vital for the Worthington community to have our voice heard in Washington so we can let our members of Congress know what issues we need addressed back home to make our community an even better place to work and live.”

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