In popular culture, there are few more endearing portraits of the community banker than George Bailey, a portrayal of the profession that today's community bankers relate to and nostalgically long for. Mr. Bailey, the consummate small-town guy of the holiday favorite It's a Wonderful Life, reluctantly took over his family's financial institution and sacrificed his dreams of world travel to save the Bailey Brothers Building and Loan and make sure his neighbors had the means to finance their own dreams. In doing so, he never recognized his critical importance to his community until divine intervention forced him to realize a world without his influence. It is the rallying cry of generations of community bankers who have told themselves that their daily battle against increasing regulatory scrutiny and growing public resentment is a worthy cause, if for no other reason than it gives the hometowns they love so much reason for economic hope. Continue reading >