April is Community Banking Month, and we are dedicating this issue of Bank Strategy Briefing to reflect upon the importance of a strong community banking industry and to say “thank you” to our friends and clients who help to make our industry great.  

Despite all of the challenges the industry has faced in recent years, community banks are—and have been for well over a century—the engines of economic development and civic engagement in communities across the country. The aggregate impact community banks have had is readily apparent. On a local level, go to any town, village or city and one can easily see the many developments, businesses and homes that were likely made possible because of a community bank. Few industries in America can boast of a legacy more meaningful than the one community banks continue to forge every day.

It is also no secret that community banks provide critical opportunities for investors, customers, and employees, but they also provide opportunities for a host of professionals who have dedicated their careers to supporting community banks and their mission. The attorneys on our Banking & Financial Institutions Team are just such a group of professionals. Community banks have given us a challenging and engaging career, wonderful friendships, interesting work and an opportunity to support our families. We are well aware of how fortunate we are to serve the community banking industry, and we want to take this opportunity to thank our clients and friends in the industry who have put their faith in us over the years. The relationships we have built are what make our work particularly fulfilling, and we look forward to doing our part to serve and support the growing legacy of community banking for many years to come.

So from all of us at Godfrey & Kahn, have wonderful Community Banking Month and thank you!