I plan to conclude by briefly discussing the current condition of minority banks and highlighting the importance of your lending activities to our economy. And then I would like to hear from you. Community banker concerns Overwhelmingly, the biggest concern I am hearing about these days is the public perception of banks and bankers. Clearly, the public is angry.
They are angry at banks and, just as much, at bank regulators. They are angry about bailouts. They are angry about bad loans. They are angry about big salaries. They are angry because banks are not lending. And they are angry about high rates and fees. Community bankers are angry, too. They are angry because they did not ask for or receive any bailouts.