Community Spirit Bank President and CEO Brad Bolton has been named chairman-elect of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) for 2021-22. His term began March 11 at the conclusion of ICBA Connect, a virtual community banking event.
“It is an honor and a privilege to be elected to represent our nation’s community banks as ICBA chairman-elect,” Bolton said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to an industry that has meant so much to me and my community and I am eager to get to work supporting ICBA’s mission for the benefit of rural, urban and suburban communities nationwide.”
Bolton serves in many leadership roles at ICBA. He is a member of the ICBA Executive Committee and board of directors and is chairman of the Federal Delegate Board. He is a member of ICBA’s Policy Development and Nominating committees. He also serves as Executive Committee liaison to the Bank Operations and Payments committee and as ex-officio member on the ICBA Reinsurance board of directors.
A second-generation community banker Bolton served as past chairman of the Alabama Young Bankers known as Leadership Community Bankers. He serves on the Legislative Committee of the Mississippi Bankers Association. He is an elected member of the Red Bay, Ala., City Council and is an appointed member of the Franklin County Community Development Commission and an appointed member of the Atlanta Federal Reserve Board’s Community Depository Institution Advisory Council.
“On behalf of the Directors, Officers and Employees of Community Spirit Bank, I congratulate Brad on this recent election to Chairman-Elect with the Independent Community Bankers,” said Tammy B. Montgomery, Director/EVP/Chief Operating Officer for Community Spirit Bank. “This is most humbling and an extreme honor for both Brad and Community Spirit Bank. To be recognized nationally with this election is phenomenal. Brad is a true advocate and leader for Community Banking in every sense of the word. He works tirelessly for the betterment of our industry on the local, state, and national level. We are very proud of him in this new position and are confident he will continue to make a difference in Community Banking as he moves to this next level of leadership with the ICBA.”
Bolton’s father, Billy, who serves as Chairman of the Community Spirit Bank Board of Directors, is proud of Brad’s accomplishment on both personal and professional levels.
“Brad’s continued ascension as a member of our national banking association’s executive committee and the officer position of this association is a testimony of his hard work and dedication not only in our own bank, but the association as well,” Billy Bolton said. “He truly cares about the banking industry and strives to make a difference in serving our customer’s needs and promoting community banking. He loves the Independent Community Bankers of America because it is the only national association that exclusively represents the community banking sector. It is not only an honor for him (and wife Julie) to be elected to Chairman-Elect, but it is a tremendous honor for Community Spirit Bank. On behalf of our entire Directorate, I congratulate him and Julie and look forward to his continued service on behalf of ICBA.”
ICBA is the only national advocacy organization dedicated exclusively to promoting the interests of locally operated community banks and savings institutions. With the high-tech, high-touch banking services that consumers expect, community banks offer the best financial-services options for millions of consumers, small businesses and agricultural enterprises.
“Brad is an incredible leader and a passionate advocate for our industry,” said ICBA Chairman Robert M. Fisher, president and CEO of Tioga State Bank in Spencer, N.Y. “He has earned the trust and respect of his customers and community and has proven to be a positive force for change – helping to move our industry forward. As ICBA chairman, I look forward to leveraging his considerable talents and expertise as we work towards ICBA’s mission to create and promote an environment where community banks flourish.”
The Independent Community Bankers of America creates and promotes an environment where community banks flourish. ICBA is dedicated exclusively to representing the interests of the community banking industry and its membership through effective advocacy, best-in-class education, and high-quality products and services.
With nearly 50,000 locations nationwide, community banks constitute 99 percent of all banks, employ more than 700,000 Americans and are the only physical banking presence in one in three U.S. counties. Holding more than $5 trillion in assets, over $4.4 trillion in deposits, and more than $3.4 trillion in loans to consumers, small businesses and the agricultural community, community banks channel local deposits into the Main Streets and neighborhoods they serve, spurring job creation, fostering innovation and fueling their customers’ dreams in communities throughout America. For more information, visit ICBA’s website at www.icba.org.
