Business View Magazine | July 2022

115 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 9, ISSUE 7 Independent Bankers Association of New York State (IBANYS) Community banks are here to stay C ommunity banks share a commitment to meeting the financial needs of their local communities. Above that, for many towns and cities, those banks have become long-time, trusted ‘friends’ and supporters of residents and businesses, alike. The Independent Bankers Association of New York State (IBANYS) represents the interests of independent community banks located throughout the state. IBANYS meetings and conferences provide outstanding networking opportunities and educational programming and are the biggest champions of community banks in New York State. The association’s key priority is government relations advocacy on behalf of community bankers, providing rigorous representation in legislative and regulatory affairs. Business View spoke with IBANYS President John Witkowski about the Independent Bankers Association of New York State and its value to the community banking sector. His candid insights bode well for the positive future of the industry. BVM: Can you share some background on IBANYS and its services? Witkowski: “The Independent Bankers Association of New York State was founded in 1974 – the reason being that it was the start