ANNAPOLIS, Md., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- This
week, Ramon Looby marks his first
year as CEO and President of the Maryland Bankers Association
(MBA). During his tenure, Looby has overseen the growth of
organization as well as the expansion of services to members.
In particular, Looby points to the critical role that MBA and
Maryland's banks played in COVID
recovery.
"One of the most important ways that MBA and our members served
our customers, clients, and communities last year was helping
facilitate access to federal and state aid," said Looby.
"Maryland's bankers were integral
in the public-private partnership that implemented the CARES Act
and the Paycheck Protection Program, giving out 176,500 loans worth
$15 billion in funding, which helped
save countless businesses and nearly a million Maryland jobs."
Looby, who is a member of the Independent Community Bankers of
America's (ICBA) Minority Council, oversaw the successful
matriculation of the MBA's Emerging Leaders program which helps
elevate young bankers from diverse backgrounds by giving them the
tools they need to become industry leaders. He also emphasized
financial inclusion—ensuring the availability and equality of
opportunity to access financial services—during his first year.
"Marylanders who don't use the banking system are often members
of minority or other traditionally underserved communities, and
they are vulnerable to everything from predatory lending schemes to
not being able to easily access much-needed state and federal aid,"
Looby explained. "MBA and Maryland
banks are promoting solutions designed to provide access to
affordable, functional, and safe bank accounts because access to
financial tools is necessary—businesses are started with loans,
houses are bought with mortgages, and credit is built with history.
Especially during the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, it is
even more important to have access to these tools so that people
can adapt to ever-changing circumstances. We will continue to work
hand-in-hand with Maryland banks
of all sizes to expand financial inclusion in our great state."
Looby concluded: "We helped our members overcome unprecedented
challenges in the past year and we helped them build stronger bonds
with their customers and communities. We also added strong new
leaders to our service-oriented team. And, mostly, we helped
educate policymakers and the public about the important,
life-changing role that Maryland's
banks play in keeping our state economically strong. I look forward
to working with our team to redouble our dedication to our members,
expanding our capabilities and further strengthening our culture of
service in the coming year."
About the Maryland Bankers Association
Founded in 1896, the Maryland Bankers Association (MBA) is the only
Maryland-based trade group
representing banks in the state. MBA's member banks employ about
28,266 banking professionals in nearly 1,490 branch offices across
the state.
Media Contact
Nikolaj Leszczynski, Maryland
Bankers Association, 415-306-6447, nikolaj@redbanyan.com
SOURCE Maryland Bankers Association