By James Wright Jr. | The Washington Informer
(WIB) – While organizational growth and the state of the economy were top priorities during the National Banking Association’s (NBA) annual meeting Oct. 2-3 at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Northwest, many people focused on the organization’s strategy on how to deal with challenges amid the Trump administration.
“This year’s conference is about momentum,” said Todd McDonald, chairman of the NBA board of directors. “This is a tall order.”
McDonald discussed the organization’s growth, throughout the years— from the pre-civil rights era, when African Americans heavily utilized Black banks, and then later as companies faced the challenge of existing and growing when mainstream banks opened up.
“We had 4% growth in NBA banks assets last year,” McDonald said. “We have enough capital to double in size. Plus, we have grown by 14 members.”
Despite continued progress, the board chairman said challenges persist, such as banks keeping up with the latest technological advances and working on partnerships with large institutions.
As they work to support one another, McDonald emphasized that NBA members must also continue to support small businesses.
During the two-day event, Mark Calabria, chief statistician of the U.S. White House Office of Management and Budget, told the gathering that small businesses are the engine that drives the American economy and the Trump administration wants to make sure they are supported.
“We are working to reduce rules and increase transparency, “Calabria said in an interview with Kevin Boyce, founder and chairman of Adelphi Bank based in Columbus, Ohio. “Everyone can compete on a level playing field. Black banks have a niche with small business lending. We want to help you do your job.”
Weighing in on the current administration’s midterm outlook, Ja’Ron Smith, who works for the CGCN Group in Northwest as a policy expert, also emphasized the wealth of small business opportunities during the second Trump era.
Smith, a Howard University educated former White House staffer who worked in the first Trump administration, said that things are moving fast and intentionally.
“You have to put on your safety belt the first year,” said Smith, a Howard University educated former White House staffer who worked in the first Trump administration. “Keep a steady pace and keep the relationships you have built. There is work in creating jobs and opportunities in vulnerable areas. There are greater opportunities for growth for small businesses.”
While Smith admitted the president’s rhetoric can be daunting— saying “Trump is always Trump”— he encouraged the NBA members not to get discouraged.
“It is important to reach the advisors around him,” he said. “There are diverse voices behind the president, and they have their agenda.”
Two political analysts, Ashley Etienne, a communications director for Vice President Kamala Harris and Matt Rhoades, the campaign manager for the Mitt Romney 2012 presidential campaign, told the members that 2026 elections could produce a split Washington landscape.
“The Democrats should win the House,” Rhoades said. “Many people are interested in what Hakeem Jeffries will do as speaker. The number one issue is the economy and if things are not going well, that will be good for the Democrats.”
Although Etienne agreed with Rhoades that Democrats could take back the House in the midterm elections, she said that is not the point.
“The economy is an important issue, but the question will be, for Hakeem Jeffries,
Are you a good leader?’” she said. “Will he be an effective leader? He is the minority leader now and that is the easiest job.”
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