WHEREAS,  Maine's 31 retail banks are committed to serving the needs of their customers and communities within all 16 Maine counties. Maine banks employ more than 9,000 Maine citizens and recognize emerging leaders for further educational opportunities and development in order to position the banking industry and Maine for the future; and

WHEREAS,  Maine's banks and their employees are a critical component in keeping the State's economic engine moving forward. Maine's banks have assets exceeding $28,000,000,000 deployed throughout the State. In 2017, those banks lent over $3,100,000,000 to Maine businesses and more than $2,100,000,000 to Maine citizens who were purchasing or refinancing homes; and

WHEREAS,  Maine's bankers believe that a vibrant state economy helps to ensure continued prosperity for the State's business climate and adds jobs for people in Maine communities. Banks are partners in their communities and can only grow and be successful if those communities thrive and prosper; and

WHEREAS,  Maine's banks donated more than $12,300,000 to Maine charities in 2017, and their employees raised over $459,000 for community causes in addition to volunteering more than 194,000 hours in their communities; now, therefore, be it