Political Quotes

“The Independent Community Bankers Association has sent to Senator Snowe and me a strong recommendation. They say: On behalf of 5,000 members and our State partner community banking associations, we strongly support the proposed Small Business Lending Fund, and urge prompt passage of this important legislation. The nation's 8,000 community bankers are well positioned because of their established relationships with small businesses in their communities to use the funds to get credit flowing. Under the proposal that is being brought to the floor today, banks with less than $1 billion in assets could receive capital investments up to 5 percent of their risk-weighted assets, and those with between $1 billion and $10 billion in assets could receive up to 3 percent. We know community banks are the ones that small businesses do go to, some with more success than others, and that is a speech for another day. But I do know there are a number of bankers who say: Senator Landrieu, Senator Snowe, we want to lend to our small businesses, and if you can help us with a few things, we could do a better job.”