It's a sad situation as far as the plight of community banking goes.

There is no question these rules will reduce the availability of credit to many creditworthy borrowers and markets of all size.

These pressures are slowly, but surely, straining the traditional community banks, and handicapping their ability to meet the credit needs of their community.

We will see community banks continue to decline. We simply cannot afford the high cost of Federal regulation.

The more expense for the bank, the less that is available to loan to our primary customer base, which is small businesses, farmers, and folks who are just trying to get by in these difficult times.

So that $1,600 might not seem like a lot to some people in this room. But $17,000 for a $1,600 loan raises a bit of suspicion.

Frankly, it is a ridiculous question, and I regret that you had to answer it.

I would just encourage all of you to continue to do the work you are doing to protect consumers.

I think we all understand political theater.

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