“The challenges of the past year have seen a return to the responsible, common sense lending that is the underpinning of the nation’s community banks and that has allowed them to remain a stable source of home financing for families in communities throughout the country.” — Independent Community Bankers of America Chairman Cynthia L. Blankenship, who is also COO of Bank of the West, Grapevine, Texas.

She added, “Community banks will continue to play this vital role within their communities” as the new housing law is implemented.