Community banks and the Federal Reserve

In a speech given at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago?s conference, \\"Whither the Community Bank?\\" Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City President Thomas Hoenig gave his perspective on the role community banks play in key sectors of the economy and in the Federal Reserve?s mission.> Mr. Hoenig?s central theme was that while community banks hold only a small share of the nation?s banking assets, they provide important financial services to some key sectors of the economy. Their importance in the economy, in turn, supports the Federal Reserve?s interest in and oversight of community banks. In fact, community banks play significant, though perhaps not equal, roles in each of the Federal Reserve?s three missions?monetary policy, banking supervision and regulation, and the payments system. Thus, the Federal Reserve has a strong interest in understanding issues facing community banks and in helping to make possible their continued participation in the nation?s financial and payments systems.