By Richard Hyatt - Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Mayors get elected. Bank presidents get things done.

That’s the way power often works and that’s the way it has been in Columbus since streets were muddy and paddleboats sailed up the Chattahoochee.

Bankers have been on the front row of the city’s progress and success, taking time away from debits and credits to do whatever the community needed them to do.

Being involved in Columbus was a major part of their job description, for until recent years banks were locally owned and controlled. Involvement was simply good business.

It was that way in the generation of bankers like Rhodes Browne and J.W. Key. It was that way when it was Billy Key and Frank Morast. It was that when Charlie Daley, Sam Franklin, Jim Blanchard, Jimmy Yancey and Steve Melton were in charge of their respective banks.

A reminder of that history came to mind when Frank Etheridge III announced he was about to retire as president of SunTrust Bank.

His resume reflects leadership roles with the Trade Center Authority, Columbus State University Foundation, Columbus Economic Development Corp., RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley, Midtown Inc., and the Columbus Technical College Foundation.

That doesn’t include past service with the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce, Vote Yes for Schools, St. Francis Hospital, the Valley Partnership, Urban League, Development Authority of Columbus, Rotary Club of Columbus, Historic Columbus Foundation, Springer Opera House, United Way and Uptown Columbus.

When there was time, he was a banker.

Etheridge did what he was taught to do.

“When I joined Trust Company of Georgia 40 years ago, I was told that a healthy community made a healthy bank,” he said.

That was the way it was when he came home to Columbus but that’s not the way it is as he retires.

“You’re doing 100 percent banking today. Demands are greater and support staffs are leaner. You don’t have the time to be involved,” he said.

Social and civic demands have increased. Events are scheduled four or five nights a week. If men and women like Etheridge show up at every dinner and meeting, there is little time for work, play or family.

“It’s also a generational thing,” he said. “In the past, the bank would buy a table at banquets and our people would clamor for a seat. People wanted to be there and they wanted to be seen. Now they’re coaching ball or doing something with their family.”

The business of banking has changed. Decisions are locally made at only a handful of our 12 banks. Competition is keen even though three banks do nearly 85 percent of the business.

Presidents of banks may not be out front as often as they were in the past, but Etheridge — who retires May 31 — doesn’t think there will be a shortage of people to lead.

“Used to be, there were two or three people at the table,” he said. “Now there are many people at the table.”

For 21 years, Frank Etheridge III sat at that table and when his seat is vacant, he will be missed.