IBAT's Bottom Line February 17, 2009

U.S. Treasury’s Go Direct Campaign Urges Banks to Stand Up and Be Recognized for Promoting Direct Deposit

Whether your bank serves a small town, a large city or an entire region, customers in your community look to you for sound advice about their money. The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Go Direct campaign is announcing a new recognition program for financial institutions that go the extra mile in promoting direct deposit to senior citizens, people with disabilities, veterans and other members who receive federal benefits. The six-month Go Direct Community Ambassadors Program<http://www.godirect.org/Go_Direct_Community_Ambassadors.cfm> launches in January and is aimed at community- and medium-sized financial institutions. The program is simple to implement and provides banks with a flexible way to demonstrate their commitment to the community’s financial health while gaining recognition from Treasury’s Go Direct campaign. All banks are invited to register online at www.GoDirect.org<http://www.GoDirect.org> by February 27, 2009.

Banks that successfully participate in the Community Ambassadors program will receive a letter of recognition and certificate from Go Direct. Participating banks will be offered a variety of options for sharing information about the benefits of direct deposit with their customers, including ordering free Go Direct materials.

The simple act of switching to direct deposit can have a meaningful, positive impact on the lives of your customers and on your community. Consider the following:

• Direct deposit is safer and easier than paper checks – in fact, when there is a problem with a Social Security payment, nine times out of 10 it is with a paper check, not a direct deposit payment.
• Direct deposit also provides “green” benefits by reducing the paper and energy required to distribute checks.
• And direct deposit saves taxpayers money. Since it was launched in 2005, the Go Direct campaign has generated more than two million enrollments in direct deposit representing significant savings to taxpayers in printing, mailing and other costs.

Raising awareness about the benefits of direct deposit is a community effort. More than 1,200 Go Direct partner organizations engage in direct deposit education efforts across the country – including financial institutions, non-profits, and community-based groups. For more information about the Community Ambassadors program or Go Direct, call 952-346-6055, or visit www.GoDirect.org.

How To Create And Maintain A Sales Culture In A Community Bank
March 18-19, 2009 - San Antonio
More Information . . .

Question: I have seen more and more banks go to new deposit platform providers.  A couple of these providers only have the ownership title on their forms for the owner's initial - - they do not include the explanation as to what these ownership categories actually mean.  One company I've seen only prints out the information on the ownership category selected and omits all references to the other 6 consumer ownerships in Texas.  My understanding of the TX Single-Party/Multiple-Party Account Selection Form as outlined in the TX Probate Code is that all 7 categories and their explanations must be included in the document that is initialed by the owner(s).  Has this changed - or are the new companies getting into the Texas market simply not completely familiar with the Texas laws?

To find out the answer, click here.

• Community bank strategic issues for 2009
• State and federal legislative initiatives
• The bank CEO’s 2009 “To Do” list

Call for Volunteers

Spring Semester Call for Classroom Volunteers is upon us. If you/or someone in your bank have an interest  in becoming a classroom volunteer on a financial education topic during this Spring 2009 semester, give IBAT a shout. We will  try to match you with a class teacher (K-12) and materials who has called for volunteers. Simply email mlange@ibat.org and we will help connect your interest with a classroom need.

And, don't forget, April is Financial Literacy Month AND Community Banking Month. If you have a special interest in reaching senior citizens  in your market during April, we have a training kit ready to go. For information, email mlange@ibat.org.

IBAT Career Center is free to all job seekers and provides you with access to the best employers and jobs in the Texas community banking industry.

An added feature of the IBAT Career Center is that IBAT job seekers also have instant access to job listings from the following assocations, thru the IBAT Career Center: Mortgage Bankers Association, National Association of Credit Management, FORIUS (formerly NACM North Central), California Mortgage Bankers Association, International Association of Registered Financial Consultants, Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, International Accounts Payable Professionals.

In addition, IBAT Career Center offers the most targeted advertising for your Texas community banking industry job openings.

Jump start your career with the IBAT Career Center.

Later last Friday, the U.S. Congress is set for the final vote on the $787 billion stimulus plan. President Obama is hoping to sign the bill by the 16th. Much of the debate that has transpired revolves around the amount of tax cuts versus direct spending stimulus to individuals and businesses. Read More in the Baker Market Update.

Although this information has been obtained from sources, which we believe to be reliable, we do not guarantee its accuracy. This is for information purposes only and is not intended as an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of any security.

For a complete listing of upcoming events, CLICK HERE.  Meanwhile, please mark your calendar for some of our key upcoming events.

IT Security Summit
February 26 - San Antonio

Appraisals Summit
March 5 - Dallas

How to Create & Maintain a Sales Culture in a Community Bank Summit
March 18-19 - San Antonio

Congressional Visit
May 12-14 - Washington, D.C.

IBAT/SWACHA Bank on Boot Camp
June 2-3 - Austin

IBAT Leadership Conference
June 18-20 - San Antonio

IBAT 35th Annual Convention
October 10-13 - Westin La Cantera Resort, San Antonio