IBAT's Bottom Line June 15, 2009

FDIC Advisory Committee on Community Banking

The FDIC Board on May 29 approved the establishment of a focused advisory committee to address issues related to the unique needs of community banking.  The FDIC is in the process of taking applications from interested bankers, and the deadline for submission is July 3.  We applaud the Board's decision, as well as their recognition that community banking is indeed "different", and should not be treated in the same manner as the complex, high risk/low capital multi-state financial services conglomerates.   If you have an interest in serving on this critical committee, we encourage you to apply.  Further information may be found here http://www.fdic.gov/communitybanking/index.html

Community Bank Representation at Treasury?

As the federal government has attempted to address the economic crisis over the past year, it has become increasingly apparent that the Treasury has been less than responsive to the unique challenges facing community banking.  Representative Dennis Cardoza (D-California), has introduced the Oversight for Community Financial Institutions Act of 2009 (H.R. 2676), which would create an assistant secretary of the Treasury specifically focused on community financial institutions.  We believe this is a splendid idea, and have indeed already sent a letter to every member of the Texas Congressional delegation to ask that they cosponsor this bill.

We encourage you to contact your respective members of Congress, and urge them to cosponsor this important bill.  You are welcome to write, email (contact information may be accessed here http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml#tx) or call 202/224-3121 and ask for your representative's office. 

Getting ready for the 2009 Leadership Conference?  Be sure to join the Leadership Conference Group on myIBAT to stay up-to-date on the latest news on the upcoming conference!

It’s time to start thinking about what cool awesome item(s) you would like to donate to the IBAT PAC Auction.  This year’s Silent and Live Auctions will take place on Monday, October 12, during the 35th Annual IBAT convention at the Westin La Cantera Resort in San Antonio.  Click here to download the Auction Pledge Form.

We’ve also created a PAC Auction blog on our website that will be updated weekly that will feature new items for this year’s auction as well as ideas from previous auctions.  Check it out here.

The Austin Money $how is one of IBAT's new initiatives to tell the positive, proactive story of community bankers.

On September 25-26, the IBAT Education Foundation is hosting a new kind of fundraiser to support its mission. The Austin Money $how is a pilot program for consumers in Central Texas who are active, educated, homeowners, have one or more children and interested in better ways to manage their finances. This audience is asking many more questions since the economy turned upside down. This audience wants to know more about their investments in 401(k) plans, IRA's, how to better work with their local banker to maximize their money. IBAT is taking the story to the consumer with 33 workshops and 80 booths. Click here to learn more: www.austinmoneyshow.com

If you have any interest in using this new platform to reach this target audience (as an exibitor, sponsor, education session leader, or attendee) a quick email to Mary Lange or Julie Courtney. mlange@ibat.org or jcourtney@ibat.org.

You have only 2 weeks left to submit your nominations for the 2009 Making a Difference Award.  Your staff works hard both in the bank and in the community.  Why not show your appreciation by nominating them for this special award?  The nominations will be judged by an outside panel of judges and our selected honorees will receive their awards during the IBAT Convention in October.  Recognize that special bank employee and let them know their hard work and dedication is appreciated!  For more information and the Nomination Form, click here:

• Information Sheet
• Nomination Form
  

If your bank used IBAT's Emergency Hotline in 2008, the program has CHANGED.  It's still free but your bank must now REGISTER to use it.  Why?  Because it's personalized for your use!

Forward this information to the person in charge of your Disaster Recovery Plan….

IBAT has an UPDATED, free hotline/voice mail box and web access for each of its members as a backup communication method for their Disaster Recovery or Business Continuity Plans.  Simply assign two contact people (a primary and a secondary) and send them this link to print and read:  http://www.ibat.org/pdfs/2009/04/07/ibat-emergency-hotline-instructions.  Pre-enrollment is required but it's easy! 

Contributions to the 2009 IBAT Legislative Fund continue to come in to our office.  Thanks to all of you who have already contributed and if you haven’t had the chance to send in your contribution, there is still time.  Questions?  Call Mae Beth at 800.749.4228 or e-mail her at mbpalone@ibat.org.  For a complete list of current contributors, click here.

American Banker Now Online At www.ibat.org

IBAT and American Banker have announced the launch of their members-only exclusive subscription program.  The American Banker is the leading daily national publication committed specifically to the banking industry.  Every IBAT member organization now receives a limited number of free subscriptions to American Banker Online thru the website, www.ibat.org.

In addition, every employee in IBAT member organizations can order their own subscription at exclusive IBAT only subscription rates, just $99 a year.  This is a substantial savings off of the regular $995 annual subscription rate available only to IBAT members thru this special membership offer.  You can sign up for this $99 Special Subscription Rate by logging in to your myIBAT account and clicking on the $99 Special link at the bottom of your myIBAT homepage in the American Banker news section.

In addition, for those that prefer to read their American Banker the old-fashioned way there is a substantially reduced $295 special rate for their daily PDF / print edition.  This is a printable PDF copy of the daily American Banker magazine delivered every weekday morning before 5am directly to your email inbox.  This daily delivered edition can be ordered now by calling American Banker at 1-800-221-1809 and telling them you are a member of The Independent Bankers Association of Texas and would like the $295 discounted PDf subscription.

On the IBAT website in the American Banker section of your myIBAT page there is a RSS news section with the most current news stories pulled directly from American Banker Texas page.   As a free or paid subscriber all you have to do is click on one of the story headlines and it takes you right to the American Banker website without logging in again.  You must log into the IBAT website first, but once you do that, and go thru the links on the myIBAT page, then you have full American Banker member access to all of their website features.

We hope you are as excited as we are with this membership enhancement.  If you have any questions please contact either Jennifer Dupont or Kerry Hall with your questions at 1-800-749-4228.

As IBAT celebrates our 35th Anniversary this year, we wanted to introduce you to our staff.  Many of the staff you know already and some that you may not be as familiar with.  IBAT really is a family.  We laugh together…we cry together…we get on each other’s nerves.  But at the end of the day, we can always count on each other.

The IBAT family has 226 years of combined experience with the association.  We recently asked the staff to complete a fun questionnaire to give you a chance to get to know them better.  From now until the Annual IBAT Convention, we’ll be featuring them on the IBAT website.  Enjoy and welcome to our home.

Can you identify this staff member?

Get Leadership Conference Updates Through Twitter

You can now receive the latest news from the 2009 Leadership Conference by following the #LDC09 hashtag!

What is Twitter?  Twitter is a service for business associates, co-workers, friends and family to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick and simple text messages that answer one simple question:  What are your doing?

It is as easy as going to www.twitter.com/myibat and select the "follow" button.  You can receive Twitter updates either online or directly to your cell phone via short text messages.

Make plans to enter IBAT’s 2009 Best of Community Banking Awards competition.  While Wall Street financial institutions have gambled with our nation’s economic stability, community banks have continued their safety and soundness practices to keep their local economies and communities strong and thriving.

Now is the time to highlight the contributions of your community bank to your colleagues, while giving your customers, shareholders and employees one more reason to be proud.  

Entries must be received at the IBAT Office by 5:00 PM on June 30.  The Best of Community Banking Awards Luncheon will take place on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at the Westin La Cantera Resort in San Antonio during the 35th IBAT Annual Convention.  All qualified entries will be on display during the convention.

Special thanks to our sponsors for this year's competition:
CSI, Computer Services Inc.
BKD, LLP, CPAs and Advisers
The Genesis Group
Rogers-Ford, LC, Architects and Interior Design
Fiserve
Integrated Bank Technology, Inc.

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

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IBAT Leadership Conference
June 18-20 - San Antonio

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Financial Literacy Summit
July 21-22 - Dallas

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IBAT Lending Compliance Summit
August 21 - Dallas

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Asset Liability Management Summit
September 9-10 - San Antonio

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Austin Money Show
September 25-26 - Austin

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

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TechMecca 2010
January 25-26 2010 - Austin

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