IBAT's Bottom Line March 30, 2009

The 2009 Congressional Visit

Deposit insurance assessments.  Mortgage cramdown.  Credit unions. Regulatory reform.  Just a few of the many issues that are on the community bank agenda in Washington DC; issues that are being debated right now.

It's time for you to be a part of the solution.  IBAT's Congressional visits are scheduled May 12-14 and we need you to be part of the delegation.  If not this year, then when.  The entire financial services industry is being reconstituted as we know it.  Community bankers…not community bank lobbyists…must be at the table.

Won't you join us?  All the details you will need to sign up today can be found here.

Enjoy this week's newsletter.

Question: I recently opened a guardianship acct.  Are the guardians allowed to have a debit card?  I have heard both yes and no.  Whatever the answer is will you please explain so I can convey this to our customer?

To find out the answer, click here.

Operations Compliance Summit
April 7, 2009 - San Antonio, TX
More Information . . .

What you will learn:

• Best practices for security intrusion notification
• Tips for ID theft red flags
• HR refresher and veterans’ rights
• New liability for remotely created drafts
• Compliance with stolen check reporting
• BSA update
• New school depository requirements
  
  
  

FDIC Bankers Outreach
April 14 and 16 - Austin and Richardson
More Information . . .

The Independent Bankers Association of Texas and the Texas Bankers Association partner with the FDIC and state regulatory agencies to bring you this important update on current and emerging bank issues. 

Event Pages:

• April 14
• April 16

You should have received a letter from IBAT this past week about the annual PAC Drive.  Please help our community banking industry by conducting a PAC Drive with not only your board of directors, but your employees.  To be entered in the drawing, we need:
1.    Your board members to contribute a minimum of $100 to either the IBAT PAC or the IBAT FedPAC
2.    Ask your employees to contribute to one of the two PACs.  And remember, the sale of Dream Vacation tickets counts as a PAC Drive.  Not only do your employees have an opportunity to contribute to the industry that provides their livelihood, they might also be in the Dream Vacation drawing during the IBAT Convention.

For more information, click here.
PAC Contribution Form
PAC Drive Drawing Information

Community bankers who have business customers in the Central Texas area may be interested in inviting them to a special program on April 16 on the UT Campus in Austin.  The 2009 Business In Action & Economic Summit will feature Blake Hastings, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, San Antonio Branch; our own, Robert Hulsey, American National Bank of Texas, Terrell and Foundation chairman; and Jason Rhode, Cirrus Logic, President and CEO. The program will provide a discussion on the economy from a global, state, and local perspective impacting business and banking. Click here for a flyer about the event.

The program is the official launch to Financial Fitness Greater Austin, one of many events across the state that focuses on April as Financial Literacy Month. Consider setting up a table with your own invited business guests, or join IBAT Foundation at its table. For information click here or send a note to mlange@ibat.org.

In an unprecedented move to stimulate the weakening economy, the Federal Reserve on Wednesday, March 18, not only kept their near-zero target for Fed Funds, but continued to expand their quantitative easing campaign. 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.

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.

We Need Your Help

Thanks to all of the banks who have volunteered to collect donations for the Governor’s Mansion restoration project.  IBAT members already helping in this effort include:
Amarillo National Bank
American Bank of Texas, Marble Falls
American National Bank, Gonzales
Citizens Bank, Claude
Citizens National Bank, Henderson
D'Hanis State Bank
First-Lockhart National Bank
First National Bank of Bastrop
First National Bank of Hico
First National Bank, Jasper
First National Bank, Quanah
First National Bank, Wichita Falls
First State Bank, Clute
First State Bank, Louise
First State Bank of Uvalde
Lakeside National Bank, Rockwall
Liberty National Bank, Paris
Menard National Bank
Mills County State Bank, Goldthwaite
Pioneer Bank, SSB, Dripping Springs
Preferred Bank, Houston
Round Top State Bank
Star Bank, Fort Worth
Texas Leadership Bank, Royse City

Statement Stuffers are also available.  To view, click here: Governor's Mansion Statement Stuffers

For a complete Order Form with pricing, click here: Governor's Mansion Order Form

Read the: Governor's Mansion Press Release and the Governor's Mansion Fact Sheet.

The restoration drive runs through April 30.  For additional information, call Mae Beth at 800.749.4228.

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

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