IBAT's Bottom Line May 26, 2009

Filed under

News

Random Observations from Ground Zero

It’s Saturday afternoon, May 23rd., at 4:53pm, as this is being written. The Texas House of Representatives is still dealing with the “Local and Consent Calendar” from 10:00 AM yesterday morning. “Local and Consent” bills are non-controversial bills. The normal MO for these calendars is to move through the bills very quickly. As deadlines for the House to hear Senate bills are looming (local bills on Wednesday at midnight, all other bills on Tuesday at midnight), the Democrats are slowing the process as leverage to keep the “Voter ID” bill from coming to the floor with appropriate time for consideration.

In the meantime, the “thud” sounds you may be hearing are multiple bills dying. There are hundreds of Senate bills already backed up on the various House calendars awaiting action (including several major issues that will eat up significant time), and the chances for passage of those bills becomes slimmer with each passing moment.

It has been a strange and difficult session. The good news is that it’s almost over. Click here to read the complete story in the May 23, 2009 Capitol Report.

Deadline for Governor’s Mansion Contributions

We Need Your Help

For the past few months many of you have been helping to collect funds for the Governor’s Mansion Restoration Project. Deadline for contributions is May 29. If you have been participating in this project, we need your help with the following:
1. Please send a cashier’s check or donations you have collected to:
IBAT
1700 Rio Grande, Suite 100
Austin, TX 78701
ATTN: Mae Beth Palone

2. If you are sending your donations directly to the Governor’s Mansion Restoration Project, please e-mail Mae Beth at mbpalone@ibat.org and provide her with the total amount of money you collected so we can be sure that Mrs. Anita Perry is aware of the participation of IBAT member banks in this effort.

Thanks to all of you who are helping to restore this cherished symbol of Texas history.

IBAT Financial Services

ChubbWorks
EPL Loss Prevention Resource
Offered to all IBAT FS and Chubb Policyholders

Expanding employment practices legislation and an increasingly litigious society means that lawsuits over employment matters pose a heightened danger to employers.

It is nearly impossible to completely eliminate the threat of an employment practices liability (EPL) lawsuit, yet employers can proactively apply loss prevention strategies which will serve as a strong defense, should a lawsuit occur. Chubb believes they have an obligation to help reduce the likelihood of EPL complaints against their insured banks and to help them effectively defend against EPL charges should they arise.

Banks who have their Employment Practices Liability coverage through Chubb may access a free on-line resource known as ChubbWorks. This tool is a critical component of Chubb’s Employment Practices Liability Loss Prevention Program.

ChubbWorks offers convenient access to EPL loss prevention tools, such as :

Model employment policies, procedures and forms, which can be reviewed, downloaded or printed for immediate use, covering the major EPL risks faced by employers.
“My Workplace,” a section for employers to store important workplace information, such as an on-line handbook, “suggestion box” for site improvements, a notices board and a directory of users.
Employment practices self-audit checklists for human resource professionals, executive management and supervisors.
On-line training for managers and supervisors on sexual harassment, discrimination and wrongful termination, as well as ongoing refresher training via on-line bulletins.
An on-line library offering links to government informational resources, as well as access to the following publications:

Case Points – A journal on case law that affects the workplace
The Loss Prevention Journal for Human Resources
The Loss Prevention Journal for Managers and Supervisors
Work Smarter, Live Better – A periodic journal for all employees on wellness, health, safety, time management and self-improvement
Leadership² - A journal for managers promoting character-driven leadership and the value of setting a positive personal example.
News to Use – A journal presenting news events that affect the workplace.

Registering your bank for ChubbWorks is easy!   All you need is your Chubb EPL policy number and 10 minutes or less on the internet!

Simply follow these four steps:
1. Go to www.chubbworks.com. Click on “REGISTER.”
2. Enter your eight-digit Chubb EPL policy number.
3. At the prompt, verify that you are a Chubb EPL customer.
4. The screen will ask you to nominate yourself or another person in your organization as a site administrator.
a.   If you are the site administrator: Complete the remaining pages, including the page that allows you to select a username and password.
b.   If you are not the site administrator: You will be asked to nominate someone from your organization to administer the site. (Your nominated site administrator will need to know your organization’s Chubb EPL policy number to do so.)

Making a Difference Nominations

Watch your e-mail this week for information on nominating that special person in your bank for the 2009 IBAT Making a Difference Award. Awards will be given to this year’s recipients during the IBAT Convention in October at the Westin La Cantera in San Antonio.

On the Education Front

Financial Literacy Summit
July 21-22, 2009
Federal Reserve Bank
Dallas, TX
More Information . . .

Legal Ease Question of the Week

Question: We have a question that we need answered concerning financing statements (UCC-1). The question is what legal identification do we use for the name we put on the UCC-1? Is it their Driver’s License or their Social Security Card. This is the first instance I have come across where the name was different on both documents. His Driver’s License has his full middle name on it and his SS Card only has his middle initial on it which brings us back to my original question. Legally, which document would I use to file the UCC-1?

To find out the answer, click here.

Solutions from Services

How to Address Today’s Regulations and Emerging Threats

IBAT and SecureWorks invite you to participate in an informative and cost-free webinar. SecureWorks provides comprehensive network protection and risk mitigation to over 1,600 financial institutions (with over 2,000 clients worldwide). Join us for a discussion on today’s regulatory and threat landscape.

Who should attend?
Executives and bank officers responsible for information security and vendor management for your bank.

Topics of discussion include:

Regulatory Compliance
Risk Environment
Mapping of Services to achieve compliance and best practice
New Services: Vendor Risk Management, Threat Intelligence and Log Retention

Webinar Details
Date: June 10, 2009
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Place: Hosted via Web Conferencing

How do I register?
Click HERE to register online.

E-mail Jessica Molina for details or to RSVP for the web conference. Dial in instructions for joining the conference call will be provided via e-mail prior to the event.

Legislative Fund

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 Magazine & IBAT

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.

Save the Date For TechMecca 2010

TechMecca 2010
January 25-26, 2010
Renessaince Hotel
Austin, TX

Meet the IBAT Staff

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?

Underbanked Financial Services Forum

Understand the attitudes, needs and behaviors of the underbanked and learn key-takeaways from industry innovator peers at the 4th Annual Underbanked Financial Services Forum taking place June 1-3, 2009 at The Westin Galleria Dallas, Dallas, TX. Register online now with your exclusive $995 IBAT rate. Call 800-803-3424 or visit: http://www.sourcemediaconferences.com/CFSI09/ibat

Ice Storms, Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Fire: How Would You Communicate With Your Staff?

IBAT has improved its Emergency Hotline! Do you have a way to communicate to your staff in the aftermath of an emergency or natural disaster? IBAT established a FREE hotline/voice mail box and web access for each of its members as an option for 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! Hopefully you'll never need this service, but if you do, IBAT's ready.

Enter the 2009 BOCB Awards

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.

Follow IBAT on LinkedIn

Is LinkedIn your portal to the professional networking world on the internet? Now you can use your existing LinkedIn account to keep track of IBAT activities

You can join IBAT on LinkedIn thru our Independent Bankers Association of Texas group. Think of it as one of our homes away from home at the IBAT website. We have the latest news updates on all the happenings at IBAT, and a forum for discussions. It’s a great shortcut to what is going on over at the IBAT website. You can find the IBAT group at www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1849094&trk=hb_side_g

What is LinkedIn? LinkedIn is a free and professional business networking site designed to help you control your professional identity online. You stay connected with other business associates and can use the site to stay informed about general industry news. It’s also a great site to discuss, learn and seek recommendations from current and former co-workers.

If you are not currently a LinkedIn member you can sign up at www.linkedin.com. There is a profile setup process and a process that allows you to located and network with potential business associates.

Social Security Administration Consumer Services

Social Security Administration Offers Consumer Services Online

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is offering more of its services online as a wave of baby boomers prepare to retire.

There is some useful information available on their website at www.socialsecurity.gov to help customers file for retirement, disability or spouse’s benefits. Currently, 40% of retirement applications received are filed online.

Here are some resources available to your bank and your customers:

SSA representative will visit your bank and speak to your employees and customers about social security benefits.
SSA can offer your bank a link on your homepage with the Social Security retirement benefit estimator.
SSA representatives can visit your local bank and assist your customers in setting up direct deposit on-the-spot via the treasury website.
SSA can train bank employees on how to use the retirement benefit estimator so they can better serve your customers.
SSA can provide pamphlets and marketing material to place in your bank lobby that would include financial literacy and online services information.

For more information, contact
Brandon Robertson
Management Analyst
Social Security Administration
Office of the Regional Commissioner- Dallas
214.767.8357

OAG Mortgage Fraud Summit

The Office of the Attorney General will be hosting a Summit on Mortgage Fraud to discuss ways to prevent and combat the growing problem of mortgage fraud in Texas. The Summit, June 15, 2009 at the AT&T Conference Center, Austin, TX, will also include a discussion of fraud trends, potential solutions and other methods to better detect and prevent mortgage fraud.

Topics will include:

Latest Mortgage Fraud Trends
Foreclosure Rescue Fraud and Attorney Liability
Identifying Fraudulent Transactions
Sharing Information Among Law Enforcement Agencies
Potential Legislative Solutions

Click here to learn more.

IBAT Twitter Updates

Get IBAT Updates Through Twitter

You can now follow IBAT on Twitter to get immediate updates on the latest happenings at IBAT. The best part is that it's free.

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.

Sign up today and receive the latest news from IBAT as it happens. And now you can follow all the news relating to the 2009 Leadership Conference by following the #LDC09 hashtag!

Subchapter S Bank Association

Make plans to attend the 2009 Sub S Regional Conference in Dallas on June 8. Click here for more information. Click here for more information on all upcoming Subchapter S Bank Association events.

Baker Market Update

Treasuries rallied last week as the Fed stepped up purchases in government debt. So far, the Fed has purchased over a third of the $300 billion long-term Treasury securities, a six-month plan set in place in March to help lower borrowing costs. 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.

Coming Soon

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

Bank on Boot Camp
June 3-4 - Austin

IBAT Leadership Conference
June 18-20 - San Antonio

IBAT Lending Compliance Summit
August 21 - Dallas

Asset Liability Management Summit
September 9-10 - San Antonio

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

IBAT News