IBAT's Bottom Line September 22, 2009

Weighing in on Regulation Z

IBAT continues to field a number of calls from Texas community bankers relative to Regulation Z and its potential harmful effect on residential mortgage lending.  Many have reported that these changes will likely lead to substantial cutbacks or suspension of community bank residential mortgage operations.  This is particularly disturbing given that many residential borrowers will likely be driven into the hands of the very predators whose actions compelled the changes.

This week, IBAT will weigh in with a letter to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve, the Administration and the Texas Congressional delegation expressing our concern and providing real life examples as to how these changes are sure to change the residential mortgage landscape.

All Texas community bankers with mortgage operations are encouraged to send a letter of their own.  Without substantial rule changes, further Congressional action may be necessary.

FDIC Names Advisory Committee

The FDIC on Friday named 14 members to the newly created Advisory Committee on Community Banking.  Ignacio Urrabazo, Jr., President of Commerce Bank in Laredo, was named from Texas.  The Committee will provide input to the FDIC on various policy issues impacting community banking and the communities they serve, with a focus on rural areas. 

Political Potpourri

With the premier of “Dancing with the Stars”, it’s only appropriate that the latest Texas dance craze, “political shuffle”, has begun.  Last week there were several announcements from incumbents and challengers and we’ve only just begun.  Six-term Texas House member, Kino Flores, from the Valley will not seek re-election as he fights alleged corruption and perjury charges.  Two challengers for his seat have already come forward.  Another longtime Texas Representative and good friend to IBAT, David Farabee, a Democrat from Wichita Falls, has decided not to seek re-election in order to spend more time with his family after serving his district since 1999.  Longtime Senator Steve Ogden, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, is stepping down and Rep. Dan Gattis (another strong supporter and friend of IBAT) from Georgetown has already announced for his seat.  Senator Ogden has served with distinction in both the House and Senate . . . and is a bright, capable and honest public servant.

One final word about David Farabee.  When politicians leave office, most folks will agree it’s time.  But Farabee is different.  He will be a real loss to the integrity of the Texas House.  He is trusted and admired by all.  In fact, his hometown newspaper said, “Farabee has represented the interests of the 69th District so well, few people could even recall to which party he is affiliated. He epitomized the mantra, “It’s the man, not the party.”

Wouldn’t it be great if this was the legacy left by all of our public officials?

Don't Miss Out!

This year at our 35th Annual Convention, IBAT and our website partners, NFI Studios, are offering you an ideal way to learn about many of the latest social technologies, including our new website that you’ve been hearing about this year.  Wishing someone could demystify your myIBAT page, explain Twitter, or learn how your bank can use Facebook or LinkedIn?  Still don’t know how to access the American Banker thru IBAT.org, what an RSS newsfeed is, or how to customize your myIBAT alerts?  Stop by our new Social Technology Lounge in the foyer area outside the ballroom for all the answers, and let us know how we can help you.

The Social Technology Lounge will be open from noon to 7pm, on Sunday, October 11th, and from 8am-5pm on Monday and Tuesday, October 12-13th.  Stop by for some hands-on help, expert assistance and see working examples of the latest social technologies!

If you’re already a Twitter user and want to help out as a Twitter reporter for us during the convention, come by on Sunday and learn how you can help make Twitter and #ibat09 our eye on the convention.

2009 Texas Conference for Women    

IBAT is proud to be a supporting sponsor of the 10th Annual Texas Conference for Women, hosted by Governor and Mrs. Rick Perry.  This year’s conference, which draws 6000-7000 women from across the state, will be held on November 12 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.

This day-long conference includes workshops on myriad topics as well as keynote speakers including personal finance expert Suze Orman, Tory Johnson of ABC’s Good Morning America; celebrated author Isabel Allende, who has sold more than 51 million books worldwide; and New York times best-selling author Marcus Buckingham, who pioneered a revolutionary concept that people will be dramatically more effective and successful when they play to their strongest skills rather than attempting to improve their weaknesses.

For complete details and registration information, click here.

Registration for the second-annual Go Direct Community Ambassadors Program is now open! This new and improved recognition program, which runs from October 2009 through May 2010, was designed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Go Direct campaign to identify and officially recognize community- and medium-sized financial institution partners that go the extra mile in promoting direct deposit to senior citizens, people with disabilities, veterans and others who receive federal benefits. All financial institutions with fewer than 100 branches are invited to register online by visiting the Community Ambassadors page of www.GoDirect.org. The deadline for registration is September 30, 2009.

IBAT is partnering with McGruff the Crime Dog on the McGruff Safe Kids “Economic Stimulus Package”  The package includes:
FREE Imprinting of your bank logo
FREE Freight
FREE Press Release. You fill in the specifics for your event and create awareness for your business and the McGruff Safe Kids Event!
FREE Poster. You customize it for your event and print as many as you like!

For more information, click here.

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?

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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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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Bank Operations Institute
October 18-23 - SW Graduate School of Banking, Dallas

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How To Create and Maintain a Sales Culture in a Community Bank
October 27-28 - Adolphus Hotel, Dallas

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Responding to the Credit Crunch and Thriving in the Recovery
November 4 - Hunton & Williams Office, Dallas

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TechMecca 2010
January 25-26 2010 - Austin

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