Leadership Division: Building Exceptional Leaders Through Involvement

IBAT Leadership Conference

Answer: Wheel of Fortune

LD Member Named 'Citizen of the Year'

Canyon Mayor Quinn Alexander was named Citizen of the Year. Alexander is Senior Vice President and Branch Manager at Happy State Bank in Canyon. He also is a member of the IBAT Leadership Division. Alexander not only serves as mayor, but also volunteers on several boards and committees in the area. Alexander said that he has been the person to present the honor in the past and was surprised to hear his name called this year.

“There is a lot of planning on that, and I’m just shocked about how they kept it a surprise. I’m not sure what I said Saturday night. It was obviously a great surprise and an honor. I’ve seen many get this award, and it was great to receive it,” he said. “I think a lot of times we wait to be asked and there are always opportunities to be part of something. I’m from a small town and Canyon is a big small town where the quality of life is top notch.”

Alexander said that he works in the community to make it an appealing place for youth to return to raise their own families in the future and to be able to understand other’s viewpoints.

“It’s a learning curve, but it’s one of those things where you can hopefully give advice to folks and learn a little bit more about a community and give back. Canyon has always been a great volunteer and civic community. There are several opportunities out there, so it’s always good to ask, ‘What can I do?’ When you have to go beyond some sacrifices, that’s when you make a difference. You have to have good support from your family and co-workers, as well. Volunteering just makes your quality of life better for your city and for your kids later on,” he said.

“It was great to be on that list of nominees who all work so hard to make Canyon the wonderful community it is.”

FROM THE PRESIDENT—TODD PRICE

Thanks to all of you who attended our annual Leadership Conference at the Hyatt Hill Country in San Antonio. What an awesome conference! I can honestly say that this was one of the most well-attended and focus-driven conferences ever! And a special thanks to all of our sponsors who helped to make this conference possible.

First, I want to give special thanks to Kyle Irwin for his friendship and leadership over the past year. With Kyle’s leadership, the Division reached new highs in membership, PAC giving and conference attendance. He has raised the bar, but I believe we can reach higher. I also want to thank the board members who volunteer their time and effort to make this organization the premier organization of its kind in the nation.

Second, we need to continue the growth of the Division. The Division does not exist without members. Please help us by spreading the word that the Leadership Division is the go–to group to network and learn more about keeping the philosophy of community banking alive and well in Texas. Our mission is “Building Exceptional Leaders Through Involvement.” We want our membership to be involved. We are encouraging this by asking you to consider serving on one of the committees: Leadership Conference Planning, PAC, Membership or Communications/Regional Meetings. You can read more about our vision elsewhere in this newsletter and if you are interested in getting more involved, please contact Mae Beth at mbpalone@ibat.org.

Third, we need to continue to participate in PAC fundraising. IBAT and the Leadership Division will host our annual PAC Auction in October at the La Cantera in San Antonio. We have spent years and PAC dollars expressing to the leaders of our state and country that we have been the stepchild to the “Too Big to Fail” banks. It seems to be paying off with recent legislation, and we need to keep their ear. I encourage you to donate an auction item, purchase a Dream Vacation ticket, a Steak Out Dinner ticket and play in the golf tournament.

In closing, I would like to say what an honor it is to lead and belong to such an elite group. The Leadership Division exists because of its active members. We are the future of banking because, in Dan Lumpkin’s words at the Leadership Conference, we know what is RIGHT about banking. I look forward to meeting all of you and to having a successful year. Let’s make it happen.

Taking our Leadership to Washington

Kyle Irwin
President and CEO
Gruver State Bank, Gruver, TX

What a wonderful experience it was to spend time in Washington D.C. for IBAT’s annual Congressional visit! Every banker there was excited and full of energy, to say the least. As Texas community bankers, we continue to be very productive in our grassroots efforts to improve the wonderful business we are blessed to be in. To see over 120 bankers join together and walk the halls of Congress, all with the same rallying cry, and to get the support we need from our elected officials, was truly an unbelievable experience.

The Leadership Division has always taken an active role in supporting the IBAT legislative and regulatory advocacy mission. We feel strongly about this. Every year many of us lend a hand in IBAT PAC fundraising efforts, from working the Convention auctions to making sure that our own banks participate in the annual PAC Drive Months. But that is only part of the solution. We also feel that in these unstable times, more than ever before, it is critical to stand up and let our federal and state legislators know that there is a vast difference between Wall Street and Main Street. Our Main Street banking industry cannot afford to be swept up in the public furor that is being directed at the mega-banks.

Chris Williston, our IBAT CEO, has always said that “Government is run by the people who show up”, and that has never been more true. Look at the provisions suggested by IBAT bankers to the FDIC staff, and compare that to what the FDIC is actually doing. The original FDIC proposal of 20 basis points on insured deposits has been changed to only five basis points on an assets minus capital formula. This is a sign of just how successful our efforts have been. As Chris Williston points out in his blog entry this battle has been won, but the war may just have begun. Look forward to seeing everyone in Washington D.C. next year!!

Needs Versus Wants

Angie Brown
Vice President
First National Bank, Giddings

My husband and I recently sat down with our kids, ages 17, 15, and 10, to have a talk with them about the economy, the recession, and how it is affecting us. We started out by explaining the obvious – the difference between wants and needs, and then we went on to give some examples of each, such as they need to eat, but they want to eat out all of the time, etc. We then explained that we would be taking care of their needs, but their wants would be curtailed for a while so that we could assess what the impact of the economic slowdown was going to be on us as a family. I’d like to think that they got the gist of the conversation.

I was thinking about that particular family conversation when I attended IBAT’s Tour de Texas meeting in Shiner and I heard both IBAT CEO Chris Williston and Chairman Milton McGee speak about the importance of the upcoming trip to Washington D.C. Last year was the first time I attended the Washington excursion, and it truly made a huge impact on the way I perceive things as a banker. Knowing that you are supported by IBAT and your Texas banking colleagues as you sit in your Congressman’s office and discuss issues that are critical to your bank and the industry as a whole is an incredible process.

Showing up en masse as we did last year caused quite a few Congressmen to sit up and take notice that we weren’t just going to sit back and take what comes – we are going to let them know what we need and what is important to us. And, wow, are we ever needed this year! Note the choice of my word there – NEEDED. We need to be there to let our legislators know how we feel about the FDIC’s Assessment and how it will affect our banks. We need to tell them how the regulatory burden on our banks will be detrimental to our communities’ and customers. As Congress contemplates regulatory reform, we ask special consideration for a system that will distinguish community banks from Wall Street banks.

Bankers, we need to be there to stand up for community banks as a whole and our Texas banks in particular. Much the same way my kids need to eat, but not necessarily at McDonald’s every day.

Networking Is More Than Just Business

David Seitze
Senior Vice President
The Frost National Bank

It's a funny, and I might add rare, phenomenon when something that gives so much pleasure actually yields tremendous benefits. As I was recently attending one of the 2009 IBAT Regional Meetings, I was thinking about my experience with Leadership over the last 11 years.

I looked around the room at all the bankers and could not believe how many I actually considered a friend as well as an industry colleague. I am sure that those of you who have read a Leadership Division newsletter know how big I am on the benefits of networking. What I realized while attending the IBAT Regional Meeting was how much information is available to all of us just by stepping outside of our comfort zones and actually meeting someone new.

Not only can we keep up to date on all the political happenings that affect our industry, but we can actually have fun doing it. I encourage all of you to attend as many IBAT meetings as possible. You might ask why you would want to attend more than one annual or regional meeting. If you know me then you know the answer. To expand your networking circle of course!

Pretty soon you will realize that all these people you met are a valuable resource, to yourself and your bank. I cannot tell you how many times I have been able to pick up the phone to call one of my community banking friends and ask for advice or see how they are handling different situations.

It just so happens we have a new round of Tour de Texas Regional Meetings starting again today. I look forward to seeing many of you at one of the regional meetings this week. Please stop me and say hello. Who knows you might even enjoy yourself.

Taking the Pitch

Craig Roberts, Guaranty Bond Bank

In the Spring of 2008, Kevin Monk of Alliance Bank approached me about the Leadership Division of IBAT. Being relatively new to IBAT in general, the Leadership Division was unknown territory. We have all been approached with that “wonderful opportunity!” My initial thought is why would another community banker want to give me a “wonderful opportunity?”

I agreed and in June 2008 I attended my first Leadership Conference in Galveston. All my questions were answered. IBAT Leadership is simply a grassroots approach to the growth and development of bankers in the community banking industry. Community Banking is not only a job, it is a way of life that is full of community, passion and leadership in the financial sector. IBAT took this to heart in creating the Leadership Division which does its part to ensure there are leaders today and tomorrow.

Back to how I got involved. It is the definition of community banking. Kevin Monk is a not only a community banker, but our banks share markets! We are competitors, but our goals are the same. Our companies both provide products, yes, but most of all personal service to our customers and friends. It is this type of family atmosphere that makes community banking successful and drives the growth of the Leadership Division. So if someone in your market pitches Leadership – LISTEN!

The Leadership Division has allowed me to better serve my company through one on one interaction with other leaders of community banking sharing knowledge and ideas. Through IBAT Services, I have the opportunity to visit with vendors and associate members working to promote community banking. It has also allowed me to be a part of the growth of a relationship between IBAT and my company, Guaranty Bond Bank. If your bank is a member of IBAT, you should without a doubt have at LEAST one leadership member. (call me direct or email me, I can sign you up!)

If you have ever wondered why you are in community banking, come check out Leadership. It is a hands on approach to improving a way of life – Community Banking. I feel certain that if you do, it will change your outlook on community banking and your experiences will be priceless to your company! Please give us a call to start your Leadership Story Today!