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All words and phrases in blue in this newsletter are links to more information!
Special Session Winding Down
The First (and hopefully only) Called Session of the 79th Texas Legislature ends next Wednesday. Conference Committees are hard at work on the school finance and tax bills (HB 2 and HB 3). For the first time in several years, it actually appears that something may actually have a chance – albeit way short of a “slam dunk” chance – of passage. Many are disgruntled, no one seems overly pleased, but all appear ready to go home. The primary sticking point at the moment is the amount of increase in sales taxes and the corresponding decrease in property taxes. We have been vigilant in our attempts to preserve the sanctity of the Delaware Holding Company structure, and believe that crucial aspect will be protected in the loophole closings. Stay tuned for a flurry of activity early next week!
The First State Bank in Bremond is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year. The IBAT Board of Directors and staff would like to congratulate President and CEO Norman Koch, the board of directors, officers and employees on this important milestone for the citizens of the Bremond community, Robertson County and the Texas community banking industry.
Texas Banking Department Centennial Celebration - IBAT, along with TBA and TIB, is planning a gathering to celebrate 100 years of state-chartered banking in Texas and to honor the Texas Banking Department. The event will be in Austin on September 12, and more information and invitations will be forthcoming. The state-chartered banks have received a request to help in the funding of this undertaking, and your consideration is appreciated. Please know that any unspent contributions will be split between the IBAT and TBA foundations and directed toward banker education in Texas. We hope you can join your fellow bankers, Department of Banking staff, public officials and special guests for this special occasion in September.
| LEGAL EASE QUESTION OF THE WEEK |
Question: We just turned down an applicant for a checking account. This person had an account with us before and our experience was not good. Do we have to explain our reasons for the turndown? To find out the answer, click on the flashing question mark. You can also check out our growing database of other Q&As!
Just a reminder...our room block cutoff is August 15. You can check out all convention information on our Web site. Sponsorships are also going fast, so don't delay!
Here is this week's newsletter from The Baker Group. 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.
 To donate your item for this year's PAC Auction and to purchase Dream Vacation tickets for your opportunity to win $5000 toward your Dream Vacation or take the $5000 in cold hard cash! The Auction and Dream Vacation drawing will take place during the IBAT Annual Convention at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine. You can download an Auction Pledge Form or Dream Vacation Form, or e-mail Mae Beth or Yvette if you have any questions.
Please join us on Wednesday, August 24 as we present US Congressman Jeb Hensarling with the 2005 IBAT Leadership Division Trailblazer Award in recognition of his outstanding legislative efforts in the US House of Representatives. Currently serving on the House Committee on the Budget and the House Committee on Financial Services, Congressman Hensarling has led the charge in Congress for balancing the budget and restraining the growth of government spending. He has embraced community banking, arranged a hearing for us to “tell our story” to jumpstart the process of getting a tax and regulatory relief bill introduced in Congress and introduced legislation to provide CRA relief to community banks up to $1 billion. For more information and/or to register, click here. |
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BOOKS TO  OUT |
NOW AVAILABLE!! The GREENBOOK (a.k.a. The Texas & Oklahoma Financial Institutions Directory & Fact Book) is a powerful resource book with over 500 pages of detailed, up-to-date information about Texas & Oklahoma banks and savings and loan institutions- all right at your fingertips! Everyone in your organization needs this handy daily reference. It's the perfect selection for corporate professionals and associates who need to be current with financial data. Order your copy today!
FREE webcast July 21st, presented by IBAT's endorsed provider FundsXpress. Is it a hassle to get minutes out to all your board members? How do you get training materials, new hire paperwork, and all the other internal docs out to your various branches? Is it too time consuming to manage time cards, vacation, attendance at various branches? Learn more about a solution to these problems, as well as the "Top 5 Reasons" that a hosted Intranet can benefit your financial institution. FundsXpress and CSI will host a webinar that explains how a hosted Intranet works at any sized institution and provide real-life examples and a success story.
Date: Thursday, July 21, 2005
Time: 8:30 - 10:00 a.m. CST
Call In #: To be provided at time of RSVP
 We are delighted to welcome the following new members to the association:
- First State Bank, Avinger
- Amistad Bank, Del Rio
Why Attend? IBAT's Bank Operations Institute at SWGSB in Dallas - October 9-15? This two year program is designed for high potential qualified professionals in operations and technology who are seeking the knowledge and skills needed to advance their career and contribute to their bank's performance. BOI coursework is organized around the most compelling technological, operational, managerial and strategic issues that community banks must solve to achieve success. Our alliance with SMU Cox School of Business and the Southwest Graduate School of Banking has produced a top-flight educational program specific to community banking. Click here for full details.
IBAT, in conjunction with Financial Education and Development, is offering a variety of "hot topic" telephone/webcast programs. So when you get an email from IBATTraining@verizon.net , it is information and registration for an upcoming program that may be of interest to you or someone at your bank. We hope you will take advantage of this affordable training.
| SMALL BUSINESS HEALTH INSURANCE FAIRS |
 The Texas Department of Insurance has scheduled a series of events around the state to help small businesses (2-50 employees) find affordable health insurance. TDI has asked us to help promote these events to our members, and you might want to pass the information along to some of your customers. Click here for more information.
 Here are a few upcoming IBAT events you might not want to miss. For a complete listing, click here.
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| Various |
Anti-Money Laundering & Bank Secrecy Act Compliance |
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Texas Tech Banking School |
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Lending Compliance Summit | |
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