A Bi-Weekly News Bulletin for CBAI Members July 14, 2010
 Action Alert! Oppose the Credit Union Business Loan Expansion CBAI is calling on community banks to urge Illinois Senators Richard Durbin and Roland Burris to oppose the Senator Mark Udall (D-CO)Amendment that would raise the credit union business lending cap and increase the size of loans exempt from the cap. The amendment offered yesterday afternoon to the CBAI-backed $30B Small Business Lending Fund would raise the cap on credit union member business loans from 12.25% to 27.5%. Expanding credit union commercial lending powers would do more to promote the interests of the large, multi-bond credit unions than reduce joblessness and create new employment opportunities. Passage of this amendment would amount to an unfair and counterproductive power grab by taxpayer-subsidized credit unions. To send a pre-written customizable letter via e-mail, please click here. Back to top Financial Reform Bill Set to Pass This Week Recent announcements by both Republican and Democratic Senators that they will support the financial reform measure virtually assure passage of the measure later this week. The complex and far-reaching bill will then go to President Obama who has promised that he will promptly sign it into law. ICBA Clears Up Misinformation on Reform Bill Key ICBA leadership bankers, in an open letter to community bankers, took issue with misinformation regarding the Wall Street Reform bill. The officers noted that, while there are negative provisions in the measure that will need to be addressed in subsequent legislation, there are some major benefits for community banks. See Open Letter. In addition, ICBA has prepared a Fact Sheet on the deposit-insurance provisions. Back to top Reform of Housing Finance System on Deck Congressional and regulatory attention is now turning to the future of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Banks. See Forbes Commentary. Both Treasury and HUD are now seeking public comments on several issues relating to the housing finance system. Community Banker Input Needed ICBA has developed two surveys for community bankers to complete by Monday, July 19. The responses will help ICBA craft its positions and comments. See Survey on Fannie and Freddie. See Survey on FHLBs. To read ICBA’s current views on the housing finance system, see ICBA’s Testimony. Back to top "Time is Running Out!! Don’t Miss Chance to Play Ball for FedPac!! Busch Stadium 1:15 p.m. July 22nd, 2010 Your support for CBAI FedPac is important to our federal governmental relations program. CBAI FedPac was created to enhance the effectiveness of Illinois community banks in Washington, D.C. It supports the candidates who believe in CBAI's mission to maintain healthy and prosperous community banks. Register now! Back to top Update on the Illinois Budget Crisis With Illinois’ fiscal mess now being equated to the financial woes of California, drastic measures appear to be the only remedy to return to financial health. It will be painful. A recent New York Times article provides an insightful portrayal of the issues and what is at stake. Back to top FDIC Granted Unlimited Authority to Investigate Banks The FDIC board this week approved an agreement with the Treasury and Federal Reserve to give the FDIC authority to make special independent examinations of banks, a result of experiences during the financial crisis. The FDIC noted that it lacked access to needed information to evaluate banks’ risk to the insurance fund. See Article. Back to top USDA News and Reports Get the daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly grain and livestock reports from the U. S. Department of Agriculture by clicking on Market News. Back to top All CBAI Members Invited to Attend Free Investment Seminar and Golf Outing Hosted by the Baker Group Click here to register now! Back to top Baker Market Update Long-term Treasury prices dropped. The yield on the two-year Treasury Note is unchanged. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose. More. Back to top Fed Now Expects Weaker Recovery The Federal Reserve’s latest economic forecast reveals increasing pessimism about an economic recovery. The Fed now estimates that unemployment in 2012 will remain relatively high at between 7.1% and 7.5%. See CNN Money Article. Back to top Sign Up for “Passport to Payments” Conference ICBA Bancard is building on its reputation as the nation’s voice for community banks on payments with comprehensive workshops and educational opportunities at Bancard’s Card Conference & Expo Sept. 26-28, 2010. Confirmed speakers include Visa economist Wayne Best, ICBA regulatory expert Karen Thomas, and Fiserv marketing strategist Mark Sievewright. Register today for the ultimate card conference and save big with the early-bird discount. Learn More. Back to top CBAI Member Recovers from Fire with Aid of Recovery Solutions As natural disasters become more and more pervasive in our daily news, it should invariably heighten our industry’s concern and awareness of disaster preparedness. However, it is not only natural disasters that we need to contend with as Chris Gavin, president & CEO of Midwest Bank of Western Illinois, Monmouth recently learned. See Full Story. Back to top 10 Things You Should Know When Working with an Ad Agency For the article from NorthStar Strategies, click here. Back to top Compliance on Privacy, Risk-Based Pricing and BSA Exam Set for 8/3-4 The CBC program remains committed to keeping bankers aware and prepared. Privacy and Risk-Based Pricing Disclosures (two of the subjects of the next CBC session) have changes that begin January 1, 2011. The BSA Exam Manual changes are already in place. Privacy changes include a new privacy notice that will be required beginning January 1, 2011 to maintain a “safe harbor.” What seems to be a simple process is not really all that simple. In addition, it covers the final section of the FACT Act which is effective January 1, 2011. This new regulation has numerous features that require executive decisions within the bank well in advance of year end 2010. Federal regulators published the long-awaited revised BSA examination manual on April 29, 2010, filled with changes. The focus of the presentation is on these changes and how the changes may impact your operations. The seminar is conducted by Bill Elliott, Senior Consultant and Manager of Compliance at Young & Associates, Inc. of Kent, OH, a nationally recognized compliance consulting firm specializing in community banks. Back to top First Two Quarters of Banking Essentials Series Set for 8/11-12 CBAI is pleased to present “Banking Essentials,” four, one-day seminars offered in Springfield. A must for the newer community bank employee, this series is designed to provide a complete knowledge of banking principles and operations. It is also geared toward veteran employees as a refresher course. The four quarters are structured as two, two-day sessions, to cut down on travel for your convenience. As such, quarters one and two are offered on consecutive days in August, and quarters three and four are offered on consecutive days in February. All seminars are held at CBAI headquarters in Springfield. While it is recommended that the individual attend all four quarters to receive an entire overview of banking, each quarter's material stands alone; one quarter is not a prerequisite for another. Leading the first session, “Analyzing the Bank and the Banking System,” is Jim Kleinfelter, president of Young & Associates, Inc. Ann M. Brode of Brode Financial Services, a bank-consulting firm located in Ravenna, OH, leads the second session, “What Is a Bank?” Back to top Training the Credit Analyst Scheduled for August 4-5 “Training the Credit Analyst” is a two-day program scheduled for August 4 & 5, in Springfield. As community banks grow and strive to become high-performing financial institutions, the need to cultivate and develop a portfolio of commercial borrowers often increases. Credit analysis is an essential part of this process as banks strive to develop solid commercial relationships. This seminar is designed to address the needs of beginning credit analysts and to reinforce the credit skills of current credit analysts. It teaches how to write effective and comprehensive credit analyses which highlight the important trends shown on the financial spread sheet. Other analytical tools that are covered include cash-flow analysis, break-even analysis, ratio analysis, financial projections, and sensitivity analysis. Leading this seminar is Jeffery Johnson, president and founder of Bankers Insight Group, Atlanta, GA, who has more than 25 years’ experience in the banking field. Back to top Win Prizes by Registering for CBAI’s Annual Convention by July 31 By registering early for CBAI’s 36th Annual Convention & Expo by June 30, 2010, you not only receive a significant discount on the registration fee, you are also eligible to win valuable prizes, including a Kindle wireless reading device. Scheduled for September 30 – October 2, 2010, at the Galt House in Louisville, KY, “Community Banking: The Odds-On Favorite” is an event you won’t want to miss. This convention offers the perfect mix of educational programs, top-rated speakers, a quality exhibit center, and networking opportunities at numerous social events. Back to top Donate to Community BancPac Silent & Live Auction! Bet on Community Banking… the Odds-On Favorite Donate to Community BancPac Silent & Live Auction, Thursday, September 30, 2010, Galt House, Louisville, Kentucky. Donation/Sponsorship Form. Back to top |
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