Pub. 2 2012-2013 Issue 6

6 O V E R A C E N T U R Y : B U I L D I N G B E T T E R B A N K S - H E L P I N G C O L O R A D A N S R E A L I Z E D R E A M S A Word From CBA... How to be a Better Advocate for Yourself, Your Bank and Industry Given the current state of how the public and public of fi cials view our industry, we have more than our share of government relations and PR issues. Many people think of banks similarly to the perceptions of Congress: I hate Congress, but I like my Congressman. Bankers can’t take comfort in the I hate banks, but I like my bank view. That’s because the public and public of fi cials still want and demand broad policies that police the banks they dislike, and those policies impact your bank by direct applications or subsequent trickle down regulation. So the CBA Board last fall created an exciting new program to help bankers become stronger proponents for themselves, their banks and the industry. It is the Center for Bank Advo- cacy – A Training Practicum. CBA’s goal is to make participants better equipped to advo- cate successfully, using relationships just as you use “relation- ship banking.” Participants are learning that public of fi cials and media rely more on people they know and trust just as you do. They’re learning to build relationships early; you don’t know when you need them. They have fi nished three sessions of 2-3 hours each. The fi rst outlined the programand broad principles for engagement. CBA of fi cers gave participants a perspective on speci fi c issues confronting our industry now, and the importance of bankers being actively engaged. In the second session two former Speakers of the Colorado House of Representatives (former Speaker Terrance Carroll (D) and former Speaker Frank McNulty (R)) visited with the par- ticipants about how the system really works, the pressures pro and con on a bill (legislators on both sides of the issue, lobbying groups representing interests impacted by it, “innocent bystand- ers” and constituent individuals and businesses, media…), and how to impact the outcome. The third session featured three premier and diverse lobby- ists who had a dialogue with the associates about how to impact the issues, position the issues, frame your arguments, organize interest groups, anticipate opposition, plan your arguments against the opposition… The dynamic conversation explored many facets of state and federal advocacy. Participants will attend the hearing in the Colorado Capitol on the ugly foreclosure bill CBA is opposing. Some of them later in April will go to Washington, DC and meet with members of Colorado’s Congressional delegation in CBA organized sessions. The remainder of the Advocacy participants will go on CBA’s Washington Visit in the fall with more Congressional meetings and sessions with senior regulators. This yearlong, hands-on course in increasing banks’ in- fl uence on public policy includes nine concentrated sessions, several other events and a brief project relevant to the bank. This is “learn by doing” with expert guidance along the way. The curriculum covers election analysis, state and federal banking legislation, regulation, litigation and image issues; and broader issues impacting banking, government processes and requirements – elections, campaigns, legislation, regula- tion, community/media/customer relations, roles, risks and rewards of community and political involvement, volunteer community involvement and bank/industry image, and in fl u- ence activities – customer communications, community/public communications, lobbying, public of fi cial relationships, regu- latory in fl uence andmore. Emphasis is on active participation. CBA currently is active on dozens of federal issues and is lobbying about 150 bills in the Colorado Legislature. These advocacy skills are needed as our industry struggles with these issues which will de fi ne a bank’s pro fi tability, ability to serve customers, and for some even the survival of the bank. The viability of the bank directly impacts your career and probably your investment in the bank. Each banker has a lot at stake. These federal and state issues are why your CBA Board of Directors focused on enhancing our industry’s advocacy skills. We’ve received a number of inquiries fromaround the U.S. about replicating this apparently fi rst-of-its-kind program. We look forward to more participants next year. Plan on it. For your sake and your bank’s. Q Don Childears CBA President/CEO