Pub. 4 2014-2015 Issue 4

16 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 T he 2014 Center for Bank Advocacy Training Practicum cul- minated in December with a reception attended by mem- bers of CBA’s board of directors and Government Affairs Committee, as well as some of CBA’s associate members. Through the course of the yearlong program, participants developed advocacy projects tackling issues of importance rang- ing from SBA lending, to marijuana and banking, to managing the Basel III capital rules. These projects directly benefit banks. The project is the capstone of the course. As an example, two participants from FirstBank this year mimicked the program internally at FirstBank and are working to implement it at all levels in their bank to ensure their employee ranks are well versed in the defense and promotion of the value of their bank and its benefits to Colorado communities. The CBA Board created this program to respond to the need for more, well-equipped bankers skilled in industry and policy advocacy, in the wake of negative sentiment and overly burden- some regulations since the 2008 economic crash. CBA listened and responded. This yearlong bootcamp for bankers has grown CBA’s resources not only for use in the legislative arena through testimony and face-to-face advocacy, but with education for members at large. Vectra Bank’s Mark Abell, a member of the inaugural class, and was tapped to make his presentation again to the 2014 class as an example of a project done well, as was Dan Patten of Centennial Bank. Abell will be presenting at our upcoming Management Conference in January on SBA 504 lending. Course participants have reached out to CBA’s government relations staff on a number of occasions to provide perspective and offer support on legislative proposals at the state and federal levels. Their knowledge and know-how is expanded via presen- tations from experts on topics of import for advocacy, as well as with trips to the Colorado State Capitol and to Washington D.C. to defend and promote their industry in-person. “This process works better when citizens engage in the process,” Sen. Mark Scheffel, told participants earlier this year. Industry and policy advocates “can drastically change our opin- ions,” said freshman Representative Jovan Melton said. Registration for the 2015 class is open until January 12. To learn more, go to www.coloradobankers.org .  2014 Center for Bank Advocacy Training Practicum