Pub. 4 2014-2015 Issue 4

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 Over the past 12months, CBA and itsmembers have had their noses to the grindstone, working tirelessly to ensure a better environment for the industry and its customers. Efforts have focused on regulatory relief, an improved economy, and obtain- ing a solution to banking Colorado’s newmarijuana enterprises. It is incredible what can be achieved in 52weeks’ time. In each and every case, you have been your strongest ally, bymaintaining a membership in the Colorado Bankers Association. CBA kicked things off with the second class of the Center for Bank Advocacy Training Practicum. A new crop of bankers thrived in CBA’s boot camp for industry and policy advocacy over the past 12 months, hearing from legislators, lobbyists, com- munication experts and even from their 2013 counterparts, as well as traveling toWashington D.C. before completing a project aimed at advocacy inside their own banks. Meanwhile, the 2015 legislative session brought with it 178 bills which CBA tracked and actively lobbied. Working together with legislators, CBAwas able to pass a foreclosure bill acceptable to both lenders and borrower advocates. This success, in partic- ular, is a point of pride for CBA, because the bill’s sponsor had very recently been a vocal opponent of banks for years, and due to hard work and relationship building, we now call her a friend. Also at the state level, CBA initiated and shepherded legisla- tion protecting the value of a state bank charter, ensured banks’ use of credit information in hiring decision and succeeded a seventh time in defeating an effort to create a state-owned bank. There is no doubt you’re aware that much of the year was dominated by attention to the issue of banking and marijuana. Seen as an expert on the topic, CBA fielded calls daily from across the globe and provided information and comment about banks’ ability (or inability) to serve Colorado’s newly legalized marijuana industry. CBA is supportive of Colorado Congressman Ed Perlmutter’s effort to address the issue by allowing banks in states where the 2014 definitely lived up to the adage: “The Years are Short but the Days are Long” A Word From CBA...