Pub. 7 2017-2018 Issue 1

On July 20, 1892, in what the Denver Post called a “splendid display of western manhood,” 61 Colorado bankers convened at the chamber of commerce and spoke of organizing the Colorado State Bankers Association. The group operated informally for about a decade, then officially founded the Colorado Bankers As- sociation in 1902. The first order of business was to discuss the benefits and setbacks of branch banking, which finally came to a resolution exactly 90 years later with the state’s implementation of branch banking in 1992. In 2017, an American Banking Journal study showed branches still dominate retail account openings—and that banks’ younger customers were the most likely to frequent branches. In the 1920s CBA posted rewards for the capture of wanted “bank bandits.” The association even considered offering a higher reward for turning over dead “bandits” but ultimately decided against the idea. Today, CBA proactively works to keep Coloradans identities safe, and funds secure by actively developing and funding the creation of the Colorado Fraud Investigators (a fraud-specific divi- sion of the Colorado Bureau of Investigators). CBA in the 2017 legislative session ensured the fraud investigators unit will continue to receive funding. In the wake of the Great Depression, bankers associations worked to persuade Congress to keep the country’s payments system competitive and well-oiled, by repealing a tax imposed on bank checks. On March 8, 1933, CBA wrote to its members, “(We) request that you forward under your name immediately by wire to your Congressman in Washington D.C. the following quote: “This bank directs your attention the urgent importance of immediately amending revenue act of 1932 to eliminate United States tax on checks… to encourage more general use of bank checks as a circulating medium.” CBA joined other state bankers associations in a continued effort in 2017 to urge Congress to repeal the Durbin Amendment and keep debit transactions affordable and attractive for banks, customers and retailers. Today, just as in 1892, CBA focuses on creating a stronger economy and helping Coloradans realize dreams by building better banks. CBA celebrates125 years in 2017 JUN 6 1982; Llewellyn Jenkins, American Bankers Association president, addresses Colorado Bankers Association as Colorado National Bank president W. W. 'Peter' Grant, outgoing CBA presi- dent, listens. Nov. 26, 1917 robbery of Italian - American Bank in Denver. Old Wheeler Bank in Aspen, ca. 1890 Fremont County Bank Canon City, 1885 Groundbreaking at 1st Westland National Bank in 1963. The bank later be- came FirstBank. 1940s bank customers line up to buy war bonds. CBA convention-goers in 1921