24 Hoosier Banker October 2014 GR SPOTLIGHT Last month the Indiana Bankers Association hosted a delegation of Indiana bankers on a trip to our nation’s capitol. IBA staff was accompanied by the largest group of bankers in the history of the IBA Annual Washington Trip. A delegation of 65 bankers, spouses and a handful of associate members –who generously sponsored events during the trip – joined us Sept. 7-9 in Washington, D.C. The timing was ideal, as Congress had just returned from a threeweek recess and was present to tackle several important issues. Indiana bankers met in person with nearly every member of the Indiana congressional delegation, affording us the opportunity to voice concerns directly to decision-makers on Capitol Hill, plus at the regulatory agencies. Foremost topics included Farm Credit Services and credit union overreach, as well as regulatory reform and relief. Our bankers also voiced concerns about data breaches and the future of additional regulations crafted by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The American Bankers Association, the Independent Community Bankers Association and the Conference of State Bank Supervisors provided briefings on federal issues before we took to the Hill. On the first day of our visit, we met with officials from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the CFPB. On the second day of the trip, bankers visited each of the offices of the Indiana Congressional delegation. The large number of bankers who attended made an impressive impact on the regulators and congressional staffs. Two special events took place this year. On Monday evening, Sept. 8, the IBA hosted Representatives Luke Messer and Marlin Stutzman at the Capitol Hill Club for dinner. Both congressmen serve on the House Financial Services Committee, and they graciously shared their insights on what we can expect from the About the Author Amber R. Van Til, JD, is senior vice presidentgovernment relations of the Indiana Bankers Association. She can be reached at 317-917-8047, email: avantil@indianabankers.org. ‘Mighty Band of Bankers’ Assembles in DC Gathering at the Monday evening dinner of the 2014 Washington Trip are: (left to right):Amber Van Til, Indiana Bankers Association; Congressman Luke Messer; Clay Ewing, German American, Jasper; and Luke Yeager, Commerce Bank, Evansville.
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