11 Hoosier Banker January 2015 Continued on page 12. “First National Bank of Louisville merged with National City in 1988. At that time I was involved in a bank standardization project with Mutual Trust Bank, one of First National’s acquired banks in southern Indiana. I worked to standardize processes and procedures between the two banks, and develop reporting lines and areas of responsibility. A lot of the standardization process is negotiations and delineating responsibilities to avoid having offices compete against each other. “After years in the Louisville market, I came to southern Indiana and was immersed in the environment of a small community bank that was owned by a large bank. For a time we were the primary bank in the area; if there was any sort of activity in the community – loan requests, new business or community activities – we were involved. “Eventually that changed, to where the acquired bank was a branch presence only. So I’ve experienced that environment, too. I witnessed firsthand the impact a community bank can make, and what happens to the community and employees when the decision-making process is altered. “To round out my experience, I transitioned to the wealth management group in Louisville. There I obtained my Series 7 and Series 66 licenses and my certified trust financial adviser designation. “When Mike Ludden called with the opportunity to return to southern Indiana in a small community-bank type of environment, I jumped at the chance. First Savings Bank was a savings bank at the time. Since then, we’ve built ourselves into a larger banking presence, one of the largest in southern Indiana. “We’re proud to be a community bank. We’re providing products and services that rival any large bank, but with a personal, hands-on, we’re-inyour-neighborhood approach.” What are your goals as 2015 chairman of the IBA? “At the Annual Convention last September, the IBA outlined several major goals it wants to accomplish in 2015. Our first goal is to remain financially strong. As bankers, each of us has been involved in associations and not-for-profits that are in existence to achieve a worthy goal, which often gets overshadowed by the constant need to raise money. With the IBA, we’re not in that position; we have the financial strength to move forward. “Another goal is to recognize and provide development and networking opportunities for our young leadership. We need to inspire the next generation to want to have a career in banking. “First Savings Bank emphasizes succession planning, at every level of the organization. It provides learning opportunities when you focus on developing individuals within the organizations – not just the employees that are next in line for top leadership, but also those that are newer to the organization. “A third goal is to improve IBA’s technology. With 80 percent of bank transactions being conducted electronically, its importance in our industry cannot be underestimated. “In regards to our government relations goal, I challenged the group to have 80 representatives attend the IBA annual meeting in Washington, D.C. It makes a bold statement about the Indiana banking community when we have a strong showing at our nation’s capitol. “For three solid days, we have meetings with our congressional representatives and our federal regulators. We discuss current issues and concerns with members of the American Bankers Association and Independent Community Bankers of America. “It’s easy to sit at home and dream that advocacy is being taken care of, but in Washington we are the advocacy, and it’s enlightening to be part of the process. In addition, the DC trip is a great time to network with other Hoosier bankers. “And finally, I hope to meet with all 130 bank CEOs in the state of Indiana in their home offices. The purpose is to hear what they want from the IBA, what the organization can do to help them, and what ideas they have to strengthen our industry.” In addition to serving as 2015 chairman of the IBA, this year you also are chairman of the Lincoln Heritage Council of Boy Scouts of America. What do you value about the Boy Scouts organization? “I have focused on the Boy Scouts, because it positively impacts the lives Family photos abound in Larry Myers’ office. Larry and Debbie Myers enjoy the IBA Annual Convention in French Lick.
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