Hoosier Banker 7 Internships for the 2019 program begin this summer. This program is starting out strong, with internship opportunities available at about 15 banks. The IBA is now working with universities throughout the state to fill those spots. The Indiana Banking Internship Program is more than a simple matching service. It includes detailed guidelines, for both participating banks and students, on how to make internships successful. Thank you to the banks that are part of this year’s program. As for the banking major goal, Clay and IBA staff devoted a great deal of time last year traveling around the state and meeting with university leaders. There is strong interest in a couple of universities, though there is still work to be done in making a banking major happen. It will take more time to reach this goal, but progress is being made. Thank you to Clay for recognizing the need to prepare for the future, and thanks to all of you for the honor of serving you this year as IBA chairman. I look forward to working with you throughout the year. HB NOTABLE QUOTES Bank Community Service on Twitter Springs Valley Bank & Trust • @SpringsValleyBT) • Oct. 18 “Springs Valley employees Bernita Berger and Karen Stenftenagel volunteered their time today at Jasper Middle School’s Ice Cream Social. Springs Valley is this year’s sponsor of the 1st Quarter Ice Cream Socials for 6th, 7th, and 8th grades!” German American Bank • @_GermanAmerican • Nov. 7 “With the help of our generous communities we were able to present a check for $11,962 for the Quest for a Million Pennies for the Hadi Shriners Children’s Hospital Transportation fund! Thank you for all of your support!” Hoosier Heartland State Bank • @myHHSB) • Nov. 20 “We’re ringing the bell for the Salvation Army today at County Market! Stop by and donate any spare change to a great cause!” First Savings Bank • @fsbindiana) • Nov. 30 “Proudly supporting our communities! First Savings Bank’s employees donated $1000 and the bank matched a $1000 to purchase and donate 30 bikes and 8 helmets for the 103.1 ‘Bike or Bust’ holiday drive. Proud of our staff!!” Centier Bank • @CentierBank) • Dec. 3 “Our #Elkhart North team did us proud this weekend when they helped give away 400 books to children at the Elkhart Public Library (@myEPL)!” Follow IBA Twitter @indianabankers Andrew J. Briggs Chairman Indiana Bankers Association First Senior Vice President for Business Development Farmers & Merchants State Bank, Archbold, Ohio CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Hello, fellow bankers, and thank you for this opportunity to serve as 2019 chairman of the Indiana Bankers Association. This new year is an exciting one for my team at Bank of Geneva, which has now merged with Farmers & Merchants State Bank, Archbold, Ohio, as of the start of 2019. The merger went smoothly, due to the blending of two like cultures. As an example, both banks have 1935 Chevrolet firetrucks to use for parades and other promotional events. How many banks happen to have a 1935 Chevy fire engine? Our merged bank now has two. Both banks also share values, and one very important value is the need to engage in grassroots advocacy. There is a major opportunity coming up Feb. 4 when the IBA hosts its Legislative Briefing and Reception. This annual event starts with a briefing at 4 p.m., and, this year, includes a panel discussion by the WFYI “Indiana Week in Review” crew for no-holds-barred debate and discussion. Following the briefing, bankers have a chance to mix and mingle with legislators at the reception. Our elected officials appreciate and enjoy this annual reception, because it’s a welcomed break from their busy schedules, and a chance for them to meet with their constituents. Please be sure to put Feb. 4 on your calendar. Another legislative event coming up is the IBA Future Leadership Division Day at the Statehouse, scheduled for March 12. This is your chance to send your up-and-coming bankers to learn firsthand about advocacy. Grassroots support from all levels and areas of the bank is essential, and one goal of the IBA is to encourage more FLD members to engage, such as at the annual Washington Trip this fall. This engagement builds both the government relations capabilities of the IBA and also the next generation of bankers. Please consider who in your bank should be part of the Future Leadership Division. The FLD has been a tremendous success, now counting at about 300 members strong. You can read more about it in the FLD Focus article in this issue. Other future-focused endeavors of the IBA are two very important initiatives started by my predecessor, Clay Ewing of German American Bank, who served as 2018 chairman of the IBA. Under Clay’s guidance, the IBA took on two ambitious goals: to start a bank internship program, and to make headway on creating a banking major in Indiana. On the internship side, the IBA has succeeded in rolling out the Indiana Banking Internship Program. The purpose is to bring new talent to the Indiana banking community by encouraging internships, with the IBA acting as the liaison between Indiana colleges and universities and IBA-member banks.
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