Hoosier Banker 7 internships as a goal for the IBA to help address the “Next-Gen Bankers” pillar of the current strategic plan. Clay also spearheaded the ambitious goal of creating a banking major in an Indiana college or university, and that goal is showing impressive progress. The build is slow but steady, since this goal relies on parties outside of the banking community. Many productive conversations have taken place with academic leaders, who understand the value of offering a major that can help graduates enter into fulfilling careers. Thank you to all of the IBA-member bank leaders who have been supportive of this long-term vision. Bringing the best and brightest of new talent into banking will pave the way for the future of our industry. With the group effort of IBA-member banks and guidance from our board of directors, we will be ready to face the future when it comes. HB NOTABLE QUOTES Bank Community Service on Twitter Citizens State Bank • @CSB_Indiana • Feb. 2 If you’re a CSB client who’ll be attending an Indiana college or university, learn more about our $5,000 scholarship. http://ow.ly/ bEUf30nle3J We’re excited to contribute to the education of our future leaders! Alliance Bank • @AllianceBank_IN • Jan. 11 @AllianceBank_IN went #casualforacause in the 4th Qtr to support Courage Rock Stable and the horse therapy they provide for veterans and military families. Monticello Office Manager Melanie McGuin presented the check for $1,480 to owner Kim and Marley (the horse). #communitybank Crossroads Bank • @CrossroadsBank • Dec. 27 In lieu of a white elephant gift exchange this year, our #ColumbiaCity Branch adopted two families & purchased gifts for them! #SeasonOfGiving First Financial Bank • @BankAtFirst • Dec. 14 Through the generosity of our associates and clients in #Indy we donated more than books to the Edna Martin Christian Center. Thank you for giving the gift of reading. #bankatfirst #givefirst Merchants Bank of Indiana • @MerchantsBankIN • Dec. 12 Members of our team served meals at the @StVincent House, which serves as a home away from home for families (especially those with financial need) who live more than 35 miles from the hospital. We love giving back! 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 Like objects in a car mirror that are closer than they appear, the future is coming sooner than we expect. That’s why the Indiana Bankers Association is all about the future. I have good news to report about how the IBA is preparing for the future, but first, here’s a quick note about a recent past event – the IBA Legislative Briefing and Reception, held Feb. 4. Attendance was high, with nearly 250 IBA-member bankers, associate members and Indiana lawmakers coming together for this annual meet-and-greet. Attendees of the briefing were treated to a legislative review from our capable Government Relations Team, who detailed more than a dozen bills that pertain to banking in this year’s General Assembly. Also at the briefing, we heard from “Indiana Week in Review” panelists, who offered deep insights and entertaining banter for an informative look at Indiana politics. After the briefing, IBA members and elected officials joined together in a relaxed reception setting. I have always enjoyed this opportunity to meet face-to-face with legislators, whether for the first time or as renewed acquaintances, and I highly recommend that all bank leaders prioritize this annual event. I also recommend turning your attention to the IBA Future Leadership Division. This vibrant group is key to the Association’s focus on the future. For more information about the value of the Future Leadership Division, please see the “FLD Focus” article starting on page 22. I echo the benefits outlined in the article, and would add that the advantages of FLD membership go far beyond individual bankers to the banking community as a whole. Also on the topic of the future is the value of internships. One of the best ways for a person to learn about an industry is through handson internship opportunities. While many IBA-member banks already have strong internship programs in place, for other banks, programming has been a struggle. For this reason the IBA has created the Indiana Banking Internship Program, designed to introduce talent to the Indiana banking community. Through this program, the IBA is the liaison between member banks and the colleges and universities of Indiana. The inaugural wave of student participants begin their internships this summer, and the program is off to a strong start. About 20 promising students have applied, with nearly as many IBA banks taking part in this program. As of this writing, the IBA is working on the logistics of pairing interns with banks for mutually beneficial work experiences. Thank you to all participating banks, and thank you to my IBA chairman predecessor, Clay Ewing of German American Bank, who wisely set
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTg3NDExNQ==