6 MAY / JUNE 2020 Our world has been rocked by seismic change. COVID-19 hit us in unprecedented ways, and some might say it was impossible to be prepared for it. Yet the banking community was prepared. Equipped with business continuity plans that include pandemic response, banks in Indiana and nationwide have continued to provide essential financial services without interruption, while remaining helpers to the communities they serve. I have had the opportunity to listen to bank leaders on peer group calls that the Indiana Bankers Association has been coordinating. Listening in on call after call, it’s been heartening to know that servant leadership is alive and well in the Indiana banking community. The caring nature of banking is evident in the ways bankers address the need for service continuity, express concern for the well-being of staff and customers, and recognize the economic plight of businesses and families. Banks are responding to the needs of their communities, and this issue of Hoosier Banker highlights some of the support provided. In addition to hosting peer calls for bank CEOs and presidents, the IBA has been facilitating calls between bank leaders and other groups such as regulators; elected officials; and banking advisers, including attorneys, CPAs and leadership from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis. These ongoing calls give bank leadership direct access to information to help navigate the many ways banks may assist their communities. Another way the IBA is working to help you is by gathering and sharing pertinent information about COVID-19. The barrage of news makes it a challenge to keep up, so the IBA has set up a COVID-19 webpage with access to the latest information, including regulatory updates. We have also created a coronavirus Google Group to allow members to interact with each other and share insights. These resources will continue in place as long as needed. Additionally, the IBA continues in our commitment to help Indiana banks succeed. Pages 16 and 17 of this issue provide a summary of offerings provided last year in service to you. You can see that 2019 was busy and successful, with achievements including the establishment of Indiana’s first banking studies program at Purdue Northwest University, the inauguration of IBA’s Commitment to Community Award and record attendance at multiple events. Because fiscal responsibility is essential, we present two pie charts on page 15 that show the makeup of the IBA’s income and expenses. I am proud to note that the IBA continues to derive less than onefourth of its income come from member dues. The IBA team works hard to maintain a steady stream of non-dues revenue in order to keep our dues among the lowest of state bankers associations nationwide. VANTAGE VIEWPOINT Don’t Miss Out! On the expense side, our team continues to provide you with quality offerings efficiently, as our administration, overhead and staff costs make up less than one-fourth of our total expenses. Meanwhile over two-thirds of our costs go directly back to membership through education, training and events, and government relations support. The IBA team will continue serving you through the appropriate use of funds. While it’s gratifying to reflect on the accomplishments of the past year, the IBA staff is looking ahead to 2020 and beyond. The world may have “paused” for a few months, but our team keeps finding new ways to serve your needs. Regarding the IBA Mega Conference, originally set for springtime, we are now exploring ways to reschedule it to a more opportune time later in the year. Also, many of our educational and training events are being revamped to a virtual format, giving bankers a new way to stay informed. In addition, our fast-moving government relations department has ratcheted up its pace to a new level, while your communications team is working diligently to make sure you have all of the information you need. Clearly there have been many changes in 2020 and more to come, but there is one constant. Your IBA team is fully committed to serving you, our members, in the same way that you are fully committed to serving your staff, your customers and your community. As a closing thought, I remind you of the words of comfort of Fred Rogers, the legendary children’s television show host. He often shared that in times of trouble, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” Thank you, Indiana banking community, for being helpers in your communities at this time of need. HB Amber R. Van Til President and CEO Indiana Bankers Association avantil@indiana.bank @grbanker IBA Annual Washington Trip July 26-28 Join the chorus and make your voice heard at our nation’s capital about industry issues. FLD Leadership Conference Aug. 27-28 Emerging leaders build skills and strengthen networks at this premier FLD event. Annual Convention Sept. 13-15 Indiana bank leaders convene, connect and conduct IBA business in scenic French Lick. For event updates, visit: indiana.bank/covid-19-update-banks
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