Hoosier Banker 7 Just as we begin to think that certain banking challenges are going away, it feels like they’re simply morphing into a new set of issues. While we all looked forward to leaving the problems of 2020 behind, there are plenty of new concerns in 2021 to attract our attention. Legislatively, 2021 is turning into another interesting year. As of this writing, we’re at the halfway point of Indiana’s legislative session, and we’ve seen some surprisingly fast developments. In Indiana this is a budget year, meaning that it’s a long legislative session instead of short. This year’s agenda also includes the issue of redistricting, always a complicated topic. Plus this year’s session is taking place during a pandemic, adding more complications. There is good news, though, and we have seen positive developments in Indiana. By the close of the midway point of session, Gov. Eric Holcomb had already signed into law two bills of importance to the Indiana banking community. One bill that he signed was HEA 1056, Recording Requirements, a priority of the Indiana Bankers Association. This bill fixes the second-witness requirement to record instruments that arose from the interpretation of a language change in SEA 340 from 2020. Additionally, it retroactively applies to all instruments recorded after July 1, 2020. It’s extremely rare for legislation to be passed and signed into law this early in session. Notably, HEA 1056 was drafted as an emergency declaration, so it became Indiana law on Feb. 18, the day it was signed. Usually, new legislation does not take effect until July 1 of the year signed. The second bill that Gov. Holcomb recently signed into law was SEA 1, Civil Immunity Related to COVID-19. The IBA, along with other business trades and entities, advocated in support of this bill. SEA 1 provides welcomed protection against COVID-19-related lawsuits and, like HEA 1056, became law on Feb. 18, the day it was signed. These are encouraging developments, but our work is not done yet. The pandemic makes grassroots advocacy all the more critical this legislative year. Consider for a moment how the IBA Government Relations Team – Dax Denton and Eric Augustus – normally conduct business in downtown Indianapolis. During most years, they spend countless hours indoors at the Statehouse, waiting for or meeting with legislators for sit-down talks or hallway conversations. This year, however, social distancing measures make this form of in-person connection all but impossible. The dilemma is that advocacy is highly reliant on relationship-building, much easier done in person than remotely. This is where the banking community can help. Think about who you may know in the Indiana legislature – neighbors, business contacts, acquaintances from your children’s school events – who you could volunteer to be in touch with as needed. Legislators appreciate helpful insights, especially from known and trusted sources. Even if you don’t personally know legislators, your grassroots engagement is still impactful. Every message sent to lawmakers is tallied, whether by email, phone or traditional mail, so voicing industry opinion makes a difference. Please be on the lookout for IBA action alerts as we continue through the rest of session, as your input may be needed. IBA VoterVoice at indiana.bank/votervoice is a useful tool, and the weekly IBA Insighter e-newsletter conveniently summarizes current topics. Of course, we also look to the national level, and your help is needed there, too. We have good news this year, because we’re resuming the IBA Annual Washington Trip in July. That event is a powerful opportunity to meet with the policymakers who directly impact the business of banking. There will always be new topics and issues to deal with, but we also have a strong community of engaged bankers who are part of the solution. Thank you for all you do. HB CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Centier Bank • @CentierBank • Feb. 3 Centier associates in Mishawaka made a donation to @ CallieCares, a South Bend-based nonprofit which delivers care packages to families with sick children in the hospital. Find out more about the good work they do at http://facebook.com/ CallieCares #commUNITYbanking #SouthBend Riddell National Bank • @RiddellNatlBank • Jan. 26 @UnitedWay success by 6. Real men read. This morning CEO Steve Kidwell read “The Gruffalo” to Ms. Moore’s Staunton Elementary kindergarten class via Zoom. @indianabankers #communitybanks @UWWV @ICBA 1st Source Bank • @1stSourceBank • Dec. 26 As a thank you for their tireless work, several teams within the 1st Source family came together to donate gift cards and stainless steel coffee mugs to the Goshen Hospital emergency department! It’s wonderful to see our healthcare heroes honored and thanked this holiday season! First Harrison Bank • @FirstHarrison • Dec. 23 We recently took some of the donated items we collected in our 15 Days of Giving to Maple Manor and Sellersburg Health Center. Thanks to all those that donated to the effort! The Farmers Bank • @Mybankforlife • Dec. 17 The employees of TFB teamed up to make the Holidays special for kids in foster care. A group of Farmers Bank employees who recently attended an IBA Banking on Women Conference organized the event for the bank. Follow IBA Twitter @indianabankers NOTABLE QUOTES Bank Community Service on Twitter Michael S. Zahn Chairman Indiana Bankers Association President and CEO First Federal Savings Bank, Huntington
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