16 MAY / JUNE 2021 ARTICLE SPOTLIGHT Bank Exam Prep Center Providing vital exam preparation The general public and elected officials have relied on banks’ critical role throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Banks in turn have relied on regulators’ commitments when delivering crucial support to small businesses. In Indiana and across the United States, banks stepped up and executed the Paycheck Protection Program and other initiatives to assist small business customers. As with any new government program, and especially one that was originated, implemented and executed so swiftly, there potentially will be challenges from regulators. Often it is not determined until after everyone had a chance to pause and look back what could have or should have been done differently. These types of hindsight determinations may be highlighted during your next exam. As you continue to work with your customers, it is critical that regulators take a consistent and fair approach, and that your bank be prepared for success. The Indiana Bankers Association is a founding member of the Coalition of Bankers Associations that created the Regulatory Feedback Initiative over 10 years ago. You have heard me encourage you to participate in the anonymous post-exam RFI survey at the conclusion of each of your various examinations. Survey data is collected nationwide and by state, and the compiled information has been useful to banking delegations when meeting with examiners and/or legislative bodies regarding regulatory matters. Survey results help demonstrate the need for fair and consistent practices from agency to agency and region to region, as well as provide an “audit” of regulators’ practices. In an effort to provide timely and beneficial information to you as you prepare for upcoming examinations, the Coalition has developed a powerful new resource Rod Lasley Executive Vice President - Operations & Member Services Indiana Bankers Association rlasley@indiana.bank @rodlasley to assist banks called the Bank Exam Prep Center. This centralized resource is accessible through the IBA website’s Regulatory Feedback Initiative page at indiana.bank/regulatory-feedback-initiative. The Bank Exam Prep Center not only contains the link to access the post-exam survey, but also provides other tools to assist you in your exam preparation, including: • Regulatory Radar – What Are Regulators Focusing on? • Building Blocks – Keys to a Successful Exam • Exam Takeaways – Exploring Results • Expert Advice – Observations From Industry Experts • Hot Tips – Tell Us What You Are Hearing (anonymously, of course). After additional survey data is compiled, three other areas are to be added: Exam Trends; Hot Topics; and No Regrets – What Bankers Wished They Knew Prior to the Exam. At the IBA, we believe the Bank Exam Prep Center will become your “go-to” as you prepare for future exams. To maximize its value, however, Indiana banks need to commit to completing the post-exam surveys so that information can be available for you and your peers for upcoming examinations. As a reminder, all information collected and presented is anonymous. Please take a moment to check out the Bank Exam Prep Center so that you can complete the post-exam survey regarding your most recent examination. Your participation helps the Indiana banking community and leads the way in making this offering a valuable resource in preparation for your next examination. For more information contact me, Rod Lasley, at rlasley@ indiana.bank or 317-387-9380. HB
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