20 NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2022 IBA president, A.M. Fletcher, completed his banking career, moved to Vermont and later was elected governor of that state. Matthew E. Welsh, former director of Security Bank, Vincennes, was Indiana governor from 1960 to 1964. Another director, Roger D. Branigin, Lafayette National Bank, followed Welsh into the governor’s seat in 1964, serving until 1968. Indiana banking history has been blessed with strong and famous leadership. Indiana bankers have been important in the management of the Department of Financial Institutions. In 1983, Ruth D. Harrison, former vice president of Irwin Union Bank, Columbus, became the first female director of the DFI. Donald E. Husk, formerly with English State Bank, retired in 1994 as deputy director of the DFI after serving in that capacity for 41 years. Currently Charles W. Phillips, former president of Floyd County Bank, New Albany, serves as DFI director. Indiana bankers also have risen to leadership positions within the American Bankers Association. Two Indiana bankers have served as ABA presidents: Rome C. Stephenson in 1930 (president of St. Joseph’s County Bank, South Bend) and Evans Woollen Jr. in 1948 (chairman, Fletcher Trust Company, Indianapolis – later American Fletcher National Bank, now Banc One Indiana). Education and Cooperation During this past century, the IBA has emphasized the importance of banker education. The advent and growth of the annual Mega Conference, which completed its sixth year in June, reflects the IBA’s commitment to education. A decade ago, the Annual Conference rotated between French Lick and Indianapolis. Education was centered around large meetings geared toward presidents and boards of directors. Today the annual Mega Conference and a new educational package have replaced the old emphasis. The Mega Conference, with more than 1,000 attendees, addresses 10 different tracks, including operations, auditing, * In 1987 the title of the head volunteer banker of the IBA was changed from “president” to “chairman,” and the title of the IBA state executive was changed from “executive vice president” to “president.” Congrats to the IBA on 125 Years! - CFB Team CFBindiana.com Bank of Indiana Genuinely Helpful, Local Experts in: Checking & Savings Mortgage Lending Small Business Lending NMLS# 614034 1897-1898 Mord Carter 1898-1899 Samuel A. Morrison 1899-1900 Orlando M. Packard 1900-1903 Charles L. Farrell 1903-1924 Andrew Smith 1924-1933 Forba McDaniel 1933-1967 Don E. Warrick 1967-1988 Robert C. Nelson 1988-2000 William H. King 2000-2007 James H. Cousins 2007-2016 S. Joe DeHaven 2017-present Amber R. Van Til marketing, technology, etc. The IBA also sponsors in excess of 80 educational sessions throughout the year, reaching 3,000 bankers annually. From an educational standpoint, regional cooperation has become crucial in the last decade. With only 210 Indiana banks remaining, and many of the larger banks offering in-house training, coordination with other state trade associations is essential. The IBA cosponsors the Midwest Trust Schools, held at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. Other cosponsors are the Ohio, West Virginia, Minnesota and Michigan bankers associations. The IBA also participates in the Robert Perry School of Banking, headquartered at Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Rather than duplicate educational services, the IBA works in conjunction with the Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky bankers associations to develop regional programs. Many factors have contributed to the stamina and success of the Indiana Bankers Association. Foresight, planning and dedication on the part of Indiana bankers and IBA leadership will propel the Association into its next 100 years with purpose and vigor. HB Past Leadership – Top IBA Executives Reprinted from 1997 centennial Hoosier Banker.
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