Record flooding during the summer of 2008 has impacted many parts of Iowa. The IBA, in partnership with several other organizations, will provide resource and recovery information to our membership. 

Latest News

New! Gov. Culver Urges Iowans to Apply for Federal Disaster Assistance by Oct. 31 Deadline

October 28, 2008

Today, Gov. Chet Culver urged Iowans who have yet to apply for federal disaster aid through the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency to do so before Friday, or else they will not be eligible for any Jumpstart Iowa Initiative funding.

This Friday is the last day registrations for federal individual assistance grants will be accepted. In order for Iowans affected by this year's severe storms, tornadoes and flooding to be considered for funding through the Jumpstart Iowa Housing Assistance Program and Jumpstart Iowa Small Business Assistance Program, they must first be registered for federal aid through FEMA. Once registered with FEMA, they can then move onto the second step of applying for Jumpstart Iowa disaster assistance. Jumpstart Iowa applications will continue to be accepted past the federal aid's Oct. 31 deadline.

"We're just days away from Iowans' final chance to register for federal individual assistance," said Gov. Culver. "I want to make sure that the families and business owners devastated by this year's disaster receive every opportunity to apply for the aid they need. That's why it's critical that they first apply for federal assistance, which will then open up the door to possibly more aid from our Jumpstart programs."

Iowans have three days left to register for federal grants to help with uninsured costs they incurred as a result of the tornadoes, floods and severe storms that affected most of the state over the summer.  They can call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 800-462-7585, or register on-line at FEMA.gov. The phone registration hours are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.

These resources can also be used to ask questions about or check the status of previously filed applications and to find out about appeals.

As the result of a federal disaster declaration, Iowans in 78 counties are eligible to register for federal and state aid related to the tornadoes, severe storms and floods across the state from May 25 through Aug. 13.

To date, more than 39,460 Iowans have registered with FEMA.

 

Managing Floods of the Future Workshop

The RIO is helping to sponsor a workshop titled "Managing Floods of the Future: Concepts, Tools, and Success Stories." The workshop will be held in both Cedar Falls and Iowa City on Nov. 12 and Nov. 13, respectively. Some of the nation's top experts will be on hand to discuss the following topics:
  • Managing floods of the future.
  • Communicating flood risk at the local level.
  • Mitigation tools available to communities.
  • "No adverse impact" strategies to reduce community liability.
  • Charlotte-Mecklenburg: Floodplain management success story.

Following the presentations, there will be a panel discussion with members from the RIO, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division, the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Association of State Floodplain Managers. Click here for additional details.

 

Upcoming Business Continuity Courses

Safeguard Iowa Partnership and the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division will be sponsoring three business continuity courses in November 2008 in western and eastern Iowa.

  • November 4th – WITCC – Classroom B138. 4647 Stone Ave., Sioux City. Park in lot 2B and use entrance 8.
  • November 5th – Hawkeye Community College – Center for Business and Industry, 5330 Nordic Drive, Cedar Falls. For a map click here.
  • November 6th – Kirkwood Community College – Community Training and Response Center, Room 125, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405.

To register go to http://hls.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/.

FEMA Extends Deadline for Disaster Assistance until October 31

On September 25, Governor Chet Culver and the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that residents and business owners who suffered damages from the tornados and flooding in disaster-declared counties now have until October 31 to register for federal-state disaster assistance. Click here to read more.

 

City of Cedar Rapids is taking applications for Jumpstart Funds

The United Way is serving as the City's intake agency for Jumpstart funds.  Homeowners, businesses and nonprofits that were flood affected within the City of Cedar Rapids should call "211" to apply for Jumpstart funds.

The Jumpstart funds include $7.9 million for housing assistance and $12.3 million for business and nonprofit assistance.  Most of the assistance will be in the form of forgivable loans.

For housing, that means that the loan will be forgiven over ten years if a homeowner retains the house for that period.  Otherwise, the loan is due upon the sale or transfer of the property.  Housing applications are available online at http://www.iowafinanceauthority1.com/DisasterAssistanceJumpstartIowa.asp. 

For businesses, it means the loan will be forgiven if the eligible business re-opens within twelve months.  Eligibility information is available at http://www.rio.iowa.gov/resources/jumpstart_sm_business.pdf.

It is important that homeowners, businesses and nonprofits that sustained flood damage apply for the Jumpstart funds because, as a community, we need to make effective use of the money that has been made available. 

$20.2 million is much less than the assistance we need from state government—and less than other communities have gotten for various projects in the past—but legislators from Cedar Rapids will not be able to advocate as effectively for more assistance if people do not apply.

If you need more information, e-mail me at rob.hogg@legis.state.ia.us.

 

Vital Hotlines for Disaster Victims

Individual help from recovery specialists is just a telephone call away for Iowa disaster victims. Three agencies are staffing toll free numbers to provide disaster assistance information and support:

  • The toll free number for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Helpline is 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585. FEMA Helpline hours are 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day.
  • The state of Iowa administers a Helpline for those who need assistance with disaster-related personal property losses; medical, dental, funeral or transportation expenses or other needs. The toll free number is 866-434-4692. The line is staffed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, but a message may be left at any time and the call will be returned.
  • Disaster loan specialists from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to answer questions and help people complete their disaster loan applications from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The number is 800-659-2955.

Federal and state assistance may be available to anyone in 74 Iowa counties who has underinsured or uninsured losses as a result of the disastrous weather conditions in the state May 25 through Aug. 13. Federal and state officials continue to urge everyone who may be eligible and who has not already done so to register for assistance. Register online at www.fema.gov or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585. The deadline to register for disaster assistance is September 29.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance Available in More Iowa Counties, Deadline Extended

Disaster victims who lost work because of recent storms, tornadoes and floods, including farmers, farm workers and the self-employed, may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) in seven more counties. Also, the deadline for filing Disaster Unemployment Assistance claims is extended to Sept. 12, 2008.
Officials from the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division (HSEMD) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the additional counties eligible for DUA are: Adair, Audubon, Cass, Grundy, Guthrie, Henry and Winnebago.

They also announced a uniform deadline extension to Sept. 12, 2008, applicable to individuals in 74 counties designated eligible for Individual Assistance because of severe storms, tornadoes and floods May 25 through Aug. 13. This is the second extension for some counties. Click here to read more.

 

Online Flood Discussion Group

To assist bankers affected by the recent flooding across the state, the Iowa Bankers Association has created an online discussion group to connect members and facilitate communication over e-mail and on the Web. The group will allow IBA members to share ideas, concerns and processes for disaster recovery, safety and soundness, regulatory compliance, customer service, federal programs and more.
IBA members can sign up to become a member of the discussion group, which is facilitated by Google Groups. The group allows members to reply to a message that someone else posted or post a new message or question. Group members can also view the group Web page where all past e-mails are archived. Google Groups also enables members to post files, links, etc. for other members to access online. Members have the ability to control how often they receive group e-mails.
To join the group and communicate with bankers across the state about flood-related issues, there are two ways to join:

  1. E-mail the IBA’s Darcy Burnett at dburnett@iowabankers.com to request access to the group; or
  2. Request permission to join the group at http://groups.google.com/group/2008flood

To use the group, you must register with Google by setting up a username, password and e-mail address. No additional personal information is required. Direct questions to the IBA’s Darcy Burnett at 800.532.1423 or dburnett@iowabankers.com.

 

IBA Associate Member Resources

MPA Systems, Inc.

  • If your physical location is damaged or destroyed, MPA Systems specializes in providing quick-setup temporary or permanent bank buildings for financial institutions and other businesses with high security, upscale facility requirements. These high security buildings are available on short or long-term leases and for sale new or used.  Learn more by calling (888) 233-1584 or online at www.mpasystems.com.

 

State Resources

Click here for an updated copy of the Business Recovery Status Report. The Business Recovery Status Report is developed by the Safeguard Iowa Partnership, a public/private partnership to address disaster planning and recovery issues in Iowa. Questions should be submitted to jhaberl@safeguardiowa.org.

State of Iowa Flood Resource Center

2008 Iowa Disaster Fund

  • Gov. Chet Culver and Des Moines and Eastern Iowa business leaders have established the Embrace Iowa – 2008 Iowa Disaster Fund to receive contributions from individuals, businesses and organizations to benefit Iowans who have experienced significant hardship as a result of the storms and floods of 2008.
     Click here for more information or to donate online.

Iowa Division of Banking

  • The Iowa Division of Banking is monitoring the flooding as it pertains to banks. For information, go to www.idob.state.ia.us.

Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Administration

  • Click here for flood information from the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Administration.

Iowa Department of Revenue

  • Taxpayers affected by tornadoes and flooding will have additional time to file Iowa tax returns and pay Iowa tax.  The extended deadline is July 28, 2008, for returns and payments due after May 24, 2008, and before July 23, 2008. Affected taxpayers will not be subject to any penalty for failing to file or pay. In addition, interest will not be due on payments made by July 28, 2008. Click here for more information from the Iowa Department of Revenue.

Safeguard Iowa Partnership

  • Safeguard Iowa Partnership will host a “Back to Business Workshop” designed to provide information and resources to assist businesses impacted by the floods. The free workshop took place Thursday, June 26 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Coe College in Cedar Rapids. Click here for more information.
  • Click here to access the Safeguard Iowa Web site, where individuals can register to donate products or cash or to volunteer in Iowa’s ongoing response and recovery. Safeguard Iowa’s mission is to strengthen the capacity of the state to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters through public-private collaboration.
  • Click here for an update to the SIP Business Recovery Status Report

State of Iowa LIFT Program

  • Low interest loans are available to assist qualifying small businesses through the Small Business Linked Investments for Tomorrow (LIFT) program. $48.4 million is available to minority- and women-owned businesses. An additional $42.5 million is available for all other qualifying small businesses. Information and instructions for lenders can be found at www.iowalift.com.

Back-to-Business Workshop

  • The purpose of the Back to Business Workshop is to provide information and resources to assist local economic recovery. The workshop is open to all, with a special focus on economic recovery. However, since employees and customers are a critical part of bringing business back, the workshop will include comprehensive information and resources to support full community recovery.  The free workshop took place Thursday, June 26 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Coe College in Cedar Rapids.  Click here for more information.

Business Recovery Center

  • The purpose of the Business Recovery Center is to provide long-term assistance to the businesses that will continue from the efforts from the Back-to-Business Workshop. The Business Recovery Center will be located in Cedar Rapids and staffed by multiple agencies and associations with necessary resources for the business community.

Iowa Department of Economic Development

  • The IDED has prepared a “Floods of 2008” report that compiles responses received from community contacts of flood-affected communities across the state. Click here to read the report.

Iowa Workforce Development

  • Iowa Workforce Development Director Elisabeth Buck presented an update on IWD’s Disaster/Recovery Efforts on July 28, 2008.  Click here to view a handout from the presentation.

Rebuild Iowa

  • www.rio.iowa.gov – Includes task force meeting minutes, staff contact information and news and events information.


Compliance Resources

Flood Recovery FAQ’s

  • Click here for Flood Recovery Frequently Asked Questions prepared by the IBA Compliance Department. This document outlines questions related to safe deposit box issues, record recovery, lending issues and temporary bank facilities.

Safety Deposit Box Laws and Procedures

  • Click here for information about Safety Deposit Box Laws and Procedures, prepared by the IBA Compliance Department.


Federal Resources

FEMA

  • The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) is prepared to offer Disaster Assistance Information for homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes. To apply by phone, call 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362). (TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech- or hearing-impaired). Or apply online at www.fema.gov.

IMPORTANT: Please have the following information available when you call:

    • A phone number and a reliable alternate in case we need to call you back  
    • Address of the damaged property
    • Brief description of damages 
    • Social Security number  
    • Insurance information (if you have insurance)
    • Current mailing address
    • *Bank Account Information (if you are eligible for disaster assistance, you may choose to have the assistance check deposited directly into your bank account)

Government disaster assistance covers basic needs only and will not normally compensate you for your entire loss. If you have insurance, the government may help pay for basic needs not covered under your insurance policy. Some disaster aid does not have to be paid back, while other assistance may come in the form of loans.

  • FEMA lists information concerning flooding in Iowa an across the Midwest at http://www.fema.gov/media/2008/061308.shtm.
  • FEMA urges Iowa residents to take extra precautions when returning to flood-damaged homes and businesses. Click here for more information.

Federal Home Loan Bank

  • FHLB Des Moines members located in 2008 Federal Disaster Areas are eligible for Community Investment Advances (CIA) to help finance the repair or reconstruction of homes, businesses or infrastructure damaged by disasters. The Bank is waiving its per member CIA limit for these advances. For more information, click here or call the Bank’s Community Investment Department at 800-544-3452, ext. 1173. Please check the FEMA website for a complete list of 2008 Federally Declared Disaster Areas.

Fannie Mae

  • Fannie Mae has mortgage relief provisions in place for borrowers facing hardships as a result of the floods. Fannie Mae’s single-family servicing guidelines on disaster relief enable lenders to evaluate each individual case. Click here for more information or call the Fannie Mae Resource Center at 1-800-7FANNIE.

Freddie Mac

  • Freddie Mac’s disaster relief policies provide ways for mortgage servicers to assist borrowers impacted by the floods. Freddie Mac, for example, gives servicers the discretion to reduce or suspend mortgage payments for up to 12 months for borrowers with Freddie-Mac-owned mortgages. Click here for more information.

USDA Rural Development

  • USDA Rural Development is making funds available for disaster relief efforts. Grant and loan funds are available to rural communities for housing assistance, business assistance and community facilities assistance.  Click here for more information.
  •  USDA Rural Development is offering special housing assistance to victims of recent storms affecting northeast Iowa. USDA Rural Development, which has helped finance apartment complexes in rural Iowa, is working with local apartment managers in northeast Iowa to make available all vacant units for storm victims. For more information about vacant apartments in northeast Iowa, please call USDA Rural Development at (515) 284-4663.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

  • HUD has announced that it will offer foreclosure protection to displaced families in Iowa, Indiana and Wisconsin through a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures of Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured home mortgages. In addition, HUD is offering states the opportunity to re-allocate existing federal resources toward disaster relief; making FHA insurance available to disaster victims who have lost their homes; and offering state and local governments federally guaranteed loans for housing rehabilitation, economic development and repair of public infrastructure. Click here for more information.

U.S. Small Business Administration

  • SBA provides low interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, non-profit organizations to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery & equipment, inventory and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster. Click here for more information.
  • The Iowa Small Business Administration has provided new information on disaster relief in its June 2008 newsletter.
  • The SBA announced increased benefits for disaster victims in a July 1 press release.
  • Click here to view the SBA Disaster Loan Fact Sheet.
  • The Rebuild Iowa Office and FEMA want Iowans to know that the SBA loan application is the key to full Iowa disaster assistance. Click here to read more.
  • http://www.sba.gov/floods
    Important application deadlines:
    Physical damage:          September 29, 2008
    Economic injury:           February 27, 2009


Federal Regulatory Guidance

FDIC

  • FDIC regulated institutions are advised to review a Financial Institution Letter (FIL 49-2008) released June 17, 2008 regarding supervisory practices regarding depository institutions and borrowers affected by severe storms and tornadoes in Iowa and Nebraska.

OCC

  • The OCC also issued a proclamation authorizing national banks to close offices temporarily if needed due to the widespread flooding.

FFIEC

 

Management and Human Resources Information

Employee & Family Resources (EFR)


Other Resources

American Bankers Association

As the floods impact several states in the Midwest, the American Bankers Association (ABA) is providing Emergency Preparedness Updates.

American Red Cross

  • The American Red Cross is encouraging volunteers and donations at www.redcross.org.

Institute for Business and Home Safety

  • The Institute for Business and Home Safety offers an "Open for Business" toolkit, a disaster planning toolkit for the small to mid-sized business owner. The toolkit includes vulnerability assessment information as well as guidance for minimizing risks. The toolkit guides the user through organizing the institution’s critical information and reviewing its essential operations. The toolkit can be viewed and downloaded at http://www.ibhs.org/docs/OpenForBusiness.pdf

Radio Iowa

  • Radio Iowa is a statewide radio news organization reporting on flooding. Information may be found at www.radioiowa.com.

Iowa Public Television