Register for Money Smart Week
Bankers in metro Des Moines, Cedar Rapids-Iowa City and the Quad Cities are encouraged to hold financial literacy events for consumers the second week of April. The second annual Federal Reserve Bank Iowa Money Smart Week takes place in three metro areas April 5 through April 12. The IBA is one of the 46 event sponsors. For more information go to www.moneysmartweek.com/iowa.
One week each year the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago encourages bankers to teach financial literacy programs to consumers. These programs may be as simple as a 30 minute talk in an elementary or high school or as extensive as a multiple evening program for adults. Banks planning on hosting events should post information at the Money Smart web site. Event information entered into the database will ultimately populate the web and print calendars available to the public. The deadline for banks to enter event information in the printed calendar of events is midnight, January 31, 2008. The deadline to enter information for the on-line directory of events is the end of March.
Bank partners may download logo information, fliers, posters and more from the main web page.
“The response from Iowa bankers has been very positive,” reports Joanne Kuster, Money Smart Week Chairman. “Last year we started with banks in metro Des Moines. This year we’re expanding to three communities. We hope to include more of Iowa each year.”
As Iowa Money Smart Week nears, more information will be on the IBA web site, www.iowabankers.com. Contact the IBA’s Ben Hildebrandt at either 515-286-3212 or bhildebrandt@iowabankers.com with questions.
New LIFT Small Business Program
State Treasurer Fitzgerald has announced that $100 million is available in the Small Business Linked Investments for Tomorrow (LIFT) program to help Iowa small businesses obtain low interest loans.
“While prior LIFT programs only targeted specific businesses, the new LIFT program is much more expansive,” said Treasurer Fitzgerald.
One of the main advantages of this program is its simplicity. After a small business owner contacts their financial institution, the lender fills out an online application. Once approved, the treasurer’s office places a certificate of deposit with the lender, and the proceeds provide a low interest loan for the small business.
“This program is a win-win for both financial institutions and small business owners,” said Fitzgerald. “Financial institutions gain new business relationships, and small businesses receive low interest loans.”
The treasurer purchases a certificate of deposit at three percent below the one-year t-bill rate, and then the lender may charge the borrower up to, but no more than, four percent above the certificate of deposit rate.
For more information on the LIFT program, go to www.iowalift.com or call 515.281.6878.
IBA/IBIS Annual Meetings
The Iowa Bankers Association would like to notify its members that the IBA and Iowa Bankers Insurance and Services Annual Meetings will be held Wednesday, February 8, 2006, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the Downtown Des Moines Marriott, in conjunction with the IBA Bank Management Conference. All members are encouraged to attend and participate in this review of the year. No registration is required. Please Contact the IBA’s Molly Lydon at 800.532.1423 with any questions.
Volunteer at IPTV’s Festival
Come have some fun at Festival! It’s time for the Iowa Bankers Association’s participation in “Festival,” the annual Iowa Public Television fund-raising campaign. IBA will be the host sponsor on Saturday, March 1 from 5:30 p.m. until midnight. Forty volunteers are needed from IBA member banks to staff the phones during the evening at IPTV studio, located in Johnston, just north of Des Moines.
This a great opportunity for the volunteers and IBA member banks to receive local recognition. Volunteers will receive a press release recognizing their involvement with Festival, a free shirt, and the opportunity to be seen on a live statewide broadcast.
Volunteers will enjoy refreshments from area restaurants, the excitement of live television and great programs. Typically, volunteers are on the telephones for 15 minutes, and then off the phones for 20 minutes, until the next break. Volunteers will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis, and there can be more than one volunteer from each bank.
In addition to being named a corporate friend for “Festival”, IBA sponsorship billboards will be televised on a variety of IPTV programs throughout 2008, including Curious George and Nightly Business Report, among others. IBA raised over $14,500 for IPTV during a Silent Auction held at the 2007 Annual IBA Convention.
If you are interested in volunteering, please see the Extras section of this Exchange for a volunteer form. The deadline to register is February 13, 2008. If you have any questions, please contact Dia Gross at 515-286-4384 or 800-532-1423, ext. 4384 or email dgross@iowabankers.com.
Advertise in the Directory of Financial Institutions
The Directory of Financial Institutions is a widely used resource with over 3,300 copies sold each year and includes essential information on Iowa banks, thrifts and industry vendors. It is the most comprehensive, up-to-date directory of Iowa financial institutions available. Most importantly, it is used by hundreds of important banking decision makers throughout the entire year. It is a cost-effective way to reach Iowa’s financial industry.
Ads are available as full, half- or quarter-pages. Rates are low and are designed to fit a variety of budgets.
For more information regarding advertising in the 2008-2009 directory, please contact the IBA’s Dia Gross at 800.532.1423, ext. 4384 or visit our web site at www.iowabankers.com
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REMINDER:
Bank Directory Questionnaires Due January 9
If you have not yet returned your 2008 Bank Directory questionnaires, please do so immediately to ensure an accurate listing for your bank. Please fax your questionnaire to Marilee Davis at the Iowa Bankers Association at 515.280.4140. All questionnaires need to be returned to the IBA by January 9, 2008. For more information, please contact Marilee at 800.532.1423.
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