Iowa Superintendent of Banking Thomas Gronstal Elected Secretary of Conference of State Bank Supervisors
 Iowa Superintendent of Banking Thomas B. Gronstal has been elected secretary of the Conference of State Banking Supervisors (CSBS) following a two-year term as treasurer and board member for 2007-2008 during the organization’s 106th annual convention in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Gronstal has served as Iowa Superintendent of Banking since 2002. He has been a member of the CSBS Board of Directors and served as co-chairman of the CSBS Bankers Advisory Board. His civic activities have included serving as treasurer of the IBA (1987-1989); president of the Carroll Chamber of Commerce (1989); president of the IBA (1990); mayor of Carroll, Iowa (1994-1999); Governor’s Strategic Planning Council (1999-2000); and member of the Carroll Area Development Corporation (1999-2001).
Governor’s Office to Honor Fallen Soldiers; Banks Asked to Help
To honor Iowa’s fallen soldiers, Governor Culver has issued a request asking that banks lower their flags to half staff each time that an Iowan is killed in Iraq or Afghanistan. The Iowa Bankers Association will be sending an email to bank CEOs on the day of the soldier’s funeral asking each bank to lower their flag for that day.
The Governor’s directive applies to all U.S. and state flags under the control of the state. Flags will be at half staff on the state Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex, and upon all public buildings, grounds, and facilities throughout the state on the day of each soldier’s funeral. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties, and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.
The IBA encourages banks to participate in this simple way to honor Iowans killed in action. For more information contact the IBA’s Ben Hildebrandt, bhildebrandt@iowabankers.com or Cheryl Miller, cmiller@iowabankers.com or call 800.532.1423.
2007 GSB Enrollment Deadline Approaching Soon
If you, or someone at your organization, plan to attend a 2007 residential program at the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the deadline to register is Saturday, June 30th. Some programs are nearing capacity so you are encouraged to register soon to secure your space. The following residential programs are being offered:
• Graduate School of Banking August 12-24
• Human Resource Management School August 12-17
• “Strategies Of High Performing Banks” Senior Management Seminar August 19-22
• Financial Managers School September 23-28
Some of the industry’s best and most-respected financial industry experts are part of GSB’s faculty. Leading edge topics that help in your leadership development and the bottom-line performance of your bank are a core part of all GSB educational programs. In addition to GSB’s residential programs, the School offers a variety of LIVE online seminar programs throughout the year. For more information on all of GSB’s educational programs, please contact GSB at 800-755-6440 or visit their web site at www.gsb.org. The Iowa Bankers Association has been a sponsor of GSB since the school was founded in 1945.
IBMC Bucking the Trend
Under the current environment of stagnant or rising interest rates and sluggish mortgage lending, Iowa Bankers Mortgage Corporation finds itself ironically and happily busy with increased loan activity. At the recently completed group meetings around the state, Dan Vessely, President of IBMC informed attendees that the current pipeline of loans locked with IBMC was the highest since April of 2004 at over $85 million. In addition the total of 151 bank locations comprising these registered loans is an all-time high. Last year IBMC served a total of 201 community bank locations and anticipate increasing that number for this year. He also indicated that IBMC continues to be a leading lender in Iowa for Rural Development and First-Time Homebuyer loans.
Vessely attributes IBMC’s success at bucking the general lower trends elsewhere to several factors:
- Continued competitive pricing for loan products
- Incomparable service geared toward the unique needs of banks and the flexibility to tailor it to fit the bank’s level of expertise
- Enhanced and increased marketing efforts by IBMC personnel
- The recent addition of new products and programs
He also pointed out the outstanding performance of the Agricultural department at IBMC in providing long term fixed rate financing for bank’s Ag customers. IBMC has funded over $9 million in Ag loans already this year and now services over $44 million in Ag real estate.
IBMC continues to grow its usefulness in the real estate area and shares the IBA goal of providing products and services that contribute to the success of Iowa banks. To that end, IBMC has adopted its tag line of “helping you, help others” in several of its marketing materials. If you have any interest in learning more about IBMC contact Pam Kucera, (residential) at pkucera@iowabankers.com, 1.800.532.1423 or 515.681.1018 (Cell) or Don Foley, (agricultural) at dfoley@iowabankers.com, 1.800.532.1423 or 515.669.7029 (Cell)
House Passes ILC Bill
The House passed the IBA-supported industrial loan company (ILC) bill (H.R. 698) on May 22, by a vote of 371-16, with one Member voting present. The bill would create a general rule that commercial firms may not charter new ILCs or acquire existing ILCs.
IBA commends Iowa Congressmen Boswell, Braley, Loebsack and Latham for co-sponsoring H.R. 698 and we urge the Senate to act promptly on the legislation.
2007 Group Meeting Wrap Up
The Annual Group Meetings of the Iowa Bankers Association were held May 7-May 23, 2007, at various locations around the state of Iowa. Bankers met for their annual business meeting as well as a round of golf and networking with other bankers in their area.
At each meeting, bankers who had contributed to the IBA’s political action committee, BUILD (Bankers Unite in Legislative Decisions) were recognized. Mulligan sales raised over $8,400 during the three weeks of meetings. This money goes to help reach the 2007 BUILD goal of $170,000.
A special thank you to all of the Group Chairs and Secretaries for their hard work to make the group meetings a success. Their dedication to the IBA, the banking industry, and their fellow bankers is important and appreciated. We hope to see you at next year’s meetings!
ABA to Hold Meeting in Des Moines
The American Bankers Association is pleased to invite Iowa bankers to an important meeting in Des Moines on Thursday, June 14, 2007. Protecting the Financial Sector – A Public and Private Partnership will bring together federal, state and local government officials with private sector representatives from area financial firms. The meeting will be held at the Downtown Des Moines Marriot Hotel at 700 Grand Avenue.
The symposium will provide an opportunity for bankers to hear from senior government, law enforcement and private sector leaders about what has been accomplished to protect the financial sector. You will also be able to identify the actions and plans your company can take to be prepared for an emergency. An agenda and registration form as well as additional information is available on the FDIC website at www.fdic.gov/news/conferences/2007_Des_Moines/index.html
The ABA encourages bank CEOs to attend along with heads of physical/cyber security. There is plenty of space, so feel free to have a number of employees with either cyber or physical security responsibilities attend.
Iowa Bankers Insurance and Services Announces the Retirement of Juanita Fulster
You are invited to attend a retirement reception for Juanita Fulster. Please join us in thanking her for her twenty-two years of service with Iowa Bankers Insurance and Services.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
3:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Iowa Bankers Association
Lower Level Lunchroom
8800 NW 62nd Ave
Johnston, Iowa |
