The late December tax law changes have sparked a debate about whether bankers in subchapter S institutions should convert to C corporation status. Several speakers at the Bank Owners’ Seminar in Kansas City on April 17 shared thoughts on the question. The one-day forum was hosted by the Bank Holding Company Association. [Continue]
Though 96 percent of the 275 state chartered banks in Iowa have a CAMELS rating of 1 or 2, there’s been a slight increase in the number of 3-rated banks in Iowa in the past two years. “You may think this increase is expected because of the current ag environment,” said Ron Hansen, Superintendent of Banking for Iowa. “I would tell you it’s as much caused by a decrease in the management component of the CAMELS rating as it has been by the asset quality component.” [Continue]
The rules that govern the use and cost of a bank’s debit card program are written by a small group companies and these rules set the terms for cardholder access as well as the costs borne by a financial institution. In its effort to support its customers and re-balance the power wielded by the largest players in the arena, Johnston, Iowa-based Shazam made a strategic decision to engage in advocacy on this and other issues. [Continue]
Urging bankers to find their space somewhere “between The Jetsons and The Flintstones,” digital media expert Erik Qualman gave bankers a road map for becoming digital leaders. Qualman, the author of several books, was the keynote speaker March 15 at the annual convention of the Independent Community Bankers of America. Using the acronym STAMP, he encouraged bankers to keep in mind five words: Simple, True, Act, Map and People. [Continue]
After serving nearly 15 years as the president and CEO of the Independent Community Bankers of America, Camden Fine delivered his last address at an ICBA convention March 14 in Las Vegas. Fine will retire from the association in May, and Rebeca Romero Rainey will take over. [Continue]
Dewitt Jones, a former National Geographic photographer and film-maker, closed the ABA’s National Conference for Community Banking on Feb. 28 with an inspirational presentation that urged bankers to pursue their personal and professional visions. He outlined a four-step process: [Continue]
The future is an invitation to think in an entirely new way, commented Mike Walsh, a futurist who made a dramatic presentation Feb 27 at the National Conference for Community Bankers hosted by the American Bankers Association in Honolulu. Walsh encouraged bankers to “Think big, think new, think quick,” as he declared, “The future is now.” [Continue]
Rob Nichols, president and CEO of the American Bankers Association, issued a call to action Monday, urging an audience of more than 1,000 people to contact their U.S. Senators and urge them to support regulatory relief legislation. [Continue]
Richard Hunt, president and CEO of the Consumer Bankers Association, told bankers their industry stands to benefit from the current political environment, but warned favorable conditions may not last through this fall’s elections. The Consumer Bankers Association represents the retail banking industry, including large community banks, regionals and the nation’s largest banks. Hunt spoke Jan. 28 at the Acquire or Be Acquired conference in Phoenix. [Continue]
Technology is disrupting the banking industry, but that does not have to be a bad thing, according to experts who gathered for a panel presentation Jan. 30 at the Acquire or Be Acquired conference in Phoenix. “Where there is anarchy, there is opportunity,” observed Vincent Hui of Cornerstone Advisors, who led the discussion. [Continue]