Are You Registered For IBANYS' 2018 Anuual Convention In Albany?

Only One Month Away, Sign-Up Today!

We are about a month away from the IBANYS 2018 Annual Convention where New York community bankers will be gathering in the heart of the state's capital to promote and enhance community banking. For the first time in many years, the conference will be held in Albany, which is geographically centered for the convenience of our member banks. Our packed schedule provides education credit opportunities and insight on timely and relevant issues, while our intriguing speakers definitely make the travel worthwhile. Our impressive array of speakers include:

• New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) Superintendent Maria Vullo

• Susan Powell Byrd, CEO of Westover Strategy, Inc. 

• Rebeca Romero Rainey, the dynamic new President & CEO of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA)

• Maeve McEneny-Johnson, Albany's  Education & Heritage Coordinator

As always, thank you for your support of IBANYS and all you do for community banking.

Remember: IBANYS is YOUR association. Make it work for you!

- John

            September 25-27, 2018

                         Hilton Albany

                      40 Lodge Street

                    Albany, NY 12207

                

                    Hotel Information
 

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hilton Albany. Reservations can be made by the following: 

Arrival Date:  September 25, 2018

Departure Date:  September 27, 2018

           Price of Rooms & Exclusive Deals  

           Refer to Group Code:  1IBANY

           Web:  Click Here                     

   Phone:   1-866-691-1183

View the video!

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Member banks:   Share this information  with your senior management teams, officers, directors, compliance, security and human resources officers.  Preferred partners, associate members and business show exhibitors:  Now is the time to plan to attend, participate, sponsor/exhibit.  Contact Linda Gregware at  [email protected] or at (518) 436-4646.

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Chrystina M. Giorgio, AAP

President & CEO, ICBA Bancard

Chrystina (Tina) M. Giorgio is president and CEO of ICBA Bancard, the largest national credit card program exclusively for the nation's community banks. She joined the company in 2016 and focuses on developing strategies to leverage the brand among current and new customers.

A former community banker with 30 years of experience, Tina served in senior leadership roles for nearly two decades at $7.5 billion Sandy Spring Bank in Maryland, most recently as senior vice president and director of deposit operations and digital delivery. Her expertise includes payment systems, digital banking, risk and fraud, vendor management, marketing, and client service. In addition, Giorgio has served on several boards and committees with the Federal Reserve, NACHA, various Fintech companies, and other industry organizations.

 

Tina holds a MBA from UMass Amherst's Isenberg School of Management, and a BS in Business Management from the University of Maryland University College. She completed graduate work at the BAI program in Operations and Technology Management for Banking and Financial Services at Vanderbilt University and has been an Accredited ACH Professional (AAP) since 1993.

Ms. Giorgio will be presenting on Wednesday, September 26 at 2:40 p.m. with her presentation "If You Don't Have A Digital Payments Strategy-- Here Is Why You Should".

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Jeff Cardone

Partner, Luse Gorman, P.C.

Jeff Cardone is a partner at Luse Gorman, P.C. He represents financial institutions in various corporate, regulatory, executive compensation and securities matters. He also represents financial institutions and other corporations in transactional matters, including in mergers and acquisitions, purchase and assumption transactions, branch sales, mutual-to-stock conversions, mutual holding company formations, public offerings and private placements, and ESOP transactions. Mr. Cardone also assists financial institutions with federal and state bank regulatory compliance matters.

Mr. Cardone counsels publicly-traded, privately-held and tax exempt financial institutions on a wide range of executive compensation matters, including designing and drafting executive and director compensation arrangements (including employment and change in control agreements, SERPs, 457(f) plans and equity and phantom stock arrangements), with a strong background in Sections 409A and 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, quantifying potential change in control benefits and related tax planning to avoid or mitigate adverse tax consequences under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code, and complying with SEC executive compensation disclosure requirements.

Mr. Cardone will be presenting on Wednesday, September 26 at 9:16 a.m., along with Ben Azoff, with their presentation "Financial Reform Legislation and Regulation and Other Hot Topics-- What's in it for Community Banks?"

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Ben Azoff

Partner, Luse Gorman, P.C.

Benjamin Azoff focuses his practice on financial institutions, including securities and general corporate law. His experience includes public and private offerings of equity and debt securities, mergers and acquisitions, mutual holding company reorganizations, mutual-to-stock conversions and branch acquisitions and sales. 

In addition, he regularly advises public companies on corporate governance, fiduciary duties, insider trading, stock exchange listing requirements and filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including proxy statements and periodic financial reporting. Mr. Azoff has also assisted a number of financial institutions with bank regulatory and compliance matters.

Mr. Azoff will be presenting on Wednesday, September 26 at 9:16 a.m., along with Jeff Cardone, with their presentation "Financial Reform Legislation and Regulation and Other Hot Topics-- What's in it for Community Banks?"

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Show Your Support At Our PAC Silent Auction!

Wednesday, September 26, 5:30 to 7:15 p.m.

Our PAC Silent Auction is back! This popular convention feature is the perfect opportunity to showcase items from your region, while contributing to an essential committee that focuses and advocates for community banks in NYS legislative affairs.

The PAC contributes to New York State candidates and officials who understand and support the vital role community banks play in our local and state economies, as well as our communities. 

By donating a gift, you are also utilizing an exciting and creative opportunity to communicate to others what your organization and local community are all about. Items from your local region such as wine, food, tickets to special events, art, etc. convey what is unique and exclusive to your area: what makes your community, your community. Some auction items that have been donated to this year's convention are: Dooney & Bourke Ambler Handbag in Blush and Emmy's Organics Cookies from Ithaca, NY.

Page 11 of the brochure provides full details and a list of suggested donation items. Take advantage of this opportunity and donate a gift today! View the PAC Silent Auction form to  submit an item.

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Sponsorships & Booths Are Going Fast!

There are only a few exhibitor booths and sponsorships left, but there is still time to demonstrate your support for community banking by becoming a sponsor or exhibitor at our Annual Convention! 

Sponsoring an event provides your company an opportunity to be recognized and enhances the visibility of your organization to attendees. Our Convention has various sponsorships available, including bronze silver, gold, and platinum sponsorships. Page 9 of our Convention brochure lists sponsorships available and what is included.

Our Convention Trade Show puts your company and its products/services at the forefront with consumers and potential business prospects, while also providing something that is unmatched in today's digital age: face-to-face interaction. IBANYS' exhibitor tradeshow begins Tuesday, September 25 at 5:30pm and concludes Thursday, September 27 at 11:00am. Exhibitor registration and tradeshow details can be found on page 10  of the brochure, while you can view the booth floor plan and exhibitor kit on our website.

These two important opportunities give your organization a chance to both present your firm's products/services and show your support for community banking while networking with individuals who all value one common thing: the power of community banking.

Please take a moment to carefully review, and act soon to secure both your exhibitor booth location for the trade show and the event/activity you wish to sponsor.

Please note: Both will be assigned on a first come, first served basis.

 

As always, thank you for your support and participation.

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Are you participating in IBANYS' webinars? Your peers are! They provide timely, important information on subjects of interest to New York community bankers. They are valuable not only for their content, but for their convenience. Take part from the comfort and privacy of your office, without leaving the bank.  Our  Webinar Series  offers many topics in the following categories:

• Audit & Accounting
• Collections
• Compliance
• Directors
• Frontline & New Accounts
• Human Resources
• Information Technology
• IRA
• Lending
• Operations
• Security & Fraud
• Senior Management

We are always adding more programs based on needs and requests of our members,

who drive our focus!  Take a look at the various series of webinars we offer by clicking each of the links below.

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Thanks to the newly signed regulatory relief bill, most reciprocal deposits are no longer brokered. This comes as banks face intense and increasing competition for deposits.

Join Promontory Interfinancial Network-- the nation's leading provider and inventor of reciprocal deposit placement services-- for a free webinar that outlines key provisions of the new law and the impact ICS®, or Insured Cash Sweep®, and CDARS® can have on banks' balance sheets. The webinar will also cover how banks can use ICS and CDARS to capitalize on the opportunities at hand; presenters will discuss cost-effective ways to use the services to attract high-value relationships (even as deposit competition intensifies) and to lock-in more low-cost funding (even as interest rates continue to rise.) This webinar is a "must" for decision-makers at banks of all sizes, especially for community banks that utilize collateralized deposits and/or listing services.

Choose a date and time that works for you!

The House of Representatives remains out on its annual August recess until Tuesday, September 4, and IBANYS encourages New York community banks to invite their local members of Congress to visit their bank during this time. ICBA has released an updated version of its "Meetings on Main Street" guide for community bankers interested in doing so.

The guide provides a step-by-step process on scheduling, conducting and promoting in-district meetings with your members of Congress. It also offers social media tips and a sample letter to request a meeting or bank visit. For more information, contact ICBA Assistant Vice President of Advocacy, Joshua Habursky at [email protected] or (202) 821-4355.

	Rep. Chris Collins

Nine Republicans seeking to replace the indicted incumbent Rep. Chris Collins as the GOP candidate for Congress in the 27th C.D. in Western New York met yesterday with party leaders. However, the GOP leaders ended the interview sessions by slowing down their selection process. "We're no longer in a rush like we thought we were," Erie County Republican Chairman Nicholas A. Langworthy said after the county chairs ended their deliberations. There is reportedly no apparent front runner. GOP lawyers are exploring how to get Rep. Collins' name off the ballot under New York law. Collins could be urged to run for another, lesser position to clear way for a new congressional candidate. Democrats plan to meet any such move with a lawsuit. The Democratic candidate is Grand Island Supervisor Nate McMurray.

Meanwhile, Democratic congressional candidate Joe Morelle holds a 24-percentage point lead over Republican James Maxwell in a new Spectrum News/Siena College poll released yesterday. The winner will succeed the late Democratic Rep. Louise Slaughter.

ICBA is calling on the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to amend its fair lending disparate-impact rule to meet the limitations imposed by the U.S. Supreme Court. Under the 2013 rule, lenders may be held liable for neutral practices that have a disparate impact on certain classes of borrowers, even if the lenders have no intent to discriminate. 

In a comment letter on possible amendments, ICBA said the rule should conform to the 2015 Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs v. Inclusive Communities Project Inc. decision, in which the high court held that disparate-impact cases cannot rely on statistics alone. ICBA noted: "We urge HUD to amend its disparate impact rule to align with the limitations set forth in Inclusive Communities to prevent the unnecessary and onerous costs placed on community banks to defend against frivolous claims inappropriately based on statistical disparities."

ICBA is urging community bankers to continue advancing two grassroots campaigns using ICBA's Be Heard grassroots resource center.

• Disparate Impact: Tell the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to amend its fair lending disparate-impact rule to meet the limitations imposed by the U.S. Supreme Court. ICBA's custom message calls on HUD to align its rule with the high court decision.

• In its recent final rule, the CFPB codified a 2015 law reducing regulatory burden on banks under Regulation P. Under the rule, banks no longer are required to send annual privacy notices to their customers if their policy has not changed since the previous notice was sent. As for banks that do change their policy, they will have 100 days to provide customers with an updated copy of the notice. IBANYS advocated for eliminating redundant and burdensome privacy notice requirements in our Washington visit last spring.

The U.S. national debt has increased by more than half a trillion dollars in less than six months, amid predictions that the U.S. is on the verge of returning to another explosion in government borrowing. The debt rose to an all-time high of $21.4 trillion on Thursday, according to government data posted Friday.

Refinances Were Down In Second Quarter

According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), more than 299,466 refinances were completed in the second quarter of 2018, compared to 356,002 in the first quarter. The agency's Refinance Report also notes that 2,973 loans were refinanced through the Home Affordable Refinance Program, bringing the total to 3,491,140 refinances since the program's debut in 2009.

. . .And, So Is Consumer Sentiment 

According to the University of Michigan's Survey of Consumers, consumer sentiment has slipped to its lowest level since last September. The index fell to 95.3 from 97.9 in July, and is down from 96.8 in Aug. 2017. Declines were fueled by households with incomes in the bottom third.

 Existing Home Sales Fall

The National Association of Realtors said on Wednesday existing home sales fell 0.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.34 million units last month. July's drop marked the longest streak of monthly declines since 2013, as U.S. home sales fell for a fourth straight month. 

Sales fell across the Northeast, South and Midwest, but rose in the West. A shortage of properties on the market pushed up house prices, and likely sidelined some potential buyers.   The median house price increased 4.5 percent from a year ago to $269,600 in July.

Housing Starts Were Up

The U.S. Commerce Department reports that housing starts were up 0.9 percent in July, but down 1.4 percent from one year ago. Single-family starts were also up 0.9 percent for July, and building permits rose 1.5 percent -- and were up 4.2 percent from a year ago.

President "Not Thrilled" With Fed, Chairman Powell

In a press interview Monday, President Trump said he was 'not thrilled' with the Federal Reserve under his own appointee, Chairman Jerome Powell, for raising interest rates and said the U.S. central bank should do more to help him to boost the economy. " I'm not thrilled with his raising of interest rates, no. I'm not thrilled. Regarding Chairman Powell, he honored: "Am I happy with my choice? I'll let you know in seven years."

Barret and IBANYS are aligned with a common interest: to represent the interests of the industry through effective advocacy and high quality educational offerings.

Located in Memphis, TN, Barret Graduate School of Banking offers a comprehensive graduate learning program for professionals in the financial services field. IBANYS has established partnerships with key industry educators including the Barret Graduate School of Banking. The school provides community bankers with an opportunity for a graduate degree in banking. 

We are currently endorsed by ICBA, ICBA Securities, Arkansas Community Bankers, CBAofGA, Indiana Bankers Association, CBAofKS, MIBA, CBAofOH, CBAofWV - with a couple more on the way. 

To learn more about Barret Graduate School of Banking, please visit www.barret.ws.

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IBANYS is pleased to welcome our newest associate member, CloudBnq.com. CloudBnq.com is a digital lending and loan origination software solution that enables all lending product types with no upfront capital or IT investment. It does not change the current lending policies in place, and reduces the cost and time across all loan origination. CloudBnq turns community lenders into digital lenders. To learn more, contact Andy Papadopolous at (800) 297-8876, [email protected] or visit the website at www.cloudbnq.com.

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Keep The Door Open For Your Small Business Customers

Excelsior Growth Fund (EGF) is NYBDC's nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution and IBANYS' exclusive online lending partner. Join the growing number of banks that work with EGF to offer their customers an affordable and responsible option when they do not qualify for traditional financing. EGF offers loans up to $500,000 with a convenient, digital process. Loans under $100,000 are disbursed within 5 business days.

 

Tompkins Trust Company was founded in 1836. At Tompkins, local is powerful. As Central New York's community bank, we understand why. Local is at the heart of who we are and what we do. We're here to help our communities thrive and grow, and that includes you. We offer a vast array of services, including personal & business banking, residential and commercial lending, mobile banking services, and commercial cash management products & services. 

Innovation. It's the best of the both worlds. Together with our affiliates, we're able to offer innovative financial solutions with the personal touch of a community bank. We would call that a win-win. 

Community. We've been a part of this community for more than 180 years, so you could say we know how to roll up our sleeves and get involved. Charities, nonprofits, and civic organizations are essential for a successful community, and we're proud to help with more than just a donation. Our team members are often caught out there volunteering and helping those who need it most. 

My Wellness Resource & TELADOC

The health and wellness landscape continues to evolve. "My Wellness Resource" can be a nice addition to your existing benefit package. 

Teladoc can save your banks time and money, and provide real value to your employees as this testimonial from a New York community bank CEO proves:

Contact Alan Justin: (716) 907-5500. 

"Cure the Blue" Helps Banking Industry Battle Prostate Cancer!

The "Cure the Blue" program sponsored by the Buffalo Bills Alumni Foundation allows New Yorkers to participate in one of the most comprehensive efforts to help promote prostate cancer awareness and research in the United States.  Lake Shore Savings Bank has provided prostate cancer literature and Cure the Blue information at all eleven of its branches and their headquarters in Dunkirk. The bank also offered Cure the Blue ceramic lapel ribbon pins for a $5.00 donations to Cure the Blue to all their customers. "We fully understand the severity of this disease and the devastating effect it can have on families" said Lake Shore Savings Bank President and CEO Dan Reininga. "Our support of the Buffalo Bills Alumni Foundation's "Cure the Blue" initiative is something that we are taking very seriously and are proud to support." Buffalo Bills Wall of Famer and Alumni Foundation President Booker Edgerson, a two time prostate cancer survivor, said the bank has been a tremendous longtime supporter, noting: "They have really stepped up to the plate with their unwavering support of our Cure the Blue initiative." 

IBANYS urges all of our member banks, associate members and allies to join the effort. Cure the Blue" raises funds and awareness regarding prostate cancer in New York State. Visit  curetheblue.com  to get involved! Of all new cancer cases in the nation, prostate cancer represents 9.6%. In 2017, there were an estimated 161,000 new cases, and more than 26,000 fatalities due to the disease. Support IBANYS' "Cure the Blue" campaign to help New Yorkers participate to promote prostate cancer awareness and research.

The .bank program by fTLD operates trusted, verified, more secure, easily-identifiable internet locations for financial companies and  customers. www.icba.org 

That when IBANYS was formed in August 1974, the 30-year fixed rate mortgage interest rate was 9.59 percent, and that the prime rate in the U.S. was 12 percent? 

 

New York community banks play a key role in our state and local economies. Help spread the good news among our customers, business, elected leaders and the media!

John J. Witkowski

President & Chief Executive Officer

Stephen W. Rice

Director of Government Relations & Communications

Linda Gregware

Director of Administration & Membership Services

William Y. Crowell III

Legislative Counsel

Natalie Rowan

Marketing & Social Media Assistant