June 5, 2019


In This Issue: 
Message From The President

By John Witkowski, President & CEO
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This week, there are several important and noteworthy items I would like to share with you. First, a friendly reminder to join us next week for our 2019 Annual Convention at Turning Stone Resort & Casino.
Attend all three days and experience special events such as the exhibitor tradeshow, PAC Silent Auction, Tuesday After-Dinner Party & Band, and more! Individual day passes are also available. Learn more.

Second, is a "call to action" at the state level regarding our legislative grassroots outreach effort to oppose two bills in Albany that would allow tax-exempt credit unions to accept municipal deposits. This would make an already uneven playing field even more unfair. Learn more.

Lastly, we need your support at the federal level. As a member of ICBA's Federal Delegate Board I am encouraging you to submit comment letters in support of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's proposal to raise the coverage thresholds for collecting and reporting data about closed-end mortgage loans under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) to 100 loans. Learn more.

Today's newsletter provides more details on all these updates below. Please read these updates carefully and take appropriate action.

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The Countdown to the 2019 Annual Convention Is On!

Our 2019 Annual Convention is in FIVE days! New York community bankers will gather at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino with  IBANYS preferred partners, associate members, tradeshow exhibitors and an array of outstanding speakers to expand their knowledge and demonstrate support for community banking. 

Attendees will have various networking opportunities beginning with our signature exhibitor tradeshow on Monday, June 10.  Communicate with potential business prospects about products and services that are  specifically  designed to help community banks' operations, strategies and bottom line.  You can also view PAC Silent Auction donation items while attending the tradeshow on Tuesday, June 11. at various booths. The auction supports IBANYS' political and legislative action efforts to advance the interests of community banking in New York State.

The Convention will also have expert speakers presenting on important and timely issues facing the community banking industry. CPE credit opportunities are available for these presentations, with a chance to earn up 12 credits. 

This is the last chance to register for the Convention. If you are not registered, NOW is the time to sign-up. Don't miss out on this priceless, exciting event where we all gather for the common value of supporting community banking. Learn more and how to sign-up.

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Credit Union/Municipal Deposit Bills Remain Alive - 
Contact Your Legislators & Urge Them To Oppose! CreditUnionMuniDepositPresMessage

The 2019 State legislative session in Albany is approaching its end with a June 19 adjournment date scheduled. Our biggest focus in Albany is on initiatives to allow credit unions to enter the public/municipal deposits business. 
  • As we reported last week, State Senate Banks Committee Chairman Sanders pulled from the agenda legislation (A.3262, Zebrowski/S.6079, Sanders) to allow credit unions to accept and secure public deposits. With just two weeks left in the 2019 legislative session, work continues on the bill and the Chairman remains generally supportive. With no more meetings scheduled for the Senate Banks Committee, all future initiatives will go directly to the Rules Committee. The Assembly has not yet taken any action on its version of the bill, and options remain under consideration. 
  • This week brings another bill on credit unions and municipal deposits to the forefront. S.3312 (Sanders/A.3320 (Zebrowski) is on the agenda for this Wednesday's Assembly Banks Committee meeting. It would permit tax-exempt credit unions to participate in the State Business Development District (BDD) Program. As our Memo in Opposition states, credit unions continue to seek expansion of their powers without accepting the burdens associated with taxes and additional regulation, such as the Community Reinvestment Act. The bill would expand the credit unions' marketplace advantages to the significant disadvantage of community banks. The BDD program was established in 1997 to provide incentives for banks to establish bricks and mortar branches in areas with a demonstrated need for banking services. The incentives with the establishment of a branch include the ability to accept municipal deposits and a real property tax exemption for ten years. 
IBANYS is strongly opposed  to allowing credit unions - which are tax-exempt and not subject to CRA mandates - to accept public deposits. New York community banks are not concerned with the competition for municipal deposits from credit unions, rather we are more concerned with  unfair competition.  Community banks only want a level playing field. 

IBANYS has testified before the Assembly Joint Hearing recently, met with legislative and Banks Committees' leadership, and circulated our Memo in Opposition and a background position paper to the Legislature.
  • Read IBANYS' Memo in Opposition on A.3262, Zebrowski/S.6079, Sanders and detailed background analysis to members of the Legislature
  • Read IBANYS'  Memo in Opposition to S.3312 (Sanders/A.3320 (Zebrowski) -- the BDD bill.
We need member banks to contact your local state legislators to urge them to oppose these bills. and explain the negative impact it would have on your bank, your local communities and your customers.  Learn how in today's newsletter

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SubmitCommentLettersCFPB 
As noted above, as a member of ICBA's federal delegate board I am asking IBANYS member banks to support our industry by submitting comment letters encouraging the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) proposal to raise the coverage thresholds for collecting and reporting data about closed-end mortgage loans under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) to 100 loans. Even if this particular change would not directly impact your bank today, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to increase the number of community banks that will receive a complete exemption from collecting and reporting HMDA data. 

You can use   ICBA's "Be Heard" grassroots action center   to tell the CFPB that increasing the threshold will help provide relief from the significant cost and time required for smaller institutions to collect and report HMDA data. The sample comment letter provided also urges the CFPB to make permanent the 500 open-end-lines-of-credit threshold instead of reverting back to 200 in 2022. HMDA collection and reporting would only discourage these loans, which help consumers pay for home improvements, college tuition, and other important investments.   Please note: You will need to personalize the letter in several areas. This will dramatically increase the effectiveness of your letter.  

As always, thanks for your support of IBANYS.
   
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SocialMedia
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2019 Meetings

Attend One of Our Educational Meetings! Meetings2019


Our 2019 Meeting dates and locations are now available! These educational conferences cover various subjects that are important within the community banking industry, spoken by the experts. T hey are also a great opportunity to network and earn CPE credits. Here is what we have planned for 2019:


Banking Executive SymposiumBankExecSymposium

September 9-11, 2019
200 Riverside Drive
Clayton, NY 13624

CPE Credits Available  = TBD

__________________________________________________________________

Have an idea for one of our meetings? Want to see a meeting or forum on a different subject? We want to hear from you! 
Contact Linda Gregware or John Witkowski with your thoughts and/or comments.

2019 Annual ConventionConvention19

Get Ready For 2019 Annual Convention!

 

SAVE THE DATE

When:

June 10-12, 2019


Where:

5218 Patrick Rd, Verona, NY 13478


 Brochure                    Registration Form



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Hotel InformationConventionHotel


Arrival Date: Monday, June 10, 2019
Departure Date: Wednesday, June 12, 2019


Each attendee must make their own reservations by calling the hotel directly at
1-800-771-7711.  All individual reservations will require one night's room deposit (including applicable taxes and surcharges) or a valid credit card to guarantee the reservation. Single/double occupancy is available in a Tower Room or a Junior Suite. Check in 3 p.m., check out 11 a.m. Reservations received after this date accepted on a space and rate availability basis and cannot be guaranteed at the conference rate. View full information on the hotel and booking. 

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Convention Favorites Are Back!ConventionFavoritesPAC


Six-Minute Drill 

For our 2019 Annual Convention, IBANYS is continuing with a favorite-the 6 minute drill.  This convention favorite offers our IBANYS preferred providers the opportunity - from the podium - to take a brisk six minutes and showcase their firms, products and services, and to demonstrate exactly what they can do to help New York community banks.

 
Thank you to our 6 minute drill sponsors!



PAC Silent Auction


Our PAC Silent Auction returns! This a wonderful opportunity to help our industry stay competitive in the political process in Albany by supporting IBANYS' state political action committee, NYSIBPAC. 

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.   Donate a gift today! View full information on the PAC Silent Auction here or download the PAC Silent Auction form to submit an item. 

Need gift ideas?
View our video to see items donated so far and for gift suggestions!  Here are some items that have been contributed so far:


These are just some of the many items that will be available at the PAC Silent Auction. Don't miss out on the fun and register to attend or donate an item today!

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Sponsorship & Exhibitor InformationExhibitorSponsorshipConvention


Demonstrate your support for community banking by becoming a sponsor or exhibitor at our Annual Convention! Our Convention Trade Show provides the opportunity for exhibitors to discuss their products and services with attendees, while also providing something that is unmatched in today's digital age: face-to-face interaction.

THERE'S ONLY 7  SPACES LEFT!

IBANYS'  exhibitor trade show b egins Monday, June 10 at 5:30 p.m. and concludes Wednesday, June 12 at 11:00 a.m. View booths available, along with full exhibitor information. Or download the exhibitor registration form here


Becoming a convention sponsor gives your organization the chance to show its continuing support for community banking in New York, and to be recognized in our printed materials, signage and from the podium. 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.

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 exhibitor space and sponsorships will be assigned on a first come, first served basis.
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EntertainmentEntertainmentConvention



Golf - Monday, June 10 at 10:30 a.m.
After-Dinner Party & The Beadle Brothers Band - Tuesday, June 11 at 9:00 p.m.

The 2019 Annual Convention has various recreational activities to enjoy during your down time. Beginning on Monday, June 10 at 10:30 a.m., registrants can enjoy golf at  Kaluhyat Course   with an 11:00 a.m. shotgun start. If you are interested in attending, please be sure to  mark it on your registration form or exhibitor registration form

At the conclusion of Tuesday evening's  PAC Silent Auction  and dinner, attendees can enjoy  The Beadle Brothers Band  at 9:00 p.m. at the  Tin Rooster , located inside of Turning Stone. No additional sign-ups or fees are required to attend the show, as it is part of our After-Dinner Party on Tuesday evening.

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SpeakersConventionSpeakers

Greg Roll, CFA
Senior Vice President, Loan Trading Dept.
ICBA Securities

Greg Roll is a Senior Vice President in the Vining Sparks Loan Trading Group. Mr. Roll began working in the depository sector in 1994 managing the strategic planning function for a regional bank. Since 2000, Mr. Roll has been working in the capital markets helping financial institutions formulate balance sheet strategies that create optimal income and return for shareholders.  

Currently he is focused on loan trading strategies to enhance loan portfolio performance, while incorporating the institution's asset/liability position, liquidity and capital constraints, funding profile, and current market expectations.  Read full bio.

Mr. Roll will be presenting on Tuesday, June 11 at 3:46 p.m. with his presentation "Balance Sheet Management For 2019: Active Loan Portfolio Management".



Bryan Adler
Co-Founder & CEO
Vetter

Bryan is an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Altpoint Capital and the Co-Founder & CEO of Vetter, an Altpoint portfolio company. His focus and passion is centered around the macro and practical dynamics of the lending industry across the United States. 

Prior to working with Altpoint, Bryan spent two years at Dreamit Ventures, a leading early stage enterprise-focused venture capital firm, as an Investment Team Member. Prior to Dreamit Ventures, Bryan was at UBS Investment Bank where he advised financial technology companies and community banks.  Read full bio.

Mr. Adler will be presenting on Wednesday, June 12 at 8:30 a.m. with his presentation "Acquiring Millennial Customers: Not As Hard As You Think".

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These Community Banks Are Registered - Are You?


Registrations are coming in fast for the 2019 Annual Convention! Several community banks from across the state have already registered. Looking to join them? Now is the time! Register as a participant or exhibitor to secure your spot. You can also get involved by becoming a sponsor or donating an item to the PAC Silent Auction. Don't wait! Download the brochure to register for one of the most exciting New York community banking events of the year!
IBANYS Education/WebinarsWebinars
  WebinarSchedule2019

Have you reviewed our 2019 Webinar Calendar? The Independent Bankers Association of New York State (IBANYS) partners with CBWN to bring you more than 150 webinars each year covering compliance, lending, regulations, security, operations, new accounts, collections, fraud, security and other topics. Even better, each time you purchase a webinar, you support IBANYS, because a portion of your registration comes directly to us. Thank you!  

You can view the 2019 Webinar Schedule here or by category here. In addition, CBWN has made some recent updates to provide better service to its consumers. Unfortunately, some changes may have caused you to miss important webinar announcements. Please read the IBANYS letter to view the updates and ensure that you do not miss another webinar.

NEW WEBINARS ADDED FOR 2019NEWWebinars19

CBWN has added more than 140 webinars to the IBANYS webinar calendar, covering all the essential topics. Start the new year off right by gaining the knowledge and tools to make 2019 the best year yet! 


CBWN and IBANYS thank you for your continued support of the education in the community banking industry. 

Government Relations
AlbanyAlbanyGR

  

Contact Your Legislators: 
Urge Them To Oppose  A.3262/S.6079: Allowing Credit
Unions To 
Accept Municipal Deposits CreditUnionDepositsAlbGR

Legislation that would allow credit unions to enter the public deposits (state and/or municipal deposits) business is still alive and under consideration in Albany. IBANYS continues to inform members of the Legislature how this legislation would seriously impact community banks and the municipalities and customers they serve.  A.3262, Zebrowski/S.6079, Sanders would amend the general municipal law and the banking law, allowing credit unions (and savings banks, savings and loan associations and federal savings associations) to accept and secure deposits from municipal corporations. 

At last week's  State Senate Banks Committee meeting, Chairman Sanders held the bill in committee for further study and action. The Chairman remains supportive, but does not feel the bill is ready. The Assembly has not yet decided on a course of action. With two weeks left in the 2019 session, this legislation remains very much alive. IBANYS has testified on the bill before a Joint Assembly hearing, and has circulated our memo in opposition and background information to the Legislature.



S.3312/A.3320 Would Allow Credit Unions Into The State BDD Program  & To Access Municipal Deposits

A second bill, S.3312, Sanders/A.3320, Zebrowski would permit tax-exempt credit unions to participate in the State Business Development District (BDD) Program.  As  IBANYS Memo in Opposition states, c redit unions continue to seek expansion of their powers without accepting the burdens associated with taxes and additional regulation, such as the Community Reinvestment Act. This bill would expand the credit unions' marketplace advantages to the significant disadvantage of community banks.  The BDD program was established in 1997 to provide incentives for banks to establish bricks and mortar branches in areas with a demonstrated need for banking services. The incentives with the establishment of a branch include the ability to accept municipal deposits and a real property tax exemption for ten years. 

This legislation was placed on the agenda for today's Assembly Banks agenda. The Senate Banks Committee has no further regularly scheduled meetings for this session, as all bills now go directly to the Rules Committee until the end of session. Those agendas don't appear until just prior to the meeting. 

The credit unions are putting on a full court press in support of these bills. 
Please write to your local State Senators & Members of Assembly and members of the State Assembly and State Senate Committees on Banks and Local Government. 
  • Share your own bank's perspective;
  • Urge them to vote no on this legislation; and
  • Explain the impact of allowing credit unions into the municipal deposits business would have on your bank and your community. 
You can access individual legislators and committee members at:

NYS Assembly                   NYS Senate



Other State Legislative Action

 

 

Both the Senate and Assembly Banks Committees reported A. 7604, Buttenschon/S.5411. Sanders to extend the banking "wild card" law until September 2024. The legislation goes to the floor of each chamber. The law is due to expire this September. The "wild card" law allows the Department of Financial Services to maintain the viability and competitiveness of the New York State banking charter vis-a-vis the federal banking charter.


 

Read the latest updates on state legislative legislative activity.
 


 


 

DFS's Lacewell Poised State Senate Confirmation


Linda Lacewell
The State Senate Finance Committee moved Governor Cuomo's nomination of Linda Lacewell as Superintendent of the State Department of Financial Services
to the full Senate for confirmation before the session adjourns June 19. Lacewell has been Acting Superintendent since February 1. 

In her testimony to the Committee, Lacewell noted: "I've been a prosecutor, an advisor, and advocate. I understand the role of each. I have focused on holding bad actors accountable, yes, but I also believe in fixing problems and trying to identify possible problems before they occur so we can try to prevent them." Sen. Seward (R-Otsego County) noted there's been a lot of enforcement actions by the DFS, which have reaped money for the state's coffers, but said he'd like to see more done to promote the state's banks. Lacewell concluded: "It's actually the job of DFS not only to regulate banking and insurance, but to keep an eye out for emerging products like bitcoin, fintech and other areas. It's part of our responsibility to look there to identify those issues and to try to responsibly regulate in a careful manner."

Washington, D.C.WashingtonGR



House Passes Flood Insurance Extension Through September  


The House passed a $19.1 billion disaster aid bill that would  extend the National Flood Insurance Program through Sept. 30.  This would avert a lapse on June 14 following a two-week extension approved last week.  The legislation has been sent to the President to be signed into law. The legislation passed the House by a 354-58 vote.  The House Financial Services Committee could begin marking up legislation as early as next week to enact a longer-term reauthorization of the program, which has been operating on a series of short-term renewals.



ICBA: Pause & Study Impact Of CECL ImpactICBAPauseStudyImpactCECL

Continuing its work to address the community bank impact of the Financial Accounting Standards Board's Current Expected Credit Loss standard, ICBA expressed support for new legislation that would require regulators to study CECL's impact and delay its effective date by one year. 

Introduced by Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), S. 1564 requires the study to assess CECL's impact on consumer and small-business credit availability, smaller institutions, regulatory capital during an economic recession, systemic risk, and other parameters. The report would also include recommendations for changes to CECL to eliminate or mitigate any negative effects identified in the report.




FHFA's Calabria: More GSEs Would Be Good 
For Secondary Market, Innovation

Mark Calabria
FHFA Director Mark Calabria said this week that 
Congress should authorize the Federal Housing Finance Agency to charter additional government-sponsored enterprises to increase competition in the government-backed secondary market. Calabria said opening the mortgage-finance system to more competition would drive innovation and help meet the needs of people in underserved areas. 

"Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks exist to help make housing accessible. They do so by supporting lenders of all sizes. But this does not mean our work is done."  ICBA opposes the chartering of additional guarantors, and believes it could increase the risk of another government bailout and lead to a race to the bottom in underwriting standards as these entities strive to compete. ICBA has urged policymakers to end the net-worth sweep of Fannie and Freddie earnings and recapitalize the enterprises.



FDIC's McWilliams: Supporting Community Banks Is "Paramount"

Jelena McWilliams
FDIC Chairwoman Jelena McWilliams said that the FDIC's latest Quarterly Banking Profile shows that the annual rate of loan growth at community banks was 6.6% in the first quarter, stronger than the overall industry. 

McWilliams noted loan growth was led by commercial real estate loans, residential mortgages, and commercial-and-industrial loans. Net income at community banks also surpassed the overall industry, growing by 10.1% from a year earlier. 

She concluded:  "Supporting this segment of the banking system is paramount. Community banks in the U.S. are intertwined in a symbiotic relationship with their communities: if those communities do not do well, neither will their community banks."



ICBA Supports Full Term On Fed For BowmanICBASupportdBowmanFedFullTerm

Michelle "Miki" Bowman
ICBA strongly urged the Senate Banking Committee to advance the nomination of Michelle "Miki" Bowman for a full term on the Federal Reserve Board. The Committee has a hearing today on Bowman and other nominees. 

Bowman has distinguished herself in her short time on the board by engaging with community bankers.  President Trump renominated Bowman last month, following her bipartisan confirmation for a partial term that expires Jan. 31, 2020. 

If confirmed, her renomination for a full 14-year term would begin Feb. 1, 2020.  Bowman made history by becoming the first to fill the Fed's community banking seat, which was instituted by Congress in 2015 after ICBA's & IBANYS' successful advocacy.



T ell The CFPB To Raise HMDA Thresholds  

ICBA is urging community banks to submit comment letters in support of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB's) proposal to raise the coverage thresholds for collecting and reporting data about closed-end mortgage loans under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act to 100 loans.  You can do this by visiting  ICBA's "Be Heard" Grassroots Action Center.

Tell the CFPB that increasing the threshold will help offset the significant cost and time required for smaller institutions to collect and report HMDA data. The sample comment letter provided also urges the CFPB to make permanent the 500 open-end lines of credit threshold instead of reverting back to 200 in 2022 as such loans continue to be profitable and indispensable products for customers. As ICBA notes: This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to get a complete exemption from collecting and reporting HMDA data for smaller institutions.



CEA Chairman Hassett Leaving At End Of June


Kevin Hassett will soon leave his position as Chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers at the end of the month. He has served as Chairman of the CEA since September 2017. Hassett said his departure has been in the works for a while, and is not tied to administration policies or planned regarding tariffs on China and Mexico. "It's just normal, circle-of-life kind of things. It has nothing to do with any policy disagreements. If you look at the history of the CEA, it's very normal for the chair to move on after two years." The President is expected to name Hassett's successor in the near future.

Industry Trends & Updates

The Economy By The Numbers
  • The U.S. Commerce Department reported that the nation's economy grew by 3.1% during the first quarter of 2019, slightly better than expected. Corporate profits fell during the quarter, as nonfinancial corporations saw a decline of $62.1 billion, compared with an increase of $13.6 billion in the fourth quarter of 2018. Financial companies saw an increase of $7.2 billion compared with a decrease of $25.2 billion for the previous period.
  • The U.S. Commerce Department reported that personal income increased again in April to 0.5%, up from 0.1% in March, while personal expenditures rose 0.3%. Disposable personal income increased 69.3 billion or 0.4 %. 
  • According to Mortgage News Dailythe average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage has fallen from 4.23% on May 21   to 3.94% on June 3. There are approximately 5.9 million borrowers who could lower their rates by at least 75 basis points by refinancing their mortgages -- an increase of two million in past month.
  • The U.S. Census Bureau said construction spending declined 1.2% in May but remained up 0.2% from a year ago. Private construction was down 1.7%, though public construction rose 4.8%. Meanwhile, the Institute for Supply Management also said its manufacturing index fell 0.7%  in May. 
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BondAcademy
The Bond Academy

Learn Bond Basics with your Peers!

When: October 21, 2019

Where: Embassy Suites
1022 S. Shady Grove Road
Memphis, TN  38120

The Bond Academy is designed to provide community bankers with the basic knowledge needed to help plan and create effective investment portfolios.
A high performance investment portfolio can provide a noticeable increase to your bank's bottom line. The learning objectives of Bond Academy are aimed at providing you with the tools to understand how debt instruments work and their overall role in complementing the entire balance sheet.

This all new curriculum has been specifically designed to equip a new portfolio manager with basic portfolio management issues. Specifically, fundamentals of bond pricing, valuation, and selection will be covered extensively.  You'll learn the basics of the bank portfolio investment process. There is also an opportunity to earn up to 12 CPE credits!

Who Should Attend?

CPAs and those new to their roles as investment officers, cashiers, controllers, and internal control professionals will benefit the most from Bond Academy. New directors serving on the investment or asset-liability committee will also find this course beneficial. No advance preparation is necessary.

You Will Learn:
  • Bond basics, including bond pricing, duration, and price volatility
  • Bond types, including agencies, municipals, mortgage securities, and floating rate instruments
  • The composition of a high performing portfolio
  • How to understand the rate market: yield curves, spreads, monetary policy
  • How economic data affects the bond market
  • The impact of interest rate risk on portfolio management
  • Portfolio strategies of laddering, barbells, riding the yield curve
  • Day-to-day portfolio management techniques
  • Evaluating investment portfolio performance
Fees:

  • ICBA Members - $595 / session
  • Nonmembers - $695 / session
  • Members & Non-Members: Save $150/session for each additional registration from your bank.




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New York Community Banks: Take The Survey!


Community bankers are encouraged to participate in a survey from state regulatory agencies and the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) on a range of topics for research purposes. CSBS has begun the annual process of surveying community banks on their economic condition, regulatory impacts and business plan. The goal is to get a more accurate understanding of how bankers are feeling about the future and to help provide an important barometer of the state of the industry. Survey results will be presented during the Community Banking in the 21st Century Research and Policy Conference, slated for Oct. 1-2 in St. Louis. Responses are due June 30. 
 

Banking News

Further Your Education at Barret Graduate School of Banking BarretGradSchool


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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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.

 EGF's experienced team can work hand-in-hand with yours to develop a customized process to make referring seamless. To learn more about offering your customers a second look through EGF contact Bryan Doxford, SVP, at [email protected] at at (212) 430-4512.

Convention Spotlight of the WeekConventionSpotlightofWeek

Convention Sponsors

Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLBNY)

The Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLBNY) helps community lenders in New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands advance housing and community growth. The FHLBNY is part of the congressionally chartered, nationwide Federal Home Loan Bank System, which was created in 1932 to provide a flexible credit liquidity source for member community lenders engaged in home mortgage and neighborhood lending. The FHLBNY increases the availability of mortgages and home finance to families of all income levels by offering high-value correspondent and cash management services to assist our members in more effectively serving their neighborhoods and meeting their Community Reinvestment Act responsibilities. 

The mission of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York is to advance housing opportunity and local community development by supporting members in serving their markets.  The FHLBNY meets our mission by providing our members with access to economical wholesale credit and assistance through our credit products, mortgage finance program, housing and community lending programs, and correspondent services to increase the availability of home finance to families of all incomes. Learn more.



Wolf & Company, P.C.

Wolf & Company is one of the top regional certified public accounting firms in the Northeast, New York and New Jersey. Building on our tradition of unparalleled guidance, we provide our clients with audit and assurance, tax, business consulting, risk management services, and  WolfPAC Integrated Risk Management®.




NYBDC


New York Business Development Corporation (NYBDC) promotes and advances the business prosperity and economic welfare of New York State by providing small business loans. Throughout its 60-year history, NYBDC has provided thousands of small businesses, including start-ups, mature businesses, and minority- and women-owned businesses, with access to loans when they do not meet the requirements for traditional financing. Learn more.



Strategic Resource Management

SRM (Strategic Resource Management) has been selected by more than 700 financial institutions to advise in areas such as payments, digital banking, core processing, and operational efficiencies. 

The company has unlocked billions of dollars in value and improved the competitive advantage of its clients with a reputation for industry-leading subject matter expertise, a proprietary benchmark database, and proven negotiating skills.

Their team of subject matter experts cover a broad list of critical areas including payments, digital banking, core processing, application of emerging technologies, and M&A. This expertise, combined with the firm's proprietary benchmark database and proven skills in areas like strategy development and negotiation, give SRM the ability to repeatedly add value to the bottom line of leading banks and credit unions. Learn more.



The Bonadio Group

Founded in 1978 and led by active, engaged partners, The Bonadio Group brings a passion and approach to our work that distinguishes us in our field. Each client assignment begins with the close attention of a senior partner, who continues to watch over and advise the relationship as it proceeds, to ensure we optimize the outcome of our services.

We are a nationally ranked, top 40 CPA firm that brings an integrated world of resources to every client, large or small. We have developed relationships with a diverse range of organizations - from private sector to public, tax-exempt to individual. And we are continually expanding our range of offerings and geographic footprint to ensure your growing needs are consistently met. Learn more.



COCC

COCC was created by a cooperative of financial institutions to deliver real banking technology. At COCC, we feel strongly that our carefully crafted mission statement, vision and corporate values are reflected in everything we do.

Our mission is to be a trusted partner, delivering secure, quality solutions that drive the success of financial institutions, while providing a challenging and rewarding workplace for our employees.Our vision is the hope that by embracing our business priorities and living our values, we will become the preferred technology provider in our industry.And our values are embraced company-wide and held up as a standard for quality in our industry.



Steuben Trust Company

On August 28, 1902, the Bank of Steuben was opened in the City of Hornellsville under the direction of then President, William Richardson, as a New York State chartered bank. Originally located in the former Babcock building on Main Street in Hornell, the Bank was built to accommodate the booming railroad village founded on the lumber, fur and farming industry of the region. This attention to regional industry and the communities served has stayed a primary focus to this day.

In 1914 the bank built its main office at 82 Main St. in Hornell, which the bank called home for the next 85 years. In 1920 the Bank of Steuben officially changed its name to, Steuben Trust Company as it began offering trust services.  Today, Steuben Trust Company, with assets over $550M, operates fifteen full service branches and one representative office across six counties in Western, NY and the Southern Tier. On September 17, 2018 Steuben Trust opened its doors at its first full service branch in Erie County in the Town of Clarence, NY. In addition to the Bank, Steuben Trust Company also operates Steuben Asset Management, for wealth management and trust services and Steuben Financial Services, a subsidiary offering insurance services. Learn more.




Accume Partners

Accume Partners is a trusted advisor that assists clients by delivering integrated Risk, Regulatory, and Cybersecurity solutions to help manage uncertainty and drive business value.  We focus on both emerging and established Financial Services, Commercial, and Education sectors.  We have over 25 years of experience, a local & national presence, and currently advise over 500 clients.

Accume Partners has a long history of providing internal audit, regulatory compliance and risk management services to banks and financial institutions. As the level of regulatory and business complexity has surged, so has the need for specialized knowledge and focus.
Learn more.



S.R. Snodgrass, P.C .

S.R. Snodgrass, P.C. was built on a strong foundation of stability, integrity, and high-quality customer service. 

Since 1946, their independent accounting and consulting firm has assisted clients in the ever-changing world by taking a consultative approach. S.R. Snodgrass, P.C. professionals provide vast expertise in the areas of auditing and assurance, internal audit and regulatory compliance outsourcing, information technology, consulting, enterprise risk management, and tax management. Learn more.



CEIS Review, Inc.

The CEIS Review mission is to be the preeminent provider of independent outsourced loan review, loan portfolio stress testing, ALLL methodology validation or refinement, as well as being a provider of related commercial credit management techniques to financial institutions worldwide. Their commitment is to commercial banks, savings banks, credit unions, foreign branches and agencies, multinational organizations and other firms requiring a third party assessment of loan portfolio quality and process. Learn more.



CloudBnq, Inc.


CloudBnq.com turns Community lenders into Digital lenders. CloudBnq.com is a loan origination solution that enables all lending product types with no upfront capital or IT investment, does not change the lending policies in place today & reduces the cost/time across all loan origination. Learn more.



Metropolitan Commercial Bank

H eadquartered in New York City, Metropolitan Commercial Bank is a full-service commercial bank with banking centers in Manhattan, Boro Park Brooklyn and Great Neck, Long Island.  The bank is known for its white glove personal service. 

Combining the relationship-driven banking experience you would expect of a community bank with an extensive suite of products and services. They not only have the capabilities and capacity to meet your needs, but also have the ability to craft highly innovative solutions to your precise challenges based on an intimate familiarity with your business. Metropolitan Commercial Bank professionals are prudent lenders who look beyond the simple numbers on a spreadsheet for the context to understand your needs and help you take advantage of the opportunities that you make happen. Learn more. 



Compliance Anchor


Owned and managed by community bankers for community bankers, ACBB/Compliance Anchor has been serving financial institutions since 1983. They provide correspondent services to over 300 shareholder banks in addition to many non-shareholder banks. From their full product and service lineup to banking expertise with a personal touch, they help their customers meet the needs of their communities. ACBB can satisfy the correspondent needs of community banks of all sizes, including regional financial institutions. Learn more.



Info Agora

Founded in 2004 by Grigoris Karakoulas, InfoAgora delivers innovative prescriptive analytics, RegTech (IFRS9/CECL/IRRBB/Basel III)  solutions and risk management consulting that have enabled their clients to proactively manage risk/reward in their portfolios and increase profitability.

As a thought leader and provider of leading-edge analytics solutions, the company empowers Financial Services companies with new capabilities to understand and predict customer behavior, measure and mitigate risk under different macro and micro scenarios, at both the customer and portfolio levels, in order to gain competitive advantage.  Each of their solutions leverages proprietary machine learning technology. Their breakthrough data preprocessing and modeling techniques deliver dynamic and robust models for predicting customer behavior, such as default, loss given default, prepayment, usage, attrition, and fraud. Learn more.


Sandler O'Neill

Sandler O'Neill + Partners, L.P. is a full-service investment banking firm and broker-dealer focused on the financial services sector. Their clients include a wide variety of financial firms nationwide, and increasingly, around the globe. Sandler O'Neill  provides the full suite of investment banking services, including merger and acquisition advisory, capital markets, fixed income and equity trading and sales, equity research, balance sheet management, mortgage finance, and consulting services to financial institutions and their investors.

Sandler O'Neill is a partnership and different by design. Since the firm's founding in 1988, its partners have sought to provide banks, thrifts and other financial services companies with an alternative to large Wall Street banking firms. Their focus has always been to enhance the franchise value of their clients. They provide clients a wealth of experience and knowledge more critical to them today than ever. Learn more.
IBANYS Spotlight Is On...




COCC was created by a cooperative of financial institutions to deliver real banking technology.  The story of COCC is one of collaboration. COCC evolved in response to the changing needs of community banks as computers began to take center stage in the financial services industry. Today, COCC continues to embrace this collaborative philosophy, transforming it into over 50 years of immense customer success.

At COCC, they feel strongly that their carefully crafted mission statement, vision and corporate values are reflected in everything they do.  COCC's mission is to be a trusted partner, delivering secure, quality solutions that drive the success of financial institutions, while providing a challenging and rewarding workplace for their employees. The vision is the hope that by embracing their business priorities and living their values, they will become the preferred technology provider in the industry. . .and, their values are embraced company-wide and held up as an industry standard for quality.

For more information, contact:

Brent   Biernat, Senior Vice President & Chief Revenue Officer

Website: www.cocc.com

IBANYS Endorsed Services
IBANYS identifies offers products and services that provide value to your banks, companies, employees communities. These brief summaries provide links for information. Please contact IBANYS President John Witkowski with questions.

Health & Wellness

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:
HERE'S WHAT YOUR FELLOW NEW YORK
COMMUNITY BANKER SAYS. . .
"I wanted to let you know that some of our employees and I have been using "Teladoc" and it is one of the best things we have done for the bank. We all love it: We are saving time, avoiding waiting in an urgent care center or a doctor's waiting room for non-emergency related illnesses . . .and it is easy to use and convenient. Once you use it, you are hooked! This was a great find! Would recommend it to all banks."

Mario Martinez 
Chairman & CEO
Catskill Hudson Bank

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.



Secure, Enhanced Internet Presence

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

Did You Know?


. . .That community banks in the United States:
  • Comprise 99% of all banks
  • Provide more than 60% of all small business loans
  • Make more than 80% of agricultural loans
  • Have 52,000 locations across the country
  • Employ 760,000 people
Did you also know that local, independent community banks have a history in New York State dating back more than 150 years, and that recently chartered community banks have begun a new tradition in many parts of the state?

. . .And, did you know that the Independent Bankers Association of New York State (IBANYS) was founded 45 years ago, in 1974, to exclusively support and advance the interests of New York's independent community banks? 
 
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