View as Webpage

Financial Literacy Award Deadline Less Than a Week Away

The deadline to submit your bank’s Leaders in Financial Education (LiFE) Awards application is Tuesday, Feb. 28. The application is open to all NBA member banks and covers financial literacy activities that were initiated or ongoing during the 2022 calendar year. The NBA will honor LiFE Awards recipients at an awards breakfast on May 5 during the NBA Annual Convention in La Vista.

The LiFE Awards include the following categories:

• LiFE Honors List
• Bank Innovation Award
• Presentation Recognition
• Career Award

For more information, contact Laurie Johnson at the NBA at [email protected] or 402-474-1555.

Apply

Calendar Photo Submission Deadline Approaching

For over 15 years, the NBA has provided an annual Scenes of Nebraska Calendar. This is your chance to be a part of our long-standing tradition. The deadline to submit photos for consideration in the 2024 Scenes of Nebraska Calendar is March 1.

Learn More

Legislative, Policy & Regulatory Updates

FHA to Cut Mortgage Insurance Premiums

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will reduce annual mortgage insurance premiums from 0.85% to 0.55%. The change is expected to reduce the fee paid by borrowers by $800 for a typical loan. The Biden Administration called the action "an important step in making homeownership more attainable."

Learn More

Regulators Take Issue with USPAP's Fourth Exposure Draft

Federal regulators expressed concern that a proposed update to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) contains substituted language about discrimination. In a letter to the Appraisal Foundation's Appraisal Standards Board, the regulators said the proposed update seeks to differentiate between unlawful discrimination and a concept of "unethical discrimination" which is not clearly defined in current law or practice.

Read the Letter

Bill Introduced to Encourage De Novo Bank Formation

The "Promoting Access to Capital in Underbanked Communities Act" (H.R. 758) introduced by Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.) would provide a three-year phase-in period for new banks to meet federal capital standards. It also includes provisions to encourage and maintain de novo banking. In a letter to the chairman and ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee in support, the American Bankers Association (ABA) said, "By facilitating the formation of new banks in urban and rural areas, this legislation expands banking access for both individuals and small- and medium-sized businesses."

Learn More

Our next featured banker for Black History Month is Andrew Wilson. As a young father, Andrew was looking for a steady job and applied to be a teller at Union Bank & Trust Co.

From there, he worked his way up to branch manager of retail banking but still had a passion for education. Andrew took an opportunity to join the bank’s training department and now has the best of both worlds as the customer service training manager. He leads a team who educates the bank’s frontline staff on how to deliver great customer service.

Learn More

When the eye of a storm wreaks havoc, many commercial properties are faced with the aftermath. In 2022, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, wildfires and blizzards continued to strain the industry at an alarming rate. Catastrophes, reinsurance, undersinsurance, property replacement costs, skilled labor shortages and property rate need are increasing the cost of property insurance.

For a comprehensive review of your bank’s insurance coverage, contact Mitch Florea at NBISCO at 402-904-7014 or [email protected].

If you’re looking for a fun way to help build the banking workforce in Nebraska, consider volunteering to judge a contest at an upcoming career and technical organization event. No prior experience is necessary to judge. The NBA will have a booth at each of the events listed below - we’d love to see you there!

DECA State Career Development Conference 

March 16-17, Lincoln

Sign Up

FFA State Convention

March 29-31, Lincoln

Sign Up

FBLA State Leadership Conference

April 3-5, Kearney

Sign Up

Yesterday, the ABA announced a new webpage on Special Purpose Credit Programs (SPCPs). The information outlines how these programs work, features a case study of an SPCP-initiating bank and provides a checklist for banks contemplating an SPCP. ABA President and CEO Rob Nichols said, “SPCPs can expand access to credit in underserved communities, so we’re encouraging banks to consider them.”

Learn More

Join hundreds of banks across the country who enjoy unlimited access to thousands of bank-specific, professionally designed, customizable and timely marketing materials, as well as millions of Getty images and videos that BankMarketingCenter.com provides to banks across the country.

See for yourself how easy it is by attending a quick demo. Click here to schedule a time that’s convenient for you. Be sure to mention you are a member of the NBA! If you would like additional information, please click here.