Illinois Banker Magazine | September - October 2022

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The Official Publication of the Illinois Bankers Association illinois.bank September-October 2022 ILLINOISBANKERSASSOCIATION 3201WESTWHITEOAKSDRIVE,SUITE400 SPRINGFIELD,IL62704 ADDRESSSERVICEREQUESTED 2022 IBA Annual Conference IN THIS ISSUE: • Annual Conference Highlights • Credit Quality • The Great Resignation • Solar Tax Credit Investments
MEMBER
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Our Mission: Advocacy. Education. Industry Resource...for all Illinois bankers. Our Vision: Connecting Bankers. Advancing Banking.®

Our Core Values: The Illinois Bankers Association will place our members’ interests first, be responsive to their needs, and provide them with the highest level of professionalism and service. The IBA staff is the Association’s greatest asset.

We will conduct ourselves with integrity and respect. We will work together as a team, share information, build upon our strengths, embrace new ideas, and recognize and celebrate accomplishments.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
September-October 2022 • Vol. 107 / No. 5 • illinois.bank 10 DEPARTMENTS 5 Messages from the C-Suite 6 Washington Update 8 Compliance Corner 28 Education Calendar 31 Preferred Vendors 32 Ad Index 33 New Associate Members 33 Associate Member and Preferred Vendor News 34 On the Move 40 Industry News FEATURES 10 Annual Conference Highlights 12 IBA Chair Betsy Johnson's Inaugural Speech Excerpts 14 IBA Outgoing Chair Michelle Gross' Speech Excerpts 16 Congratulations Award Winners 17 Dan Daly Named Banker of the Year 19 For Community Banks: the Sun Also Rises 22 Don't Be Reactive on Credit Quality 27 Planning for Safety, Soundness, and Resiliency 29 Marquette University Program Prepares Future Commercial Bankers for Successful Careers 19 22 29

OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Betsy Johnson Chair Solutions Bank, Forreston

REGION 1

Rudy Gonzalez CIBC Bank USA Chicago

Frank Pettaway

The Northern Trust Company Chicago

REGION 2

Peter Brummel Grundy Bank Morris

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

REGION 4

Scott Bland

First Neighbor Bank N.A. Toledo

Brett Tiemann INB, National Association Springfield

REGION 5

Rick Parks

First National Bank of Waterloo

MEMBERS-ATLARGE

Gustavus Bahr PNC Bank, N.A. Chicago

Dane Cleven Community Savings Bank Chicago

Megan Collins Bank of America Chicago

Jim Hannon

Michele Petrie Village Bank & Trust, N.A. Arlington Heights

Amy Randolph Busey Bank Champaign

Steven Rosenbaum Hoyne Savings Bank Chicago

Matthew Smith

First Mid Bank & Trust, N.A. Mattoon

Courtney Olson

First Bank Chicago Highland Park

REGION 3

Lawrence Horvath Heartland Bank & Trust Company Bloomington

Tyler Rouse

First Federal Savings Bank of Champaign-Urbana

Bethany Shaw Peoples National Bank Mt. Vernon

FUTURE LEADERS ALLIANCE BOARD CHAIR

(non-voting member) Kara Austin

Murphy-Wall State Bank and Trust Company Pinckneyville

First Security Trust & Savings Bank Elmwood Park

Quint Harmon Pioneer State Bank Earlville

Karlie Krehbiel Lisle Savings Bank

Richard Mahoney

First Midwest Bank Moline

ILLINOIS BANKERS ASSOCIATION STAFF DIRECTORY

Two Offices to Serve You!

Springfield Office: 800-783-2265 • Chicago Office: 800-878-2265

To connect with our staff, use this email format: firstinitiallastname@illinois.bank

Executive Administration

Randy Hultgren, President & CEO

Megan

Erich Bloxdorf, Executive Vice President & COO Mary Curl, Executive Assistant & HR Manager Pam Macha, Springfield Office Coordinator

Finance and Administration

Mark Bennett, CPA, Executive Vice President and CFO Marcia Stratton, CPA, Director Marie South, Financial Assistant

Legal and Compliance

Carolyn Settanni, Executive Vice President & General Counsel

Carly Berard, Senior Counsel

Michael Schasane, Compliance Counsel

Nick Sladek, Administrative Assistant

Government Relations

Ben Jackson, Executive Vice President

Aimee Smith, Assistant Vice President

Matt Imburgia, Director

Marketing and Member Relations

Julie Winterbauer, Senior Vice President

Tammy Squires, Vice President, Data & Digital Marketing

Robin Lane, Director, Associate Membership

Tim Robinson, Director, Bank Relations

Linda Koch, CAE, Manager, Member/Business Relations

Sarah Cowan, Membership Assistant

Illinois Bankers Business Services, Inc.

Adam Walsh, Vice President, Insurance Services

Maddison Harner, Manager, Marketing & Digital Communications

Illinois Bankers

Education Services, Inc.

Callan Stapleton, CAE, President Lyndee Fein, Director, Education & Conferences

Denise Perez, Director, Education & Training

Rachel Selvaggio, Director, Forums & Future Leaders Alliance

Debbie Jemison, CAE, Director, Financial Literacy Amy Sale, Education Assistant

Illinois Bankers

Group Insurance Trust

Erich Bloxdorf, Plan Administrator

Mike Mahorney, Senior Trust Advisor

Hillary Meyers, Trust Manager

Editorial Office

3201 West White Oaks Drive Ste. 400 Springfield, IL 62704 217-789-9340 www.illinois.bank

Randy Hultgren Secretary Illinois Bankers Association

• 4 • • September-October 2022 Dan Wujek State Bank of Cherry

With the exception of official announcements, the Illinois Bankers Association disclaims all responsibility for opinions expressed and statements made in articles published in Illinois Banker. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal or other professional services. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

Illinois Banker (ISSN 0019-185X) is published bi-monthly and is available at a cost of $45 per year for members and $90 per year for nonmembers. Regular issue single copy price is $8.50. Postmaster, send address change to Illinois Bankers Association, 3201 W. White Oaks Drive, Ste. 400, Springfield, IL 62704. News items from members of the Illinois Bankers Association are invited and are due on the first of the month preceding publication.

© Copyright 2022 by Illinois Bankers Association (unless individual articles list copyright). Reproduction of any material in the Illinois Banker is strictly prohibited without written permission of the publisher.

Michelle Gross Immediate Past Chair State Bank of Bement
T.J. Burge Treasurer Community Partners Savings Bank, Salem
Anthony Nestler Vice Chair
Hickory Point Bank and Trust Co., Decatur
Thomas Chamberlain Chair-Elect
Iroquois Federal Savings & Loan Association, Watseka
Collins Member-at-Large Bank of America, Chicago Frank Pettaway Member-at-Large The Northern Trust Company, Chicago

MESSAGES FROM THE C-SUITE

Chair, Illinois Bankers Association

Summer and baseball are two words that go together and are among my favorites. I recently had the privilege as IBA Chair, along with Randy Hultgren, to attend the Central States Association Conference, hosted by Nebraska Bankers Association. We met with 17 other state associations that make up the Central States Association and had the opportunity to attend what turned out to be one of the most exciting games of the College World Series, Arkansas vs. Ole Miss. Bottom of the 9th, bases loaded, 15 pitches later by the third pitcher of the inning, and some great defense by his team, Arkansas held off Ole Miss for another day. They were eventually defeated by Ole Miss, which was crowned champs in the finals with Oklahoma.

Banking is not quite as fast paced as baseball but can be just as exciting as we advance our customers and our industry

forward, base by base. Sometimes we are lucky enough to get that perfect pitch and knock it out of the park such as defeating a bad idea bill and supporting good ones. Sometimes it’s as simple as helping your customer’s dreams come true with a home, car, or improving their financial health. As we negotiate and analyze the incoming pitches, we work through the curve balls (national health crisis, regulations, inflation, and interest rates). We position our defense with our pitcher leading the team while communicating, strategizing, and cheering each other in support of our goals.

As summer closes, remember the purpose and goals of your team, and remember you are not alone on the pitching mound. You have the support, resources, and networking opportunities through the IBA.

President & CEO, Illinois Bankers Association

All for you. Serving, assisting, connecting, and equipping you and your team are the metrics of our strategic plan. Our goal is to grow opportunities for every person in Illinois by ensuring they have an excellent, caring banker to walk with them as their financial guide. Your Association has developed an incredible number of offerings and opportunities solely designed to make bankers better. The key is for you to learn about and try them. We believe you and your team will be glad you did and will gain valuable training and fantastic connections.

Mark your calendar now to attend our upcoming fall conferences: Women in Banking, BankTech, Fall Compliance, Midwest Bank Leaders, and Bank Counsel. Join with bankers from across Illinois to hear excellent presentations that will equip

you and your key people to successfully navigate these challenging days in banking. Every event has been carefully crafted to maximize training and connections along with providing good food and fun!

And, we have so much more! Tap into phenomenal career preparation for your excelling bankers by having them join the next great class of the IBA’s Future Leaders Alliance. Sign up for best-in-class educational training, gain insight into the latest in compliance issues on GoToIBA. com, and subscribe to the IBA's "The Bank Leader Link" podcast. Connect with preferred vendors, support the Illinois Bankers PAC, and check out our financial literacy partners. Every IBA offering is designed for your benefit. Commit to trying one more thing with the IBA this year. You will be glad you did!

September-October 2022 • • 5 •

WASHINGTON UPDATE

Rethinking the ‘Great Resignation’

American workers are quitting their jobs in record numbers—leading economists and pundits to dub the period we’re currently living through “the Great Resignation.”

According to the Society for Human Resource Management, employees exited their jobs in record numbers over the 10-month period between March and December 2021, and the Federal Reserve continues to report ongoing labor shortages nationwide. As of February, there were 11.3 million job openings in the U.S., according to the Labor Department.

For many workers, the desire to change jobs or careers was prompted by the pandemic—a massive period of upheaval that led them to rethink what they want and need in terms of work/life balance, job satisfaction, benefits and more. But that’s left employers scrambling to fill multiple vacancies, and shone an exceptionally bright spotlight on the need to have a strategy in place for recruitment, retention, and talent management. The Great Resignation is affecting businesses of all sizes across all industries—and the banking industry is certainly no exception.

While some of you may be feeling uneasy about the state of your own workforce, I submit that this is actually a time of great opportunity—because while a lot of people are leaving their jobs, it’s a signal that many talented employees are also looking for jobs and are open to career changes.

That’s an opportunity that our industry can’t afford to miss.

To help more talented and diverse individuals find their future in banking, ABA is partnering with more than 30 state bankers associations and pooling our resources to enhance BankTalentHQ—the nation’s single best source for banking jobs. Bankers can use BankTalentHQ to post new job openings, and job seekers will use the platform to find great opportunities in banking. ABA will be busy sharing the real stories of dedicated employees in banking today.

One of the things that makes our industry so attractive to prospective hires is the incredible range of opportunities that can come with a career in banking. Banks need marketers, IT experts, programmers, data wizards, cyber pros, compliance experts, human resources gurus—not to mention all the important positions people have long associated with banking, like loan officers or tellers. BankTalentHQ will help connect more qualified people with our industry and the exciting career path that awaits them in banking.

The Great Resignation also has prompted many banks to reconsider their benefits offerings. If you’re looking for a way to bring young talent in the door to stay, one strategy I highly recommend is to offer some form of student loan repayment assistance. It’s something we’ve tried at ABA with great success, and in my view, it’s one of the ways banks can distinguish themselves as some of the best employers in the job market.

If your bank isn’t offering a student loan repayment option, I encourage you to explore the possibility with your HR director. These

programs can be tailored in virtually any way to support your organization’s talent acquisition and retention strategy.

The reality is that many young people today are graduating college with the equivalent of a small mortgage’s worth of student debt. That is a tremendous burden, and stepping up to help your workers tackle this debt can set your bank apart both in recruitment and retention.

Beyond offering perks, talented professionals also need ample opportunities to advance within the organization, hone their skills, or explore new areas of interest. ABA offers a wide range of online training, continuous learning, and certification programs for bankers at all levels of their careers. (You can check out all of these offerings at aba.com/DevelopTalent.) We also support up-and coming bank talent through our Emerging Leaders Open Committee and our new Emerging Leader Awards, which recognize the next gen-eration of high achieving bank leaders.

Cultivating the next generation of bank talent is essential to ensuring the continued viability and vitality of our industry. At ABA, we are committed to bringing you the tools and resources you need to navigate the Great Resignation— and come out on top in the search for talent.

E-mail Rob Nichols at nichols@aba.com.

•6 • • September-October 2022

From outlook to outcomes.

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Perspective changes everything.

September-October 2022 • • 7 •

COMPLIANCE CORNER

The IBA Law Department

QUESTION

When will the new rules requiring Illinois notaries to keep journals and meet certain educa tion requirements go into effect? We have several notaries in our institution asking questions regarding the new rules, but all we can find is that notary fees will increase on July 1, 2022.

ANSWER

The Illinois Notary Public Act’s new education and journaling requirements for notaries will not go into effect until the date on which the Illinois Secretary of State adopts administrative rules implementing the Act. The Secretary of State published proposed rules in the Illinois Register on April 15, 2022, and the comment period for them

ended on June 1, 2022. However, we do not yet know when the Secretary of State will publish the final rules.

We will continue to monitor for the adoption of implementing rules. Please be sure that you are receiving our Compliance Connection® weekly newsletter (which we automatically send to

anyone who has established a free GoToIBA.com account) and that you check the Daily Coffee at GoToIBA.com, where we will be sure to post news about the Secretary of State’s implementing administrative rules. Additionally, we will update our Notaries Public topic page with links to the administrative rules and their effective date when available.

QUESTION

When we receive a subpoena seeking information about one of our customers, are we supposed to notify the customer and wait for them to respond before responding to the subpoena?

ANSWER

Yes, you generally must notify a customer of a subpoena by sending them a copy, subject to the caveats discussed below, but you do not need to wait for the customer to respond after notify ing them of the subpoena.

The Illinois Banking Act requires banks to send a copy of a sub poena to a customer before responding, “unless the bank is specifically prohibited from notifying the person by order of court or by applicable State or

federal law.” However, the Illinois Banking Act does not require a bank to wait for a customer’s response before responding to a subpoena after complying with this notification requirement.

By contrast, when the federal government issues a subpoena requesting financial information, the Right to Financial Privacy Act prohibits banks from responding to the subpoena until the federal agency or department seeking the information has certified in

writing that it has complied with the Act’s requirements — which include a requirement that ten days have passed since it served a notice of the subpoena on the customer (or fourteen days have passed since the notice was mailed) and the customer has not filed a motion to quash the subpoena. These requirements apply to subpoenas issued by the federal government for the financial records of individual customers and partnerships of five or fewer individuals.

• 8 • • September-October 2022

The IBA Law Department has reopened the IBA Compliance Connection Hotline!

IBA members now may submit compliance inquiries through our hotline, in addition to GoToIBA.com

• Find the form at GoToIBA.com/contact-us

QUESTION

Are we required to mail a property tax bill to our mortgage customers for their records when we pay real estate taxes out of escrow?

ANSWER

The Illinois Property Tax Code requires mortgage lenders to send a copy of the tax bill to the borrower within fifteen days of receiving the bill from

the tax collector. However, this requirement applies only when the tax bill is mailed to or in care of the mortgage lender’s address.

About the IBA Law Department

Our IBA Law Department provides many resources to help our bank members meet their compliance challenges, including a toll-free Compliance Hotline (1-800-GO-TO-IBA) and a dedicated compliance website (www.GoToIBA. com). We also publish a free weekly e-newsletter highlighting the latest regulatory developments, select recent Q&As, and other useful information – let us know if you want to subscribe!

Note: This information does not constitute legal advice. You should consult bank counsel for legal advice, even if the facts are similar to those discussed above.

September-October 2022 • • 9 • • Call the hotline at 1-800-Go-To-IBA (1-800-468-6422)

Additionally, note that if the property is located in a county that uses the estimated or acceler ated billing methods, you must send a copy of the bill only for the final installment of taxes due.

IBA’s Annual Conference June 6-9, 2022 STRENGTHENING OUR ROOTS

Our 2022 Annual Conference was a wonderful opportunity to see many friends in person. Held in Springfield, conference attendees took advantage of all that the event had to offer including the reception at the beautiful Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, fantastic keynote and breakout sessions, and the great entertainment (Illinois bankers and vendors are incredibly talented!). In 2023, we are excited to be Bridging Industry Forces with our neighboring state banking

association, the Ohio Bankers League! This exciting opportunity will expand your professional connections and build new friendships. The blended conference will be packed with a lot of new programming and faces and will continue to be the premiere event that you have come to expect.

Save the date: June 21-24, 2023

Fairmont Chicago at Millennium Park

• 10 • • September-October 2022

ANNUAL

September-October 2022 • • 11 •
CONFERENCE

IBA Chair Betsy Johnson’s Inaugural Speech Excerpts

Good morning, Illinois Bankers, members, associates, the IBA staff, and fans of the IBA. As you have heard from Randy Hultgren and Michelle Gross earlier this week, I will be presenting a summary of the strategic plan which has been a great work in progress by many who are dedicated to the success of the IBA and its members.

part with my money for tuition at UW Madison, I secured a job in 1981, before graduation, at a hometown bank working for the vice president of commercial lending. Four years later, I shifted to working at a family-owned telephone company. I fell in love with a guy from Whitewater, Wisconsin, married (37 years to date), and moved to Freeport, Illinois. I worked with a manufacturing company in Freeport for the next ten years. We were blessed with a daughter and son during that time. Before the manufacturing company would close, I walked into a bank to find a job. I had no expectations other than I was willing to work and fit into the company wherever I could be useful.

a past recipient of the IBA Banker of the Year — he has been our banker of the year for many years. Last November marked 25 years since I walked into Forreston State Bank, now Solutions Bank.

Jeff also has played a part in how I am standing before you today. He encouraged me to attend my first IBA Annual Conference in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

Thank you to Michelle for her leadership, support, and friendship, as she led this process along with Randy who filled a challenging role. He not only had a career change but also brought the IBA through a pandemic. I thank and congratulate both of you.

Before we get to the strategic plan, I will share a bit of my background and journey to become a fanatic of the IBA.

My story is not one of a kind or very unusual but an example of showing one never knows which path your life takes, which one you will choose, but more importantly, what you will make of it. I grew up in rural southeastern Wisconsin, part of a hard-working farm family. My father farmed during the day and worked a 2nd shift job. I had a good life growing up and was involved in FFA, Jr Dairyman, and sports. I had a sweet deal buying, raising, and selling dairy calves to my brother, who started his own dairy operation even before he graduated high school. Not knowing what I wanted to do post-high school and not wanting to

They had recently hired a new president and said he would most likely be looking for an assistant. He not only hired me but was my mentor for years. It’s one thing to understand an individual’s potential and abilities, but that is worth nothing without it being developed, coached, recognized, and rewarded for accomplishments. The person who made the decision to hire me was Jeff Snyder, current Chairman (past President) of Solutions Bank. Jeff also is

As I attended other IBA events, I realized quickly that I wanted to be a part of this organization. I also met the infamous and impressive Linda Koch, at the time the IBA President and CEO. The staff obviously were passionate about their jobs, and their contributions to the association and its members, and they had fun doing it. Words like intelligent, integrity, and professional are how I’ve described the IBA staff.

Jeff also encouraged me to go to DC with the IBA. I traveled alone but quickly realized that at every event, I met welcoming bankers. I witnessed powerful regulator meetings, led by amazing bankers such as Micah Barlett and Daryl Jackson. I quickly bonded with other

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banker attendees like Charie Zanck and always felt unbelievably welcomed. Thank you all for those experiences. I could go on and on.

My initial trip to DC was an eye-opening and educational experience and increased my appreciation for a big part of what the IBA provides for their member banks. Both Randy and Michelle presented the ask of all of you to continue to be involved. Please consider participating in our advocacy events so you can be engaged, influence change, and network.

We recently talked about advocacy engagement with other State Association members during meetings for the Graduate School of Banking. We all strongly agreed, shared experiences, and have committed to encouraging and enabling others in our organizations to participate. Please encourage your staff, too!

As part of my career advancement, I attended the best Graduate School of Banking in Madison, Wisconsin. GSB is another organization that I am extremely passionate about and, also has an amazing group of leaders and educators with a shared mission of advancing bankers.

Since that time, I have enjoyed a rewarding banking career and am fortunate to have an amazing group of coworkers dedicated to their roles and each other. They are a group with a great sense of humanity and humor, and I am proud and honored to work with them.

As Michelle explained yesterday, the IBA staff and members provided input toward crafting a new strategic plan to provide what direction should be taken in the coming years to make the IBA the premier association. Many times during this process, we found ourselves asking questions about certain topics, and our thoughts often went to Dan Daly and his valued guidance. His leadership and friendship are missed, and it was very appropriate to honor him with Banker of

the Year. Bankers like Dan inspire us, and I encourage you to continue to honor him by supporting the industry and organization that was important to him.

elementary. While the IBA clearly does a lot of things well, the focus will be on the pillars of the plan to provide member value across all asset sizes as the IBA is inclusive to all Illinois bankers. The Plan’s strategy statement is:

“To drive long-term IBA member satisfaction, value and retention utilizing a member-centric data-driven approach focused on government relations, education, and resources in support of Illinois banks and bankers, converting our fans into fanatics.”

Many thanks to those who have put their time and talent into this plan for the continued success and future of the Illinois Bankers Association and Illinois bankers.

Two quotes we reflected upon during the strategic planning process which feel relevant, and I would like to share are:

Steve Jobs “Get closer than ever to your customers. So close that you tell them what they need well before they realize it themselves.”

Ken Blanchard “Just having satisfied customers isn’t good enough anymore. If you really want a booming business, you have to create raving fans.”

By most measures, the IBA performed well during the pandemic, and it enters this strategic plan cycle with a satisfied member base and a sound financial position. Randy commented on some impressive services statistics provided during the pandemic. The IBA leadership and staff should be commended as they have shown great adaptability. In the coming months, the IBA staff along with members and the Executive Committee will set key performance indicators and goals, with a plan of execution and accountability. The plan is not revolutionary, in fact, it is rather

The future appears to be a period of potentially sustained economic challenges, and the long-term banking industry trends, which include consolidation and increased multi-state operations, are challenges for all associations.

So, how does the IBA retain and improve long-term member satisfaction and turn members into fanatics? We start with the premise of the strategic plan which is a combination of the mission, vision, core values, and strategy statements.

As I shared my story earlier to explain how and why I became a fanatic of the IBA, I dedicate to you that in this coming year as your IBA Chair, I will do my best to continue bringing a high level of energy and enthusiasm to reach the strategic goals. I’d like to remind each of you that your engagement matters! During this conference, many of you welcomed me and offered support. One consistent question has been, “Are you ready?” Well, I am ready, and I also am counting on all of you. So, what do you say, “Let’s go IBA!”

I look forward to this coming year and meeting with our current members, and future members, and helping them evolve from fans to fanatics.

September-October 2022 • • 13 •

IBA Outgoing Chair Michelle Gross's Speech Excerpts

here today! It really means a lot. I am fortunate to be part of an awesome group of people who made sure things were rolling whether I was in the office or not.

Wow! Just WOW! It is so good to see all of you – in person – at the 2022 IBA Annual Conference. I am so blessed to be here as your 2021-2022 Chair.

What a great year I have had. 25 years ago, my dad had served in the same capacity for the IBA. What a thrill it was to have him install me last year – even in a virtual world. It was quite humbling and emotional.

I am beyond blessed with a wonderful family who supported me unconditionally this past year. I am forever grateful to my husband Rich and kids, Connor and Lauren who are here with me today, for all of their support and encouragement. I also am fortunate to have my parents, Karen and Art, here today, too. For those of you who know me, you know how important my family is to me. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for each of them. I am truly blessed.

Another huge thank you to my coworkers and directors at the State Bank of Bement who also supported me this past year. Thanks, Ken, for being

Last year I talked about the mission of the Illinois Bankers Association – Connecting Bankers. Advancing Banking. Randy and I did a lot of that this past year. I loved meeting new bankers and talking with old friends. Listening to how passionate my fellow bankers are about our industry and what they are doing in their communities and for their customers has been awesome. Even with the uncertainty of the economy, we are helping businesses with their needs; looking at new products and services for our customers; donating to our communities; and building and remodeling to better serve customers and their communities. Leadership in our industry throughout our state is strong and vibrant and the over 50 bank visits we did (Yes, Dan Watts, you still have the record!) solidified that.

During many of our visits, we talked about how critical our advocacy is at all levels – at the City of Chicago, State, and the Federal levels. I always enjoyed Randy giving his thoughts on this topic. As a former legislator, he has insight into these workings. He affirms the strength of our GR team. They are on top of bad legislation and working across the aisles as well as with our other trade associations to ensure the best interests of our industry are at the forefront of our legislators’ minds.

I continue to believe that our grass roots efforts with bankers whose “boots are on the ground” mean so much. Also, I ask you to support of the Illinois Bankers PAC to help our GR team effectively lobby our legislators.

While I have been on the IBA Board and Executive Committee, I continue to be impressed with all that we have to offer and all that the IBA staff does.

We have any education you may need, a variety of conferences, and forums to connect you with your peers. We have almost 200 vendors to bring solutions to your banks and a career center, BankTalentHQ, that is now partnered with over 33 states and our national trade association.

The Illinois Bankers Association is guided by a staff second to none –many of whom are here today. They understand our industry and work hard for each of us. We are so fortunate to have them. But they need us. Get involved. Attend events. Serve on a committee. It not only helps you but helps your workplace as well.

As we all know, banking has changed over the past couple of years, as have many other things in our lives. As the theme of this year’s conference “Strengthening Our Roots” depicts, we have been working this past year to do just that. Our association needed to ensure that it was remaining relevant and will for years to come. Your Board and Executive Committee, as well as Past Chairs, embarked on a new strategic plan this past year. Many of you spent hours being interviewed, answered surveys, joined in an intensive day of strategic thought, and thought about how the IBA can be better for all. We reviewed recent history, evaluated the evolving market with a focus on the Illinois banking industry, utilized the output of the strategic planning process, and identified initiatives to put the IBA on a course to achieve these goals and objectives. One of our directors said it best – What do we need to fix?

We found that nothing really needed to be fixed but that we can do better. We found that the needs of our membership are wide. The IBA does so much, but is it all relevant? We found that we need additional data to build stronger relationships with our members. We need to ensure we are communicating to the appropriate people within those

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institutions so that the value of the IBA can penetrate throughout our member financial institutions. We found that internal communication also can be improved so that staff are working together across the organization.

I am proud to have been given the opportunity to lead the Illinois Bankers Association this past year. I thank each of you for giving me this opportunity and a huge thanks to all those I leaned on this past year

Thanks to Randy, the IBA staff, the IBA Board and Executive Committee, all the Chairs, especially our Past Chair Dan Daly.

I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute and have come up with a list of a few things I learned while I was Chair.

1. Bankers are resilient.

2. The state of Illinois is big!

3. Future chairs need to hire a driver

4. Randy knows a lot about history.

5. You can listen to audio books in a “fast forward” mode.

6. Bankers across the state are all dealing with the same issues.

7. IBA staff truly care about our members.

8. There are some super cute boutiques around the state

9. I enjoyed meeting my peers from other states.

10 On a bank visit in Robinson, Illinois, I learned they’re making a chocolate covered Payday bar.

We bankers are a lucky group of people. We have an opportunity to positively affect change, educate young people on financial literacy, encourage and mentor young bankers, and make dreams become a reality.

Being Chair of the IBA was one of my dreams. Thanks to all of you for allowing my dream to become a reality.

Banking is alive and well in the state of IL and the IBA is here to serve all of you for many years to come. Enjoy the conference! Thank you!!!

THANK YOU TO OUTGOING BOARD OF DIRECTORS

• Gary Collins - Old Second National Bank

• Jeff Fauver - Catlin Bank

• Bill Gleason - The Leaders Bank

• Joan Heggen-McMahon - U.S. Bank N.A.

• James Huiskamp - Blackhawk Bank and Trust

• Richard Knebel - The Bradford National Bank

• Pam Sharar-Stoppel - Wintrust Financial Corporation

September-October 2022 • • 15 •

Congratulations to all of the exceptional banks and bankers honored during the IBA Annual Conference!

Banker of the Year

• Daniel P. Daly, in memoriam, SENB Bank, Moline

Illinois Bankers PAC Bank of the Year

• Grundy Bank, Morris

Honorary Lifetime Membership

• C. Brant Ahrens

Illinois Community Service

pictured below

• Busey Bank, Champaign

• CIBC Bank USA, Chicago

• OSB Community Bank, Ottawa

Linda J. Koch Scholarship

• Madison Bartsch, McHenry

• Thiago de Castro, Wheaton

• Emma Grace Yates, Eldorado

Illinois Bankers Scholarship

• Doruntina Hamza, Niles

• Melanie Quadros, Glenview

• Gavin Glynn Ward, Chicago

Graduate School of Banking Scholarship

pictured below with Kathy Berman, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

• JoAnna Engels, Cherry

• Ben Johnson, Petersburg

• Trent Cox, Galesburg

• Michelle Matthys, Roscoe

Amy Randolph, Busey Bank Rudy Gonzalez, CIBC Bank USA Craig Hepner, OSB Community Bank JoAnna Engels, State Bank of Cherry Trent Cox, Farmers & Mechanics Bank Ben Johnson, Alliance Community Bank Terry Esch, SENB, accepting on behalf of Michelle Matthys
• 16 • • September-October 2022

Dan Daly Named 2022 Banker of the Year

Normally, the IBA honors a banker secretly, building up to the moment that the banker figures out that they are the winner. This year, we honored a great man we lost late last year. Dan Daly, 2018 IBA Chair and former President & CEO of SENB Bank, passed away suddenly. He was taken much too soon and before any of us were ready for him to leave but he left a monumental path of leadership in his wake. Many of us aspire to lead the way he did.

Some of his many accomplishments include his active involvement in community efforts, and his service on the boards of Empower Illinois, Renew Moline, Gilmore Foundation, and Regional Opportunities Council. He was the Chairman of the Board of Directors for SAL Family and Community Services and the American Red Cross. Dan was a member of the CEO Council, Focus Forward CI, and honored as 40 leaders under 40 in 1996 and alumnus of the year in 2014.

Dan was the Country Club of Peoria Treasurer for several years. Previously, he served in leadership roles on the boards of the Heart of Illinois United Way (and chaired its 1999 annual campaign), the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, Catholic Charities, the Finance Council of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Peoria, the EPIC Foundation, the Tri-County Urban League, the Community Foundation

of Central Illinois, Human Service Center and Human Service Center Foundation, FC Peoria Soccer Club, and the Peoria Park District Foundation and Fayette Companies. He also chaired the Peoria County unit of the American Cancer Society and chaired that organization's statewide fundraising efforts. He served as Chair and Treasurer of the Peoria Civic Center Authority and Co-Chaired the $60 million redevelopment in 2005. He also served as Chairman of the Peoria Riverfront Museum and co-chaired the construction of their $35 million museum development in 2012.

Dan was tireless in advocating for the industry through his lobbying efforts in Springfield and DC. As previously mentioned, Dan was President and CEO of SENB Bank, serving the Quad Cities IllinoisIowa metropolitan area. He was the Founding President and Chief Executive Officer of First Capital Bank, which opened its doors for business in 1996, becoming the first new bank chartered in Peoria, Illinois in over 27 years. First Capital Bank's assets grew from $5.3 million at inception to over $254 million in six years. First Capital Bank was acquired by First Busey Corp. in 2004 and Daly served as a Regional President for Busey Bank following this transaction.

Dan was an active member of the St. Philomena Catholic Church in Peoria. He served as Lector and Eucharistic Minister and was a Finance Committee member. Dan’s most important passion was his family. He deeply loved them

and talked about them often with most of us.

We thank Mick O’Rourke, President & CEO of Signature Bank, for nominating Dan. We are honored to name Dan Daly as the 2022 Banker of the Year.

We thank Sherry, Dan’s wife, for accepting the award along with their children Maggie Halstead, Bridget Daly, Maureen Smith, and Patrick Daly. Our sincere condolences and deep gratitude for Dan’s contributions to our industry. In place of the crystal award, which we usually present to the recipient, we honored Dan’s memory by planting a tree in his name to remind us of his work and how he planted the seed for so many deeply impactful programs and efforts. Dan truly exhibited all that we aspire to be – a person of great faith, love, and ethics.

September-October 2022 • • 17 •
ANNUAL CONFERENCE

for Community Banks the Sun Also Rises

Solar Tax Credit Investments Now More Accessible

For more than a decade, large financial institutions like U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo, joined by Fortune 500 giants like Apple and Google, have been the dominant players in solar investment tax credits (ITCs). Driven by federal incentives, these companies have provided funding for the largest solar projects in the country, collecting healthy returns while raising their cor porate profiles as environmental/social/governance (ESG) leaders.

The benefits of solar ITCs are hard to ignore. Tax credit investors funding renewable energy projects can significantly offset their federal tax liability and recognize a meaningful annual GAAP earnings benefit. From 2005 to 2020, renewable energy tax credits have fueled the explosive growth of solar and wind power production nearly 18-fold.

The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act is a transformational bill with provisions that will entice large numbers of mid-size businesses and community banks to deploy capital into renewable energy projects across the US. It extends solar ITCs

for at least ten more years (until greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by 70%) and retroactively increases the ITC from 26% to 30%, effective January 1, 2022. This extension and expansion of ITCs, along with other meaningful incentives included in the bill, will result in a significant increase in renewable energy projects being devel oped and constructed over the next decade.

Community banks are the logical source of financ ing for solar ITCs and traditional loans in response to this expected flood of mid-size renewable projects. Solar ITCs have a notably better return profile than other types of tax credit investments commonly made by banks. Solar ITCs and the accelerated depreciation associated with a solar power project are fully recognized once it is built and begins producing power. This is quite different from other tax credit investments, such as new markets tax credits (NMTCs), low-income housing tax credits (LIHTCs) and historic rehabilitation tax credits (HTCs), where credits are recognized over the holding period of the investment (5, 7, 10, or 15 years).

September-October 2022 • • 19 •

Solar tax credit investments can be a key component to a bank’s broader environmental/social/governance (ESG) strategy.

Like other tax equity investments, solar tax equity investments require complex deal structures, spe cialized project diligence and underwriting, and active ongoing monitoring. Specialty investment management firms like KeyState provide support to community banks hoping to make solar tax credit (i.e., “solar tax equity”) investments by syndicating the investments across small groups of community banks. Without support, community banks may struggle to consistently identify suitable solar project investment opportunities built by qualified solar development partners.

Not all solar projects are created equally, and it is critical for a community bank to properly evalu ate all aspects of a solar tax equity investment. Investment in particular types of solar projects including utility, C&I, municipal, and community solar projects, can provide stable and predictable returns. However, a community bank investor should perform considerable due diligence or part ner with a firm to assist with the diligence.

There are typically three stages of diligence:

• The bank should review the return profile and GAAP model with their tax and audit firms to validate the benefits illustrated by the solar developer and the anticipated impact of the investment on the bank’s earnings profile and capital.

• The bank should work with regulatory counsel to identify the path to approval for the invest ment. Solar tax equity investments are permissi ble for national (little “n”) banks under an April 1, 2021 OCC Rule (12 CFR 7.1025). Banks have been making solar tax equity investments based on OCC published guidance for more than a decade. In 2021, this new OCC rule codified that

guidance. It provides a straightforward roadmap and goes so far as to encourage community banks to consider solar tax equity investments. Alternatively, under Section 4(c)(6) of the Bank Holding Company Act, holding companies under $10 billion in assets also may invest in a properly structured solar tax equity fund man aged by a professional asset manager.

• The bank must underwrite the solar developer and each individual solar project. Community banks should partner with a firm that has experience evaluating and underwriting solar projects, and the bank’s diligence should ensure that there are structural mitigants in place to fully address the unique risks associated with solar tax equity financings.

Beyond the compelling return profile and stable and predictable cash flows offered by conservative, investment-grade solar projects, achieving energy independence and reducing carbon emissions are critical goals in and of themselves. Solar tax credit investments can be a key component to a bank’s broader ESG strategy. The bank can monitor and report the amount of clean energy generation being produced by the projects it has financed and include this information in an annual renewable energy finance impact report or a broader annual sustain ability report. 8.

About the author: Josh Miller is CEO of The KeyState Companies, which manages tax-advantaged investment and insurance struc tures for over 130 community banks across the country. KeyState Renewables launched its solar tax equity fund platform, SOLCAP, in 2019. To date, SOLCAP has financed over $120 million across 35 mid-size U.S. solar projects in seven states. SOLCAP expects to double this amount in 2023, providing another $130 million in capital for new solar project development.

• 20 • • September-October 2022

A Participation Loan Program to assist Illinois businesses in receiving term loan financing at lower rates.

A Participation Loan Program to assist Illinois businesses in receiving term loan financing at lower rates.

The state of Illinois purchases a portion of the loan, lowering the risk for lenders.

The state of Illinois purchases a portion of the loan, lowering the risk for lenders.

The goal is to help businesses grow, expand, and create new jobs in Illinois faster.

The goal is to help businesses grow, expand, and create new jobs in Illinois faster.

In 2021, Advantage Illinois assisted lenders in providing loans to businesses.

• 51 Total Businesses Assisted with Financing or Loans

In 2021, Advantage Illinois assisted lenders in providing loans to businesses.

• 50+ Approved Lenders

• $7,848,0444 in DCEO Participation

• 51 Total Businesses Assisted with Financing or Loans

• 300+ New Created Jobs

• 50+ Approved Lenders

• 160+ Retained Jobs

• $7,848,0444 in DCEO Participation

• 300+ New Created Jobs

The Advantage Illinois Program wants to partner with YOU!

• 160+ Retained Jobs

The Advantage Illinois Program wants to partner with YOU!

Please reach out with questions or to learn more at CEO.AdvantageIllinois@Illinois.gov

Please reach out with questions or to learn more at CEO.AdvantageIllinois@Illinois.gov

September-October 2022 • • 21 •

Advice to Bank Leaders:

Don’t Be Reactive on Credit Quality

Banks have four key reasons to be more vigilant in 2022 and the next couple of years.

With credit quality metrics at generationally stellar levels, concern about credit risk in 2022 may seem unwarranted, making any deployed defen sive strategies appear premature.

For decades, banking has evolved into an orientation that takes most of its risk management cues from external stakeholders, including investors, trusted vendors, market conditions — and regulators in particular. Undoubtedly, becom ing defensive prematurely can add challenges for management teams at a time when loan growth is still a main strategic objective. But waiting until credit metrics pivot is sure to add risk and poten tial pain.

Banks have four key reasons to be more vigilant in 2022 and the next couple of years. These, and the suggested steps that prudent management teams should take in their wake, are below.

1. The COVID-19 sugar high has turned sour.

All of the government largesse and regulatory respites in response to COVID-19 helped unleash 40-year-high inflation levels. In response, the Federal Reserve has begun ramping up interest rates at potential intervals not experienced in decades. These factors are proven to precede higher credit stress. Continuing supply chain disruptions further contribute and strengthen the insidious inflation psychology that weighs on the economy.

Recommendation: Bankers must be more proactive in identifying borrowers who are particularly vulnerable to growing marketplace pressures by using portfolio analytics to identify credit hotspots, increased stress testing and more robust loan reviews.

• 22 • • September-October 2022

2. Post-booking credit servicing is struggling across the industry.

From IntelliCredit’s perspective, garnered through conducting current loan reviews and merger and acquisition due diligence, the post-booking credit servicing area is where most portfolio management deficiencies occur. Reasons include borrowers who lag behind in providing current financials or — even worse — banks experiencing depletions in the credit administration staff that normally perform annual reviews. These talent shortages reflect broader recruitment and retention challenges, and are exacerbated by growing salary inflation.

Recommendation: A new storefront concept may be emerging in community banking. Customer-facing services and products are handled by the bank, and back-shop operational and risk assessment responsibilities are supported in a co-op style by correspondent banking groups or vendors that are specifically equipped to deliver this type of administrative support.

3. Chasing needed loan growth during a credit cycle shift is risky.

Coming out of the pandemic, community banks have lagged behind larger institutions with regards to robust organic loan growth, net of Paycheck Protection Program loans. Even at the Bank Director 2022 Acquire or Be Acquired Conference, investment bankers reminded commercial bank ers of the critical link between sustainable loan growth and their profitability and valuation models. However, the risk-management axiom of “Loans made late in a benign credit cycle are the most toxic” has become a valuable lesson on loan vintages — especially after the credit quality issues that banks experienced during the Great Recession.

Recommendation: Lending, not unlike banking itself, is a balancing game. This should be the time when management teams and boards rededicate themselves to concurrent growth and risk management credit strategies, ensuring that any growth initiatives the bank undertakes are complemented by appropriate risk due diligence.

4. Stakeholders may overreact to any uptick in credit stress.

Given the current risk quality metrics, banker complacency is predictable and understandable. But regulators know, and bankers should under stand, that these metrics are trailing indicators, and do not reflect the future impact of emerging, post-pandemic red flags that suggest heightened economic challenges ahead. A second, unexpected consequence resulting from more than a decade of good credit quality is the potential for unwarranted overreactions to a bank’s first signs of credit degra dation, no matter how incremental.

Recommendation: It would be better for investors, peers and certainly regulators to temper their instincts to overreact — par ticularly given the banking industry’s substantial cushion of post-Dodd-Frank capital and reserves.

In summary, no one knows the extent of credit challenges to come. Still, respected industry leaders are uttering the word “recession” with increasing frequency. Regarding its two man dates to manage employment and inflation, the Fed right now is clearly biased towards the latter. In the meantime, this strategy could sacrifice banks’ credit quality.

With that possibility in mind, my advice is for directors and management teams to position your bank ahead of the curve, and be prepared to write your own credit risk management scripts — before outside stakeholders do it for you.

About the author: David Ruffin is Principal of IntelliCredit, a division of QwickRate. He has extensive experience in the financial industry including a long and pronounced emphasis on credit risk in a variety of roles that range from bank lender and senior credit officer to co-founder of the successful Credit Risk Management, LLC consultancy and professor at several banking schools.

September-October 2022 • • 23 •
• 24 • • September-October 2022 6 OCTOBER BankTech Conference Chicago Marriott Southwest at Burr Ridge 18 OCTOBER Fall Compliance Conference The Regency Conference Center, O’Fallon 3 NOVEMBER Midwest Bank Leaders Conference Gleacher Center, Chicago 2 DECEMBER Bank Counsel Conference Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel, Chicago 2-3 MARCH 2023 The ONE Conference Embassy Suites, East Peoria 12 MAY 2023 Compliance Conference Hyatt Regency Lisle Reserve your seat at www.illinois.bank. Become your own bank champion by sharing your skills & knowledge!

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• 26 • • September-October 2022

Planning for Safety, Soundness, and Resiliency

With the rise in cybercrimes and increased regulatory scrutiny, having a board-approved IT Strategic Plan is often not enough to ensure cyber resiliency. It’s essential for financial institutions to develop a robust IT management and information security infrastructure. The following excerpts from our recent white paper on “Building IT and Information Security Resiliency in Chaotic Times,” show how institutions can strengthen and support these key management roles to make better technology and security decisions, improve visibility, and reduce vulnerability.

1.Separating ISO Duties

Examiners have a strong interest in the IT administrator and ISO roles, which are interconnected and integral to an institution’s safety and soundness. However, many banks still struggle with meeting the FFIEC requirements for segregating these positions. The importance of separating ISO duties relates to creating additional oversight to verify activities and maintain accountability to management and the board. Separating these functions also helps to build a clear audit trail to ensure risk is being accurately assessed and reported to senior management. While the ISO functions in an oversight capacity of the IT administrator, the ISO also relies heavily on the administrator to share data that can be used to recommend steps to improve the institution’s security posture. Therefore, the IT admin-ISO relationship must also be cooperative to ensure their daily activities support the organization’s policies and procedures.

2.Being Proactive About Succession Planning

Regulators expect financial institutions to have a formal succession plan for the ISO, IT administrator, and other key leadership roles, as indicated by the uptick in exam findings related to this issue. Depending on their size, type, and goals, institutions may employ different approaches to succession planning. Depending on their size, type, and goals, they can adopt any of these approaches to succession planning:

• Proactively assess internal talent and orient the most suitable individual to serve as a backup for various IT admin or ISO responsibilities. This person should train with the existing ISO, attend ISO oversight meetings, and present appropriate information to executive management and the board. If the ISO leaves, the backup individual should be equipped to assume the role temporarily or even for the long term if necessary.

• Implement an internal committee or team approach to managing IT and information security during a temporary or permanent personnel change. The committee can maintain processes until an outside replacement is installed or support an internal successor who is transitioning into the position. The committee can also provide coaching to keep the replacement from becoming overwhelmed by the complexity and assortment of tasks required.

• Partner with a trusted third party to obtain the additional expertise needed to meet IT and information security benchmarks. This approach provides an accountability partnership role and a regular framework that clearly defines key responsibilities and streamlines processes.

3.Leveraging a Virtual ISO (VISO)

An outside expert can provide an objective perspective that can help institutions think beyond the day-to-day issues and consider risk more proactively and strategically. Bringing in a technology partner on the front end—when things are going well—can also position institutions to be stronger and more successful in the future. For instance, a VISO can not only support succession planning, it can also expand an internal ISO’s capabilities and increase the likelihood that all ISO-related tasks are completed in a timely and efficient manner. A VISO can also provide an external layer of oversight to enable the required separation of duties. ISOversight™ is a comprehensive VISO solution from Safe Systems with a full suite of applications and resources, cyber risk reporting, and dedicated compliance specialists.

For more information about enhancing your institution’s compliance, technology, or security practices visit safesystems.com/iba to access free resources exclusive to Illinois Bankers.

September-October 2022 • • 27 •
© 2022 Safe Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. • SafeSystems.com

EDUCATION

Scan the code to learn more >

Or visit my.illinois.bank/ Education-Events/Upcoming-Programs

SEMINARS, CONFERENCES & FORUMS

OCTOBER

6 BankTech Conference

12 Common Exam FindingsA Precursor for Your Next Regulatory Examination

13 HR Forum

13 Advanced Financial Statements and Cash Flow Analysis

13-14 Family-Owned and Closely Held Bank Strategic Retreat

14 CEO Forum

17-21 Commercial Lending School

18 Fall Compliance Forum

24, 31 Real Estate Lending Compliance

25 IRA Essentials

25, 27 Security Officer Workshop

26 Breaking Into Banking 101: Fundamentals of Commercial Banking

26 Advanced IRAs

26-28 Operations School

27 Branch Leadership

NOVEMBER

1 Ag Lending Update

3 Education Trainers Forum

3 Midwest Bank Leaders Conference

8 Cash Management/Treasury Forum

8 CFO Forum South

9 CFO Forum North

9, 10 ACH Exception Handling

15 Cannabis Banking in Illinois: Opportunities & Risks

16 Marketing Forum

16 C & I Lending

17 Small Bank CEO Forum

18 Technology & Operations Forum

DECEMBER

2 Bank Counsel Conference

6 Advanced Collection Tools

7-8 BSA/AML Wrap Up

15 Midwest CEO Forum

JANUARY 2023

25, 27 Hot Topics in Compliance

26 Essentials of Banking, Session 1

ABA ONLINE TRAINING COURSES

OCTOBER

10 Bank Lines of Business

17 Commercial Lending

24 Marketing Management

31 Consumer Lending

31 Managing Interest Rate Risk

31 Money and Banking

NOVEMBER

7 General Accounting

28 Building Customer Relationships

DECEMBER

5 Analyzing Financial Statements

•28 • • September-October 2022
CALENDAR

Marquette University Program Prepares Future Commercial Bankers for Successful Careers

Marquette University in Milwaukee is one of very few undergraduate commercial banking programs in the country and has graduated 56 students since the program’s inception in 2017, with an additional 16 planned in the next year, at a minimum.

At the helm of the program is Dr. Kent Belasco, a 37-year banker who pivoted to a full-time career in higher education after having taught part-time as an adjunct professor of finance while he worked as an executive vice president and chief information and operations officer at a bank. Belasco said his two main goals for the program are (1) to provide students with great career op portunities and (2) to provide talent to the industry.

Students in the finance major at Marquette have the option to choose a concentration in the Applied Invest ment Management Program or the Commercial Banking Program. Belasco developed an advisory board, built the curriculum for the Com mercial Banking Program, and has published a Fundamentals of Commercial Banking textbook.

The program is highly experiential, allowing students to analyze actual small businesses in the community and internation ally. Students complete two internships with banks during the program and have opportunities to participate in competitions and field trips to places near and far, like Chicago and Zurich, Switzerland. Marquette also is co-branding research

on bank performance with Crowe LLP, an Illinois Bankers Association Associ ate Member, with which students can get involved.

Students complete their introduc tory classes in finance and typically apply to the Commercial Banking Program as sophomores. A 3.0 GPA is required for participation in the program, and students complete rigorous coursework that equips them with knowledge and skills Belasco says many bankers may not otherwise acquire until many years into their careers. Banking careers provide the opportunity to earn a good living in a rewarding industry. Belasco noted that today’s students are socially con scious, want to make a difference, and want to give back to the community. When he explains how those values align with the banking industry, he finds that it resonates well with stu dents. He opens one of his introduc tory classes with a quote from Jason DeSena Trennert’s book, My Side of the Street: Modern banking…"has been the single greatest contributor to human progress… Academics have long noted the strong correlation between modern banking systems and national wealth, allowing busi nesses to take on more risks in their efforts to grow. Prudent risks can lead to faster economic growth, more jobs, and greater innovation in all fields of human endeavor."

Students who complete the program have a solid command of banking principles and terminology, have worked on projects with businesses and non-profit community organiza tions, and are eager to grow in mean ingful careers. The program boasts a 100 percent job placement rate of its graduates in banks. For bank leaders who are looking to connect with the program and its students, there are a number of avenues:

• Offer an internship (many can be done remotely during the aca demic year and/or in person over breaks);

• Sponsor a scholarship;

• Host a field trip;

• Volunteer on a panel or at a career night; and/or

• Attend the annual conference. The program offers annual education opportunities for bankers with more than 300 bankers attending the virtual conference in the past two years. In 2021, the focus of the conference was cybersecurity and the 2022 conference was Climate/Sustainability.

September-October 2022 • • 29 •

An ideal partnership, says Belasco, could look like the following: the bank identifies a student in their local community with an aptitude for banking, sponsors a scholar ship for the student at Marquette, offers the student an internship, and then hires the student into a key position at the bank upon graduation. There is a lot of flexibility in how to get involved, and Belasco encour ages bankers to reach out to him personally about their plans for succession and talent development.

Callan Stapleton, President, Illinois Bankers Education Services, Inc., serves on the Ad visory Board for the Marquette Commercial Banking Program. "A high caliber commercial banking program is a great asset to building qualified candidates for summer internships each year and creating permanent employ ment after graduation," says Stapleton of the program. "We encourage Illinois bank ers to get involved in the program as many graduates have started their careers at Illinois banks." To learn more about the program, contact Stapleton at cstapleton@illinois.bank.

The program is a “win-win-win” for students looking for rewarding careers, for banks seeking talented employees, and for the bank customers they serve.

Customize Your Insurance Program to Avoid the Rut!

CUSTOMIZE YOUR BANK’S INSURANCE PROGRAM YOUR WAY

Your bank’s insurance program plays a pivotal role in protecting all of your vital assets. Together, let’s review your program to ensure it is sufficient for today and into the future.

4 Easy Steps to Customize Your Insurance Program

1. Connect with Adam Walsh to discuss your bank’s needs based on our line of products through Mid America Banking Services, Inc., and A+ rated companies.

2. Collect basic information, including declaration pages from your current policies, current financials, and loss runs. Upon receipt, a draft summary is prepared of the needed coverages.

3. The summary is submitted to our partner companies - additional information may be requested such as a Cyber Liability Application, Multi-Factor Authentication Attestation, Mortgage Protection Application, or property details.

4. A detailed proposal of your current and recommended coverages is presented to you. Upon approval, a smooth transition is guaranteed.

Schedule Your 2023 Policy Review with Adam!

Adam Walsh, Vice President, Illinois Bankers Insurance Services, Inc. awalsh@illinois.bank | 217-789-9340

Illinois Bankers Insurance Services (IBIS) provides us with outstanding customer service, and their staff is very well versed in the needs of Illinois’ financial institutions. IBIS comprehensive coverages saved us money when they obtained the lowest rates for our portfolio. The added benefit is to know the money we spend on our insurance premiums helps support all other services the IBA provides to the banking industry!

• 30 • • September-October 2022 Bond | D&O | P&C | Cyber

PREFERRED

September-October 2022 • • 31 •
VENDOR

NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBERS (as of 9-22)

Consolidated Communications

2116 S 17th St Mattoon, IL 61938-5973 www.consolidated.com/

Contact: Brett Kingery brett.kingery@consolidated.com

A communications company provid ing data, internet, voice, cybersecu rity, managed and hosted cloud and IT services to business customers.

At Dickinson Wright, we define suc cess by our clients’ metrics. Our team has an unwavering focus on provid ing unmatched client service and the highest quality legal advice. We are proactive and accessible, providing practical solutions and actionable advice. We are always mindful that we must earn our reputation daily by delivering results that speak for ourselves.

This program targets underserved businesses in Illinois, including minority, rural, veteran, and womenowned businesses. Underserved busi nesses often find resources difficult to access or may be unaware of the services and resources available to them. The Small Business Commu nity Navigator Program is specifically targeted at alleviating these issues and reducing the barriers underserved businesses often face when trying to access economic development resources.

Dickinson Wright PLLC

55 W Monroe St Ste 1200 Chicago, IL 60603-5127 www.dickinson-wright.com/

Contact: Joseph Silvia jsilvia@dickinsonwright.com

Dickinson Wright is a full-service law firm with more than 475 lawyers serving clients from 19 offices across the United States and Canada; our attorneys cover over 40 practice areas and industries.

ADVERTISING INDEX

IPHA - Illinois Small Business Community Navigator Program

500 W Monroe, Ste 1E Springfield, IL 62704 www2.illinois.gov/dceo/ SmallBizAssistance/ AdvantageIllinois/Pages/ default.aspx

Contact: Philip Talley ptalley@ipha.com

Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA) is a Community Navigator Hub for the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Small Business Community Navigator Program.

This program is a hub and spoke model, bringing together community organizations across Illinois. The spokes provide grassroots engage ment with small businesses to assist them with access to grants, financing, financial education and planning, marketing outreach, and various types of technical assistance.

Enhancing access to capital for Il linois businesses is a top priority. Therefore, promoting Advantage Illinois is a key aspect of the Small Business Community Navigator Program. Advantage Illinois is a participation loan program that helps Illinois businesses obtain term loan financing. By working with Illinois’

Advantage Illinois 217-522-5687 CEO.AdvantageIllinois@illinois.gov 21

Bankers’ Bank (Wisconsin) 800-388-5550 www.bankersbank.com 43

IntraFi Network 703-292-3423 www.intrafi.com 25

KeyState 702-598-3738 www.key-state.com 18

LKCS 815-223-0391 www.lk-cs.com 39

MIB – Midwest Independent BankersBank 800-347-4642 www.mibanc.com

Inside Front Cover

PG Design + Build 815-654-9700 www.pgarch.com 28

TCA Compliance 800-934-REGS www.tcaregs.com Back Cover

Wipfli LLP 800-486-3454 www.wipfli.com 7

• 32 • • September-October 2022
WELCOME

NEW BANK MEMBER (as of 9-22)

Welcome to the Illinois Bankers!

The State Bank of Pearl City

PO Box 397

Pearl City, IL 61062-0397

Contact: Scott Helms

FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY MEMBER NEWS

United Bankers’ Bank Announces Plan to Provide FedNow Instant Payments through Pidgin Network

United Bankers’ Bank (UBB), the nation’s first bankers’ bank, announced its new instant payments solution Pidgin, developed by VSoft Corporation, projected to roll out in time for the FedNow program’s anticipated late 2022/early 2023 launch.

banking community, Advantage Il linois helps entrepreneurs and small businesses start up, expand, and create new jobs.

DCEO is seeking lenders to partici pate in Advantage Illinois. To learn more about Advantage Illinois and to enroll as a Participating Lender, visit: www2.illinois.gov/dceo/ SmallBizAssistance/Advantage Illinois/Pages/default.aspx

Engineered to deliver innovation no matter how payments evolve, this new payment solution will allow banks of all sizes to participate in any new instant payments arena. Through Pidgin, UBB will provide customers the ability to receive only payments or both send and receive payments 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year via Peer-toPeer (P2P), Consumer-to-Business (C2B), Business-to-Consumer (B2C), and Business-to-Business (B2B) payments.

keep customers informed when it is ready to be used. Institutions with questions are encouraged to contact Mary Williams, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, at mary.williams@ubb.com.

United Bankers’ Bank Announces Strategic Partnership with Blue Team Alpha

United Bankers’ Bank (UBB), the nation’s first bankers’ bank and Blue Team Alpha, an elite cybersecurity force, announced an agreement to offer cybersecurity services to UBB's community banks. Through this partnership, UBB and Blue Team Alpha will provide community banks with access to comprehensive cybersecurity services to help shore up defenses against cybercriminals.

Willing to Hunt, LLC

1016 W Jackson Blvd Chicago, IL 60607-2914 www.willingtohunt.com

Contact: Gregory Hunt agregoryhunt@willingto hunt.com

Willing to Hunt, LLC is a boutique executive search firm with a reputa tion for excellence in client service. We provide retained and contingent search for companies primarily in the financial services industry. Since our inception in 2001, we have consistently exceeded our client's expectations in assisting them in identifying and recruiting experi enced professionals.

“As a pilot bank for FedNow, we are excited to have a solution for banks of any size, large or small, to com municate with any instant payment channel when FedNow is up and running,” commented Dwight Larsen, UBB’s President and CEO. “Regardless of a bank’s participation in FedNow, we will have a solution.”

“In keeping with our mission, we want to ensure community banks have access to innovative, secure, and cost-effective products that are supported by the highest level of customer service,” said Mary Williams, UBB’s Chief Operations Officer. “VSoft’s Pidgin Network embodies all these traits.”

The Pidgin Network will provide the utmost security by combining UBB UNET’s, biometric fingerprint authentication with Pidgin’s SSL Internet date encryption. As we roll out this exciting update, UBB will

"Very few areas present more chal lenges to community bankers than cybersecurity. Data breaches in financial services make the headlines weekly and regulators are crack ing down. I'm happy to announce Twin-Cities-based Blue Team Alpha is the newest addition to UBB's suite of consulting services for our customer banks," commented UBB’s President and CEO Dwight Larsen.

"As banks adopt advanced technolo gies to improve customer service and operating efficiencies, they increase their attack surface and become more vulnerable to cybercriminals. Blue Team Alpha is happy to partner with UBB to help increase the security posture of community banks and the communities they serve," said Joe Kingland, CISSP, CEO of Blue Team Alpha.

The security experts at Blue Team Alpha have experience in address ing financial institutions' complex and highly regulated demands. The company has over 25 years of experience implementing stringent IT standards for banks and financial institutions.

September-October 2022 • • 33 •

ON THE MOVE Bettendorf, IA

QUAD CITY BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

Quad City Bank & Trust is proud to welcome Ryan Anselment to the role of Vice President, Correspondent Banking Officer. Ryan joined Quad City Bank & Trust in 2022 and has 22 years of professional sales experience in healthcare and manufacturing. Ryan provides the right tools and customized service to clients with correspondent needs in Central and Southern Illinois through long-lasting relationships. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Marketing from Eastern Illinois University, and loves to fish, golf, cook, and spend time with friends and family in his spare time.

Bloomington, MN

UNITED BANKERS’ BANK

Dwight Larsen, President and CEO of United Bankers’ Bank (UBB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Alan McLean as Senior Vice President, Operations Director. Alan joins UBB with over 20 years of experience in correspondent banking and operations. He studied business at the University of Alabama and received a general banking certificate from the Alabama Banking School as well as certifications in FedLine 101 and FedLine LA. Alan will be based in Birmingham, Alabama. United Bankers’ Bank (UBB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kurt Cottier as Senior Vice President, Senior Lending Officer. Kurt joins UBB with over 30 years of lending experience in the community banking industry. He is actively involved as a Class Mentor of Essentials of Business Program with Women Venture as well as volunteering within other area organizations. Kurt received his Bachelor of Business Administration in

Industrial Relations with minor credits in Finance and Psychology from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.

Champaign

BUSEY BANK

With an established and growing commitment to providing convenient digital banking capabilities to its customers, Busey Bank recently named Joseph A. Sheils as Executive Vice President - President of Consumer and Digital Banking. He will lead the overall strategy and initiative execution for the organization’s essential Consumer, Community, Mortgage, and Digital Banking teams.

With a banking background spanning nearly 25 years, Sheils spent more than a decade in Commercial banking and served as the Head of Retail for more than seven years at MB Financial. He offers seasoned expertise in the areas of consumer and small business strategy, call center management, retail operations, deposit and income growth, product development, and enhancing digital options.

A Chicago, IL, native, Sheils attended Loyola University Chicago for his undergraduate degree and The University of Chicago Booth School of Business for his Master of Business Administration. He is an active alumnus, serving on Loyola University’s Dean’s Advisory Council for the College of Arts and Sciences and their National Alumni Advisory Board. Sheils also serves as the Board Treasurer at the Union League Club of Chicago.

Decatur

TOWN AND COUNTRY BANK Town and Country Bank is happy to announce that Tim Robertson will serve as Branch Manager for the

company’s Decatur location on North Main Street.

Originally from Chicago, Tim received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Dominican University in 2018 and a Master of Business Administration from Millikin University in 2021.

He jumpstarted his career as a financial relationship consultant responsible for providing financial guidance, identifying solutions, originating loans, and managing accounts for customers in the Decatur area. As Branch Manager, Tim will use his expertise to lead and manage a team of bankers to grow consumer and small business deposits and oversee the opening and management of accounts for personal and commercial banking clients.

Tim currently resides in Decatur, Illinois. In his free time, he enjoys watching sports, exercising, and traveling to his hometown to visit his family.

Mattoon

FIRST MID BANK & TRUST

Bob Weber, Regional Bank President at First Mid Bank & Trust, retired on Friday, September 2nd, after 43 years of dedicated service to the company. “Bob has been a consummate professional and incredibly valuable member of our team in Coles County throughout his career with us,” says Joe Dively, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at First Mid. “He has worked with countless local businesses to help them start and grow their business. While we are sad to see him step away from First Mid and move on to the next chapter of his life, we wish him the best in his retirement. We are forever grateful for his service to our organization, our customers, and his fellow team members.” Weber joined First Mid in

Ryan Anselment Alan McLean Kurt Cottier Joseph A. Sheils Tim Robertson Bob Weber
• 34 • • September-October 2022

1979, working in the installment loan department. Since then, his banking expertise and service excellence earned him the position of Regional Bank President for the Central region of First Mid’s footprint. During his longtenured career with the company, he earned the Chairman’s Award for Excellence — the highest honor an associate can receive at First Mid.

In addition, Jason Tucker has been promoted to the position of Mattoon Community President. In his new role, Tucker will work closely with both the lending and deposit teams to meet the financial needs of the Mattoon community. He joined First Mid in 1994 and previously held the position of Commercial Lender. Tucker earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business with a major in Finance from Eastern Illinois University. He is active in several organizations and nonprofit boards, serving as treasurer of Coles County Crime Stoppers, board member of CEAD Council, committee member of Mattoon Chamber of Commerce, and member of Mattoon in Motion Robust Economy Committee.

First Mid Bank & Trust announces the promotion of Martha Schultz to Regional Deposit Manager. Schultz will be responsible for overseeing the Alton, Edwardsville, Fairview Heights, Highland, and Wood River banking

centers in the Metro region of the First Mid banking footprint. She joined the former First Clover Leaf Bank in 2006 and previously held the positions of Branch Manager, Market Manager, and Wood River Community President. Prior to joining First Mid, Schultz served as Branch Manager with the Bank of Edwardsville and received various certifications and a degree from the American Institute of Banking.

She volunteers with the RiverBend Growth Association by serving on their board of directors, chairing the Small Business of the Month committee, sitting on the Golf Committee, and representing the chamber in the community as an Ambassador. Schultz also volunteers with the Wood River Woman’s Club, Boys & Girls Club of Bethalto, Alton Woman’s Home Association, and RiverBend Family Ministries.

As a result of Schultz’s promotion, Ryan Indermark and Ashley Wasser have each been promoted to the position of Market Manager. In Indermark’s new role, he will be responsible for managing the daily operations of the Fairview Heights and Highland banking centers. He joined First Mid in 2019 and previously held the position of Branch Manager. Indermark earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from the

University of Illinois Springfield.

In Wasser’s new role, she will be responsible for managing the daily operations of the Alton and Wood River banking centers. She joined the former First Clover Leaf Bank in 2008 and previously held the positions of Teller, Personal Banker, Assistant Branch Manager, and Branch Manager. Wasser earned her Bachelor of Arts from Blackburn College.

Jason Tucker Martha Schultz Ryan Indermark Ashley Wasser
September-October 2022 • • 35 •

ON THE MOVE

Celebrating 50 Years in Banking

Judy Jolley celebrates 50 years in banking. Jolley started her career at Danville First National Bank in 1972. She then came to Catlin Bank in 1978 rising to the rank of EVP and Board Secretary. Upon her retirement in 2019, she remained as Catlin Bank’s Board Secretary. Congratulations on 50 years!

In July, Christine Stickler celebrated 50 years in banking! She has worked at North Shore Trust and Saving for the entire 50 years. Her career path over years had her doing nearly every job and continues to do whatever is needed. Currently, she is Vice President and Corporate Secretary and manages Human Resources.

Mark Hoppe Retiring as Fifth Third President in Chicago

Mark Hoppe is retiring as Chicago president for Fifth Third Bank. The 45-year veteran of Chicago’s banking industry will step down at the end of the year, Cincinnati-based Fifth Third announced.

Hoppe, 68, will be succeeded by Mark Heckler, 58, currently head of Chicago commercial banking for Fifth Third and a senior executive before that with Chicago’s MB Financial.

After Fifth Third acquired MB Financial in 2019, Hoppe wasn’t slated to play a leadership role. But he was elevated to Chicago chief several months after the deal closed. Hoppe came to MB Financial in 2014 after MB’s acquisition of Cole Taylor Bank. Before his stint with Cole Taylor, Hoppe spent decades at LaSalle Bank under the leadership of Norm Bobins.

Hoppe became involved with the Illinois Bankers Association in 1994 when he served on the Annual Conference Committee. From there, he served on the Government Relations Committee before being elected to the IBA Board of Directors in 1996. During his board years, he served on the Illinois Bankers PAC Committee, Policy Committee, and Education Committee. In 1998, he was appointed to the IBA’s Executive Board. He rose through the seats and became the IBA Chair in 20012002. Hoppe was a driving force in aligning the IBA through those years and significantly impacted the industry through his involvement. We congratulate Mark and wish him all the best in his retirement.

• 36 • • September-October 2022

Annette A. Pedraza: Her Path to Retirement in Her Words

I decided to change my career path from working in retail as an assistant buyer at Carson Pirie Scott in Chicago, where I worked after earning a degree in Fashion Merchandising. This decision led me to entertain the idea of working in a bank. I started my banking career on April 19, 1979, in a small southside suburb of Chicago community bank during a time when banks were closed on Wednesdays and open from 9 am - 4 pm and half day on Saturday. Much better hours than the retail position. Those prime working hours quickly changed in the banking industry, and as I moved up the ladder in jobs and responsibilities. After moving up through the teller and new account department positions, I moved into the roles of Operations Secretary I and Assistant Cashier. From there, the role of Assistant Vice President of Public Relations, Marketing, and staff training. Then a position became available in the Consumer Loan department, where I handled auto loans, personal loans, all the collections, and the dealer paper for several local dealerships.

As the bank grew, the President asked me to assist with the commercial loan portfolio. Here we developed one of the few rehabilitation programs on the southside that helped rebuild the community and put real estate taxes back on the tax rolls while providing muchneeded affordable housing. As the bank continued to grow, the Board of Directors requested we also offer mortgage products. I became Vice President of Lending, overseeing and working alongside the President in

developing the bank’s consumer and commercial lending portfolio.

At this point in my career, compliance was a great concern with the regulators. With my vast experience in marketing, lending, and deposit operations, the Board of Directors wanted me to consider the position of Vice President Compliance Officer. This position presented another opportunity to attend more banking schools and take additional ABA and IBA courses.

a consulting firm, AP Compliance Inc. I secured several community bank clients who needed a part-time compliance officer and compliance reviews. One of those clients was the historic ShoreBank on the southside of Chicago. Upon their transition into the Urban Partnership Bank in 2010, I joined them as a Compliance Specialist III, where I enjoyed working with their legal and compliance professionals for several years. In 2014, a PNC recruiter contacted me as they were building a new internal compliance audit team. I became intrigued and accepted the position. For the last eight years, working with some fantastic and dedicated audit and compliance professionals has been a pleasure.

Besides being part of the teaching staff at the IBA for several years, I’ve also been a member of the planning committee for the Chicagoland Compliance Association. Providing good learning opportunities for the compliance community in Chicago is personally rewarding and professionally satisfying. As one of the first few Latina women bank officers at the start of my 43-year banking career, it gives me great pride to see so many women of color now in positions that once were male-dominated.

With my experience, I began to teach several programs for the IBA, including Fundamentals of Banking and most rewarding Spanish for Bankers. My students included bank presidents, tellers, and every level of banking staff.

After 27 years with the community bank, Thomas Compliance & Associates (TCA) invited me to join their consulting staff, which I was very honored to accept. During my time there, my clients ranged from small to large banks across the country, including Washington D.C. After several years of being on the road and missing my family, I began

In my retirement, I plan to enjoy time with family and friends. Also, I have my sights set on participating in several local community groups with agendas for helping families and our community.

Congratulations, Annette, on your well-deserved retirement. Thank you for the many years of service to the financial services industry!

September-October 2022 • • 37 •
• 38 • • September-October 2022 • Accounting • Asset Liability Management & Bank Profitability • Bank Marketing • Bank Simulation • Collaboration Skills & Team Building • Consumer Age Cybersecurity • Economic Investment Day • Economic Update • FHLB Overview and Public Policy Issues • Fintech • IBA Legal Staff Function • Human Resources • IBA Engagement & Involvement Importance of Advocacy Investment, Bonds, & Portfolios • Lead for Success • Leadership & Influence • Management & Executive Coaching • Money Ball for Bankers • Networking • The Art and Science of ‘Peopling’ & Everything’s a Presentation Trends in Bank Tech Transform talented employees, new or seasoned, by cultivating the next generation of bank leaders through the dynamic Future Leaders Alliance Program (FLA). This unique program builds employee confidence, creates a positive environment, and strengthens the organization’s performance. The FLA leadership framework contains an emphasis on personal and professional development, community service, and networking. FUTURE LEADERS ALLIANCE 14 MONTH LEADERSHIP INTERACTIVE CLASS OF 2024 BEGINS IN JANUARY! PROGRAM TOPICS
September-October 2022 • • 39 •

NOTES

Banks Never Ask That Anti-Phishing Campaign Returns In October

IBA Financial Literacy News: InvestWrite Winner

Portfolio Prodigy Wins SIFMA Foundation’s InvestWrite® Competition Illinois Fifth Grader Vikrant Bhattacharjee Wins Ninth Place

We could all learn something from fifth-grader Vikrant Bhattacharjee. At only 11 years old, this portfolio prodigy from Naperville, Illinois has developed an investment strategy primed for long-term financial success. Bhattacharjee’s vision of how to invest judiciously for the future cinched him with an exhilarating win in the SIFMA Foundation’s Spring 2022 InvestWrite competition. To learn more about this impressive program, connect with Debbie Jemison, djemison@illinois.bank.

On July 6th, IBA's Randy Hultgren,

ABA’s #BanksNeverAskThat campaign has earned praise from policymakers, won creativity awards, and most importantly, educated tens of thousands of consumers about how to spot phishing scams.

Registration is open now for our 2022 campaign—which kicks off on October 3! ABA will be making fresh and fun updates to BanksNeverAskThat.com and adding new content to the easy-to-use toolkit. Look for videos, animated graphics, digital signage, and more— free for ALL banks, courtesy of ABA.

Callan Stapleton, and Debbie Jemison presented the award via Zoom. Also in attendance were members of the student's family, school officials, and Melanie Mortimer and Jessica Bayer from the SIFMA Foundation.

At the American Bankers Association summer leadership meeting, Randy Hultgren, IBA's President and CEO, and Jim Edrington, ABA's Chief Member Engagement Officer, discussed the current labor market and the new partnership between BankTalentHQ, the ABA, and an alliance of state banking associations, including the IBA!

IBA Presents at ABA’s Summer Leadership Meeting
WELCOME
NEWS &
• 40 • • September-October 2022

First Bank of Highland Park Changes Name to First Bank Chicago

After decades of strong growth, First Bank of Highland Park has legally changed its name to First Bank Chicago.

“The name First Bank Chicago, already in place for most of our commercial clients, allows us to reach more clients and continue our growth throughout the Chicago metro area,” says Chief Executive Officer and President, Eric Ephraim. He further adds, “we are excited about these changes and the future of First Bank Chicago.”

With consistent family ownership for over forty years, and many years to come, and an emphasis on high-caliber commercial products and five-star client service, the bank continues to expand throughout the Chicago metro area. In 2019, the bank opened a full-service banking center in Skokie. In 2021, the Bank modernized its Northbrook banking center. In 2022, a loan production office was opened in Westchester. A future site is slated to open in the West Loop by the end of 2023. The original location in Highland Park will continue to use the “First Bank of Highland Park” name as a division of First Bank Chicago.

“Backed by over 65 years of history, our experienced team of bankers are empowered to make decisions and provide customized solutions for their clients,” says Ephraim. “As we have seen, our exceptional staff continues to

work well with our clients. People like working with and for a bank that genuinely cares about their success. We are optimistic that our name change and new locations will lead to opportunities for our clients, employees, and community to grow with us.”

ABOUT FIRST BANK CHICAGO

First Bank Chicago, one of the top five privately held banks in Chicago, provides full-service banking solutions for commercial and consumer clients throughout Chicagoland. First Bank Chicago’s deep culture of caring includes giving time, talent, and resources to all corners of Chicagoland and surrounding communities. The Bank has been named as one of the “Best Places to Work” by Crain’s Chicago Business in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. To learn more about First Bank Chicago, visit www. firstbankchicago.com.

First National Bank & Trust Company Celebrates Their 150th Anniversary

A 150th anniversary is a big deal in any industry, but for a community bank to hit the milestone is a bit of a rarity. Clinton's First National Bank & Trust Company celebrated its 150th anniversary with an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony. President of the bank, Josh Shofner, notes the milestone makes the Clinton institution the 26th oldest community bank in the country. Shofner believes the secret to First National's longevity in Clinton is consistency and the partnership between the bank and the community.

The Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau hosted the Ribbon Cutting on July 29th. Chamber Executive Director, Marian Brisard, explains the event acts as a way to help bring attention to local businesses and their milestones.

In conjunction with the 150th anniversary, First National Bank & Trust Company in Clinton currently has several historical artifacts on display in the bank lobby. Residents are encouraged to stop in to view them and feel free to bring in and display any historical bank memorabilia they may own.

September-October 2022 • • 41 •

IBA Staff Summer Meeting

The IBA staff met earlier this summer to work on the IBA’s new 2022-2023 strategic plan. New ideas and goals were set to ensure we are providing IBA members with high-quality resources and services so they can succeed and grow the industry. After much discussion, we ended the day with good food and lots of laughter. We are grateful for the incredible team we have supporting the Association and our members.

First National Bank of Waterloo Banking Center Opened

The First National Bank of Waterloo’s new banking center in the heart of the O’Fallon-Shiloh retail district opened for business on July 11th.

The center is located at 1177 North Green Mount Rd., across from Dierbergs Crossing and adjacent to the Shoppes at Richland Creek. This more prominent location with easy access to I-64 will make it more convenient for our customers to bank with us while running their errands.

The new two-story location also is home to a commercial real estate business and a title company, making it a financial destination for more than just banking.

“We’re excited about the new center and being a part of the retail district,” said First National Bank of Waterloo President and CEO Rick Parks. “Customer service is our top priority, and this new location reflects our commitment to the O’Fallon community. We look forward to supporting our customers for years to come.”

First National Bank of Waterloo has over $800 million in total assets and twelve other banking centers in Central and Southern Illinois. Banking centers are located in Waterloo, Columbia, Millstadt, O’Fallon, Swansea, Dupo, Smithton, Collinsville, Maryville, Effingham, and Stewardson. For more information about First National Bank of Waterloo, please visit fnbwaterloo.bank or stop by any banking center.

• 42 • • September-October 2022 NEWS & NOTES

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Visit BankersBank.com to learn how our SBA program helps you stay competitive in your market.

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TCA Provides A Be�er Way for Banks to Manage For more informa�on: 800-934-REGS info@tcaregs.com www.tcaregs.com • Essen�al Compliance Consul�ng • BSA/AML Audits and Reviews • Consumer Compliance Reviews • Managing Fair Lending and CRA Risk • Outsourced Compliance through our VCM Program • Training for Staff, Management and Directors • Compliance Management Risk Assessments Services Include Compliance
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