Current issues facing the Nebraska Bankers Association and its members were reviewed at Area Banker Meetings last month in Beatrice, Norfolk, Omaha, York, Scottsbluff, North Flatte and Kearney.
At the Beatrice meeting Aug. 14, a variety of matters were covered by Ron Kranz, chairman-elect of the NBA and president and CEO of First State in Fremont; George Beattie, NBA president and CEO; and Jerry Srilmock, associate general counsel.
Beattie reported that the association is working with the University of Nebraska to measure the effect on communities of credit unions' tax exemption, adding that the hope is to take the study to the national level. Stilmock was happy to pass on the news that all three of the state's members of the U.S. House of Representatives have refused to sign on to the credit unions' CURIA bill, which would expand their membership and business opportunities.
Kranz suggested that political involvement by bankers is especially critical this year because, due to term limits kicking in, 22 of 49 senators in the state's unicameral legislature will be replaced in November. He urged campaign contributions, hosting fundraisers and other assistance to help get the right candidates elected. Looking ahead, in 2010 there will not be a single senator in the legislature who is in it today, Kranz pointed out. "We've got to get good ones," he said.
Beattie also reported to the members on A-FAN - the Alliance for the Future of Ag in Nebraska - an effort launched recently by Nebraska farm and commodity organizations to help farmers and ranchers work through various issues as they modernize or modify agricultural and livestock operations to ensure economic viability. The NBA endorses the effort and has provided some financial support, Beattie said.
A-FAN points out that in recent years farmers and ranchers who have made or attempted to make changes in their operations to keep up with modern challenges and demands have been subject to intimidation and harassment. This has led some farmers to forgo potential on-farm income opportunities, which hurts rural economies, rural employment and the rural tax base.
The organization assists farmers by connecting them with professionals who can help develop livestock operations that comply with regulations, are environmentally responsible and meet community expectations.
Young people are the life blood of banking and Beattie urged the NBA members to get career bankers in the 21-39 age group involved in the newly formed Young Bankers of Nebraska. A series of eight "Lunch & Learn" sessions were held around the state in August.
Another matter on the Area Banker Meeting agenda was Amendment 1, a proposed constitutional amendment to authorize counties, cities and villages to acquire, own, develop and lease real and personal property for use by charitable non-profit enterprises.
Under the measure, which is supported by the NBA and will be voted on Nov. 7, these entities would be allowed to issue revenue bonds to defray the cost of acquiring and developing or financing property by non-profits.
Stilmock explained that tax-exempt financing historically has been available in Nebraska only to select groups of non-profits. Tax-exempt bonds currently may be issued for various 501(c)(3) nonprofits, but unless they are engaged in manufacturing or an industrial activity the project to be financed must be in a blighted area.
Nonprofits that would benefit from Amendment 1 would include YMCAs, Goodwill agencies, chapters of the American Red Cross and other human service providers, according to Stilmock.
Featured speaker at the meetings was Vincent Amanor-Boadu of the Innovation Center at Kansas State University in Manhattan. His subject was "Agriculture in Transition: Positioning for the Next Big Thing."
He defined the impending "big thing" as satisfying local consumers' global needs, which requires moving away from a dunking based on a homogeneous market looking for a homogeneous product or service.
"In banking, our business is maximizing value for shareholders," Amanor-Boadu reminded the NBA members. "Helping our clients make the appropriate shift is fundamental to our business."
The appropriate shift, he added, is one that helps the client achieve a business objective that is aligned with personal obectives, and engenders excitement and commitment to see results.
"Understanding where they are and how they are dealing with transition forces is critical to our ability to help them," he added. "Sometimes it's tough love but usually it is careful and gentle handholding."
[Author Affiliation]
By Bill Poquette, Editor
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