PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Lorrie Trogden
I “I’ll tell you what bravery really is. Bravery is just determination to do a job that you know has to be done.” - Medal of Honor recipient, Audie Murphy
THREE THINGS
TO REMEMBER Schedule a 13TH BOARD MEETING Register for January’s WOMEN IN BANKING CONFERENCE Be on the lookout for your 2021 DUES LETTER 2
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WINTER 2020
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President & CEO
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Arkansas Bankers Association
n this issue we honor our veterans for their bravery and service, and I also want to honor you for your bravery and service during this pandemic. Throughout this health crisis, Arkansas’ banks have been de-
termined to do the job that needs to be done. You have gone above and beyond to help your employees, your customers and your communities. Despite the shortcomings of the PPP and EIDL programs, and now forgiveness, you have continued to march forward and do what needs to be done for the health of our economy and our state. In turn, the association has been advocating for you so that Congress, federal regulatory agencies, SBA, and Treasury will do their jobs that need to be done. (As of November), we continue to lobby for specific forgiveness language to be included in any stimulus bill that may be passed. We are also lobbying for both EIDL and PPP loan forgiveness, along with our long list of other issues that stay at the forefront of our ongoing lobbying efforts at the federal level. At the state level, we are gearing up – as best as possible – for the 2021 general session. The session starts in January and as of right now, we have no idea what that will look like or how it will operate. Whatever the case, the association will do the job that needs to be done to ensure the safety and soundness of our industry. The Government Relations Advisory Committee is currently looking at potential bills that we may want to run in the upcoming session. Thank you to our new committee chair Jim Taylor with First Security Bank for leading our GRAC efforts. Let’s not forget the ABA BankPAC. Our 13th Board Meeting campaign has been going well, but we are still short of our $75,000 goal. I urge you to participate in this campaign. BankPAC is a vital part of our government relations program. Supporting candidates for office that understand our industry and understand bankers’ concerns is one of the most important things we can do. ABA Chairman Jon Harrell and I eagerly await your call to participate in a 13th board meeting soon. In the same vein of lobbying efforts, we are delighted that Susannah Marshall has been appointed by the governor as the new State Bank Department Commissioner. She has been with the bank department for 26 years, and we heard overwhelming support for her appointment from bankers across the state. I hope you enjoy her interview in this issue. In closing, I want to thank you for your continued support of the association. It is your investment in us with your attendance at conventions and our schools and conferences, your PAC contributions, your membership dues, and your donation of volunteer talent that keeps the association moving forward and getting the job done so that we can best serve you. I wish you happy holidays and look forward to what the new year brings.
Lorrie Trogden, President & CEO
