PRESIDENT’S COLUMN Looking Forward To 2016 The Arkansas Bankers Association is hitting the ground running for the New Year. While we are very disappointed by the failure of Congress to pass and approve meaningful reg relief, we are extremely proud of the role that our bankers played in making sure that the Arkansas Congressional delegation supported reg relief. We are also proud of the support our Congressional delegation gave to our reg relief proposals. Industry bashers like Bernie Sanders and Senator Elizabeth Warren have succeeded in politicizing regulatory relief for the FDIC banks. Regulatory relief is not, and should not be, a partisan issue. Banks allow all customers— regardless of political party— the opportunity to realize their dreams, be it opening or growing a business, or purchasing a first home. Now we need to move forward and re-double our efforts. During the last few years, a lot of bankers in Arkansas and elsewhere have worked hard for reg relief. We hope those bankers who sat on the sidelines, and allowed other bankers like you to do all the work, will reassess their support of and involvement in our industry. We need all hands on deck in the future if we are to be successful. Our failure to achieve reg relief for our industry in 2015 makes one thing clear; the industry as a whole must stand together and get more bankers to participate in industry grassroots efforts to make sure Washington knows and respects us.
We need your voice to be heard. We need to step back and rethink our industry’s political engagement strategy. We need far more bank employees and local business customers involved in our grassroots efforts if we are to be successful. As a member of the ABA, you have helped us walk the halls of Washington many times in the last few years. As an association we are proud of the regulatory relief campaign we have put forth thus far, and will only continue to push harder until we achieve meaningful regulatory reform. As always, thank you for being strong advocates for our industry. We could not do what we do without each of you. As a well-known and successful state association we will continue leading by example.
PRESIDENT & CEO BILL HOLMES
The strength of our association lies in our commitment to a purpose – to build for others and ourselves a prosperous and thriving community and state. The Arkansas Bankers Association will continue to be strong because we are more than a handful of individuals and banks; we are a collection of leaders striving for a common vision. Thank you, and, stay engaged.
Milestones in Banking to be Honored at 2016 Convention The ABA is proud of the 19,000+ men and women who serve the Arkansas banking and the connections they forge to make our hometown banks successful. We would like to recognize those individuals who are celebrating their 40-year and 50-year anniversaries of service to our banks with “Milestones in Banking” awards sponsored by BKD, at a luncheon during the Annual Convention on Thursday, May 12, and with a feature in The Arkansas Banker magazine. This is the second year that the ABA has offered this award. Nominations are currently being sought for “Milestone Bankers.” All nominees should be actively employed in an Arkansas bank, and are eligible to receive specific milestone awards at 40+ and 50+ years of service, as long as they have not previously been recognized for that milestone. Nomination forms can be accessed online at www.arkbankers.org: 50 Year Banker 40 Year Banker Milestone Bank
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The Arkansas Banker | January 2016
industry
Alice Ann Simkins celebrat ed 50+ years at the 2015 Milestones in Banking Aw ards