2025
Annual Report Strength in Focus
STRENGTH IN FOCUS. OHIO BANKERS LEAGUE ANNUAL REPORT 2025
About Us
The Ohio Bankers League (OBL) is the premier trade association representing the Ohio banking industry—and the only organization in the state dedicated exclusively to serving the needs of all banks and thrifts across the Buckeye State. As the unified voice of Ohio’s banking community, the OBL fosters collaboration and advocacy that have helped establish it as one of the nation’s most respected financial trade associations. By connecting banks, bankers, and industry experts—and by leveraging their collective knowledge and capital—the OBL acts as a dynamic catalyst for innovation, shared resources, and professional growth across the industry.
Our Mission 1
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Advocate Inspiring Members to connect with the shared intention of advancing the common good by building consensus around issues upon which the industry can agree in the public and governmental arenas.
Collaborate Bringing scale by building on the common needs and interests of Member Banks, OBL pursues strategic partnerships that provide value to the industry and the communities they serve. Giving Members a platform with peers to share is vital for ensuring informed decision making
Educate Keeping Members on the leading edge of industry knowledge and trends through expert education timely delivered in professional learning environments.
STRENGTH IN FOCUS. OHIO BANKERS LEAGUE ANNUAL REPORT 2025
Our Team At the Ohio Bankers League, a dedicated professional team of advocacy, education and operational specialists unites behind a singular mission: to empower Ohio’s banks and thrifts. With seasoned experts in government relations, professional development, member services and communications, the League ensures that its members benefit from timely policy insight, best‑in‑class industry programming and high‑impact networking opportunities. Whether working alongside legislators in Columbus and Washington, D.C. to shape banking‑friendly policy, developing leadership talent through year‑long institute programs, or facilitating cooperative services that enhance operational efficiency, the OBL team is committed to delivering value and strengthening the voice of Ohio’s banking community.
In every initiative, the OBL team brings banking‑industry experience, collaborative spirit and a strategic mindset — all rooted in 134 years of service to the Buckeye State’s financial institutions.
MICHAEL ADELMAN
President & CEO madelman@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7616
GAURI AIRI
Executive Director, Ohio Bankers Benefits Trust gairi@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7598
BRENDA ARNOLD
Products & Services Manager, OBL BankServices barnold@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7620
DON BOYD
Senior Vice President of Government Relations and General Counsel dboyd@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7608
MICHELLE CRUME
Senior Vice President, Executive Director of OBL BankServices mcrume@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7622
STEPHANIE ELAM
Plan Coordinator, Ohio Bankers Benefits Trust selam@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7591
RITA HINKLE
ANTHONY LAGUNZAD
DANIEL HOLSTEIN, CPA
STEPHEN MENTZER
PAIGE HOULIHAN
JENNIFER OSBURN, CPA
Administrator, Ohio Bankers Benefits Trust rhinkle@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7609
Senior Accountant dholstein@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7604
Products and Services Coordinator, OBLBankServices phoulihan@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7613
SARAH HUSK
Education Manager shusk@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7610
AUDRA JOHNSON
Director of Communications ajohnson@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7621
JULIE KIPLINGER
Education Manager jkiplinger@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7612
EVAN KLEYMEYER
Senior Vice President of Government and External Relations ekleymeyer@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7605
Manager, Government Relations and BankPac alagunzad@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7614
Database Manager smentzer@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-76017
CFO, Chief Administrative Officer josburn@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7606
MEGAN PEIFFER
Education Manager mpeiffer@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7618
EMILY SCHWEGMAN
Education Specialist eschwegman@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7610
CHRISTINE ZEEK
Employee Benefits Manager, Ohio Bankers Benefits Trust czeek@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7617
STRENGTH IN FOCUS. OHIO BANKERS LEAGUE ANNUAL REPORT 2025
A Clear Vision. Strong Results. OBL BankServices Two New Endorsed Business Partners in 2025 Banc Card joined OBL BankServices as an Endorsed Business Partner for merchant services, supporting over 700 financial institutions and processing $12B+ annually across all 50 states. Banc Card emphasizes face-to-face service with advanced tech solutions and have local reps in 29 states. ServisFirst Bank also earned endorsement for its turnkey Agent Credit Card program, allowing OBL Bank Members to issue branded credit cards to customers. ServisFirst serves 388 banks nationwide. LEAD Series Webinars The LEAD Series (Learn | Educate | Analyze | Discuss) offers webinars featuring Endorsed Business Partners, high-tier Affiliate Members and industry experts. In 2025, 10 sessions drew over 175 registrants and helped add 20 new bank contacts to the OBL network. These webinars are an ongoing platform for showcasing member solutions. Affiliate Members Affiliate Membership has grown significantly, doubling from 65 to over 140 members since 2013. OBL continually updates its Products & Services Resource tab on the website to reflect new areas of expertise such as AI, cannabis services and public health. Main Event Expo The 2025 Main Event hosted a sold-out BankServices Expo with 50 exhibitors, including 18 Endorsed Business Partners and 30 Affiliate Members. The Expo facilitated valuable connections between bankers and industry experts. Attendees engaged in productive discussions in an energetic, collaborative environment.
Bank-Owned Subsidiaries Become Affiliate Members Two bank-owned subsidiaries joined as Affiliate Members: M2, a mortgage fulfillment entity from First Mutual Holding Company, and OneSource Lending (OSL), an SBA loan solutions provider owned by RiverHills Bank. Both offer specialized services to support operational efficiency for community banks and add depth to OBL’s Affiliate Member network. Compliance Alliance Compliance Alliance restructured its services into three offerings: Compliance Hub, Assurance Services and Virtual Partners. These services range from compliance tools and audits to outsourced compliance officer support. Mortgage and Trust Services now have tailored compliance guides to aid banks in navigating complex regulatory requirements. OBL BankServices E-Newsletter The monthly OBL Products & Services e-newsletter reaches over 6,000 banking professionals, highlighting partner solutions and resources. It maintains a strong 39 percent open rate, making it one of the most widely read OBL communications. Each issue spotlights key offerings from Endorsed Business Partners and Affiliate Members. Additional Credentials on the OBL BankServices Team Paige Houlihan earned her Property & Casualty License, adding to her Health, Life and Annuity credentials. These qualifications enhance the expertise within the OBL BankServices and Ohio Bankers Benefits Trust departments. The team continues to grow its licensing portfolio to better support members.
STRENGTH IN FOCUS. OHIO BANKERS LEAGUE ANNUAL REPORT 2025
Professional Development New Risk Forum The new Risk Forum, facilitated by Lumio (formerly SRA Watchtower), brought together nearly 20 senior risk, legal, credit and compliance officers for energetic, solution-focused discussions. It will return in 2026 as one of 10 OBL Forums offered in the coming year.
Management & Leadership Programs Sold Out The 2025 OBL Bank Management School and Bank Leadership Institute both reached full capacity, highlighting their continued importance in developing the next generation of bank leaders. Early registration is recommended for 2026 programs.
2025 OBL Forums Over 300 bankers from more than 80 institutions participated in nine OBL Forums in 2025. Topics included CFO, HR, IT, Education & Training, Marketing, Senior Retail, Commercial Lending and Mortgage Lending.
KBA Fraud Academy For a second year, the OBL partnered with the Kentucky Bankers Association to deliver the Fraud Academy. This program helps banks combat fraud and address emerging security threats.
Economic Summit Visa U.S. Economist Travis Clark presented “Realizing Our Potential” to 220 attendees at the 2025 Economic Summit. The event moves to The Hilton at Easton in 2026—mark your calendar for February 10. NCBA Annual Convention Partnership Kicked Off The OBL and NCBA launched a three-year Annual Convention partnership, with the inaugural event held at The Omni Homestead Resort for 380+ attendees. The partnership continues in 2026 at The Cloister in Sea Island, GA, and in 2027 at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, CO. 2025 OBL Main Event Looks at the Future of Finance More than 550 leaders attended the 2025 Main Event, which featured eight learning tracks, Executive Roundtables, a BankServices Expo and an awards celebration. The event returns October 26– 28, 2026, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
Community Bankers for Compliance Program Young & Associates and OBL continued to lead the year-long Community Bankers for Compliance (CBC) Program. In 2025, more than 70 bankers from over 40 banks participated. Moody’s Partnership Continues In response to member interest, OBL and Moody’s introduced a new Credit Reasoning & Writing Workshop for commercial bankers. The Commercial Credit and Advanced Commercial Credit Schools also returned in fall 2025, with dozens in attendance. Professional Development Team Transitions Susan Poling Jones retired on December 31 after nearly 19 years of service as OBL Professional Development Director. Emily Schwegman joined as Education Specialist, Megan Peiffer was promoted to Education Manager, and Julie Kiplinger and Sarah Husk continue in their banker professional development roles. Susan Poling Jones
STRENGTH IN FOCUS. OHIO BANKERS LEAGUE ANNUAL REPORT 2025
A Clear Vision. Strong Results. Government Relations Record-Breaking Fly-In Attendance The 2025 OBL Washington, D.C. Fly-In drew the largest delegation in OBL history with 125 attendees, showcasing the strength and engagement of Ohio’s banking industry on Capitol Hill. Major Win on Section 1071 Reform OBL advocacy helped pause implementation of the CFPB’s Section 1071 small business data collection rule. Regulators agreed to repropose a scaled-back version expected to exempt most community banks. Protecting Banks from NSF Litigation OBL developed timely education and response materials for banks targeted by out-of-state law firms over overdraft and NSF fees—helping members respond effectively to class-action threats. Trigger Leads Ban Becomes Law Years of OBL advocacy paid off when Congress enacted legislation banning “trigger leads,” an abusive practice that confused borrowers and undermined bank-customer relationships. Agricultural Lending Tax Relief Secured Through OBL’s efforts, banks can now deduct 25 percent of income earned on loans secured by farm real estate—helping level the playing field with Farm Credit and strengthening agricultural lending. OBL Wins Challenge to Fed’s Approach to Stress Testing OBL successfully pressured the Fed to overhaul its stress-test regime, arguing the prior framework was opaque and violated due-process requirements. The Fed’s October 2025 vote to publicly disclose its models and scenarios and invite comment marks a significant victory for those calling for transparency.
Fixing Double Taxation in Home Buyer Plus OBL successfully advanced a budget amendment resolving a double-taxation issue for Home Buyer Plus account holders, improving fairness for Ohio savers. Preserving $1 Billion in Local Liquidity OBL twice convinced the State Treasurer’s Office not to withdraw more than $1 billion in deposits from member banks under the Home Buyer Plus Program, protecting critical community liquidity. Landmark Court Victory for Commercial Lending Stability OBL led a coalition supporting the successful defense in Huntington Nat’l Bank v. Schneider, where the Ohio Supreme Court reaffirmed settled commercial lending law and provided certainty for lenders statewide. Major Federal Regulatory Rollbacks Persistent OBL engagement helped achieve a wave of regulatory reforms—including rescission of the proposed CRA modernization, rollback of brokered deposit limits and withdrawal of burdensome FDIC corporate governance and incentive compensation rules. Tailored Supervision and Higher Thresholds Ahead Banking regulators, have reaffirmed their commitment to tailoring supervision based on risk and size—raising and indexing key asset thresholds to reduce arbitrary burdens on community institutions.
STRENGTH IN FOCUS. OHIO BANKERS LEAGUE ANNUAL REPORT 2025
Notable Quotes From Elected Officials
“The Ohio Bankers League members open their doors to Ohioans looking to finance their goals, whether that’s starting their own business, purchasing a home, or buying a car. I am proud that Ohio is home to hundreds of locally owned and operated banks, and I am grateful for their continued support for our local communities.” - U.S. Senator, Jon Husted
“Today’s finance and banking institutions move at the speed of light and exist in a complex world of technology and investment. The Ohio Bankers League provides reliable and informative resources to its members and is a respected organization statewide.” - Ohio Senate President, Rob McColley
“The Ohio Bankers League continues to be a trusted, reliable source of expertise when it comes to policy and legislation impacting the state’s financial institutions and banking industry. Members of the Ohio House greatly lean on the input provided by OBL as we work to support Ohio families, businesses, and the economy.” - Ohio Speaker of the House, Matt Huffman
“The Ohio Bankers League plays a vital role in strengthening our communities and protecting Ohioans. Their leadership not only supports local businesses and families but also helps safeguard Ohioans and their money from cybercrime and fraud. Their commitment to trust and integrity makes a real difference across our state.” - Ohio Auditor of State, Keith Faber
STRENGTH IN FOCUS. OHIO BANKERS LEAGUE ANNUAL REPORT 2025
OBL Board of Directors
Chair
Vice Chair
Tony Davis President & CEO Peoples State Bank
Lars Eller President & CEO F&M Bank
Second Vice Chair
Treasurer
Michael Lewis President & CEO Hometown Bank
Dale Luebke President & CEO Minster Bank
Immediate Past Chair Jenny Saunders President FCBank, a division of CNB
The OBL Board of Directors provides strategic guidance and leadership to support the mission of advancing Ohio’s banking industry. Comprised of respected executives from Member Banks across the state, the Board plays a critical role in shaping advocacy, education and member service initiatives. Mary Auch, Regional President PNC Bank, NA
Eric Meilstrup, CEO LCNB National Bank
Todd Cover, President & CEO Belmont Savings Bank OBL BankServices Board- Vice Chair
Jordan Miller, President & CEO Adelphi Bank
William Elliott, Jr., EVP, Regional Lending Director Dollar Bank, FSB Mark Erslan, CEO Vinton County National Bank Craig Fortin, President & CEO First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Delta Kyle Hamilton, President & CEO The Home Loan Savings Bank OBL BankServices Board - Chair William Martin, President & CEO Fidelity Federal Savings & Loan
Larry Miller, President & CEO The Ohio Valley Bank Company Matthew Miller, President & CEO Park National Bank Rachel Miller, President & CEO The Killbuck Savings Bank Company Jim Nicholson, President & CEO North Valley Bank Ben Norton, President & CEO Buckeye Community Bank Kendall Rieman, President & CEO The Croghan Colonial Bank
Mary Snider, President & CEO Fairfield Federal S&L Association of Lancaster Michael St. John, President & CEO The Cincinnatus Savings & Loan Company Robie Suggs, President & CEO Warsaw Federal Matt Tomb, General Counsel & CRO First Commonwealth Bank