The Official Magazine of the Ohio Bankers League
WINTER 2025 ISSUE
MONEY UNCHAINED BANKING ENTERS THE CRYPTO ECONOMY Digital Assets Edition
WINTER 2025 ISSUE
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2 | OHIO BANKERS LEAGUE
The Official Magazine of the Ohio Bankers League
OHIO RECORD Digital Assets Edition IN THIS ISSUE | WINTER 2025
FEATURED ARTICLES
ARTICLES
6
Over the Horizon
10 Pivot into your Best Life at the 2026 OBL WIB Conference 12 What Ohio's 136th General Assembly Means for Banks
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17 Bank Management School a Sold-Out Success
THE GENIUS ACT AND FEDERAL REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS ON DIGITAL ASSETS
26 The Significant Potential in Stablecoins
25 2026 OBL Economic Summit 29 Leveraging AI to Mitigate Threats in a Crypto-Driven Economy 32 Ohio BankPac - Making a Difference 40 Banking Calendar 42 Around the Industry
4 A HEARTFELT GOODBYE: A MESSAGE FROM YOUR OBL CHAIR JENNY SAUNDERS
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A HEARTFELT GOODBYE
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR OBL CHAIR JENNY SAUNDERS As my time as your OBL chair is winding down, I wanted to take a moment to share some thoughts with you as we close out 2025. It has been such an honor and a privilege to work with and represent all of you over the past year. To say being the Chair of the OBL is the pinnacle of my banking career would be an understatement. Who would have thought a small-town girl from St. Marys, Ohio, who is a political scientist turned banker, would have the opportunities I have had? For that I say to all of you, thank you. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to tell your stories. Thank you for the opportunity to advocate for you and your institutions. Thank you for allowing me to represent our industry at the Statehouse, on the Hill and with our regulators. I had two main goals as I started the year. I wanted to focus on advocacy and how we are developing the talent coming behind us, to lean into telling our stories and why they are important. I also wanted to encourage all the female bankers across the state to get out of their comfort zone and get involved in the OBL. When I think about the OBL and its primary mission, it always comes back to advocacy. Advocacy for our clients, our employees and our communities. Many of you are very involved in advocating for our banking industry, some not as much. As many of us are beginning to think about our next chapter in life - who is following behind us to carry the advocacy torch?
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Those of you who have gone on D.C. Fly-ins and Days at the Capitol have put yourself out there to help ensure our industry is protected and moves forward. Advocacy is important and impactful because it brings the message of the industry down to a personal level, with legislators hearing directly from bankers in their community. It reminds policy makers that we are people too. Advocacy, at the heart of it all, is about the communities we serve and the people who live there. We need to tell our stories. We need to tell our customer stories. We need to tell our community stories. And remind everyone in state and federal government what community banking does to help make Ohio such a wonderful place to call home. I am the first female chair of the OBL in over 20 years. I have had some people tell me what a wonderful accomplishment it is. And yes, it is. But I would also say to you that it is a stark reminder of the work we still have to do in our industry. This is not on the OBL. Staff will tell you that women have been asked to be in leadership roles, and we have said no. There are not as many women in the C-Suite to pull from for Board seats and the OBL Leadership. And our male peers are volunteering for these positions – raising their hands and saying they want to serve in a leadership role, while we sit back waiting to be asked. I know this to be true because Mike Adleman had to ask ME if I wanted a leadership role. And although that was something I aspired to; I did not raise my hand. And that the stark reality about women – we do not raise
our hand, we do not think we’re qualified, we wait for someone to ask us because we do not want to embarrass ourselves if someone thinks we are not ready.
you to this year’s Executive Committee who put in extra time every month to help Mike and I keep things on track. To the Board of Directors, I appreciate your sage counsel more than you will ever know. To all of you in the industry, I have made friends to last a lifetime and for that I will be forever grateful.
We have so many opportunities through the OBL to connect with other women as well as our peers this past year. And so here is my call to action. Continue to lean into those opportunities. Follow-up with the connections you I think most of you know I have announced my retirement made. Don’t worry about whether for next April. It is sobering, exciting someone is from a competitor and terrifying all at the same time. bank – this is about our industry in But it also one filled with hope for Ohio. Get involved, raise your hand, the future as we pass the baton “We need to tell our look for OBL opportunities, talk to to who’s next. I am excited for the your manager about how you can OBL and what is in store in the stories. We need participate more and what is the path years to come. You have wonderful to tell our customer to leadership in your organization. leadership coming through the Chairs. Individuals who are stories. We need to We will not have another woman dedicated to your success. Leaders tell our community chair of the OBL after me for at who will help guide you through least three years – let’s ensure it’s whatever comes your way. I have stories. And not four. learned so much from all of you and remind everyone in I know that you will give incoming The OBL has accomplished so Chair Tony Davis the same grace, state and federal much this year, but I will leave encouragement and support that those details for Mike to share as government what you gave me. they are really his and his team’s community banking moments. I have so much respect There are moments that are for what the staff of the OBL does. does to help transcendent. A moment where We truly are blessed with the you are filled with such incredible make Ohio such a best industry trade association in gratitude. A moment where you the country. It is not something wonderful place to want to hold on to it for as long we should ever forget or take as you can because of the sheer call home.” for granted. Watching Mike, Evan joy it brings you. It has been a joy and Don work at the state and - Jenny Saunders to be the Chair of the OBL – an federal level is something that organization made up of you, my is really special. The talent and peers, across the state whose expertise we have in this area is mission is to advocate for our a why we have the success we have in Ohio. Our OBL employees, customers and communities. It is a privilege BankServices Team lead by Michelle, Brenda and Paige that I will remember for the rest of my life, and I hope ensures that we have vendors who are vetted so that we that I represented you to the best of my ability and know we are getting the best of the best. Ohio Bankers made you proud! Benefits Trust, led by Gauri, ensures that our members have access to competitive health care. Susan and her -Jenny team deliver amazing professional development, from forums to curated events like the CEO Symposium that provides exceptional training for institutions of all sizes. Jenny Saunders Audra ensures our stories are told through mediums like President, FCBank, a division of CNB, the Ohio Record. Jen keeps us financially sound and on and Current OBL Chair budget. I don’t have time to list everyone, but be assured our OBL team is truly special. To the OBL staff: the work you do is meaningful and very much appreciated. To all the past Chairs, thank you for all your encouragement and support. I had fabulous mentors to bounce ideas off of, ask advice or talk strategy. Thank WINTER 2025 ISSUE
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OVER THE HORIZON Really!? We are still talking about digital assets? You better believe it. As hard as cryptocurrency and stablecoin might be for many people to get their head around, they are here to stay. Bitcoin may be the predominant digital currency today, but who knows if it will remain to be a year from now or in 20 years. It could also go the way of Betamax, LaserDisc and VHS. Yes, I just dated myself. Many of you will recall in the 1970s, there were a variety of competing technologies that were gamechangers in that they enabled consumers to take greater control of their movie viewing, as well as empowering them to record content from their TV. Sony developed Betamax and, early on, beat out JVC’s VHS technology. Yet, VHS became the more successful technology due to a variety of advantages that won over consumers and Betamax fell to the wayside. Then there was LaserDisc. Few people remember that technology. First developed in 1972 but not commercially launched until 1978 with the release of Jaws. My recollection is that the player and discs were more expensive. Though, LaserDisc had a loyal fan base.
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So who "won"? Betamax lost the consumer war to VHS but its enhanced versions (SuperBeta, ED Beta) offered quality, approaching that of LaserDisc. LaserDisc lost the consumer war to VHS but its tech legacy led to DVD/Bluray, making it the long-term technological winner. VHS won the format war through convenience and cost, but was eventually replaced by digital formats like DVD. DVDs were introduced in 1997 and overtook VHS by 2003. The last major studio VHS released in 2006. Who uses DVDs still today? That technology led to even better video delivery that is all digital today. With the signing of the GENIUS Act into law by the President, legitimacy was given to the crypto industry. Stablecoins are a type of cryptocurrency, but they are designed to be different from volatile ones like Bitcoin by maintaining a stable value, usually pegged to a fiat currency (like the US dollar) or a commodity (like gold) through reserves or algorithms, acting as a bridge between traditional money and the crypto world. OBL raised numerous concerns with the GENIUS Act as it went from concept and then through the sausage
maker that is the legislative process. The withdrawal of deposits from traditional banks could be huge. A Treasury report stated they expect the stablecoin industry to total $6.6 trillion by 2028, with one-third of that amount coming from traditional banks. Thus, we raised concerns that this legislation could cause significant disintermediation, not just to the detriment of banks but to the communities they serve. That amount of shift in deposits means that money will not be loaned back out in the 88 Ohio counties in the form of mortgages or small business, ag or other consumer loans. Another major concern we raised involves stablecoin issuers paying interest or yield. That practice is essentially “bank-like,” mirroring investment products offered by OBL members, and it remains a significant point of contention. Our view is straightforward: if a company wants to operate like a bank, it should be required to obtain a bank charter and undergo the same rigorous examination process as any traditional institution. It is entirely possible, for example, that a company like Walmart or Amazon could issue its own coin and offer customers a discount or rebate for paying with that coin, thereby avoiding the convenience fees associated with credit card payments. These are not protectionist or anti-innovation; the threat of disintermediation is real, and local communities, along with the community banks that serve them, will bear the cost. Ultimately, if a company intends to behave like a bank, it should be regulated like one and go through the full de novo process with a prudential regulator. As for the future, it’s impossible to know whether Bitcoin, Ethereum, Binance Coin, Tether, or XRP will still be around in one year or 20. What we do hope is that our communities and their banks, especially community banks, do not suffer in the transition. Main Event We cast a vision for an expanded three-day annual meeting with more knowledge sessions, networking, celebrating and socializing and the OBL membership responded with resounding enthusiastic support. Thanks to everyone who participated in the 3rd annual OBL Main Event. The 550 attendees crushed last year’s attendance record of around 425. We were humbled beyond words with the warm embrace of support. The post-event feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. The opening keynote by Allison Cerra on leveraging generational forces got the formal program off to a strong start and Big10 Network football analyst Yogi
Over 550 in attendance at the OBL Main Event, setting a new record.
Vivek Ramaswamy addresses the crowd during his keynote session. Roth offered a heart-felt closing keynote with an actionable message for chasing what matters. Landing GOP candidate for Ohio Governor Vivek Ramaswamy as lunch speaker illustrated the credibility OBL has, as well as the importance of the banking industry. We were grateful to hear his vision on how Ohio can become the best state in the country to live and do business. The Executive Roundtables were well attended with engaging participants sharing ideas and hashing out hot topics. The eight learning tracks with four sessions each gave attendees from every discipline the opportunity to gain knowledge from 32 different facilitators. We were blown away with the attendance at the kickoff reception and there was much fun to be had with the annual cornhole tournament. We especially enjoyed recognizing banks and bankers for a variety of achievements. We need to celebrate you more. I am also pleased we hit our target, thanks to the generous support of our members, to raise much-needed funds for Ohio BankPAC. All in all, it was a tremendous success, and we thank each of you who made it so. WINTER 2025 ISSUE
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Mikelle Brady of Profit Resources, Inc. is always a good sport when it comes to being our emcee for this event! OBL President & CEO, Michael Adelman, prepares for the OBL Industry Awards presentation.
We say goodbye The year-end brings about a changeover in association leadership. OBL Past Chair, Ron Zimmerly, rolls off the OBL Board of Directors, along with four others. Our energetic Chair over the past year, Jenny Saunders, steps out of the spotlight but will remain on the Board until her retirement in the spring. Jenny has been a valuable industry advocate over her tenure. We are a stronger association thanks to her many years of passionate service on the OBL Board as well as serving as GRC Chair. As a fellow Poli Sci major, she eagerly accepted every invitation to attend political events and participate in legislation stakeholder meetings. Her insights were always valuable and key to our successes. We also say goodbye to OBL Professional Development Director, Susan Poling Jones. I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside her for nearly 19 of my 22 years with the OBL. Susan has diligently served our industry and has successfully quarterbacked our Main Event, CEO Symposium and Bank Leadership Institute along with myriad other events and programs over her tenure. Though Susan will be missed, I’m excited for her to retire to the next set of endeavors in life. It is well deserved. Thankfully, with her leadership and Michelle Crume’s, we have a deep bench of talent and shouldn’t miss a beat in delivering the high-quality program experiences OBL members have come to expect.
powers. Federally, it was a tremendous year of victories on Section 1071, trigger-lead bans, ag lending tax relief and stress testing. The Ohio Bankers Benefits Trust experienced a more normal claims year, allowing capital reserves to grow. Financially, OBL was soundly ahead of budget. Much of the thanks there goes to our generous Endorsed Business Partners and Affiliate Members who sponsor and exhibit at OBL events. Their support makes all the difference! A Look Ahead The window for securing more positive changes in support of traditional banking could close early in a contentious election year. The timing of the annual OBL D.C. Fly-In on February 24 – 26, will be a crucial time to be in the nation’s capital. Please consider joining us for what always shapes up to be an impactful, fun trip. In 2026, we will add a new forum focusing on payments strategy, while also continuing to offer nine others! We will also be launching new resources to combat fraud. Thanks to our Bank Members for the active engagement year in and year out. Your OBL team does everything across the three legs of our mission: advocacy, collaboration and education for the betterment of our members. Have a joyous and safe holiday season and we look forward to scoring more victories in 2026 as we look out further on the horizon.
Brief Look Back This year has been an incredible success in nearly every aspect for the OBL. We have our members to thank for this! Attendance was up at most major OBL programs. We rolled out a new forum and created other new programs during the year at the request of members. The small number of nonmember banks shrunk even more, with four of them joining the OBL membership. We scored meaningful victories at the state level, most notably with the Homebuyer Plus Program. We also fended off an attempt for credit unions to seek expanded
8 | OHIO BANKERS LEAGUE
Michael J. Adelman President & CEO, Ohio Bankers League
INSURANCE SOLUTIONS Built for Banks, Backed by Expertise Did you know the Ohio Bankers League has its own insurance agency? OBL Insurance Services Agency, Inc. provides full brokerage services for Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability, and more. As the trusted voice for the Ohio banking community, we understand your unique needs. That’s why we’re uniquely positioned to help you build a benefits strategy that aligns with your bank’s culture—while ensuring you get the most competitive pricing available. Our services include: • Plan design and funding options • Annual market checks and renewal analysis • Compliance assistance and HR resources • Wellness plans, claims monitoring, and more
Contact Gauri today to learn more about how OBL Insurance Services can help your bank thrive! 614.340.7598 gairi@ohiobankersleague.com
ASSOCIATION STAFF
4215 Worth Avenue, Suite 300 Columbus, OH 43219 Fax (614) 340-7596
The Ohio Record is published quarterly by OBL BankServices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Ohio Record at the address listed above. Statements and opinions expressed in Ohio Record are not necessarily those of the OBL.
Michael Adelman President & CEO madelman@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7616
Rita Hinkle Administrator, OBBT rhinkle@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7609
Gauri Airi Executive Director, Ohio Bankers Benefits Trust gairi@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7598
Daniel Holstein, CPA Senior Accountant dholstein@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7604
Brenda Arnold Products & Services Manager, OBL BankServices barnold@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7620 Don Boyd Senior Vice President of Government Relations & General Counsel dboyd@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7608 Michelle Crume Senior Vice President, OBL Executive Director, OBL BankServices mcrume@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7622 Stephanie Elam Plan Coordinator & Customer Service Specialist selam@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7591
Paige Houlihan Products and Services Coordinator, OBLBankServices phoulihan@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7613
Anthony Lagunzad Manager, Government Relations & BankPAC alagunzad@ohiobankersleague.com 614.340.7614 Stephen Mentzer Database Manager smentzer@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7607 Jennifer Osburn, CPA CFO, Chief Administrative Officer josburn@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7606
Sarah Husk Education Manager shusk@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7610
Megan Peiffer Education Manager mpeiffer@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7618
Audra Johnson Director of Communications ajohnson@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7621
Emily Schwegman Education Specialist eschwegman@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7602
Julie Kiplinger Education Manager jkiplinger@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7612
Christine Zeek Employee Benefits Manager, OBBT czeek@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7617
Evan Kleymeyer Senior Vice President of Government and External Relations ekleymeyer@ohiobankersleague.com (614) 340-7605 WINTER 2025 ISSUE
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PIVOT INTO YOUR BEST LIFE AT THE 2026 OBL WIB CONFERENCE Attention! If you are ready to PIVOT into your best life – or want to celebrate the life you have today – join us at the 2026 OBL Women in Banking Conference, March 20 at the Hilton Columbus at Easton. The program, which attracted a crowd of more than 200 industry leaders in 2025, will be hosted by 2023 Emcee Amber Farley, EVP, Brand Development at FMS. Due to banker demand, Farley returns not only to emcee the event, but also to close out the program with a session on The Voice of the Brand: Why Women Are Key to Building Trust. The session explores the powerful role women play in building brand trust — both for their institutions and for themselves. Drawing on real-life examples from bank rebrands and branding strategy work across the country, attendees will uncover how qualities often attributed to women — empathy, intuition, consistency, and authenticity — are not only leadership strengths but brand-building superpowers. PLUS! Opening Keynote Monita Ortega, chief executive officer, Pivoting Productions, LLC, will speak to the program theme...The Power of Pivoting! Attendees will learn about where fear of change comes from and how to overcome it. The session will teach attendees: • How to know when it’s time to pivot; • 5 Steps to turning your vision into a reality; • How to Act Like a Rockstar to build your confidence in pivoting; and • How to create a Mental Health Toolkit to navigate life’s pivots. Power sessions, networking opportunities, raffles and more will round out the program. Watch the OBL website for complete details and prepare to register yourself and your team today. Registration is Now Open Questions? Contact OBL Education Manager Julie Kiplinger at jkiplinger@ohiobankersleague.com; or for registration assistance, contact Emily Schwegman at eschwegman@ohiobankersleague.com.
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NOMINATE A BANKER FOR THE WOMEN IN BANKING AWARDS NOMINATION WINDOW NOW OPEN! Nominate an Scan to outstanding nominate a leader for deserving the 2026 banker! Exceptional Woman in Banking Award or recognize an emerging trailblazer through the Woman in Banking Rising Star Award! These honors celebrate women who are driving innovation, empowering teams, and elevating the future of the banking industry. If you know a woman whose dedication, vision, and impact deserve to be celebrated, submit your nomination today. Deadline: February 20.
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TECHNOLOGY IN FOCUS
WHAT OHIO’S 136TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEANS FOR BANKS Technology legislation continues to accelerate at the Statehouse, and the 136th General Assembly is no exception. For Ohio banks, the rising volume of bills touching digital assets, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and online-safety frameworks signals a growing shift: technology policy is no longer adjacent to financial regulation—it is becoming a core part of it. Below is a high-level overview of the major bills in this space, the trends shaping them, and what OBL members should keep on their radar. None of these bills has passed the legislature at this point and OBL continues to be engaged with policymakers on these key issues.
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TREND 1: DIGITAL ASSETS MOVING INTO THE MAINSTREAM OF STATE POLICY HB 18 – Ohio Strategic Cryptocurrency Reserve Act HB 18 authorizes the Treasurer of State (TOS) to invest certain interim funds in digital assets and allows state retirement systems to invest in exchange-traded products tied to crypto. Several themes that impact the banking industry have become clear: 1. Volatility & Liquidity Management: Crypto markets remain extremely volatile relative to traditional interim-fund investment asset classes. OBL
has raised concerns that an unmitigated allocation could introduce unfamiliar liquidity-risk profiles into public-fund investment strategies.
abandoned digital assets to a state-designated qualified custodian and sets two-year retention requirements before assets may be liquidated.
2. Custodial Risk: Digital-asset custody involves technical, operational, and cybersecurity risks—including private-key management—that do not exist in traditional publicfund investing. OBL has urged policymakers to require use of regulated, insured custodians.
Implications for banks: • Banks that hold customer digital-asset accounts or wallets may become “holders” under the statute. • Banks could qualify as “qualified custodians,” opening possibilities for new service lines.
3. Rating & Bond-Market Considerations: State investment posture can influence bond-rating agency views. Large or poorly structured public-fund crypto exposure could invite scrutiny.
TREND 2: HEIGHTENED CYBERSECURITY ACROSS PUBLIC-SECTOR COUNTERPARTIES
4. Parallels to Other States: Wyoming and Texas built more robust digital-asset frameworks—defining custody requirements, capital standards, and risk-management expectations. Ohio’s HB 18 currently leaves many of those details to administrative rulemaking. 5. Impact on Banks: Banks may see increased demand for digital-asset custody and settlement services, but only if Ohio adopts clear, bank-compatible guardrails on custody, liquidity, and counterparty standards. HB 116 – Ohio Blockchain Basics Act HB 116 restricts local governments from impairing the use of digital assets as payment and allows individuals to conduct digital-asset mining in residential areas, subject to local ordinances. It also excludes certain digital-asset activities from money-transmitter regulation and provides a state tax deduction for some digitalasset capital gains. Implications for banks: • More customers—both retail and business—may use digital assets for payments. • Mining operations may present new commercial-lending or KYC considerations. • The explicit carve-outs from money-transmitter regulation may influence competitive dynamics between banks and non-bank crypto players. OBL continues to have conversations on this piece of the legislation. HB 426 – Unclaimed Digital Assets HB 426 establishes a custody and reporting regime for abandoned digital assets, creating a framework parallel to—but distinct from—the Unclaimed Funds Law. It requires holders to report and transfer presumed
HB 283 – Cybersecurity Program Requirements for Political Subdivisions HB 283 mandates that every political subdivision adopt a cybersecurity program consistent with NIST, CSF, or CIS best practices and establishes reporting requirements for cyber and ransomware incidents. Implications for banks: Local-government clients—municipal depositors, school districts, and counties—will be required to strengthen cybersecurity governance. Banks may see: • More rigorous cybersecurity questionnaires and contracting requirements • Additional expectations during municipal bidding or RFP processes • Opportunities to support clients with fraud-prevention and cybersecurity-awareness services TREND 3: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE— INNOVATION ALLOWED, WITH GUARDRAILS HB 392 – Ohio Right to Compute Act HB 392 prohibits political subdivisions or state agencies from restricting lawful use of computational resources, including AI systems, unless narrowly tailored to a compelling government interest. It also requires NISTaligned AI risk-management frameworks for AI systems controlling critical infrastructure. Implications for banks: Banks using AI in fraud detection, credit modeling, or back-office automation could indirectly be pulled into the “critical infrastructure” conversation, particularly for payment systems. This bill points toward: • Stronger expectations on AI documentation and monitoring • Model-risk-management alignment with NIST AI RMF • Increased scrutiny of vendor AI deployments
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HB 469 – AI Personhood, Liability & Safety HB 469 declares AI systems nonsentient and prohibits legal personhood, ownership of property, or corporate governance roles. It places liability for harm on users, owners, and in some cases developers or manufacturers, applying a product-liability framework. Implications for banks: Banks deploying AI chatbots, underwriting models, or decision-support tools must maintain strong oversight, because liability sits squarely with the institution—not with the AI itself. SB 163 – AI Watermarks & Consumer Protection SB 163 requires watermarks on AI-generated products, creates civil penalties for watermark removal, expands illegal simulated-child-pornography provisions, and prohibits identity fraud via AI-generated replicas of a person’s persona.
• Banks can lead - With strong risk-management cultures, banks are positioned to provide valuable input as Ohio builds its regulatory framework for digital assets and AI. Ohio is charting an ambitious course at the intersection of finance and technology. By staying engaged—through OBL advocacy, advisory groups, and direct dialogue with policymakers—Ohio’s banking industry can help ensure the state promotes innovation while prioritizing safety, stability, and consumer protection.
Don Boyd SVP, Government Relations & General Counsel, Ohio Bankers League dboyd@ohiobankersleague.com
Implications for banks: • AI-generated marketing materials or customer-facing content may require watermarking. • Identity-verification and fraud-prevention systems will need to account for “persona replicas,” including synthetic voice and image fraud. • Banks may need updated procedures for handling disputes arising from AI-generated identity fraud. TREND 4: TECHNOLOGY GOVERNANCE EXPANDING BEYOND FINANCIAL SERVICES HB 302 – Age Verification & Digital-Safety Framework HB 302 imposes age-verification, parental-consent, and safety-control requirements on app distributors, developers, OS providers, browsers, and search engines. While not directed at banks, it reflects a growing statewide posture of tech-safety regulation.
Holiday Chaos is Expected. IT Chaos? Not So Much.
Implications: As Ohio strengthens online-safety norms, financial institutions may experience parallel pressures on digitalcustomer-experience design, data-collection practices, and targeted advertising models. What OBL Members Should Watch • Rulemaking will matter as much as legislation - Many bills leave custody, risk-management, or administrative requirements to regulators. • The line between “technology legislation” and “financial legislation” is blurring - Digital assets, AI governance, cybersecurity, and identity-protection laws increasingly shape bank operations.
14 | OHIO BANKERS LEAGUE
Holiday mishaps happen, but downtime, data loss, and cyber threats don’t belong here.
REACH FURTHER.
GROW STRONGER. TOGETHER.
THE RIGHT TECHNOLOGY WILL MOVE YOU FORWARD. THE RIGHT
PARTNER WILL HELP YOU GO FARTHER THAN YOU THOUGHT POSSIBLE.
At COCC, we believe partnership isn't just support, it's shared momentum. We work side by side with community banks to provide flexible, forward-thinking core and fintech solutions that reflect your goals, your community, your mission. It’s innovation with intention backed by people who know your name and understand your mission.
W E GET Y OU , WE AR E YO U. WE ’R E HE RE FOR Y OU . SOUTHINGTON, CT | WWW.COCC.COM
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16 | OHIO BANKERS LEAGUE
If you’re not sure if you should call, just sleep on IT.
BANK MANAGEMENT SCHOOL A SOLD-OUT SUCCESS The 2025 OBL Bank Management School attracted the maximum number of students to the program in September, as 34 more banking leaders can now add their names to the growing list of alumni. Banking Consultant Anthony McGill led the Bank Simulation program for the 10th year here at the OBL, which also marked his 23rd year as a Bank Sim instructor. Graduates appreciate McGill’s guidance throughout the weeklong program, as he shares his knowledge and experience – and humor – with students. Wyatt Fry, management associate with Park National Bank noted, “Anthony was a great instructor. You could tell he is passionate about teaching the school and running the simulation. He was resourceful and helpful any time it was needed.” At the graduation ceremony, OBL President & CEO Mike Adelman addressed the graduates and their bank executives. Adelman thanked participants for being “all in” and for embracing the experience. He encouraged students to return to the bank energized as they feel and see their value at their respective institutions; as well as gain a new appreciation for the work others do, now that they have a new understanding of how all the systems within a bank work. He also applauded the group for the efforts they put into networking and building relationships with peers from across the state. “You have leveraged relationships made to enrich your career,” Adelman concluded.
Rich Brakin, EVP | Chief Financial Officer, Greenway Bank, was the GSB Scholarship Award winner. The annual Ora (Andy) Anderson scholarship provides partial tuition for the three-year program at the Graduate School of Banking – Madison at the University of Wisconsin.
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2025 OBL BANK MANAGEMENT SCHOOL GRADUATES Bill Addington Park National Bank Jessica Barnett Civista Bank Dan Bender Westfield Bank, FSB Skymr Bevens The Ohio Valley Bank Company Rich Brackin GreenWay Bank Kevin Brinckerhoff Fidelity Federal Savings & Loan Association Sonya Campbell The First National Bank of Dennison
Jeremy Dasher The Antwerp Exchange Bank Company
Lindsey Hamlin Hocking Valley Bank
Contessa Drain The Union Bank Company
Veronica Hildreth FCBank, a division of CNB
Juli Eckel GreenWay Bank Tanner Ellis The National Bank of Adams County of West Union Wyatt Fry Park National Bank Josh Fye The Farmers National Bank of Canfield Brittany Hahler Park National Bank
Jennifer Harper LCNB National Bank
Maria Hydell The Middlefield Banking Company Angela Kistner The Corn City State Bank
Nicole Marchio The Middlefield Banking Company Justin Miller The Farmers National Bank of Canfield Michelle Morral First Citizens National Bank of Upper Sandusky Renee Murphy First Mutual Bank
Aaron Korbar Fairfield Federal S&L Assoc. of Lancaster
Gina Price The Farmers National Bank of Canfield
Colby Kramer Park National Bank
Erica Rogers The Baltic State Bank
Derrick Lee The First National Bank of Pandora
Lori Rose The Peoples Savings Bank of Urbana Melissa Stewart Hometown Bank Emily Turlo Mechanics Bank Erica Webster First Citizens National Bank of Upper Sandusky Ryan Wood Park National Bank Pam Workman First Citizens National Bank of Upper Sandusky
Save the Dates for 2026! September 20 – 25, 2026 Contact Julie Kiplinger at jkiplinger@ohiobankersleague.com for more details.
Teams have the opportunity to dress in character for their final presentation!
“The entire program was well done, organized, and very beneficial to my career.” Juli Eckel, EVP, Chief Banking Officer, Greenway Bank
“This was a fantastic experience! Everything was thoughtfully planned and executed flawlessly.”
Incredible BMS facilitator Anthony McGill addresses the class during their final presentations. 18 | OHIO BANKERS LEAGUE
Nichole Marchio, VP & Deposits Operation Officer, The Middlefield Banking Company
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WINTER 2025 ISSUE
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FEATURE
DIGITAL THE GENIUS ACT AND FEDERAL REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS ON
1
GENIUS Act: A Foundational Policy Shift
supervisory expectations for digital asset activities within 18 months, and directs the Treasury to establish uniform standards for tokenized money market instruments and stablecoin arrangements. It also creates an interagency council tasked with harmonizing examination manuals and supervisory guidance across the banking agencies.
On July 18, 2025, the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act of 2025 (the “GENIUS Act” ) was signed into law by President Trump. The GENIUS Act represents a watershed in U.S. financial policy. For the first time, Congress has created a statutory baseline for the integration of blockchain and tokenized instruments into mainstream financial DEPOSITORY intermediation. Prior to this law, digital INSTITUTIONS WILL assets were addressed primarily through NOW BE EXPECTED TO agency guidance and enforcement. The GENIUS Act signals a pivot from ALIGN THEIR ACTIVITIES hesitation to legislative endorsement: WITH A DURABLE depository institutions will now be FEDERAL POLICY OF expected to align their activities with a ACCOMMODATION. durable federal policy of accommodation. The Act expressly authorizes insured depository institutions to engage in custody, settlement, and tokenization of payment and deposit liabilities under federal law, requires the prudential regulators to issue implementing rules on
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In connection with the Act’s passage, the Comptroller of the Currency issued a statement emphasizing that the law “places digital asset activities on the same prudential footing as other core banking services” and underscored that the Comptroller’s role will be to “translate congressional intent into clear supervisory expectations.” In plain terms: this statute moves digital asset activities out of the gray zone of “regulatory risk” and into the black letter of U.S. banking law—and for any CEO of a regulated depository institution, the wake-up call is that Congress just told your regulators that digital assets are now part of your business model… whether you like it or not.
ASSETS 2
Federal Bank and Credit Union Guidance: Authority and Admonitions
Dovetailing with the current U.S. legislative landscape, federal banking and credit union regulators have progressively moved from the restrictive postures that took root under the Biden administration toward a framework of conditional acceptance of digital asset activities. While each regulator has chosen a somewhat unique procedural path, the direction is unmistakable: crypto-asset and tokenized-dollar activities are permissible so long as they are conducted with robust risk management, safety-and-soundness controls, and subject to ongoing supervisory oversight. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve signaled this pivot on April 24, 2025, when it rescinded prior supervisory letters (SR 22-6 / CA 22-6 and SR 23-8 / CA 23-5) that had required advance notification before engaging in crypto or dollar-token activities. Banks are now supervised under ordinary examination processes, but the Federal Reserve made clear that safety-andsoundness expectations remain unchanged. Shortly before, on March 28, 2025, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) similarly rescinded FIL-16-2022,
eliminating the requirement for pre-approval of cryptorelated activities. FDIC-supervised institutions may now pursue such activities so long as they can demonstrate prudent management of liquidity, operational, cybersecurity, consumer protection, and Anti-Money Laundering (AML)/Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) risks.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) reaffirmed its longstanding position with Interpretive Letter 1184 (May 7, 2025), confirming that national banks and federal savings associations continue to have authority to provide crypto custody and execution services—including through third-party providers—so long as the bank exercises effective vendor oversight. This release was built on prior OCC letters (1170, 1172, 1174) while providing an updated roadmap for compliance in an era of heightened supervisory scrutiny. For credit unions, the guidance of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) remains grounded in Letter 22-CU-07 (May 2022), which authorizes federally insured credit unions to adopt distributed ledger technology (DLT) and to work with third-party digital-asset service providers, as long as the board maintains oversight, vendors are carefully vetted, and consumers are given appropriate disclosures. WINTER 2025 ISSUE
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These developments culminated in a Joint Statement issued on July 14, 2025, by the OCC, FDIC, and Federal Reserve, emphasizing that institutions holding or safeguarding crypto assets must do so in a manner that is safe, sound, and fully compliant with applicable law. The message to all federally supervised institutions is uniform: digital asset activities are not prohibited, but they must be managed with the same rigor as any other core banking function. And the regulatory shift is not confined to payments and custody. On the lending side, the Federal Housing Finance Agency has begun reshaping the mortgage market by directing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to begin considering cryptocurrency and other digital asset holdings when evaluating a borrower’s reserves. To qualify, assets must be custodied through U.S.regulated platforms and subject to appropriate volatility adjustments. This marks the first time digital assets are formally recognized in mortgage underwriting at the Government-Sponsored Enterprise (GSE) level and could meaningfully expand the pool of eligible homebuyers in the relative near term. At the same time, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently provided new clarity for regulated fiduciaries by acknowledging that registered investment advisers may now satisfy custody obligations for digital assets held on behalf of clients through the use of state-chartered trust companies acting as qualified custodians. While not without dissent—Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw warned of uneven state oversight— the release provides long-sought regulatory legitimacy to non-bank custodians and underscores the expanding role of state trust companies in institutional custody markets. Taken together, these actions illustrate the scope of regulatory convergence: bank regulators, housing finance authorities, and securities regulators are all moving, in parallel, toward frameworks that accept digital assets as part of the financial system—provided that traditional standards of prudence, safety, and compliance are met. The signal for bank executives is clear: regardless of charter type, the supervisory environment is evolving quickly, and digital asset integration is no longer fanciful speculation from the fringes of the crypto-sphere. It’s an operational reality.
3
A Systemwide Migration to DLT
The revolution in digital assets and DLT is by no means confined to regulated depository institutions and trust companies. Across the entire global financial system, exchanges, clearinghouses, and asset managers are taking visible steps to re-platform core operations onto blockchain rails, again signaling that the transition is not speculative but systemic. In September 2025,
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Nasdaq filed with the SEC to permit trading of tokenized securities—including equities and exchange traded products—on its markets. Under this proposal, member firms and investors can choose whether a security clears and settles in traditional digital form or in tokenized form, with the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) handling the back-end recordkeeping. Nasdaq emphasized that tokenization offers efficiency gains such as faster settlement, streamlined audit trails, and expanded investor choice, all while preserving existing regulatory protections and market integrity. Similarly, in April 2025, the DTCC, the bedrock posttrade infrastructure for global markets, unveiled its AppChain-based tokenized collateral management platform. Termed the “Great Collateral Experiment,” this demonstration showcased how smart contracts and tokenized assets can dramatically increase the velocity of collateral movement, unlock capital efficiencies, and enable 24/7 real-time operations across both traditional and digital networks. DTCC leaders described collateral mobility as the “killer app” for institutional blockchain adoption, highlighting the potential for this technology to fundamentally transform post-trade operations. Asset managers are also moving aggressively into tokenized solutions. In March 2024, BlackRock launched its first tokenized fund, BUIDL, on the Ethereum network, enabling dividends to be paid directly to investor wallets and ensuring interoperability through BNY Mellon and Securitize. In his 2025 Annual Chairman’s Letter, CEO Larry Fink framed tokenization as a revolutionary leap: if the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) is the postal service, the tokenization of money and other assets is email. Fink emphasized that every stock, bond, and fund could ultimately be tokenized, clearing in seconds rather than days, and that trillions of dollars currently immobilized by settlement delays could be immediately redeployed into the economy. Franklin Templeton has taken a similarly proactive stance: on September 10, 2025, the firm announced a collaboration with Binance to develop tokenized products and digital asset initiatives. Executives stressed that blockchain is not a threat to legacy systems but an opportunity to reimagine them, offering efficiencies in settlement, collateral management, and portfolio construction at scale. Taken together, these initiatives by some of the most systemically important institutions in finance illustrate the inevitability of the current shift. Nasdaq is embedding tokenization directly into U.S. equity markets, DTCC is constructing new pipelines for collateral liquidity, BlackRock is already distributing tokenized investment funds to qualified investors, and Franklin Templeton is actively bridging traditional finance with global digital trading venues. Decision makers across the industry are not merely preparing for a blockchain future—they
are competing to lead it. The message is unmistakable: tokenization is not a niche experiment; it is rapidly becoming the next operating standard for the world’s financial system.
But Why All the Fuss About Digital Assets
4 and DLT?
Let’s take a step back to consider the underpinnings of the shift currently reverberating through the financial world. At its core, the rapid transition toward digital assets and DLT reflects a single fundamental shortcoming of the current iteration of the internet: that being, while it very effectively enables near-instant communication around the entire globe, it comes nowhere even close to providing the level of security or consensus that’s required to enable instant, final settlement of money or other assets existing in tokenized form. Cryptographically secured distributed ledgers, however, fill the missing security gap—enabling trusted, tamper-resistant transfers on a 24/7 basis without reconciliation delays or clearing accounts. The economic implications of introducing this technology into the fabric of global finance are staggering. Studies project that tokenization and DLT-based settlement could unlock trillions of dollars in efficiencies, liquidity, and new market opportunities over the next decade, with estimates of a $5–10 trillion tokenized asset market by 2030. However, many in the industry believe these estimates to be ridiculously conservative. This is why decision makers at BlackRock, Franklin Templeton, Nasdaq, and DTCC are already salivating at the opportunity to re-platform global finance on rails that eliminate friction, open new revenue channels, and collapse settlement times from days to seconds. For depository institution executives, the message is clear: this is not a speculative trend, but a tectonic shift in the financial system’s infrastructure.
5
Conclusion
For depository institutions, 2025 has been nothing short of drinking from a fire hose. The pace at which DLT, tokenization, and digital assets are being embraced by regulators, market infrastructure providers, and global financial titans leaves little doubt that this is no passing fad. To the contrary, the shift underway is a seismic restructuring of global finance, and there is nothing on the horizon capable of slowing its momentum. Community and regional banks and credit unions may not yet know exactly how their future business models will take shape in this new environment. But one thing is certain: the burying of heads in the sand is not an option. To ignore this transition is to run the risk of obsolescence. Institutions must confront these changes or risk perishing.
Even the largest digital asset firms recognize the writing on the wall. Players like Circle Internet Group, Inc. (Circle) and Ripple Labs, Inc. (Ripple)—entities once viewed as agitators standing outside the walls of the regulated banking system—have each submitted applications to the OCC to secure their own national trust bank charters. Their entry into the regulated fold signals that the lines between “traditional” finance and “digital” finance are dissolving and that banks unwilling to evolve risk being displaced by more agile competitors. Candidly speaking, the digital asset world isn’t waiting for the banking sector—it's entering the arena armed for bear. In our opinion, the best path forward for depository institutions doesn’t begin with the adoption of grandiose strategies or comprehensive business plan re-writes but rather through the exploration and evaluation of foundational infrastructures, such as custodial solutions for tokenized deposits and other assets, as well as the establishment of seamless corridors into payment stablecoins and other tokenized real-world assets. Like it or not, these are likely to become baseline expectations of both business and consumer customers alike. Secure custody and “slippery” payment rails—those that customers can navigate effortlessly with minimal awareness of the underlying tech—are what will anchor an institution’s customer base into the next chapter of finance. Be excited by the possibilities, but act with urgency. The rails are being built now, and the choice could not be clearer: this revolution is happening with or without the banking sector. By moving now to explore the development of custody and payment capabilities, banks can turn disruption into opportunity—capturing new markets, new customers, and a future place at the center of global finance’s next chapter. If you would like more information on how the passage of the GENIUS Act might impact your institution, please free to contact David Mack at dmack@shumaker.com or 419.321.1396.
David J. Mack Partner, Banking Team Lead, Shumaker dmack@shumaker.com
Whether you are starting, running, buying, or selling a business, Shumaker’s Corporate, Tax & Transactions Service Line provides seasoned legal advice that leaves you in the best possible position. Our counsel ranges from the daily matters of agreements, contracts, and tax planning to once-in-a-lifetime events like mergers, acquisitions, and sales, making a powerful difference in the life of your business venture.
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FEED YOUR MIND, FUEL YOUR DAY LUNCH & LEARN WITH US!
ELEVATE YOUR LUNCH BREAK – by blending knowledge and nourishment with one of our
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24 | OHIO BANKERS LEAGUE
2026 OBL ECONOMIC SUMMIT A long-standing favorite among Ohio bankers, the OBL Economic Summit continues to deliver timely insights that help institutions prepare for the year ahead. Each year, this program brings together experts who examine the economic landscape, highlight emerging trends, and offer guidance on what bankers and their customers can expect in the months to come. Beyond economic forecasts, the Summit also explores topics shaping the broader business environment – from workforce trends and the evolving job market to shifts across key industries that may impact your clients. In 2026, the OBL is especially excited to welcome Beth Hammack, President & CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, who will open the program with Insights from the Federal Reserve. President Hammack will share her perspective on the current state of the banking industry, key areas to watch, and policy developments that may influence financial institutions in the coming year. She will also provide a view into how the Federal Reserve is navigating priorities and transitions within the current administration. Closing the program is Craig Dismuke, Chief Market Strategist at Stifel Financial, who will examine the uncertainty still surrounding the economic and interest rate outlooks. While his remarks will address banking-specific considerations, Dismuke will also explore broader economic conditions relevant to both financial institutions and business owners. His keynote will include an in-depth look at the implications of the Trump administration’s unprecedented policy actions – what they may mean for the nation’s economic health, potential scenarios to prepare for, and the indicators leaders should be watching closely.
Because this program offers tremendous value beyond the banking sector, institutions are encouraged to bring their top business customers to learn alongside them. It’s a unique opportunity to strengthen relationships while helping clients better understand the economic forces that may influence their businesses.
REGISTRATION February 10, 2026, 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Hilton Columbus at Easton $139 per member Banks sending six or more will be seated together. For more information, visit our website or contact OBL Education Manager Megan Peiffer at mpeiffer@ ohiobankersleague.com.
As always, the Summit will kick off with a popular networking reception – an opportunity to reconnect with peers after the holidays, exchange insights, and refocus for the year ahead.
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THE SIGNIFICANT POTENTIAL IN
STABLECOINS The payments landscape is more innovative and competitive than ever before. As new technologies reshape the way value moves, stablecoins are emerging as one of the most promising tools to enable faster and more accessible digital payments. We’ve already seen how crypto, like stablecoins, and traditional payments methods are already working together, and at Visa, we see significant potential in stablecoins and the value they can provide for consumers. We believe that a clear and strong underlying regulatory framework along with government support will pave the way for stablecoins and blockchain technology to make digital payments even better and drive innovation.
Jack Forestell Chief Product and Strategy Officer, Visa
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Stablecoins, paired with Visa’s worldclass technology stack, offer the promise to modernize global money infrastructure, propelling us into a future where payments can be made even more seamlessly and just as securely. In the near term, we are leveraging stablecoins in the following four ways:
1. Modernizing settlement infrastructure From our lens at Visa — we see stablecoins improving the efficiency and utility of back-end financial and money movement infrastructure. While there has been significant progress digitizing and modernizing the ‘front end’ of money movement over the past decade, the back end of the world’s settlement and money movement infrastructure needs to catch up. To this end, Visa has been working on integrating stablecoins into our existing network and treasury systems and piloting the ability for clients to fulfill their VisaNet settlement obligations using stablecoins starting with USDC. In 2023, Visa became one of the first major payments networks to settle transactions in stablecoin when we piloted enabling clients to fulfill their settlement obligations in USDC. We have settled more than $225 million to date in stablecoin volume that has been settled through Visa across participating clients. As we continue to explore potential opportunities for the use of stablecoins, we are exploring expanding our stablecoin settlement capabilities to even more partners in more markets, including enabling seven-day-a-week settlement, and adding additional stablecoins and blockchain networks to our settlement infrastructure. 2. Enhancing cross border money movement Visa is a global leader in cross border money movement. We provide a robust interoperable service to enable commerce and move money across borders. Now we see opportunities to deploy stablecoin infrastructure to help modernize global money movement even further. Our Visa Direct technology already enables payments between friends, businesses and customers via cards, wallets and bank accounts. Integrating stablecoins into our money movement infrastructure, can speed up settlement, enhance liquidity and support the growing demand for cross-border currency holdings. 3. Enabling programmable digital money Ultimately, we see a future where stablecoins could help deliver new utility for financial institutions and their customers through smart contracts and programmable money. Already, we are seeing stablecoins being used to power new automated financial products in lending where assets can be deposited into a smart contract as collateral that automatically triggers a stablecoin-based loan disbursement. To bring this innovation more mainstream, last year we launched our Visa Tokenized Asset Platform, which enables banks to mint, manage, burn and transact in stablecoins. Going forward, Visa can play a role in enabling infrastructure to help our bank partners build new innovative financial products that replace manual processes and antiquated core ledgers. 4. Creating on and off ramps for cards The Visa ecosystem already supports crypto and stablecoins through stablecoin-linked cards that allow issuers to move from fiat currencies to stablecoins and vice versa. To date, we have facilitated almost $100B in purchases of cryptocurrencies and over $25 billion in cryptocurrency spending. To help bring stablecoin-linked cards to more people in more places, we’re bringing new stablecoin-linked card programs and enablers like Bridge, Baanx and Rain. Visa is excited and uniquely positioned to be a leader in this space. Our scale — settling payments across a network of more than 150 million Visa-accepting merchant locations and more than 14,500 financial institutions — combined with our ability to orchestrate transactions in both fiat and stablecoins, enables us to remove market roadblocks and realize the potential of stablecoins and blockchain technology. We operate as a trusted bridge, helping connect both platforms and new technologies, including stablecoin-native players, with our global network to provide fair and open access to banking services. In 2025, we believe that every institution that moves money will need a stablecoin strategy. As more players in the payments ecosystem explore this powerful new technology, Visa stands ready to help our partners navigate the transformation, bringing the scale, trust and innovation needed to help build the next generation of global payments. WINTER 2025 ISSUE
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READY TO SERVE Need a variety of financial solutions to meet your institution’s needs? Whether you are looking to manage risk, sell mortgages or back public unit deposits – the FHLB has products to meet your needs. Contact your relationship manager for details.
Bryan Parkhurst AVP, Relationship Manager parkhurstbc@fhlbcin.com 513-432-4632
28 | OHIO BANKERS LEAGUE
Montez Shugars Marketing Officer shugarsmk@fhlbcin.com 513-852-7693
LEVERAGING AI TO MITIGATE THREATS IN A CRYPTO-DRIVEN ECONOMY The scale of financial crime today is a flashing red light for the global financial system. Last year, payment fraud cost financial institutions billions. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers reported losing more than $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a staggering 25% increase over the previous year. But nowhere are these vulnerabilities more exposed than in the fast-paced, pseudonymized and increasingly critical world of the crypto-driven economy. In fact, Chainalysis reported crypto scams likely setting a record in 2024 (at least $9.9 billion, possibly up to $12.4 billion) driven by “pig butchering” and GenAI use. The true cost of fraud is also amplified: studies by LexisNexis have shown that for every $1 a financial institution loses to fraud, the true cost—including labor, investigations, and legal fees—can be as high as $4.41 in the U.S. Traditional defenses simply can’t keep up with sophisticated, cross-chain fraud rings. An essential piece of payments strategy for institutions navigating this new world is leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) responsibly in your risk mitigation and fraud prevention strategies. AI: The Essential Defense Against Digital Asset Threats AI is no longer a future tool. It’s here, increasingly embedded in the payments ecosystem, and packs a powerful punch against threats unique to digital assets, decentralized finance (DeFi) and blockchain payments.
When implemented into your risk management and fraud prevention strategies, AI has the power to significantly reduce false positives, speed up investigations and adapt to evolving crypto fraud patterns far faster than traditional systems. Consider the unique and rapidly evolving risks in a crypto economy—from smart contract exploits, rug pulls and token manipulation to cross-chain money laundering and sophisticated romance and investment scams where funds are moved via wallets. AI presents a promising opportunity in handling this complexity: • Real-Time Anomaly Detection: AI can spot unusual transaction flows instantly across disparate blockchain ledgers, or anticipate new crypto fraud typologies such as a sudden, large transfer of an obscure token to a Tornado Cash-like mixer service before the activity leads to catastrophic losses. • Enhanced Wallet Security: Behavioral biometrics that analyze a user’s unique characteristics, such as how they type or interact with their digital wallet interface, can be leveraged to authenticate them instantly and without friction. This advanced security layer, in an environment where a single compromised private key results in total and irreversible loss, can be a powerful tool. • Efficiency in Investigation: AI can help significantly reduce false positives. This is vital in the digital asset space, where compliance teams must focus their time on complex, high-value threats, such as large-scale illicit transfers and identifying the beneficial owners behind suspicious wallets. WINTER 2025 ISSUE
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The Mandate: Governance and Oversight for AI in Crypto The power of AI is undeniable, but it’s important to remember that regulators are demanding governance, controls and oversight, especially where AI models touch customer funds and assets. Supervisors expect institutions to validate, monitor and explain AI models, just like any other risk model. For U.S. financial institutions and Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs): • Existing Model Risk Applies: The OCC, FDIC and Federal Reserve expect AI models to follow existing model risk guidance, such as SR 11-7. • Explainable Decisions (Adverse Action): If an AI model flags and freezes a customer’s digital asset account or rejects a transaction, the institution must be able to provide a clear explanation. Adverse action notices still apply, regardless of the underlying technology.
Furthermore, institutions must safeguard data quality, privacy and security in line with existing laws, even when dealing with pseudonymized blockchain data. International trends from the FCA in the UK to the BIS global standard setters are all emphasizing accountability and explainability in AI. Implementing AI into your risk management strategy isn’t about replacing your compliance analysts; it’s about empowering them to tackle the complexity of the crypto economy. Train your teams not just on how to use AI-driven tools, but on how to understand and challenge the model’s outputs when they seem counter-intuitive or biased.
Brandie Thacker, AAP, CAE, President & CEO, EPCOR
• Third-Party Oversight: If you’re relying on vendors for sophisticated AI/blockchain analytics tools, examiners will expect the same level of oversight and due diligence as if the model were built in-house.
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Power your business intelligence models with market insights from the premier source for banking-specific financial data. WINTER 2025 ISSUE
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OHIO BANKPAC MAKING A DIFFERENCE In 2025, the Ohio BankPac had another great year, hitting our goal of $200,000! The continued success of the Political Action Committee has allowed OBL to build up an already strong government relations program. OBL is able to use these funds to better promote a thriving and competitive banking system for Ohio.
those bankers that have contributed more than $100. For more information about the Ohio BankPac, please contact Anthony Lagunzad. OBL looks forward to another great year in 2026.
OBL would like to thank our PAC board of directors, for the time and effort they committed during 2025 to increasing the size and influence of our PAC. The primary reason for our continued success, however goes to each of our contributors. OBL would like to recognize below
$2500 or more Michael Adelman Ohio Bankers League
Matthew Miller First Federal Community Bank, N.A.
Thomas Fraser First Mutual Holding Company
Larry Miller The Ohio Valley Bank Company
$1000-$2499
Paul Reed The Farmers Bank and Savings Company
Gauri Airi Ohio Bankers League Tammy Bobo The Hocking Valley Bank Howard Boyle Hometown Bank Tim Carsey F&M Lars Eller F&M Craig Fortin First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Delta B. Robert Harlow 1st National Bank Mike Lewis Hometown Bank Mark Masters Mechanics Bank Brendon Matthews First National Bank of Pandora Eric Meilstrup LCNB
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Dennis Shaffer Civista Bank Mary Snider Fairfield Federal S&L Assoc. of Lancaster Eddie Steiner The Commercial and Savings Bank Bryan Stepp The Ohio Valley Bank Company Paulette Sumney The Hocking Valley Bank Paul Thompson First Mutual Holding Company David Trautman Park National Bank Trent Troyer First Federal Community Bank, N.A. Laura Tussing Park National Bank
Carla Waggoner Croghan Colonial Bank Sarah Wallace First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Newark Bick Weissenrieder The Hocking Valley Bank Jeffrey Wilson Park National Bank Thomas Wiseman The Ohio Valley Bank Company
$500-$999 Randall Anstine First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Newark Greg Ashby North Valley Bank Robert Baker The Commercial and Savings Bank Anna Barnitz The Ohio Valley Bank Company Scott Basinger First National Bank of Pandora Amy Blankemeyer The Union Bank Company
Anthony Lagunzad Manager, Government Relations & BankPAC Ohio Bankers League alagunzad@ohiobankersleague.com
Colin Boyle Hometown Bank Adrienne Brokaw Park National Bank Marsha Bumgardner The Peoples Savings Bank of Urbana Brady Burt Park National Bank Bryna Butler The Ohio Valley Bank Company Pete Cassanos Park National Bank Jeffrey Cloud Southern Hills Community Bank Lindsay Cloud Southern Hills Community Bank
Shawn Dooley The Antwerp Exchange Bank Company David Duncan WesBanco Bank, Inc. Rich Dutton Civista Bank Augustus Elson Bank of Magnolia Mark Erslan Vinton County National Bank Steve Eversole Vinton County National Bank John Fernyak Mechanics Bank Chris Fisher LCNB
Darci Congrove Civista Bank
Bryant Fox Park National Bank
Ben Crow Vinton County National Bank
Kevin Frey F&M
Robert Curry Civista Bank Bill Daily Mutual Federal, a division of First Bank Richmond Tony Davis Peoples State Bank Steve Deibel Hometown Bank
Robert Friend WesBanco Bank, Inc. Michael Galeano Bread Financial Robert Gall The Hocking Valley Bank Brett Gallion The Commercial and Savings Bank Nicholas Gesouras Mechanics Bank
Jeffery Gluntz Park National Bank Kevin Greer Bank of Magnolia John Gulas Community Savings
Daron McGuire The Union Bank Company Ryan McIntyre Park National Bank
Rocco Serafini Bank of Magnolia Douglas Shaw F&M
Scott Mikula Hometown Bank
Tommy Shepherd The Ohio Valley Bank Company
Matthew Miller Park National Bank
Jessica Short F&M
Robert Hamilton The Home Loan Savings Bank
Breann Miller The Home Loan Savings Bank
Harry Singer Civista Bank
Sally Heckman First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Newark
Brian Miller The Antwerp Exchange Bank Company
Blair Hillyer The First National Bank of Dennison
Andrea Morris The Andover Bank
Kyle Hamilton The Home Loan Savings Bank
Brad Hillyer The First National Bank of Dennison Eric Holsky The Community Bank Daniel Holstein Ohio Bankers League Ben Holter The Hocking Valley Bank Jo Ellen Hornish F&M
Michelle Newman North Valley Bank
Robert Norris The Hocking Valley Bank
Patrick Tackett The Ohio Valley Bank Company
Ben Norton Buckeye Community Bank
Jerod Them Mechanics Bank
Chris Olney North Valley Bank
Audra Johnson Ohio Bankers League
Jason Painley Mechanics Bank
Lori Johnston F&M
Charles Parcher Civista Bank
Kim Kelly The Hocking Valley Bank
James Park Buckeye Community Bank
Carl Kessler Civista Bank
Julie Paxton North Valley Bank
Jennifer Knapp F&M
Michael Pell First State Bank
John Kobee The Antwerp Exchange Bank Company
Mike Putman The Hocking Valley Bank
Kimberley Mason Ohio Bankers League Julie Mattlin Civista Bank Joseph P. McAuliffe Buckeye Community Bank
Michael St. John The Cincinnatus Savings and Loan Company
James Nicholson North Valley Bank
Tom Oyer Vinton County National Bank
Anthony Lagunzad Ohio Bankers League
Greg Smitley Hicksville Bank
Craig Sweeney The Hocking Valley Bank
Rick Hull WesBanco Bank, Inc.
Melissa Koher Hometown Bank
Shalini Singhal F&M
Paul Ragias The Community Bank
Aaron Thomas The Hocking Valley Bank David Vernon F&M Trista Warren The Andover Bank Nathan Weaks Civista Bank Tom Will Vinton County National Bank Sarah Worley Monroe Federal Savings and Loan Association Brian Young The Union Bank Company Chris Zeek Ohio Bankers League
Lewis Renollet Monroe Federal Savings and Loan Association
$250-$499
Zachary Reuscher Park National Bank
Michael Arend The Antwerp Exchange Bank Company
Jared Riblet F&M Edward Robbins The Ohio Valley Bank Company
Brandon Akey Park National Bank
C. R. Badgett Park National Bank Laura Baker Mechanics Bank
Douglas Bambeck First Federal Community Bank, N.A. Joseph Barker The Antwerp Exchange Bank Company Matthew Beachy First Federal Community Bank, N.A. Jeffrey Bechtel The First National Bank of Bellevue Tammy Belcher First Mutual Bank, FSB David Benavides Consumers National Bank Jerome Bey III Versailles Savings and Loan Company Lisa Bird Monroe Federal Savings and Loan Association Trevor Black The Farmers & Merchants Bank Sharon Blair F&M Mindy Bobay The Hicksville Bank Derek Boothe The Home Loan Savings Bank Shelly Boothe The Ohio Valley Bank Company Don Boyd Ohio Bankers League Richard Brinkman First Federal Community Bank, N.A. Barbara Britenriker F&M John Brown Park National Bank Stacey Bryant Cornerstone Advisors Mary Burns First Federal Community Bank, N.A. Christyne Calvin Vinton County National Bank Paul Campagna Buckeye Community Bank
Bryan Campolo Park National Bank Kimberly Canady The Ohio Valley Bank Company Stephen Clinton First Federal Community Bank, N.A. John Compton First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Newark Thomas Conidi The Home Loan Savings Bank Jack Coors The North Side Bank and Trust Company Stuart Cordell The Andover Bank Adam Crockett The First National Bank of Bellevue Thomas Cummiskey Park National Bank Frank Davison The Ohio Valley Bank Company Reiley Dietrich F&M Krista Dobronos Westfield Bank, FSB Gregory Dorris First Federal Community Bank, N.A. Steven Doster The Antwerp Exchange Bank Company Lori Drake Park National Bank Russell Edwards Civista Bank Allen Elliott The Ohio Valley Bank Company Scott Finnell First Federal Community Bank, N.A. Kelly Fortney First Federal Community Bank, N.A. Charley Geiger First Mutual Holding Company Lesley Goebel F&M
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Jeffrey Gorman Mechanics Bank
Brandon Krietemeyer Cbc
Kim Graber F&M
Michele Larkin First Federal Community Bank, N.A.
Robert Gray The Union Bank Company Stewart Greenlee First Commonwealth Bank Michael Greer Bank of Magnolia Tim Grooms First State Bank Edward Gurile Park National Bank Robert Haley The Hocking Valley Bank Rebeka Hamilton The Home Loan Savings Bank Christina Hassink Monroe Federal Savings and Loan Association Scott Heimann Park National Bank Christopher Hiner Park National Bank James Hobson Park National Bank William Huffman First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Lakewood David Jarvis The First National Bank of Bellevue Donna Jaskolski Civista Bank
Barbara Patrick The Ohio Valley Bank Company
Kula Lynch The First National Bank of Bellevue
Clif Perryman, Minster Bank
Taryn Marino F&M William Martin Fidelity Federal Savings & Loan Association
Rick Platt First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Newark Edward Pollander The Andover Bank
Jessica Martin Steuk Civista Bank
Christopher Preston The Ohio Valley Bank Company
Todd Mason First National Bank of Pandora
Peter Rafaniello The Union Bank Company
Adam Massie The Ohio Valley Bank Company
Jenny Romich First Citizens National Bank of Upper Sandusky
Steven Mays The First National Bank of Bellevue Charity McFarland First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Newark Paula Meadows Park National Bank Seth Michael The Ohio Valley Bank Company Duffield Milkie The First National Bank of Bellevue
Ryan Jones The Ohio Valley Bank Company Zach Jones The First National Bank of Bellevue
Dean Miller The First National Bank of Bellevue
Christopher Kelly Croghan Colonial Bank
Jerri Miller The First National Bank of Bellevue
Dana Keys F&M
Jennifer Morehead Park National Bank
Evan Kleymeyer Ohio Bankers League
Lance Morrison Civista Bank
Jack Kohl Hometown Bank
Adam Muir The Antwerp Exchange Bank Company
34 | OHIO BANKERS LEAGUE
Jennifer Osburn Ohio Bankers League
Jared Lehman First National Bank of Pandora
Kenny Miller First Federal Community Bank, N.A.
Kristofer Kreinbihl First Federal Community Bank, N.A.
Thurman Mullet First Federal Community Bank, N.A.
Michael Mulford WesBanco Bank, Inc.
Ralph Root Park National Bank Vandee Salay F&M Brad Sander The Union Bank Company Brent Saunders The Ohio Valley Bank Company Edmund Schafer The First National Bank of Bellevue Deborah Schenk Mechanics Bank Jim Schmidt The Hicksville Bank Peter Schwager The First National Bank of Bellevue
Cheryl Snyder Park National Bank
Douglas Wyatt Peoples Bank
Jody Spencer Park National Bank
J. Zellar Park National Bank
Linda Staubach Park National Bank
$100-$249
Robyn Stevens Peoples Bank Bruce Stevens Buckeye Community Bank Jason Stewart Hometown Bank James Stouffer, Jr The First National Bank of Bellevue Rick Swain The Ohio Valley Bank Company Terri Taylor The Ohio Valley Bank Company David Thomas The Ohio Valley Bank Company Alton Thompson Park National Bank Matt Tuohey CF Bank Tony Unger The Home Loan Savings Bank Chip VanDette Croghan Colonial Bank Stephen Varckette The Andover Bank Jen Vastano First National Bank of Pandora Brian Wagner Park National Bank Andrew Wallace LCNB Brady Waltz Park National Bank
Douglas Ahlers Versailles Savings and Loan Company Ann Akers Mechanics Bank Stacey Aldridge First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Newark Stephanie Allen Park National Bank Eric Aschleman The Hicksville Bank Kathy Barclay Park National Bank Colton Barnhart Peoples State Bank Molly Bates Park National Bank David Baumann Mechanics Bank Jodi Bell-Crosser The Antwerp Exchange Bank Company Jennifer Bidlingmyer WesBanco Bank, Inc. Charlotte Blade First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Newark Virginia Blythe Park National Bank Anita Bok The Antwerp Exchange Bank Company Illya Boronka Mechanics Bank Edward Brady Park National Bank
Joseph Sherwood F&M
Eric Warrick F&M
Shawn Siders The Ohio Valley Bank Company
Michael Winthrop The First National Bank of Bellevue
John Siegenthaler Mechanics Bank
Lorina Wise Civista Bank
Kevin Brinckerhoff Fidelity Federal Savings & Loan Association
Cristy Ann Siegrist LCNB
Karen Woodard Bank of Magnolia
Todd Edward Brown Peoples Bank
Mitch Slattery The Hicksville Bank
Jarvis Woodson Civista Bank
Ryan Smith The Ohio Valley Bank Company
Rebekah Wright Kulis Hometown Bank
Donna Brown The Union Bank Company
Lindsay Brickner FNB Sycamore
Steven Buchanan Park National Bank
Joshua Buehler F&M Louis Calabrese Buckeye Community Bank Terri Camden The Ohio Valley Bank Company Kyla Carpenter The Ohio Valley Bank Company Aaron Chapman The Ohio Valley Bank Company Matt Chechak Hometown Bank Carol ChilcoteLintner The Antwerp Exchange Bank Company Michelle Ciancio CF Bank Paul M Cira The Union Bank Company Paula Clay The Ohio Valley Bank Company Tammy Clay Monroe Federal Savings and Loan Association Joseph Clime First Federal Bank of Ohio Martin Cole The Andover Bank Kevin Connors Park National Bank G. Dwayne Cooper Park National Bank Amy Cover F&M
Laura Daniel The Union Bank Company
Willliam Ferris The First National Bank of Dennison
Lindsey Hamlin The Hocking Valley Bank
Julie Daniels Monroe Federal Savings and Loan Association
Kathleen Fischer The Metamora State Bank
Mark Hamon The Hocking Valley Bank
Tiffany Kail First Federal Community Bank, N.A.
Woody Fitton Valley Central Bank
Steve Haren Park National Bank
Kara Karcher F&M
Steve Fleetwood First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Newark
Linda Harris Park National Bank
Stephen Keen First Federal Bank of Ohio
Annette Danner The Antwerp Exchange Bank Company Andrew Davidson Monroe Federal Savings and Loan Association Michelle Davis Peoples State Bank Morgan Davis The Hocking Valley Bank Scott Davis Park National Bank
Katrina DeGroff F&M
Thomas Frawley Peoples Bank
Rick Demmel Valley Central Bank
Joseph Gabrosek WesBanco Bank, Inc.
Sean Dockery The Andover Bank
Bill Garrett Vinton County National Bank
Tony Heinl Monroe Federal Savings and Loan Association Stephen Hendricks WesBanco Bank, Inc. Kelly Herreman Park National Bank Kevin D. Herthel Park National Bank Andrea Hesson The Ohio Valley Bank Company
David Gerken F&M
Michael Dudgeon Park National Bank
Sally Gesouras Mechanics Bank
Joshua J. Hiller Park National Bank
Dakota Durbin Mechanics Bank
Beth Godfrey First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Delta
Jodi Hina Park National Bank
Todd Durham Park National Bank Kerry Egler-Whytsell First Federal Community Bank, N.A.
Cherie Elliott The Ohio Valley Bank Company
Connie Craig Park National Bank
Scot Evans First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Newark
Amy Daeger WesBanco Bank, Inc.
Scott Heil First Federal Community Bank, N.A.
William Hibner Monroe Federal Savings and Loan Association
Kevin Drees Versailles Savings and Loan Company
Amanda Crabtree Vinton County National Bank
Amber Cummins Park National Bank
Dian Franks The Union Bank Company
Fred DeBiasi Valley Central Bank
Kristy Eitzman The Antwerp Exchange Bank Company
Geneva Cummins Mechanics Bank
Jennifer Francis Vinton County National Bank
Tina Franks First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Newark
Thomas Michael Cox The Union Bank Company
Kathleen Crowley Park National Bank
Wendi Fowler Park National Bank
Todd Hawkins Park National Bank
Amanda Evans Park National Bank Kristine Fellows Bank of Magnolia Todd Edward Ferrell F&M
Debra Gordon WesBanco Bank, Inc. Robert Graham F&M Sherri Gramann Peoples Bank Scott Green Park National Bank Sarah Greene The Hocking Valley Bank Patrick Groner JR The Andover Bank Mollie Grube Vinton County National Bank Amy Hackenberg WesBanco Bank, Inc. Brian Hall The Ohio Valley Bank Company
Rita Hinkle Ohio Bankers League Kelly Hormann The Antwerp Exchange Bank Company
Jeff Justus F&M
Lisa Keller Park National Bank Lauren Kellett Park National Bank Angela Kinnaird The Ohio Valley Bank Company Jeffrey Kosman Buckeye Community Bank Justin Kossow Park National Bank Richard Kotila The Andover Bank Richard Kretschman WesBanco Bank, Inc. Heather L. Kubasak Park National Bank Larry Kummer The Hicksville Bank Steve Kurtzman First Federal Bank of Ohio Michelle LaCroix Park National Bank Marcia Latta F&M Cynthia Layer LCNB Brenda Leal Civista Bank
John Hoty Croghan Colonial Bank
Mario Liberatore The Ohio Valley Bank Company
Paige Houlihan Ohio Bankers League
Kristi Lord Mechanics Bank
Damon Howarth Park National Bank
Thomas Lueck F&M
Andrew Hudson The Ohio Valley Bank Company
Kenneth Magoteaux Park National Bank
Kelli Hunt First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Newark Joel Jerger WesBanco Bank, Inc. Cindy Johnston The Ohio Valley Bank Company
Kelly Marie Maloney Peoples Bank Justin Marotta Mechanics Bank Kevin T. McCarty Park National Bank Ashley McCorkle Park National Bank
WINTER 2025 ISSUE
| 35
Jason Mcculloch Park National Bank Eric McKee Park National Bank Thomas McLaughlin Croghan Colonial Bank Timothy McManamon Buckeye Community Bank Michael Miller LCNB Lydia Miller Park National Bank Jay Miller The Ohio Valley Bank Company Barbara Miller Park National Bank Kevin Miller Buckeye Community Bank Max Miller The Killbuck Savings Bank Company Michael Mitchell Park National Bank Kevin Mongold Park National Bank Mark A. Monstwil Park National Bank Robert Montagnese First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Newark Anna Montle The Hocking Valley Bank Suzanne Moore First Federal Community Bank, N.A. Deanne Morell Mechanics Bank Dee Mowry Vinton County National Bank R. Brian Murray First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Newark Michael Nagel Park National Bank Ashley Neading Bank of Magnolia Joel Nester The Hicksville Bank William Nodo Park National Bank
36 | OHIO BANKERS LEAGUE
Kathy Norman First Federal Community Bank, N.A. Michael O'Brien First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Newark Duana Patton First Federal Bank of Ohio Karen Pavone Park National Bank Robert Peinert First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Delta Douglas Peterman The First National Bank of Dennison Jeanne Peters Mechanics Bank Shirley Pew Mechanics Bank Benjamin Pewitt The Ohio Valley Bank Company Amy Pinson Park National Bank Steve Planson F&M Susan Poling Jones Ohio Bankers League Matt Poston Vinton County National Bank Louis Prabell Park National Bank Danny E. Priest Park National Bank Lacie Priest Park National Bank Bryan Radabaugh Vinton County National Bank Heidi Ray Park National Bank Jason Recker The Union Bank Company Vickie Reed Hometown Bank Gary Reichert Park National Bank Jevon Reile First Citizens National Bank of Upper Sandusky Karen Rice Park National Bank
Kendall Rieman Croghan Colonial Bank
Michael Smith F&M
Joe Risch Vinton County National Bank
Jason Smith Monroe Federal Savings and Loan Association
Alexander Rocks Mechanics Bank
Jennifer Snode The Community Bank
Thomas Roddy WesBanco Bank, Inc.
David Sommers Hometown Bank
Ricardo Rosado The Union Bank Company
Kimberly Springer Civista Bank
W Thomas Ross Mechanics Bank Laurie Russell First Federal Community Bank, N.A. Mark Sams Civista Bank Christopher Sandefur Peoples State Bank Thomas J Sansone The Union Bank Company Larry Schieber Vinton County National Bank Trisha Schneider F&M Katie Schnieber Valley Central Bank Martha Schoonover Mechanics Bank Brenda Shamblin Park National Bank Doug Shaneyfelt First National Bank of Pandora David Shaver Civista Bank Susan Shields Greenville National Bank Shalana Shreffler First State Bank Ted Shroyer Park National Bank Marybeth Shunck F&M Thomas Siegenthaler Mechanics Bank Ryan Smith Park National Bank Cory Smith Park National Bank Mark Smith The Home Loan Savings Bank
Robert Springer Park National Bank Cathleen Square The Andover Bank Tony Staley The Ohio Valley Bank Company Barbara Stamper Mechanics Bank Mary Stefko F&M Sara Stehlik First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Lakewood Matt Stein First Federal Community Bank, N.A. Jonathan Steinke Monroe Federal Savings and Loan Association Theresa SteinMoenter The Union Bank Company John Stevens Park National Bank Cherokee Stover The Hocking Valley Bank John Stretch Valley Central Bank Julie Strohacker Park National Bank Timothy Summers Park National Bank Tina Taley Park National Bank Doug Thompson Monroe Federal Savings and Loan Association Jay Tolloti The First National Bank of Dennison Randall Trickett WesBanco Bank, Inc.
Sharon Troyer First Federal Community Bank, N.A. Berkley Tuggle Union Savings Bank Craig Turner Southern Hills Community Bank Karen Uhrig LCNB Dean Vande Water The Union Bank Company Amy Vasquez The Union Bank Company Kimberly Verhoff The Union Bank Company Don Vonderhaar Valley Central Bank Candy Wade Park National Bank Jerry Waits Southern Hills Community Bank Perry Walker First Federal Bank of Ohio Curt Walter Mechanics Bank Kevin Wannemacher The Antwerp Exchange Bank Company Jenny Ward Park National Bank Thomas Weithman First Federal Bank of Ohio Ryan West First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Newark Stephenie Wilson First Federal Community Bank, N.A. Richard Witchey III Mechanics Bank Ryan Wood Park National Bank Sue Workman-Board First Mutual Holding Company Nathan Wright Park National Bank
CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES FROM OHIO!
David Benavides Consumers National Bank
Michele Gray Park National Bank
Jason Bucey New Carlisle Federal Savings Bank
Brad Millice The Peoples Savings Bank Urbana
Rick Cruz The Farmers National Bank of Canfield
Tyler Nicholson North Valley Bank
Brad Ditto Park National Bank
Tom Roddy Premier Bank
Allen Fish Park National Bank
Educating Professionals, Creating Leaders
2025 Sponsored by:
GSB.ORG
WINTER 2025 ISSUE
| 37
CRA Made Easy: Earning Credit While “Doing Good” Via Innovative New Program By Diane Ellis | Senior Managing Director, IntraFi
F
ederal regulators expect banks to make innovative CRA investments, so MVB Bank in Fairmont, W.Va., elected to try a new program designed to place deposits at Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) in local communities. “We are aware that CRA regulations encourage banks to make a variety of different CRA investments,” said MVB Treasurer Eric Tichenor. “So, when we heard about this program, we thought it would be a great way to earn CRA credit while also enhancing a low-income market.” The ACT®, or Advancing Communities Together®, Deposit Program offers banks a secure, efficient way to place funds into CDFI banks and MDI banks and earn CRA credit under the regulation’s investment and community development tests. “The ACT Deposit Program is a promising new tool for community and regional banks to earn CRA credit,” says Brian Blake, chief public policy officer at the Community Development Bankers Association and a former CRA officer. “ACT excels at meeting both the spirit and the letter of the CRA, and I believe it is very competitive compared with more complex, costly, or time-consuming alternatives.”
ACT’s minimum deposit is $1 million, and the CDFIs and MDIs in the program pay near-market rates on the funds. ACT deposits remain liquid and are eligible for millions in FDIC insurance across IntraFi® network banks because they are placed through the IntraFi Cash Service®. IntraFi has built a network of more than 3,000 banks, including CDFIs and MDIs, that can help keep funds local and provide much-needed financial access in rural, suburban, and urban communities across the nation. The $3.4-billion-asset MVB used the ACT Deposit Program to place $1 million into Adelphi Bank, an MDI in Columbus, Ohio, for several reasons. “First, the interest rate on the deposit is much better than an alternative we had been evaluating,” Tichenor said. “We also wanted flexibility on the amount invested, so the $1-million minimum appealed to us.
Have Any Questions? Get in Touch.
“And another thing that is attractive about the program is if you need access to the funding for some reason, you can bring the funds back at any time. All these factors were extremely attractive to our bank.” There are no MDIs in MVB’s home state of West Virginia, so it looked to neighboring Ohio to find Adelphi, a relatively new bank serving Franklin County, which includes Columbus. “The deposits we receive under the ACT Deposit Program are fuel for the bank to help the community grow and meet its financing needs,” said Adelphi’s Chairman & CEO Jordan A. Miller, Jr. Opened in May 2023, Adelphi Bank is the reincarnation of a bank chartered in 1921 during the Great Migration of Black people moving north. “We named our bank after a historic bank that created the first Black hospital here, financed a theater that hosted every jazz great, and helped all those newly arriving workers get credit,” Miller said. “We want to extend that legacy by financing the revitalization that is happening here.” Adelphi’s mission to help the people in its community build wealth is yet another reason MVB decided to make its deposit. “This investment is very visible,” Tichenor said. “It is helping to grow Adelphi and its community. That’s more satisfying than buying another municipal water and sewer bond.” Placing funds through the ACT Deposit Program was easy, Tichenor added, and MVB may increase its deposit in the future. “It was extremely simple and a fast process,” he said. “Adelphi provided all the paperwork, and it was very, very easy. We will consider further deposits.” Asked if other bankers should use the ACT Deposit Program to help bolster their CRA credit, Tichenor did not hesitate. “I would recommend it,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to do something a little different and the regulators are looking for folks to do something new—not the same old, tired thing.”
www.intrafi.com/act-deposit-program │ Diane Ellis │ dellis@intrafi.com
Deposit placement through ICS and the Advancing Communities Together Deposit Program are subject to the terms, conditions, and disclosures in applicable agreements. IntraFi is not an FDIC-insured bank, and deposit insurance covers the failure of an insured bank. A list identifying IntraFi network banks appears at https://www.intrafi.com/network-banks. Certain conditions must be satisfied for “pass-through” FDIC deposit insurance coverage to apply.
38 | OHIO BANKERS LEAGUE
2026
OBL FORUMS 2026
Bringing Bankers Together
OBL Forums are designed with one purpose in mind – to keep bankers on the cutting edge of their industry. These peer groups are based around individual banking functions and meet throughout the year.
Learn more!
For more information, contact education@ohiobankersleague.com or scan the QR code!
NOW
10 Forums!
Chief Financial Officer Commercial Lending Education & Trainers Human Resources Information Technology Marketing Mortgage Lending NEW! Payments Strategy Risk Senior Retail
WINTER 2025 ISSUE
| 39
OBL BANKING CALENDAR
SECURITY & TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE April 15-17 – Embassy Suites Columbus Airport
COMMUNITY BANKERS FOR COMPLIANCE Begins February 17 & 18
In 2026, the OBL and leading consulting firm Young & Associates, Inc. can help banks navigate the often-complicated compliance frontier through Community Bankers for Compliance and Community Bankers for Compliance PLUS. This tailored, multi-level compliance program is designed to strengthen a bank's ability to manage the complex requirements of consumer compliance. Membership includes: • Four quarterly seminars (subjects to be determined by Young & Association, Inc.). • Hotline services for all CBC members via telephone and internet. • Compliance Update includes an ongoing monthly update to the compliance calendar. • Access to CBC Members Only Web Page. In addition, CBC PLUS builds on the tried and tested CBC Program by offering bankers the opportunity to put together a custom-made consumer compliance suite, tailored to the individual needs of their bank. And New for 2026! CBC Extended Regulatory is another optional add-on to the CBC membership that offers a members-only website with additional content as well as pre-recorded update webinars. Check the OBL website for complete details or contact OBL Education Manager Megan Peiffer at mpeiffer@ohiobankersleague.com with questions.
40 | OHIO BANKERS LEAGUE
The annual OBL Security & Technology Conference provides bankers with solutions, learning and peer sharing throughout the 3-day conference. As the program features two tracks for Security and Technology, organizations can send bankers to one or both sessions, depending upon roles and responsibilities. The annual program features topical general sessions from experts such as Jon Waldman, SBS CyberSecurity, and Michael Hartke, infotex, as well as breakouts and a full OBL BankServices Expo where attendees can find answers to current challenges. Each track also focuses on banker best practices and open forum discussions, as well as peer sharing throughout the event. “Physical and IT security are more important than ever as bad guys seem to come from every direction,” said Jim Rechel, owner, The Rechel Group, Inc., lead facilitator for the Security Track. “I encourage organizations to attend this valuable program for the latest trends and information.” Past attendees have noted the program also provides valuable interaction and engagement between presenters and bankers and the opportunity to learn from others. A former conference-goer said, “The content is topnotch and I always walk away with answers and implementable strategies.” The conference kicks off the 2026 OBL IT Forum and is included in forum membership. For more details, contact Sarah Husk at shusk@ohiobankersleague.com.
ESSENTIALS SERIES OFFER EXPANDED LEARNING Looking to expand your learning over time and/or virtually? Check out these offerings. Understanding Bank Performance Series Begins January 8; April 2; July 9 & October 1 This eight-part virtual series, offered in partnership with the Washington Bankers Association, teaches bankers how to assess and analyze a bank’s financial performance by working with data from real institutions. Attendees learn the ins and outs of balance sheets and income statements, learn how to apply metrics and much more. Branch Manager Boot Camp Winter Session Begins January 14 The Boot Camp will be offered three different times this year, and can be attended as a series of four, or as stand-alone sessions. The programs focus on the next generation manager who will lead the transition to client relationship management, and will cover the critical skills and expectations that need to be developed including: • Leading Service Excellence • Business Development • Maintaining Superior Team Performance, and • Managing a Successful Branch NEW! Soft Skills Coaching Webinar Series Begins March 17 These four live virtual webinars equip managers and aspiring leaders with proven strategies to deliver impactful coaching that drives lasting performance improvements. Topics include: • Master Coaching to Achieve Lasting Change
CEO SYMPOSIUM
May 5 & 6 – Hilton Columbus at Easton Executives from across Ohio will gather at this premier annual event for the c-suite. Featuring networking opportunities, executive roundtables and general sessions, the program runs from lunch to lunch, allowing for easy travel and a one-night stay. This year’s program will feature an opening keynote session on Leadership that Sticks that will help to Inspire Loyalty, Drive Performance, and assist attendees as they Lead with Lasting Influence. Col. Mark Tillman, the pilot of Airforce One on the fateful 9/11, will close the program as he provides a behind the scenes look of Air Force One on this 25th anniversary year, emphasizing the concept of a Zero Fail Mission which can be applied in both business and everyday life. Detailed planning, measurable expectations, and personal responsibility are several of the key elements.
• Turn Conflict into Togetherness • Unlock Your Leadership Potential: Grow Your Teams, and • Transform Tough Conversations: Master Managing Difficult Employees
Watch for complete program details on the OBL website. Reach out to Julie Kiplinger at jkiplinger@ohiobankersleague.com with questions.
For all of these series, sessions will be recorded and available for viewing if schedule conflicts arise. Contact Julie Kiplinger at jkiplinger@ohiobankersleague.com with questions. WINTER 2025 ISSUE
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AROUND THE INDUSTRY Spotlight On:
LCNB National Bank Lebanon - LCNB National Bank announced several leadership promotions as part of its comprehensive succession plan, reinforcing the Company’s management depth and supporting its long-term strategic growth. Robert Haines II Promoted to President. In his new role, Mr. Haines will be responsible for leading key activities within the Company’s operations. Mr. Haines was LCNB’s Chief Financial Officer from January 2008 to October 2025 Andrew Wallace Promoted to Chief Financial Officer. Andrew Wallace has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer, where he will lead all aspects of financial strategy, reporting, and capital management. Mr. Wallace joined LCNB in June 2022 as SVP of Accounting and Finance. Mr. Wallace is currently a member of the Ohio Bankers League Next Gen Board and the FHLB Cincinnati Member Advisory Panel.
Robert Haines II
Andrew Wallace
Patricia Walter
Susan Kelley
Patricia Walter Promoted to Chief Risk Officer. Patricia Walter has been promoted to Chief Risk Officer, assuming responsibility for enterprise risk management, compliance, and governance oversight. Ms. Walter joined LCNB in 2024 through the acquisition of EAGLE.bank, where she most recently served as President. Susan Kelley Promoted to SVP Chief Accounting Officer. Susan Kelley has been appointed SVP and Chief Accounting Officer, where she will continue to build on the Company’s strong accounting, controls, and reporting foundation.
Dover
Archbold
Minerva
First Federal Community Bank, N.A. announced the promotion of Matthew A. Miller to President & CEO. At the reorganizational Matthew A. meetings Matthew Miller A. Miller was elected to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Trent Troyer. Matt has been with the bank since 2009 and has served as First Federal’s President since October 2024. Prior, Mr. Miller served as Sr. Vice President, Chief Lending Officer, and member of the executive team since 2021.
F&M Bank’s Chief Marketing Officer, Amy Cover, has taken on an expanded role as CMXO, Chief Marketing & Experience Officer.
Consumers National Bank announced that David Benavides has joined the bank’s executive management team as Senior Vice President & Senior David Loan Officer. He will Benavides report to President and CEO, Ralph J. Lober II, with an office in the bank’s corporate headquarters in Minerva.
42 | OHIO BANKERS LEAGUE
Amy Cover
As Chief Marketing & Experience Officer, Amy will lead strategies that integrate marketing, customer experience (CX), and employee experience (EX) to strengthen F&M’s brand alignment across all touchpoints.
Benavides has over 25 years of experience in mortgage, agricultural, commercial, and indirect lending. He is an experienced manager who has directed lending sales, operations, and credit teams at a variety of lending institutions in northern Ohio.
BRANDING
ARCHITECTURE
INTERIOR DESIGN
GRAPHIC DESIGN
MARKETING
CONSTRUCTION
YOUR DESIGN AND BRAND DEVELOPMENT PARTNER IN THE FINANCIAL INDUSTRY K4ARCHITECTURE.COM | 513.842.K4K4 | 555 GEST ST, CINCINNATI, OH 45203
Farmers & Merchants Bank - Springboro, OH
THIS DOCUMENT, AND THE IDEAS AND DESIGNS INCORPORATED HEREIN, IS THE PROPERTY OF K4 ARCHITECTURE, L.L.C. AND IS NOT TO BE USED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, FOR ANY OTHER PROJECT,WITHOUT THE WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION OF K4 ARCHITECTURE, L.L.C. COPYRIGHT 2013: K4 ARCHITECTURE, L.L.C. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
First Federal Community Bank - Dover, OH
Center Bank - Cincinnati, OH
Sutton Bank - Tiffin, OH
Southern Hills Community Bank -HILLS West Union, OH SOUTHERN BANK DATE: 06/03/2025
The Middlefield Banking Co - Westerville, OH K4 ARCHITECTURE, LLC 555 Gest Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45203 Tel: (513) 455-5005 Fax: (513) 455-5008
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Center Bank - Cincinnati, OH
First Financial Bank - Hamilton, OH
The Apple Creek Banking Co. - Wooster, OH
Center Bank - Cincinnati, OH State Bank of Lizton Main Office - Brownsburg, IN
The Union Bank Co. - Columbus Grove, OH
Richwood Bank - Bellefontaine, OH State Bank of Lizton Main Office - Brownsburg, IN
WINTER 2025 ISSUE
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Your Partners in BOLI and Benefit Planning 44 | OHIO BANKERS LEAGUE