Conference Attendees

The 2011 CFO Peer Group / Senior Management Conference was held May 19 & 20 at Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, NY, and was a great success.  We were fortunate to have a beautiful day for our morning golf outing, excellent service by resort staff, and plenty of laughs during our cocktail reception.  With over 70 community banking professionals in attendance, the conference was certainly our largest to date, and we expect many more for next year.  The event was Tweeted live through our new IBANYS Twitter page and photos will be posted to our website in the coming days.

We were privileged to be joined by our keynote speaker, CNN Political Strategist and Analyst Alex Castellanos, who not only spoke, but graciously took photos with our members.  Please check www.IBANYS.net in the coming days to view all of the photos from the Castellanos program and the rest of the conference.

M&T Bank Vice President and Regional Economist Gary Keith gave an insightful presentation entitled, "What Comes Next:  U.S. and New York State Mid-Year Economic Outlook", showing the direction of our state's economy and employment.

In addition, the following exciting and informative presentations were given:

"Risk or Reward", Michael Jamesson, Jamesson & Associates  

"Issues Facing CEO/Senior Managers", Paul Mello, Solvay Bank.  

"Can You Cram for this Exam", Daniel Bailey, OCC  

"New Era for Portfolio Investing", Jim Reber, ICBA Securities  

"NYS Laws / Protection of Bond Holders", Anne Ross & Larry Seymour, Roosevelt & Cross  

"Current Tax & Accounting Issues", Dale McKim, Jack Pohlman & Ann Marie Morey, KPMG

A topic that was brought up again and again during CFO 2011 was social media.  In his presentation "The Next Three Years:  How Do We Mesh Technology into the Strategic Planning for the Future", Dr. Timothy Mescon spoke about the power of innovation and technology, as well as a number of important key factors about social media and technological advances that are important to today's community bankers.  Whether you're a Baby Boomer, a Generation X'er, or a Millennial, it is crucial to understand and embrace the shift from Facetime to Facebook.

Questions to Ask Yourself About Social Media:

• Does your organization have a social media initiative?    
• Are you comfortable with using social media?    
• Are your employees able to effectively and responsibly utilize social media?  
• Do your customers know how to find your social media website? 

Please note that audio recordings of the following speakers' presentations will be available in the coming weeks:  Jamesson, Keith, Mescon, Castellanos, and the CFO Roundtable. 

On May 31, a memorandum was submitted on behalf of IBANYS in support of S.4530 (Saland) which requires information subpoenas to meet the reasonable belief standard prior to service.  The bill would require that each information subpoena be individually mailed.  It would also provide that an information subpoena must be accompanied by a verification setting forth the grounds for forming a reasonable belief that the party served the subpoena has relevant information about the debtor.  The failure to include the verification or to individually mail the subpoena makes it null and void. 

A memorandum was submitted on behalf of IBANYS in support of S.5488 (Marcellino). It was introduced on May 25, 2011, is a Banking Department bill which shifts ATM compliance responsibility from the Banking Department to the bank. This bill increases the ATM compliance report from an annual to a quarterly filing requirement. The report is required to be made by electronic means. It also requires any bank which reports a violation of the ATM security measures to correct the violation within 10 days of the report. The supporting memorandum indicates that this bill would enable the Banking Department to reallocate resources if financial institutions were required to make inspections on ATM lighting.

On May 31, a memorandum was submitted on behalf of IBANYS in support of the subject bill which would extend the Banking Development District Program until January 1, 2017.  The memorandum stated that the program has been succeeded in its dual mission of enhancing consumer access to banking services and stimulating the local economy by increasing access to capital for local business.  The full memorandum will be available on the IBANYS website n the coming days. 

By Sal Marranca
Chairman, ICBA
 

To hear industry consultants or news reports tell it, everyone out there is wearing out thumbs texting and twittering and making mobile deposits while driving. (Don't do that!) There's a growing demand for the latest technology of every kind, but let's not go overboard.

Our reputation as community bankers is conservative and cautious. True. To stay in business, we're also innovative and service-minded. We need to appeal to our social media customers on one hand and our Social Security customers on the other - to be high-tech and high-touch. In short, balanced.  Read more...

How the bond market reacted in 2004 

By Jim Reber
President, ICBA Securities 
 

IBANYS is Trending

 Facebook:  Our new Facebook page lets YOU join the discussion!  Make comments on our wall posts, view pictures from CFO 2011 (and tag yourself, too!), get information on future events, read and give thoughts on our notes, and learn how IBANYS can benefit your organization!  Just search for Independent Bankers Association of New York State on Facebook, click "Like", and let the fun begin! 

Twitter:  Minute-by-minute updates of the latest happenings in your world-straight to your desktop!  Pictures, links, news, and crucial information will be relayed via Tweet-as well as some of the daily activities in the IBANYS office!  Follow us at www.twitter.com/IBANYS and we will send a mention your way! 

 And yes-we follow back and retweet!

That's right-IBANYS has officially joined the world of social media!

Make sure you check out our brand new Twitter and Facebook

pages for updates about our association, community banking, industry trends, and much more!

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that the State Senate unanimously confirmed Benjamin M. Lawsky as the Superintendent of the Department of Financial Services (DFS).

Mr. Lawsky is currently the Governor's Chief of Staff. He previously served as the Deputy Counselor and Special Assistant throughout the administration of then-Attorney General Cuomo.  Read more... 

This week, we welcome Oneida Savings Bank to the IBANYS roster.  Join us in extending a warm welcome to our new member!

Oneida Savings Bank is a full-service, stock savings bank operating 12 Central New York Offices.  They have been serving Central New York since 1866.  The bank is a leader in the delivery of banking and financial services in a professional, kind and compassionate manner in order to create an environment of exceptional service, trust and reliability.  Oneida Savings Bank strives to develop meaningful and lasting relationships with their customers, employees, shareholders and communities. 
 Contact:  Mr. Michael R. Kallet, President & CEO

Crista Leigh Collins as Director of Communications, Development, and Marketing at IBANYS.  

In addition to her position at IBANYS, Collins writes scholarly articles for various publications, blogs for the Albany Times Union, and voices commercials for local and national businesses.

Collins specializes in writing for publication and broadcast, promotions, and is a social media expert. 

"We hope that our members and affiliates will utilize Crista's social media expertise as IBANYS continues to increase our virtual presence," says IBANYS President / CEO

Members are invited to contact Collins with questions about how social media can benefit their respective organizations.

Collins is in the process of completing her master's degree in Communications at the College of Saint Rose, and holds a BA in Journalism from the University at Albany.  

Many may not like the political game, but if a game is being played with outcomes that impact you, me and our community banking future, we need to be participants in molding those outcomes.  

To that end we must have a strong PAC. Recently, I challenged Board members to match my $500 contribution to our association PAC. We are getting a great response, led by Past Chairman, Bob Fisher who has also passed on the challenge to his board.  I want to do the same with every one of our members.  

Take the challenge of asking every one of your board members and senior staff to take the "Franklin Club" Challenge by each contributing $100 (a Franklin) to the our state PAC.

Everyone who contributes will receive a lapel PIN with the Franklin Club designator on it, and recognition at the Convention and on the Association website. In addition, for every Franklin you contribute, the contributor will have an equal number of opportunities to have their name placed into a drawing. ($100=1 opportunity; $500=5 opportunities).   

The winner will receive two (2) free registrations to our convention in Saratoga Springs. (A question of fact must be asked of the drawing winner prior to receipt of the free registrations.)  Click here for the form!  

Over 45% of our member banks, directors, officers, and individuals contribute to the Franklin Club!  Want to join?  Contact Crista Leigh Collins at cristac@IBANYS.net.