Save the date! Convention 2012!
Yes, you heard right. Convention! With our memories still fresh with thoughts of Saratoga, it is time to start thinking about Convention 2012. Our multi day annual educational sessions will be held this year on September 9-11 at Turning Stone Resort in Verona, NY.
Invited speakers include: Cam Fine, President & CEO of ICBA, Timothy Mescon, President, Columbus State University, and more!
As always, we'll start the convention with world-class golfing and a welcome reception on Sunday. On Monday, we have educational sessions you will only get from IBANYS, followed by our formal dinner. If you joined us in Saratoga Springs in 2011, you know the IBANYS convention is full of special surprises for all of our attendees. We can't tell you exactly what we are planning, but expect big things for 2012!!
Please keep September 9-11, 2012 open in your calendars for the 2012 IBANYS Convention. You will not regret it!
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Say no to HR 1418 and S 509
The credit union industry is primed for a full-scale campaign to expand its business-lending authority. Industry representatives will be on Capitol  Hill by the thousands to lobby for enhanced lending powers at the expense of community banks. And the credit unions aren't going to Washington to play nice. Help us OPPOSE the "Small Business Lending Enhancement Act of 2011" (S. 509/ H.R. 1418 ). This initiative for tax-exempt institutions has direct implications on the nation's community banks. The credit unions want to get their hands on community banks' small-business customers without losing their tax-exempt status. This initiative requires strenuous advocacy outreach by our industry.
WE NEED YOU TO REACH OUT TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS!!! LET YOUR VOICES BE HEARD!!!
We at IBANYS have developed a customizable letter for you to send to your Congressional representatives. All that you have to do is click on the link below and contact your local representative. Cut and paste their address into the appropriate letter (see below), enter your name and institution on the bottom, sign and deliver.
NYS Senate and Congressional Representatives
Please reach out to your local representative and let them know that you OPPOSE the "Small Business Lending Enhancement Act of 2011" (S. 509/ H.R. 1418 ).
Another way to help is to sign the ICBA petition against these bills. Follow the link to the petition HERE, and help advocate for the future of community banks right now!
Customizable Letter - H.R. 1418
Customizable Letter - S. 509
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Regional Meeting ReminderIBANYS would like to remind you of our Syracuse Regional Meeting that is just a week away! The focus of the informational session is social media as it relates to the community banking world. We really hope you  can make out for some great information, perfect networking opportunities, and a terrific breakfast! When: Wednesday, February 15 8:30am - 11:30am Where: Who should attend:
- Presidents
- CEOs
- Senior Managers
- Marketing and Communications staff
- Branch Managers
- Anyone else interested in issues affecting community banks
Why attend:
- Great networking opportunities
- Learn about latest banking media trends
- It is a FREE EVENT (with free breakfast!)
Agenda: - 8:30 am - Continental breakfast and networking
- 9:00-9:05am - Introduction - Paul Mello, President & CEO, Solvay Bank
- 9:05-9:35 am - Legislative Update - Dan Valente, IBANYS Director of Government Relations
- 9:40-10:40 am - Social Media 101: For Senior Bank Management - Joe Russo, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Investor Relations, Alliance Bank
- 10:45 - 11:30am - Round Table Discussion - Issues Affecting You - Moderator: Paul Mello, President & CEO, Solvay Bank
You must register by Friday, February 10 to get a spot at one (or both) of these great events. Get a registration form HERE.
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In Payments, Facebook Isn't Friending Banks
By: Sean Sposito, American Banker - February 2, 2012
Facebook Inc. is known globally for taking the social media world by storm. What's gotten far less attention is how its payments revenues have been growing gangbusters and how its digital currency could soon threaten banks as it moves into traditional channels.
Facebook generated about $557 million, or roughly 15% of its revenues, from "payments and other fees" last year, according to the S-1 it filed Wednesday in advance of a planned initial public offering. That figure is a five-fold increase from its $106 million in payments revenues in 2010, which was itself up from the $13 million the year before.
The burgeoning payments revenues come from selling Facebook Credits, a digital currency, for 10 cents each. Users can exchange the credits for digital items to display on their Facebook pages or to upgrade games played on the social networking site.
As Facebook nurtures the platform "Facebook Credits might grow and banks might lose some of the relationships they ... now have," says Gwenn Bezard, research director at Aite Group.
If consumers adopt Facebook Credits for more of their spending, it would distintermediate banks, distancing them from valuable spending data that could be used to cross-sell products and deepen customer relationships. Facebook could also become a prominent brand on checkout pages and eventually at the point of sale, further displacing credit and debit cards.
And that future might be closer than bankers realize. ...read the rest here.
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