Pub. 12 2017-2018 Issue 4

NEBRASKA BANKERS ASSOCIATION 9 Email Rob Nichols at nichols@ aba.com . ©American Bankers Association. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission. tion Board and also chairs the Fund for Economic Growth, for suggesting this. Bankers serving on ABA’s Community Bankers Council, along with senior loan officers and others at member banks, made a big difference when they pro- vided us essential feedback during the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s rulemaking on small-dollar loans. Their comments, which we relayed in letters and meetings with bureau officials, resulted in a critically important exemp- tion for banks from the CFPB’s final rule requiring short-term, small-dollar loans to meet an ability-to-repay test. Banker involvement was also the key to scoring improvements last year to the Call Report for smaller banks. We are seeking to replicate that success as the agencies undertake a review of their safety and soundness exams. That’s why ABA invited regulators to listen in on two banker conference calls we hosted on the topic—so that regulators could hear bankers’ perspectives early on in their review process. And of course, bankers’ engagement on the CFPB’s arbitration rulemaking not only helped shape ABA’s policy position on the issue, it ultimately helped persuade Congress to overturn the rule, securing a critical win for bank customers who would have lost access to a resolution option that was faster, more economical, and more beneficial to consumers than class-action litigation. The truth is, we rely on bankers to inform and guide everything we do, from our comment letters on regulatory proposals and advocacy communications, to conference content and online train- ing. That is the only way associations can succeed. So my appeal to you is this: Help us help you. We are fortunate to have many engaged bankers, but we need more. We especially want to make sure tomorrow’s bank leaders are engaging today. ABA Chairman Ken Burgess told the crowd at our annual convention that he learned the importance of actively partici- pating in association and industry affairs early on from his dad, who was involved with both the Texas Bankers Association and Independent Bankers Association of Texas, as well as ABA. It’s a legacy he is passing on to his staff, and I hope our other banker volunteers will do the same. Odds are that whatever position you hold in your bank, you possess expertise that your state association and ABA are eager to tap. Look for opportunities to join a working group or serve on a committee (see opportunities at aba.com/Commit- tees) . Respond to surveys asking your views on an issue or business practice. Tell us what your bank needs help with to succeed. Guide us, use us. That’s why we are here. And it’s how, together, wemake good things happen.  1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800 Omaha, NE 68124 402.390.9500 koleyjessen .com Dynamic Legal Advisors for the Business Minded Marlon M. Lofgren Donald L. Swanson M. Shaun McGaughey Thomas F. Ackley Max J. Burbach Matthew J. Speiker Brian J. Koenig Kristin M. Krueger Taylor C. Dieckman Our Banking, Finance and Creditors’ Rights Team: