Pub. 14 2019-2020 Issue 3

NEBRASKA BANKERS ASSOCIATION 7 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Contact Richard J. Baier at (402) 474-1555 or richard.baier@nebankers.org . T HROUGHOUT THE SUMMER AND EARLY FALL, I HAVE HAD THE opportunity to travel the state extensively andmeet with member institutions from various corners of Nebraska. Thesemember visits are one of themost enjoyable and re- warding aspects of my role with the NBA. Regardless of institu- tion size, recent discussions have gravitated toward very similar topics: concern about the state’s agricultural economy, questions about natural disaster impacts and recovery efforts, and the need to promote banking as a career to the next generation. In addition, I’ve appreciated the opportunity to share some of the current NBA activities and areas of focus during these visits. As we approach the halfway mark in the NBA fiscal year, it is my pleasure to outline several priorities the NBA Board of Directors, committees and staff have been working on: • The NBA Board is in the process of an extensive physi- cal space analysis as the NBA’s current office lease is set to expire in April 2020. Options under consideration include a new lease on the current office location at U.S. Bank building as well as the lease or purchase of property in the downtown Lincoln area. • The NBA Board approved issuance of a request for pro- posal to evaluate advisory, administration and record keeping services for the NBA’s staff 401(k) plan. The board plans to select a vendor(s) at their December meeting. • Over the past two years, your Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA) Board of Trustees have aggressively implemented strategies to leverage technol- ogy, proactively control costs and improve the quality of the various insurance products offered tomember insti- tutions. After a comprehensive bidding process, VEBA recently announced plans to move various non-health insurance products toMetLife. This change will improve the quality of the service offerings while lowering overall costs to the NBA customer base by a substantial amount. • In recognition of member concerns about the need to educate and engage future bankers, the NBA team is coordinating participation in a variety of career plan- ning and job fair activities at various higher education institutions across the state. In addition, efforts are underway to broaden and expand scholarship and in- ternship programs to reach new audiences who might have an interest in banking careers. • To ensure the continued training and education of our Nebraska bankers, the NBA education team is finalizing plans to begin offeringmore peer exchange programs. In addition, the education team is continually evaluating methods to deliver content in electronic and in-person training. • The Bank On Nebraska Strong fund is providing sup- port to several communities that continue to rebuild from storm and flood damage. In most instances, the awarded grants have been utilized as matching funds which have allowed recipients to maximum their use and overall value. As of September, the NBA Board had approved eight grants to deserving organizations and municipalities, allocating $128,000 of the $165,000 available. Applications will continue to be accepted until funds are depleted. • The NBA Board, at their July meeting, approved cre- ation of an NBA BankTech task force. The mission of this banker task force will be to research and explore how the NBA and our collective membership can lever- age industry knowledge, expertise, relationships and resources to partner with fintech and bank technology solution providers to benefit NBA member institutions and ultimately those they serve. As I close my column this month, I want to extend the NBA’s condolences to the family of former NBA President and FDIC Vice Chairman, Andrew C. “Skip” Hove. Skip was a gentle, pas- sionate and visionary leader who served graciously in his role as community banker, local mayor, statewide leader and diplomat and national expert on banking. Skipwas a true gentleman and a mentor tomany of Nebraska’s bankers. He will bemissed by all!  Mid-Year Review Richard J. Baier, President & CEO, Nebraska Bankers Association