THE CHAIR'S MESSAGE
Another important part of our association
is the MBA's Legal and Compliance
Department. Not all state associations
across the country offer legal and
compliance support to their members.
Minnesota is home to many community
banks, which are especially impacted by
regulatory burden. Therefore, the benefit
The Strength of Our Association
of having an association that can provide
legal and compliance support is significant.
The legal manuals covering both state and
Mark White
federal law and the Legal/Compliance
President
First National Bank, Coleraine
bulletins on changing laws and regulations
are helpful. And the ability to contact
the legal department with questions is a
tremendous service.
Thank you once again for the day, and they know the issues that need
opportunity to serve as the Chair of
attention. Once the Committee identifies
This year the MBA legal team also
the MBA. I continue to be honored and
the topics, the MBA education staff,
provided a rather unique service to help the
humbled by this experience, as I have
supported by the MBA legal team, identify
banking industry. They researched, wrote
a tremendous amount of respect for the
good speakers to address the topics. The
and filed amicus curiae briefs supporting
people who have held this position before
result is an extremely timely program, with
two Minnesota banks in lawsuits brought
me and pride for the many ways our
nationally-known compliance instructors,
by the federal government. Both cases had
association supports the Minnesota banks.
offered right here in Minnesota. This
major implications for the banks involved,
but they also raised serious concerns for all
The MBA is in great shape right now.
year's Advanced Compliance Workshop
the rest of us. We owe a debt of gratitude to
Our membership is strong; we enjoy the
was held in early October, and once again
the banks involved in these over-reaching
active support of our member banks; our
this important program was well-attended
lawsuits because they chose to fight the
Board of Directors is providing strong
and received high ratings.
lawsuits rather than just settle, and we are
leadership and direction; and our staff is
Also consider a new education offering,
fortunate that the MBA has the expertise
effectively executing our programs. It takes
the MBA's Leadership Academy. The
and the resources to provide this important
a lot of different factors coming together
MBA Board members were discussing
type of legal service.
for an association to work. Right now the
the challenge of identifying the next
MBA is hitting on all cylinders, providing
generation of leaders within our banks.
A third major association strength is our
products and services that equate to real
The Graduate Schools of Banking do
employee benefits program. The MBA
value for our member banks. Let me give
a fantastic job of providing technical
Employee Benefits Trust was established
you a few recent examples from the various
banking information. The Board thought
over two decades ago with the simple goal
MBA departments.
that a program designed to teach
of providing affordable group insurance to
Minnesota's community banks. The old
First, the fall is a busy time for MBA
fundamental leadership skills would be a
saying, "there is strength in numbers,"
education programs. One of the strengths of
great complement to the training provided
perfectly sums up this situation. Because
the MBA is that our education programs are
by the Graduate Schools. We challenged
a majority of Minnesota banks utilize our
locally-developed by Minnesota bankers,
the staff to design and roll out a leadership
plans, we have assembled a group of over
for Minnesota bankers. For example, the
program, which they did. In its first year, the
5,000 employees. That large employee
MBA's Advanced Compliance Workshop
MBA Leadership Academy is getting rave
group, plus the fact that our plans are well-
is offered annually. Each year, the MBA
reviews from its participants. One of my
reserved, allows us to negotiate favorable
Compliance Committee plans this two-day
bank's employees is part of the Academy's
rates from our insurance carriers on a
event by analyzing the most significant,
first class, and she is very happy with the
variety of high quality plans. The upcoming
hot compliance topics. These experts live
program and is learning a lot about what it
2018 plan year brings more good news for
and breathe compliance matters every
takes to be an effective leader.
2017/18 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chair
Immediate Past Chair
District 1
Mark White, President
Gail Mikolich, COO
Rich Hoban, CEO
First National Bank, Coleraine
Northeast Bank, Minneapolis
Frandsen Financial Corporation
Vice Chair/Treasurer
President/CEO
District 2
Mark Miedtke, President
Joe Witt, President/CEO
Mike Finley, President
Citizens State Bank, Hayfield
Minnesota Bankers Association
Janesville State Bank
CHANGE MONTH>>>>>
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MBA News | November/December 2017 | www.minnbankers.com
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