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Message From
the League President
“The government is us; we are the
government, you and I.”
Erich Bloxdorf Teddy Roosevelt
If the quote from President Roosevelt is true, that members must stay engaged in the legislative
we are the government, what is it that we should do? process. It is important for you to invest the time to
What would we do to help our industry, our business, connect with your elected officials as time allows.
our community and ourselves? I am certain that we As important, communicate with them through
all have very specific answers to these questions. e-mails and letters to advocate for the meaningful
I recall as a banker reflecting upon the following change we all desire. The League stands ready
question: “What would I do if I did not have to to assist you in this area, by connecting you with
wrestle with regulations or regulators?” What would the resources necessary to easily advocate for our
you do? What would you accomplish? Whom could positions. Check your e-mail over the next 45 days
you help? for information and links to accomplish this effort.
Meaningful regulatory reform is a top priority for But we will not ignore the issues surrounding
The League, as it is with all of the financial services the State of Illinois. For the first time in memory,
trade associations. And so, the questions that I note The League will co-sponsor an Illinois Lobby Day
above and the input that I receive from you are on with our friends at the IBA. This will be a unique
my mind as I meet with elected officials at the State opportunity for our members to come to Springfield
and Federal level. and discuss issues specific to their industry and
organization – more on that in our next issue.
With the mess that is our state government, we
are devoting significant resources into our federal Our year is also off to a good start in our
legislative efforts. Case in point, I have been to education area. Our Compliance seminar
Washington D.C. twice in the first quarter of this received rave reviews and saw strong increases in
year. And unlike the trips in 2016, there seems to attendance. While compliance issues are always
be a renewed sense of optimism that meaningful important, the participation by the Office of the
regulatory change can and will occur. As I have Comptroller of the Currency, FDIC and Illinois
heard from my peers across the country, while we Department of Professional Regulation certainly
have a favorable climate, we must be proactive and played a part in a successful seminar. We also held
professionally aggressive in pushing our agenda our annual Asset Liability Management seminar,
forward. From the TAILOR Act to recognizing presented by the perennial favorite, Dr. Jim Clark.
loans held in portfolio as Qualified Mortgages and With the changing financial markets, this seminar
everything in between, we are pursuing positive received strong reviews as well.
change for our industry and taking our seat in One note for the upcoming quarter to be aware
government. of. We are hosting our Annual Thrift Seminar on
This meaningful change, however, cannot be June 2nd in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Please
accomplished without a concerted effort by many make plans to attend!! This year’s event
in our industry. As a leader in the industry, our is packed full of terrific speakers from firms
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First Quarter 2017 IllInoIs RepoRteR
