By Colin Barrett, President/CEO, Tennessee Bankers Association
More than 600 bankers and industry partners gathered in June for the 134th Annual Meeting at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, W.V.
This year’s convention will be remembered for its strong program highlighting key issues facing the banking industry and best in class speakers. With an upcoming election and continued regulatory malpractice in Washington, Rebeca Romero Rainey at the ICBA and Rob Nichols at the ABA discussed what bankers can do to advocate and support the industry. Congressman John Rose (TN-6) joined Wilson Bank and Trust’s John McDearman to discuss his work on the Financial Services Committees and what to expect in the coming months, while FHN’s Chief Economist Chris Low provided an economic update. Panels from leading experts covered commercial real estate, fintech/AI opportunities and the banking industry from investors’ perspectives. And a conversation between ThreadBank’s Joe Max- well and Marshall University President Brad Smith was inspiring and enlightening.
A personal convention highlight was the opportunity to recognize Brian Mobley, President of Financial Products and Services, Inc., for his service to the industry and Association as he prepares to retire at year’s end. Brian navigated the agency during times of upheaval for the insurance industry, and made the agency and association stronger through his leadership.
Convention also represents a time of transition for the Association as we welcome new board members and the gavel is passed to a new chairman. It was a privilege to work with TBA’s 2023-24 Chairman Jim Rieniets, Chairman, President and CEO of InsBank. Jim’s passion for the banking industry is well known, including his travels to DC at least quarterly over the last five years. His call to action as he handed off the gavel on the final night was for other bankers to engage in the political and regulatory front. I hope that message will be received by all our Tennessee bankers.
I look forward to working with our new TBA Chairman Billy Carroll in the year ahead. Billy is President and CEO of SmartBank, a growing bank with a presence throughout the Southeast. Billy is well respected by his peers throughout the country and will be a strong leader for the Association.
As we enter a new year for the Association, here is a preview of what to expect in our core mission of serving the industry through education and government relations.
The growth of TBA education in light of industry consolidation demonstrates the value banks place on continued education for their teams. In the year ahead, the Association will offer new programs on treasury management, fraud and physical bank security. If there are other topics that are important to your bank, please reach out to the TBA team.
TBA’s Government Relations team continues to lead the nation at the State Capitol by passing measures to protect and strengthen the industry, including passing legislation preventing the ability of credit unions to purchase banks as well as creating a hotline to report elder abuse fraud. However, we have also found ourselves in the crosshairs of both Republicans and Democrats when it comes to social issues. Long gone are the days where you could describe the parties by their positions regarding fiscal policy and the role of government. And we need your engagement as politics evolve into this new chapter.
To be successful in the political process, we must continue to support those that support our banks and customers. BankPac has set a record three years in a row, and we are well on our way to setting a new record in 2024.
The year ahead is full of opportunity for the Tennessee banking industry, and I look forward to working with each of you to make it a success.
