Each year as spring approaches I claim with good intention that I’m going to play more golf and even take some lessons. Well, it’s nearly June. I’ve played once. No lessons. Maybe I should take up fishing. Or, possibly just admit that I actually prefer doing yard work and playing hobby farmer. Anyway, I hope you’re doing a better job sticking to your spring resolutions!
Contrary to my golf game, activity at ICBND has been robust since our last newsletter. In late April, ICBND member bankers converged on Washington DC along with community bankers from across the nation for the 2016 ICBA Washington Policy Summit. This annual trek is to directly lobby our Congressional delegation and regulators addressing the major issues affecting community banking in our state. Our message focused on regulatory relief, system-wide data security standards, a level playing field with tax advantaged credit unions and Farm Credit, and certainty within the farm and rural safety net, particularly in this challenging ag market. Election year dynamics however, will prove challenging for any significant regulatory relief before November.
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