Education, compliance key issues at MBA convention

Northwestern Financial Review, Aug 1, 2001 by Dullum, Justin

[meeting coverage]

Minnesota bankers gathered June 24-27 at Maddens Resort on Gull Lake in the Brainerd area for the annual Minnesota.Bankers Association convention. The convention drew roughly 200 bankers along with 300 of their family members.

During the first full day of the conference, 2000-2001 president Tim Mieninger, Republic Bank, Duluth presided over a mid-morning MBA business meeting. Mieninger focused on a survey MBA conducted of Minnesota bankers last year and how the association will utilize the information throughout the coming year. "The survey will help us align our strategic plans with the needs of our member banks. We're a membership driven organization. Without them, we have no reason to be here," said Mieninger.

Mieninger outlined- several projects on the horizon, including an internal services and computer upgrade, which will facilitate easier access to information by members, a renewed credit union task force and a proactive media relations program, which is designed to assist members' community relations and marketing initiatives.

MBA President for 2001-2002, Mary Ellen Domier, State Bank & Trust Co. of New Ulm, said she will stress education, regulation and compliance issues during her term. "According to the survey," said Domier, "these are the areas in which our members expect us to be of help to them."

Domier also is interested in reinstating the Minnesota Bankers Community Partnership Awards program. "There's no reason why we should not try to take a little bit of credit for the many things we do every day in our communities," said Domier. The Community Awards program was started in 1990 and operated annually until the mid 1990s. The program encourages banks to describe community projects they sponsor. The descriptions are compiled in a booklet that is distributed to media, lawmakers and other decision-makers in the state. Other state associations, including those in Iowa and the Dakotas, copied the program after Minnesota garnered substantial positive press for the banking industry with it.

Other issues Domier considers high priority are programs designed to groom young bankers for future roles as industry leaders and increase the association's use of technology.

"Technology has reached the level of volunteerism," said Domier. "It isn't necessary any more to be logging hours of windshield time back and forth to association meetings. We can do that through teleconferencing just as well."

Patrick Hart, president of Paragon Bank, Wells, was named MBA president-elect. Hart is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and the University of Minnesota Law School. He is a member of the Minnesota State Bar and has served as a volunteer attorney for legal assistance programs and on various boards providing legal assistance to the needy. Prior to becoming involved in banking in 1973, Hart practiced law in Mankato and Wells.

The meeting's participants voted in Paul Pieschel, Farmers & Merchants State Bank, Springfield, as vice president-treasurer. Pieschel has been active in the MBA serving on the Government Relations Council, Political Action Committee, Education Committee and the Young Bank Leaders of Tomorrow.

The first morning of the conference also included talks from American Bankers Association President Don Mengedoth and St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman. Mengedoth promoted an ABA report about to be released that will offer bankers advice on funding. Coleman spoke on a topic that matched the convention's theme: strength in unity. "My job as Mayor is no different than a job as CEO or president of a bank. You have to convince people you know what is on the other side of the mountain," said Coleman.

By Justin Dullum