North Dakota bankers focus on future at convention

Northwestern Financial Review, Jul 1-Jul 14, 2008 by Sandin, Erik

Leaders of the North Dakota Bankers Association are set to implement a new, three-year strategic plan, as they come out of their annual convention, conducted June 8-10 in Bismarck.

The plan was created during a two-day session in April in Grand Forks. "We did that about three, maybe four years ago," said Eric Hardmeyer, president of the Bank of North Dakota and outgoing NDBA chairman. "We knew there was a finite shelf life to that plan in 2004."

The new strategic plan, developed with the help of a consultant, focuses on issues that "maximize" benefits NDBA offers its members, according to 2008-2009 NDBA Chairman Mark DuBord, regional president with American Federal Bank in Fargo. DuBord said that ideas discussed by strategic planning committee members included continuing education for NDBA members; legislative and government relations initiatives; membership retention, especially in the face of continued consolidation in the banking industry; and other benefits of membership in the trade group.

"Obviously, the rollout of the plan" is important, Hardmeyer said. "We want to make sure we stay focused."

Hardmeyer and DuBord noted milestone events for the association. One was the NDBA's move to its new Bismarck headquarters building in mid-December. He adds that the new building provides more space to meet staff needs and offers a central location to host meetings.

Hardmeyer said another milestone was defeat of the Farm Credit System Horizons program in the much-debated farm bill. Hardmeyer said he will continue to urge bankers to remain together "for the ongoing battle over Farm Credit."

Reflecting on his year as NDBA chairman, Hardmeyer said his term was marked by the absence of a major issue for the association to address. "There weren't any crises," he said.

Hardmeyer attributed his smooth term in office to both the NDBA staff, led by association president Rick clayburgh, and the North Dakota's economy.

"Some of the things that affected the rest of the country have not affected us." Hardmeyer noted, pointing to the state's strong agricultural and mineral extraction sectors.

"North Dakota is a significant player in the energy industry," he said. "Some national things may trickle down, but we're sitting very well these days."

DuBord called Hardmeyer a "good chairman to follow." DuBord said: "Eric and I had numerous conversations. We traveled quite a bit together,"

One task DuBord will face is dealing with the North Dakota legislature, which meets only in odd-numbered years. NDBA's legislative committee has already met to prepare its legislative priorities, DuBord said, adding the association has "17 pages of items for association members to consider."

Both DuBord and Hardmeyer said the biggest challenge NDBA faces in the coming year is to continue offering value to membership. "Some of the advantages of belonging to the association is that we are only as strong as the involvement of our members," Hardmeyer said.

By Erik Sandin