A membership in CBI benefits the bank, independent banking, and the citizens of Iowa. There is an ever-present need for an organization that promotes and defends exclusively the common interests of independent community banks whose services are vital to the preservation of economic diversity and rural America.
CBI can continue to achieve its objectives only if independent community bankers recognize the need to maintain their own association and continue to support it through membership and participation. Community Bankers of Iowa was created in 1971 to serve specific interests of Iowa's independent community banks. The need for an association that is dedicated to these banks has evolved and increased each year.
The competitive pressures continue to mount on community banks. Legislative changes, product and technology innovation and customer sophistication all require community bankers to become even better business managers. Preservation of independent community banks is essential to the U.S. economy, and organizations like CBI are essential to the preservation and increased prosperity of these banks.
1. Independent Banking EXCLUSIVELY
Community Bankers of Iowa was formed and continues to focus only on the issues confronting independent community banks. Be they legislative, regulatory, competitive or marketing, you can count on CBI to represent your interests and bring you alternatives tailored for the independent community bank.
2. Essential Legislative Programs.
CBI is the only organization that exclusively represents Iowa's independent bankers. CBI provides continuous professional representation of the interests of its members with respect to state and federal legislative matters. Both the number and the political strength of organizations that lobby for consumers, multi-bank holding companies, credit unions and others have increased significantly. It is imperative that independent bankers increase their political involvement and strengthen their capacity to persuade those who determine the policies of the state and nation. Although we strive to work with other organizations when appropriate, it is essential that the ability to adopt a unique position be preserved. Community Bankers of Iowa organized and maintains its own Political Action Committee under Iowa law to ensure that independent bankers are recognized and respected as a distinct segment of the financial services industry. PACs are a powerful political tool and a necessary weapon in the arsenal of every business organization.
3. Public Education and Marketing.
Spotlighting the importance of independent community banking to the well-being of the state and its consumers, businesses, farms, and communities is a major focus of CBI. With major bank competitors investing heavily in media, it is necessary for independent banks to band together to keep the community bank option equal in the minds of customers. CBI strives to reinforce the importance of independent community banks.
4. Regulatory Intervention.
CBI monitors the activities of numerous state and federal regulatory bodies, presents formal comments, and participates in administrative proceedings whenever the interests of its members so requires. CBI has represented independent community bankers in proceedings involving all of the federal banking regulatory agencies, the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, the Iowa Division of Banking, the Iowa Division of Insurance and others.
5. Networking.
CBI members can participate in a variety of activities that bring them in contact with other independent community bankers from across the state. Attending the CBI annual convention and other CBI events, and serving on CBI Board and committees give bankers an opportunity to discuss the wide range of forces that effect the business of banking. CBI also assists bankers who seek to join or to form independent banker peer groups.
6. Services and Insurance.
CBI Endorsed, Associate and Affiliate Members provide products and services that enable banks to reduce expenses, increase income, and expand their array of customer services. Each of these programs allows CBI banks to leverage their buying power by working together. CBI's approach is to locate "best of breed" suppliers and bring them to banks without creating unneeded infrastructure or staffing. Many bank members more than recover their dues from the benefits of only one program.
7. Education Programs.
CBI offers professionally-conducted webinars, educational programs and business events that cover a variety of subjects. These are designed to provide information that is not generally available from other seminar sources and that is particularly useful to the independent community banker. The unique CBI annual meeting and convention held in the Iowa Great Lakes resort region provides a forum for the dissemination of important information on a variety of current topics, including marketing, technology, politics, economics, legislation, regulation, and bank management.
8. Information on Current Events.
The CBI Community Banker Update newsletter is tailored to provide CBI members with important information regarding current events. CBI monitors a wide variety of news sources, and its newsletter reflects the stories behind the news as well as the unreported ramifications of events.
9. Minimal Dues and Maximum Benefits equals Value.
The CBI Board of Directors insists that CBI annual dues be kept at a minimum. CBI offers professional, accessible staff and quality services at the lowest possible cost. CBI is committed to preserving independent community banking, and uses every available resource to achieve that goal.
CBI can continue to achieve its objectives only if independent community bankers recognize the need to maintain their own association and continue to support it through membership and participation. Community Bankers of Iowa was created in 1971 to serve specific interests of Iowa's independent community banks. The need for an association that is dedicated to these banks has evolved and increased each year.
The competitive pressures continue to mount on community banks. Legislative changes, product and technology innovation and customer sophistication all require community bankers to become even better business managers. Preservation of independent community banks is essential to the U.S. economy, and organizations like CBI are essential to the preservation and increased prosperity of these banks.
1. Independent Banking EXCLUSIVELY
Community Bankers of Iowa was formed and continues to focus only on the issues confronting independent community banks. Be they legislative, regulatory, competitive or marketing, you can count on CBI to represent your interests and bring you alternatives tailored for the independent community bank.
2. Essential Legislative Programs.
CBI is the only organization that exclusively represents Iowa's independent bankers. CBI provides continuous professional representation of the interests of its members with respect to state and federal legislative matters. Both the number and the political strength of organizations that lobby for consumers, multi-bank holding companies, credit unions and others have increased significantly. It is imperative that independent bankers increase their political involvement and strengthen their capacity to persuade those who determine the policies of the state and nation. Although we strive to work with other organizations when appropriate, it is essential that the ability to adopt a unique position be preserved. Community Bankers of Iowa organized and maintains its own Political Action Committee under Iowa law to ensure that independent bankers are recognized and respected as a distinct segment of the financial services industry. PACs are a powerful political tool and a necessary weapon in the arsenal of every business organization.
3. Public Education and Marketing.
Spotlighting the importance of independent community banking to the well-being of the state and its consumers, businesses, farms, and communities is a major focus of CBI. With major bank competitors investing heavily in media, it is necessary for independent banks to band together to keep the community bank option equal in the minds of customers. CBI strives to reinforce the importance of independent community banks.
4. Regulatory Intervention.
CBI monitors the activities of numerous state and federal regulatory bodies, presents formal comments, and participates in administrative proceedings whenever the interests of its members so requires. CBI has represented independent community bankers in proceedings involving all of the federal banking regulatory agencies, the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, the Iowa Division of Banking, the Iowa Division of Insurance and others.
5. Networking.
CBI members can participate in a variety of activities that bring them in contact with other independent community bankers from across the state. Attending the CBI annual convention and other CBI events, and serving on CBI Board and committees give bankers an opportunity to discuss the wide range of forces that effect the business of banking. CBI also assists bankers who seek to join or to form independent banker peer groups.
6. Services and Insurance.
CBI Endorsed, Associate and Affiliate Members provide products and services that enable banks to reduce expenses, increase income, and expand their array of customer services. Each of these programs allows CBI banks to leverage their buying power by working together. CBI's approach is to locate "best of breed" suppliers and bring them to banks without creating unneeded infrastructure or staffing. Many bank members more than recover their dues from the benefits of only one program.
7. Education Programs.
CBI offers professionally-conducted webinars, educational programs and business events that cover a variety of subjects. These are designed to provide information that is not generally available from other seminar sources and that is particularly useful to the independent community banker. The unique CBI annual meeting and convention held in the Iowa Great Lakes resort region provides a forum for the dissemination of important information on a variety of current topics, including marketing, technology, politics, economics, legislation, regulation, and bank management.
8. Information on Current Events.
The CBI Community Banker Update newsletter is tailored to provide CBI members with important information regarding current events. CBI monitors a wide variety of news sources, and its newsletter reflects the stories behind the news as well as the unreported ramifications of events.
9. Minimal Dues and Maximum Benefits equals Value.
The CBI Board of Directors insists that CBI annual dues be kept at a minimum. CBI offers professional, accessible staff and quality services at the lowest possible cost. CBI is committed to preserving independent community banking, and uses every available resource to achieve that goal.
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