Opportunity Knocks for Community Banks: November 8, 2011

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) has made a new collection of resources available to community banks wanting to participate in its “Go Local” movement.

“Go Local” highlights the many advantages of banking with community financial institutions—advantages like excellent customer service, local financial expertise, and the knowledge that deposits are reinvested in the community.
In the section devoted to the “Go Local” public relations campaign, the ICBA has posted downloadable news releases, talking points, sample tweets and Facebook posts, and a “Go Local” logo. Community banks are encouraged to use the resources to spread the word in their own communities.

Additionally, the ICBA urges all community banks to verify the accuracy of listings on its popular Community Bank Locator page.

Visit the ICBA’s “Go Local” section for more information.

Viewpointe Invites BBW Client Banks Sep 7, 2011

Viewpointe is extending its substantial member-discounted registration rate to BBW client banks participating in “Balancing Innovation With Regulation,” a third-party sender roundtable leadership initiative for ODFIs and third-party senders with responsibilities in the areas of management, operations, sales, risk management, and compliance.

The event, to be held Friday, Sept. 16, 2011, in Phoenix, brings together third-party senders, ODFIs, regulatory examiners, BSA/AML auditors, and NACHA to discuss how innovation can be balanced with rules, regulation, and risk management. Completion of the program will earn 7 AAP Continuing Education Credits.

For a detailed program, logistics, and a link to online registration, see:

http://www.viewpointe.com/EducationResources/Education-Opportunities/Balancing-Innovation-with-Regulation-(702E091611).aspx

2011 Bankers and Bikes May 13, 2011

The vast majority of successful bankers thrive on interacting with people of all ages, and from all walks of life—including fellow bankers.

Bankers and Bikes is a loosely organized social group made up mostly of current and retired bankers, their significant others, and friends they’ve made along the way. A shared interest in motorcycles, the outdoors, and open-road adventures has motivated Bankers and Bikes to plan annual summer rallies whose routes, timing and destinations differ from year to year.

The 2011 Bankers and Bikes rally destination is Colorado Springs, Colorado. From their “home base” of Cheyenne Mountain Resort, bikers will be free to take preplanned day trips or spontaneous rides to various points of interest. Popular attractions include the U.S. Air Force Academy, the Royal Gorge, Manitou Springs Cliff Dwellings, Garden of the Gods Park, Cave of the Winds, Seven Falls, white water rafting, wineries, gold mine tours, and more.

The rally begins June 18 in Jefferson City, Missouri. For trip and registration details, visit www.bankersandbikes.com.

This notice is published as a courtesy; Bankers’ Bank of the West is not a sponsor or organizer of the rally or the Bankers on Bikes group.

Bankers’ Bank of the West Employee Embarks on Next Adventure After Nine Years of Service May 4, 2011

When Beverly Jennings received an offer of employment from Bankers’ Bank of the West in 2002, she wondered briefly whether the phone call was a prank:  Her proposed starting date was to be April 1, after all.

“I pictured myself reporting for my first day on the job, and the entire office saying ‘Just kidding,’” she said. “Wouldn’t that have been a great April Fools’ Day joke?”

But the offer turned out to be genuine, and over the following nine years Beverly proved to be among the bank’s most conscientious and congenial employees. She worked first in the Federal Funds area, transferring later to the Operations Department. In March of 2011 she announced her decision to retire in May.

Beverly’s Denver colleagues honored her by expressing their appreciation and good wishes—along with a bit of envy—at a May 3 luncheon at the office. May 9 marks Beverly’s first official day of retirement.

Bankers’ Bank of the West is indebted to Beverly for her loyal service, and the entire BBW team thanks her for sharing a unique blend of experience, work ethic, courtesy, and dry humor that made teamwork all the more enjoyable.

Congratulations, Beverly! Enjoy the many happy times ahead.

Why should your bank submit comments on proposed amendments to Regulation CC May 4, 2011

By offering your observations and comments on proposed amendments to Regulation CC (the Availability of Funds and Collection of Checks Act), your bank can bring important observations and concerns to the attention of the Federal Reserve Board before the amendments are made final.

It is critical that community banks express their views on the important changes under consideration. The largest institutions in the country will surely voice their opinions, but a broad spectrum of perspectives will help decision-makers ensure a farsighted and balanced result.

Please take time to study the proposed amendments and submit any comments you feel are warranted. The deadline for comments is June 3, 2011.

Link to March press release by the Federal Reserve System Board of Governors:
http://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/press/bcreg/20110303a.htm

Link to public comments received thus far by the Federal Reserve:
http://www.federalreserve.gov/generalinfo/foia/index.cfm?doc_id=R-1409&doc_ver=1

Bankers’ Bank of the West has announced a price reduction on BIDS-CM Quick Connect. Dec 15, 2010

Bankers' Bank of the West has announced a price reduction on BIDS-CM Quick Connect, an opportunity for community banks to offer a powerful online business cash solution directly from the community bank to its business customers.

BIDS-CM Quick Connect is an Internet-based application that enables a business customer to generate, validate and transmit ACH and wire transactions in a single secure platform. Quick Connect integrates with BIDS-CM creating a seamless transaction flow from the business customer, to the community bank, to Bankers' Bank of the West, making it easy to support and maintain throughout the origination process.

Furthermore, Quick Connect is modular and priced accordingly, so the community bank deploys only the services it needs, as it needs them. As a result, the module is both convenient and affordable. In light of the recent pricing decrease, many community banks will consider BIDS-CM Quick Connect a must-have tool for retaining commercial customers.

To learn more, speak with any cash management officer at Bankers' Bank of the West, 800-873-4722.

Press Release

Community Banks Anticipate Advantages From New Partnership Between Industry Leaders Dec 1, 2010

December 2010 -- Since the third-quarter announcement of LendingTools.com as Bankers' Bank of the West's new image cash letter partner beginning January 2011, members of BBW's Operations staff have been laying the groundwork for a smooth transition. Thanks to the outstanding cooperation and support of cash letter customers, the BBW Operations Team is ahead of schedule on conducting pre-implementation testing and securing image exchange certifications. Regular communication between LendingTools.com, BBW, and cash letter customers has facilitated progress and fueled excitement for the benefits ahead.

The major reasons behind the formation of the new cash letter partnership are:

• To pass along per-item cost savings to BBW customers -- savings that would not have been possible without the change.
• To enable customers to submit and receive cash letters using a single system (Bankers Internet Data System).
• To gain greater control over the cash letter services BBW provides, including back-office servicing and negotiations affecting BBW's customer banks.

High-touch customer service is one of BBW's core values, and the Operations Team looks forward to "walking the talk" by supporting community banks in the years ahead. BBW's cash management officers will be happy to respond to inquiries regarding BBW's cash letter services or any other operational functions; contact them at 1-800-873-4722 or bbwadjustments@bbwest.com.