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WBA Banker News Clips for August 7, 2008

HEADLINES

WBA Banker News Clips for August 6, 2008

WBA Banker News Clips for August 5, 2008

WBA Banker News Clips for August 4, 2008

Wisconsin Banker, August 2008 

WBA Banker News Clips for August 1, 2008

WBA Opinion column: Wisconsin Banks among strongest in U.S.

By Kurt R. Bauer
President/CEO
Wisconsin Bankers Association

There is little risk of a Wisconsin bank suffering the same fate as IndyMac, the failed California-based mortgage lender.

IndyMac’s downfall was due in large part to its business model of originating risky mortgages in the volatile California housing market. By contrast, Wisconsin banks did not engage in risky mortgage lending and Wisconsin’s housing market, although weakened, has not experienced anywhere near the collapse California’s markets have witnessed.

Wisconsin also didn’t see the kind of housing market speculation that occurred in California and other growth states, which means whatever housing bubble exists here is modest by comparison.

According to the FDIC, bank earnings for the first quarter of 2008 show that Wisconsin banks outperformed their peers nationally. That is due to the Wisconsin banking industry’s historic conservative lending culture, as well as to experienced management teams, solid industry capitalization, low loan losses and almost nonexistent subprime exposure.

Bank deposits spiked in the first quarter of this year because consumers know federally insured institutions are the safest place for their money in uncertain times.

All bank depositors have insurance coverage up to and, in some cases, in excess of $100,000 per institution. The FDIC insurance fund has $52 billion in assets and will grow by at least $5 billion this year alone due to assessments paid by banks and from interest earnings.

All these factors add up to a safe and sound Wisconsin banking industry that consumers can have confidence in.

WBA technology conference

WBA Consumer ed conference - sept. 18

It’s never too late to learn how to tailor your educational presentation to have the greatest impact on your audience’s lives. Whether new to consumer education or a seasoned veteran, attendees to this year’s conference will leave with new perspectives, initiatives and insights into financial education. Click here for conference details.

become a wba Associate member

Founded in 1892, the Wisconsin Bankers Association is the state’s largest financial industry trade association, representing 300 commercial banks and savings institutions, their nearly 2,300 branch offices and 28,000 employees. Click here to discover the advantages and opportunities of being an associate member.

take a closer look!

When the Red Flags go up, make sure you’re prepared! As you probably know, banking regulators jointly issued final regulations—with a mandatory compliance date of November 1, 2008 —to implement Section 114 and 315 of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions (FACT) Act FIPCO has partnered with Wolters Kluwer Financial Services to provide you with the Red Flags Resource Center. It offers a unique set of resources, assembled specifically to help you understand and comply with the new rules. For more information contact your FIPCO account executive at 800-722-3498 (Ex. 254 or 258) or fipcosales@fipco.com or click here!

ad campaign reinforces wi banking strength

WBA marketing conference

Credit Card Fair Fee Act of 2008 (H.R. 5546)

The Credit Card Fair Fee Act of 2008 (H.R. 5546), will create a government panel of three attorneys to arbitrarily set rates and terms of interchange fees and the electronic payment system. The Judiciary Committee may vote on H.R. 5546 as early as next week and members of that panel say they haven’t heard from bankers.

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-Madison) is the only Wisconsin House member on the Judiciary Committee and her banker constituents are asked to register their opposition to H.R. 5546 with her office as soon as possible.

Click here to use ABA's web page and use their form letter to contact your legislator on this very important issue!

order your 2009 WBA calendar

Order your 2009 WBA Scenes of Wisconsin Calendar today!

This calendar is the best and most inexpensive marketing tool available to get your bank's name and contact information in front of your customer. Click here to take advantage of this unique opportunity.

View the 2009 Scenes of Wisconsin Calendar!

EVENTS

WBA sponsors a wide range of training and events throughout the year. To learn more, visit our Event Calendar.

WBA Chairman’s Member Appreciation Golf Outing

WBA The Top 25 Security Mistakes that a Smart Institution NEVER Makes - Webinar

WBA New Regulation Z Mortgage Lending Rules: A First Look - Webinar

WBA CRA Frequently Asked Questions - Webinar

WBA/GSB Best Practices In Credit Risk Management

WBA employee benefits corporation

Strategic Partnership Maximizes Customer Service

Effective Jan. 1, WBAIT and WBA Employee Benefits Corp. (EBC) began a new partnership with WPS and Delta Dental to provide group medical and group dental benefits to members of the WBA Insurance Trust.

Members of the WBA Insurance Trust can access the WPS Web site 24 hours a day at www.wpsic.com to review their own coverage and find doctors and hospitals to meet their need, as well as information about Delta Dental. The WPS site can also be accessed from EBC’s Web site, www.wisbankins.com.

To learn more about EBC’s new partnership with WPS and Delta Dental or the WBA Insurance Trust, please contact EBC’s John Ladwig at 608/441-1213 or visit their site by clicking here.