October 21, 2020

Stay-at-home orders and social distancing measures aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 have caused severe economic hardships for many businesses, threatening their ability to meet loan obligations.

The 41st Annual MOKAN Trust & Financial Services Conference was held virtually on August 17, 18 and 19th. Over 200 attendees and 44 valued sponsors joined in. Thank you to the attendees, sponsors and speakers for making this event so successful given the uncertain times we live in!

A commercial borrower’s bankruptcy is typically viewed as something bad. There can be delayed payments, the risk of loan cram down and even possibly claw-back actions. Dealing with the bankruptcy proceeding can be an administrative headache, taking your time and attention away from other day-to-day work. In a perfect world, lenders wouldn’t have to deal with these problems. But despite our best efforts, bad loans still occur, and inevitably, banks must deal with commercial borrower bankruptcies.

In an election year, taxes always seem to come to the forefront of each candidate’s campaign — and this year appears to be no exception.

We all love our mobile devices. If you look around in any restaurant, walking down the street, even while driving (not a safe idea), you will see people glued to their mobile phones. In the past few years, the line has blurred between our personal mobile devices and business devices.

When Becky and her husband, Joe, relocated to Topeka, Kansas, in February 1977, they were starting their married life together (at the age of 21) in a new city with no friends or family. Topeka was a big and daunting city to a couple of small-town farm kids, but that move started them off in what would be a journey of discovery, ups and downs, perseverance and optimism.

The pandemic has forced many lessons on us, not the least of which is the importance of being prepared. I don’t
mean being-well-stocked-on-toilet-paper prepared. I mean having the ability and resources to survive an uncertain and even perilous period. For businesses, that requires having a well-crafted and tested business continuity plan. For households, the most important preparedness tool may be a well-funded savings account.

Shan Hanes, Vice Chairman
Shan has been President and CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank, formerly known as First National Bank, since 2012. He earned an Ag Business/Economics degree from Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Shan completed the KBA/NBA Ag Lending, Advanced Ag Lending and Bank Compliance Schools. He served on KBA’s State and Federal Affairs Committees and KBA’s Kansas Ag Bankers Division, including President of that division in 2013. He served as American Bankers Association’s Ag Banker Committee Chairman from 2015-2019 and currently serves on ABA’s Board. Hanes also serves on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Community Bank Advisory Council. Outside of banking, he is a USA swim referee and enjoys woodworking and helping with his daughters’ mowing business. He and his wife Michelle reside in Elkhart and have three daughters, Shayden, Shaybree and Shaylynn.

A successful rebrand often follows the story arch of every teenage-coming-of-age movie. The story goes something like this: nerdy guy or girl has aspirations of getting noticed by the popular kids in school, but their appearance and demeanor stand in the way.

As we continue to navigate these challenging times and the unchartered territory of our day, there is a bright light that shines within our communities. That light is fueled by the passion, purpose and people who comprise the membership of the Kansas Bankers Association. It is the bankers in Kansas who hold the rudder steady on our respective ships called Community as we take on the waves of adversity, change and challenge. And you have my commitment as your KBA Chairman that your organization — the Kansas Bankers Association — will advocate for you, ensuring that your image will continue to be promoted.