Pub 1 2012 Issue 1

My, my, how I enjoyedmy three year term as President, President- Elect and Chairman of the KBA. Even at my advancing age, that remains the highlight of my profes- sional career. Traveling the highways and byways with the two unforgettable characters, Harold Stones and Jim Maag, was indeed a special challenge. But as we all know, challenges often produce lasting memories and benefits that we remember and cherish the rest of our life. Those two individuals have been very special to me. Of great satisfaction is the strength, reputation and profile the Kansas Bankers Association is continuing to enjoy to this day. In 1997, 410Kansas banks nav - igated through stormy weather to an unknown destination. Some of the challenges included competi- tion arising fromcredit unions and a privileged class trying hard to extend their authority. Financial modernization was on the table with banks wanting a full line of financial services. ATMsurcharges were hot while the Kansas Bankers Association worked hard on get- ting an increase in the estate tax deduction. All of these obstacles were met by capable bankers and the outstanding leadership of the Kansas Bankers Association. The charge was lead by our 30- year veteran and captain, Harold Stones. I sailed through 1997 preparing the KBA crew for the retirement of Captain Stones. Harold, my personal friend since his profes- sor days at Fort Hays State Uni - versity, asked if I might consider the presidency as he retired. I jumped at the opportunity and held many farewell ceremonies in honor of Harold, including in To- peka, Hays and Colorado Springs, Colo., where we set the attendance record. I knew the Kansas banks were in good shape with JimMaag waiting on the deck. It was a year of recognizing Harold and Patty Stones for all the wonderful work they had ac- complished as well as assisting the capable KBA staff on the challenges that presented themselves that year. The KBA has stood the test of time, and I amhonored to have served as president in 1997. While the KBA has accom- plished many notable things in its history, I don’t believe any of those accomplishments, by them- selves, could fully define what the organization has really meant to Kansas banking. Speaking not only as a former KBA president, but also on behalf of two other former presidents, my father Linton and grandfather Floyd, and our four generations and one hundred years in Kansas banking, the KBA has given us a sense of belonging to an entity that is truly greater than the sumof its individual members. The hundreds of Kansas banks and thousands of Kansas bankers that have been the KBA in its 125 years represent story upon story upon story of building communities, businesses, farms and families through good times and not-so- good times. Membership in the KBA comes with the sense that we’ve all been involved in this building effort as part of the Kansas banking com- munity every bit as much as we’ve taken pride in the accomplish- ments of our individual banks. The same can be said of the KBA itself. We’re not just a trade group but an industry fellowship compet- ing vigorously among ourselves and others, weathering financial, regulatory, and meteorological challenges, working through struc- tural issues, andpromotingKansas banking all the while, never taking our football home when things didn’t go our individual ways. The strength of our banks and the Kansas Bankers Association mir- ror the strength of family, a proud and accomplished family for 125 years, with a confidence that the family will endure. Murray Lull Smith County State Bank & Trust Smith Center, Retired KBA Chairman 1992- 93 WR Robbins Farmers Bank & Trust, Great Bend KBA Chairman 1996- 97 Larry Williams The Halstead Bank, Halstead KBA Chairman 1994- 95