Pub. 1 2012 Issue 5

6 l e a d i n g a d v o c a t e f o r t h e b a n k i n g i n d u s t r y i n k a n s a s T h e f e d e r a l court’s redistricting maps containing new political boundaries for the 40-member Kansas Senate and the 125-member Kansas House, has created nothing short of a political dust-storm in the Sunflower State. The court’s total disregard for incumbents when crafting their redistrict- ing maps led to districts that are now home to as many as three incumbent state lawmakers, while also creating a host of new unoccupied districts ripe for the taking by aspiring political newcomers. The redistricting shake-up came with just over eight weeks before the August 7th primary election, leaving incumbent lawmakers and challengers alike with a very short time frame to woo voters in these newly defined legislative districts. The redrawing of political boundaries for state lawmakers was also a likely incentive for the 19 incumbent state lawmak- ers (3 senators and 16 representatives) that announced they would retire rather than seek re-election. While incumbent lawmakers generally enjoy a significant advantage because of the communications they have shared with constituents over the past few years, most incumbents seeking re-election this year will find themselves trying to win new friends between now and August 7th. After five months of wrangling, this year’s unprecedented redistricting pro - cess finally gives way to the battle for control of the Kansas Legislature. While Republicans, which currently enjoy large majorities over Democrats in the Senate (32 to 8) and House (92 to 33), are expected to remain the majority party in both W e a r e pleased to a n n o u n c e our second annual Chief Financial Officer/Controller Forum to be held Thursday, September 6 at the KBA office in Topeka. Our first Forum held in September of 2011 sold out, and we are expecting an equally impressive attendance this year. This program is a little different than most we conduct as it is more of an information exchange than a lecture. Geri Forehand, Sheshunoff Consulting, will facilitate a discussion of such issues as checking accounts, overdraft charges, managing net interest margins, non-interest income, managing expenses, regulatory challenges, technology investments, liquidity and asset/liability tools, outsourcing, vendor management, branch performance, board reporting, account and tax issues, and whatever else the group wants to discuss. As an added bonus, participants will have the opportunity to submit topics and areas of interest ahead of time, so Geri chambers, the battle on August 7th will focus within the ranks of the Republican Party in the Kansas Senate. Moderate Republicans, which have controlled the Kansas Senate for the past decade, are facing a stiff challenge from conservative Republicans for supremacy in the statehouse’s upper chamber. While the Kansas House loses its conservative leader following the announced retirement of House Speaker Mike O’Neal (R-Hutchinson), most statehouse insiders expected the lower chamber to retain conservative leadership. Kansas bankers wanting to get a head start on casting their vote in the up- coming primary should note that advanced voting begins on July 18th. Advanced ballots can be obtained from your local election office or by requesting a ballot online from the Kansas Secretary of State’s website found at http://kssos.org/ elections/elections_registration_voting.html. Also, please note that Kansans for the first time will be required to show photo identification when they head to the polls. Finally, I encourage any banker having difficulty identifying candidates for their respective Senate and House districts to contact Kathy Taylor or me at the KBA office. We’ll be happy to send you a copy of the redistricting maps that everyone’s been fussing about all spring. Vote on or before August 7th! Special Note: KBA Political Action Committee (BankPAC) met on July 9th to approve contributions for pro-banking candidates for the Kansas Senate and Kansas House of Representatives. A listing of candidates supported by BankPAC will soon be distributed through KBA’s E-Source. If you have input or questions regarding candidates in your area, please contact Doug Wareham or Kathy Taylor at the KBA office at (785) 232-3444. can be prepared to address your specific issues. Thank you to associate member Allen Gibbs & Houlik for offering to sponsor lunch and refreshments again this year. Join us on September 6 to participate in real-time, real-world discussions and obtain proven strategies that will increase your effectiveness and contribu- tion to your management team and enable your bank to thrive in this challenging financial services environment. Enrollment will be available in mid-July and limited to the first 36 registrants. KBAwill be offering another new program this fall…Bank LoanAudit. The objective of the workshop will be to review all aspects of the bank’s loan audit procedures to ensure compliance with government regulations and internal bank policy. We will review appropriate audit procedures, common pitfalls and review techniques for each type of commercial and consumer loan. Specific discussion topics include a review of your loan department, management reporting systems, documentation, past due loans, allowance for loan losses/risk rating, collateral and documentation exceptions and an audit of specific loan transactions. We hope you will make time for this valuable new training opportunity. Registration is currently available at www.ksbankers.com NEW Educational Programs Coming This Fall Becky Tongish, KBA SVP-Educational Resources Redistricting Shake-Up Sets Stage for Primary Election Dust-Up Doug Wareham, KBA SVP-Government Relations