Pub. 1 2012 Issue 6

20 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 K ansas Bankers Consulting Service (KBCS) is a subsidiary of the Kansas Bankers Association. Created in 2011, it was designed to meet specific compliance and legal needs of KBA member banks. The response has been ro- bust and many members have requested extended services. In response to the growing need for assistance with audits KBCS is now offering audit services. The new audit program will be an additional service available to KBCS members, and will be offered for an additional fee. KBCS is staffed with four attorneys, a paralegal and legal assistant with over 100 years of combined experience working in the banking industry in Kansas. As a result, KBCS can provide a unique perspective in its legal, compliance and audit services. KBCS staff understands the business practices of community banks and can tailor the audit services to a level appropriate to a client’s size and operations. The staff can provide audits for compliance issues in lending and deposit transactions such as Truth in Lending, Real Estate Settlement Procedures, Bank SecrecyAct, Truth in Savings Act and Electronic Funds Transfer Act. An advantage to using these services as a KBCS member is that, once the audit is com- pleted, KBCS staff can assist the client in making corrections through the program’s legal and compliance service with no additional fee. With the addition of audit services, the KBA legal department sought additional talent to meet member needs. Allison Kernin was selected to fill that role and joined the team on August 1, 2012. She grew up in Westby, Wisconsin and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. Allison gained interest in the financial industry as she worked as a teller and loan processor in col - lege. Her move to Kansas was initiated by her acceptance to Washburn University School of Law. Allison served as a KBA extern in the spring and summer of 2011, and worked as the KBA legal department intern from January to July 2012. Continuing her academic achievement, she graduated law school with Dean’s Honors and sat for the Kansas bar exam in July. Allison has a special interest in the study of secured transactions and is looking forward to driving audit services forward as the KBA strives to meet the needs of our member banks. Under the leadership of Terri Thomas, the KBA legal department continues to thrive. Building a team that has the capacity to meet the increased needs of Kansas banks is her top priority. The audit services are just the latest step in that direction and Kansas Bankers Association will continue to provide the services that banks need in order to survive and succeed in the new banking environment.