Pub. 3 2014 Issue 1

January 2014 7 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 Dear Don, I was recently made aware of your planned retirement from your position as President of Kansas Bankers Surety Company, and I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your service to the banking industry. Kansas banks are in a much better place because of you, and your commitment to banking will be your legacy. You have served our industry with class and dignity that has not gone unnoticed, and you will always be remembered. During the banking crisis of the 1980s I have no doubt that many more banks would have failed if not for your efforts to keep Kansas banks bonded and increase their capacity for D&O insurance at a time when all of the major insurers were deserting the market in Kansas. When the financial industry faced another major crisis in 2008, you and Kansas Bankers Surety were there to not only help us survive the storm, but to thrive during a very difficult period of time. On behalf of the Kansas Bankers Association, thank you for your service. As President/Chairman of United Bank & Trust, you were there for us in 2004 and made sure that our newly formed bank was fully bonded from the beginning. It was obviously critical for us, and I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate you being there for our bank. Your presence will be missed, but I congratulate you on your accomplishments and wish you and your family best wishes in your much deserved retirement. Sincerely, Leonard R. Wolfe Chairman, Kansas Bankers Association President/Chairman, United Bank & Trust D ON TOWLE, PRESIDENT OF KANSAS BANKERS SURETY COMPANY, has served the banking industry in Kansas with great distinction since 1967. Don retired at the end of December, 2013. I am sharing with you this letter to Don from our KBA Chairman, Leonard Wolfe, as it seems a very fitting recognition of Don’s significant contributions to Kansas banking. KBA LEADERS LEDGER By Herb Iams KBA President