Pub. 3 2014 Issue 9

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 6 W E KNOW THAT EDUCATION AND training is a big investment for your bank... both in time and money. You can’t afford to waste these valuable resources with training that does not meet your specific needs as a Kansas banker. All KBA-sponsored training programs are developed for Kansas bankers by Kansas bankers, obtaining input and feedback from more than 250 bankers serving on KBA committees. In 2015, we will offer a full slate of conferences, seminars and workshops delivered live in various locations throughout the state. Additionally, utilizing KBA staff and several training partners, we will make available webinars, online and in-house training delivered at your convenience. For a complete listing of programs being offered in 2015, please refer to the news section at ksbankers.com or call KBA Educational Resources at (785) 232-3444. We want to be your one-stop resource for banker education. Our first stop in 2015 will be the Harold Stones Public Affairs Conference on February 4 in Topeka, followed by the Bank Technology Conference & Showcase on February 10-11 in Topeka. With over 50 exhibitors expected, this program has evolved into one of our more popular events, showcasing numerous forward-thinking IT-related topics and presenters over a two-day format. This coming year’s event will feature sessions on social media, the mobile workforce, mobile and invisible payments, risk assessment, the regulatory environment, technology ROI, security and financial crimes, branch transformation, cloud computing and much more. The technology conference is a must for your entire technology team including the CEO, CFO, IT manager and anyone with IT-related responsibilities. Because of the many sessions offered concurrently, the more personnel you bring, the more information you can take away. Registration for both conferences will be available on our website towards the middle of December. Please contact me with any of your training needs, large or small: btongish@ksbankers.com or (785) 232-3444, ext. 311. KBA LEADERS LEDGER DON’T GAMBLE WITH YOUR TRAINING – JOIN US IN 2015! ELECTION SOLIDIFIES HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP… HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP RESETS By DougWareham, EVP-Government Relations By Becky Tongish, SVP - Educational Resources T HE REPUBLICAN-TILTED ELECTION results on November 4 th virtually assured the return of Rep. Ray Merrick (R-Stillwell) as the Kansas Speaker of House for the next two years. Merrick, who has helped spearhead growth in the House Republican caucus to a record-setting majority of 97 Republicans, was overwhelmingly re-elected by his House Republican peers. Merrick will have plenty of Republicans to work with when mustering the 63 votes needed to enact legislation in the 125-member House chamber this coming year. Speaker Merrick will once again be accompanied by House Majority Leader Jene Vickrey (R-Louisburg) and House Speaker Pro Tem Peggy Mast (R-Emporia) who also retained their leadership posts during House leadership elections held on December 1 st at the Kansas Statehouse.