Pub. 4 2015 Issue 1

January 2015 27 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 2015 BANK DIRECTORS WORKSHOPS In today’s challenging environment, it is essential that the bank’s directors know the numbers and the human - side of directing the bank from both a strategic and tactical perspective. MARCH 18 · HAYS, ROBBINS CENTER MARCH 19 · LAWRENCE, THE OREAD As you plan/finalize your 2015 training plans, please consider this timely training opportunity to enhance your board’s experience and knowledge. Educational Resources 785-232-3444 www.ksbankers.com and Freddie Mac do. And, while it creates additional risk for taxpayers – it ironically benefits from significant tax breaks. In 2013, those tax breaks totaled $1.3 billion – that’s quite a competitive edge. Today, the Farm Credit System is making risky loans with government backing – formalized last year by the creation of a $10 billion line of credit with the U.S. Treasury. ABA and the state bankers associations are committed to exposing these truths. We need you to help, too. We’ll be asking you to “take a stand” and encourage your lawmakers to do the same. You need to let your lawmakers know that the FCS’ tax-free status and ever-expanding mission make it difficult to meet the needs of your customers and their constituents. No one can convey this message better than you. This is not a new battle. We’ve been fighting long and hard to put an end to the FCS inequities. We’re making progress, but we need to keep pushing Earlier this year, for example, ABA and Kansas banker Leonard Wolfe testified before a House subcommittee that has oversight over the Farm Credit System, bringing some much-warranted focus on its activities. Shortly after the June hearing, Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.), a member of the House Financial Services Committee, penned an op-ed urging that “Farming should be at the center of the Farm Credit System … Unless we return the Farm Credit System to its original mission, taxpayers could be on the hook for a bailout in the near future and farmers’ access to credit could be reduced.” Now, with the rollout of ReformFarmCredit.com – and your engagement and involvement – we will continue to up our game. You’ll also be able to personally lobby this issue – along with other key banking advocacy priorities – at ABA’s 2015 Government Relations Summit, March 23-25, in Washington, D.C. Registration for the Summit is free. Go to www.aba.com/Summit to learn more. With all of these resources in place, it’s time to continue to show lawmakers the real threat that the Farm Credit System poses to taxpayers and the economy, and the need for reform. E-mail Frank Keating at keating@aba.com © 2014 American Bankers Association. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.