Pub. 6 2017 Issue 2

March 2017 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 KBA PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONFERENCE — AN UNPREDICTABLE TIME T HE 2017 PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONFERENCE convened at the Topeka Country Club on February 8, with 130 Kansas bankers in attendance. Chairman Jim Hoskins started the day with a message about the influence bankers have when they support pro-bank candidates through BankPAC. He then played a video that celebrated the 130th anniversary of the KBA and explained the importance of participation in BankPAC. Doug Wareham, EVP-COO of the Kansas Bankers Association gave a short introduction to the new KBA app that was unveiled to conference attendees. The full association app will provide conference information and serve as a source for advocacy with a call-to-action feature. The intention is to have one app that all members can use for any KBA activity. The opening presentation, titled “The Impact of President Trump’s First 100 Days,” was given by James Ballentine, EVP- Congressional Relations and Political Affairs for the American Bankers Association. Since the President didn’t say much about banking throughout the campaign, much of Ballentine’s analysis has relied on statements made during confirmation hearings by Trump’s Treasury Secretary nominee, Steven Mnuchin. It does appear that this administration is interested in reducing regulatory burden. There is, however, a short window of opportunity to get meaningful legislation through Congress before they turn back to campaign mode for the 2018 election. With 52 Republican votes in the Senate, they need 8 Democrat votes to pass legislation and that will be difficult to get. Ballentine is still optimistic because of the ability of members like Kanas Senator Jerry Moran, who has an ability to cross the aisle and bring others along. There are also 11 Democratic seats up for reelection in 2018 from states where Trump won. Ballentine emphasized that more than ever before, the banking industry must have a collective voice to move forward and they need to turn out in force so that the Congressional delegation hears them. Another key change that will alter the way regulations are enforced and implemented is the number of terms that will be expiring for regulator leadership. The comptroller’s term will expire in April of this year. The FDIC chair will changeover in November 2017, the term for the Federal Reserve chairman expires in February 2018, and the term for the CFPB leadership will expire in Senate President Susan Wagle (R-Wichita) and Speaker of the House Ron Ryckman (R-Olathe) responded to questions from KBA’s EVP-COO Doug Wareham concerning the state budget and tax policies being considered at the Kansas Statehouse. Representative Kathy Wolfe-Moore (D-Kansas City); Representative Cindy Neighbor (D-Shawnee); Mike Boehm, Commerce Bank, Lenexa; Rep. Bill Sutton (R-Gardner) pause for a photo during KBA’s legislative reception. KBA Board Member Ron Wente, Golden Belt Bank FSA, Hays greets newly appointed Kansas State Bank Commissioner Michelle Bowman with her husband, Wes. Sen. Dan Kerschen (R-Garden Plain) and Joe Rottinghaus, Conway Bank NA, Wichita