Independent associations draw distinctions with names, logos

At least three independent banker associations have updated their logos recently, signifying renewed organizational energy, as well as market distinctions. Bankers in Iowa announced a name change at their convention in mid-July, and bankers in Wisconsin announced a logo update earlier this year, as did bankers in Minnesota. .At Okoboji, the independents announced they changed the name of their 37-year-old organization to Community Bankers of Iowa. A new logo accompanies the name change. .The new name is meant to emphasize the group's "focus on the independent community banks in Iowa" and also to draw "the contrast between the largest banks and true community banks," – a contrast which, the association asserts, "has never been greater." . "The recent mortgage debacle was not created nor participated in by community banks [which] have remained common-sense lenders and true supporters and participants in their communities," said CBI President Kris Ausborn, Iowa Trust & Savings in Emmetsburg..CBI's new logo picks up the swoosh design found in the logo of the Independent Community Bankers of America. "With our new name and logo and our affiliation with ICBA on the national level, CBI represents a clearly defined and identifiable commitment to the community banks of Iowa," the organization said in a news release..CBI had used its previous logo for 10 years. The old logo, which featured a stylized depiction of a farm field and rising sun, was the result of a renewal effort by members in 1997. At that time, there was talk of the association possibly merging with the Iowa Bankers Association, but instead, leadership poured efforts into renewing the group. Part of its efforts included hiring a new executive director in March of 1998..A decade later, the organization is as strong as ever, and it has a more cooperative relationship with the national organization than it did 10 years ago. In addition, a competing trade group based on thrift institution membership – Iowa's Community Bankers – disbanded last year. With the possibility of confusion with another group largely removed, the name Community Bankers of Iowa became much more appealing. .Don Hole, executive vice president and CEO of the group, said its members continue to consider themselves "independent" but that in the current environment the emphasis on "community" needs to be made. .In Minnesota, where the Independent Community Bankers of America was founded in 1930, bankers decided more than a decade ago to retain the word "independent" in their name. "I have always considered our name to be a mouthful, but we think it is important to note that we are both community bankers and independent," said 2007-2008 ICBM Chairman Mark Hewitt, Northwoods Bank of Minnesota, Park Rapids. "Many very large banks call themselves community banks." .The logo change for ICBM represents the association's strategic vision to be the top trade group for independent banks in Minnesota. Hewitt said that the association has recently made significant commitments to deliver more education and training to its members. In addition, the association is focusing on new product and service offerings. ."In the past, some people considered us solely to be a political organization," Hewitt explained. "Now, we are striving to be a full-service trade association."Community Bankers of Wisconsin also unveiled an updated logo and web site recently. Like Iowa, Wisconsin chose a logo that's similar to ICBA's. "By its similar design, the new CBW logo is also a clear indicator that we are uniquely aligned philosophically, strategically, and by our respective bylaws as a state-affiliate of the Independent Community Bankers of America," said Daryll Lund, CBW president and CEO. "It was a decision that our board made locally but with the support of ICBA.".CBW also emphasizes differences between community banks and larger institutions. "Our locally based community banks are common-sense lenders that never engaged in sub-prime lending," said Lund in announcing a recent CBW study that found more than two-thirds of Wisconsin's 2008 foreclosure filings came from banks "headquartered outside Wisconsin.".The CBW research, which was conducted by ForeclosureAlarm.com, indicates that the "top dozen financial institutions reporting Wisconsin foreclosures were all headquartered outside of the Badger State." San Francisco-based Wells Fargo led the list with 1,385 foreclosures, CBW said. By contrast, Green Bay-based Associated Bank, which had the most foreclosures among Wisconsin-based financial institutions, reported 209. "Wisconsin's 281 community banks collectively accounted for just 4.8 percent of all the filings…approximately two filings per community bank," according to the release."People are perceiving that all banks were creating this mortgage crisis and are suffering losses. Our data [show] that's not the case," Lund said..UMACC looks to United Bankers' Bank for support.by Tony Telschow.United Bankers' Bank of Bloomington, Minn., is now providing administrative support to the Upper Midwest Agricultural Credit Council; the bankers' bank helped the group host its annual convention this summer, which took place in Duluth, Minn..Up until this year, the group of agricultural lenders was administered by the Minnesota Bankers Association. .This was the first UMACC conference coordinated by United Bankers' Bank. UBB "stepped forward and said that they would take a shot with us to administer this," after the MBA "decided not to continue with the contract that we had with them," said UMACC President Mike Mentzer, American Bank & Trust, Miller, S.D..The two organizations have compatible interests, said UBB President Bill Rosacker: "Our goal is the same: to have good community ag banks." UBB was already a financial sponsor of UMACC and regularly attended its conventions, but the bank decided to offer convention coordination because "we didn't want to see a good group kind of flounder out there and not have a home," Rosacker said. UBB has 700 relationships in 11 states, and most are with ag banks. "It became a real natural fit for us," he said. .Mentzer said the 55-year-old UMACC offers members a great forum for exchanging business tips and exploring emerging markets. Presentations are meant to help ag lenders get in front of opportunities. "If somebody comes in the door now, at least they know something about it and they can ask the right questions and get the right type of business plans," Mentzer said. .A presentation on organic dairy farming at the July 9-11 convention helped attendees understand what to expect when their customers seek organic certification. "As a lender you have to be ready for those types of things, to know that you're going to get through that with reduced yields," Mentzer said.Approximately 30 bankers and their families participated in the event, which took place at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites in Duluth. .The group's focus on education and networking appealed to Rosacker. "It's no longer just what they know about lending on the dairy farm or the grain farm," Rosacker said. "They've got to know something about bio-fuels, and what that farmer is doing and what is going on in that environment, what is going on in organic farming, all of these emerging markets. You have to look into it and become educated," he said..UMACC's next convention is scheduled for July 2009 in Rapid City, S.D.