LBA's 2021 Year in Review offers a summary of the Association's activities and accomplishments. The continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has changed much of how business is conducted for both the financial industry and the Association. Below is a glimpse of how LBA's staff have used these changes to develop new delivery methods with increased flexibility as they continue to serve Louisiana banks through government relations, education, communication and more.
LBA on Mission
In 2021, LBA's staff of 10 brought a total of 184 years of association experience—that's an average tenure of 18.4 years each—to partner with LBA members to accomplish LBA's mission—helping banks grow & prosper. The end of 2021 brought with it the retirement of LBA's fifth CEO, Robert Taylor. LBA Chief Operating Officer Ginger Laurent was named CEO by the LBA Board of Directors and assumed the role on Jan. 1, 2022, making her not only the sixth CEO in LBA's 122-year history, but also LBA's first female CEO.
Advocacy
LBA’s government relations team is trusted, respected and dedicated to promoting and preserving the pro-banking environment in Louisiana. LBA saw continued legislative success during the 2021 State Legislative Session, including passing 7 LBA-supported bills and resolutions that were signed into law:
- Act 17 by Rep. Stephanie Hilferty repeals outdated public policy language in the Louisiana Banking Code regarding de novo interstate branching.
- Act 469 by Rep. Alan Seabaugh reduces the required number of print advertisements from two to one advertisement for re-advertising a sheriff’s sale of immovable property that has been postponed or rescheduled.
- Act 23 by Rep. Polly Thomas makes conforming amendments in the Banking Code to quorum and voting requirements to reflect that stockholders may participate in stockholder meetings by remote communication.
- Act 267 by Rep. Paul Hollis increases penalties for a law geared at preventing misleading solicitations by mortgage insurance and other companies that reference a bank's name without including certain legally required disclosures.
- Act 163 by Sen. Barry Milligan clarifies that the authority of a curator who has been judicially appointed to handle the affairs of an interdicted person includes the authority to conduct banking transactions on behalf of the interdict and access the interdicts existing deposit accounts, unless the Letters of Curatorship specifically limit such authority.
- Act 44 by Sen. Mike Reese adds to the Louisiana Banking Code cross-references to the provisions in the Code of Civil Procedure Articles that provide for the authority to rely upon small succession affidavits and the liability protection for banks when a small succession affidavit is used to transfer deposits and safety deposit box contents of a deceased customer to the heirs or legatees listed in the affidavit.
- HCR 74 by Rep. Joe Marino urges and requests the Louisiana congressional delegation to support H.R. 1996 and S. 910, the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act (SAFE Banking Act) of 2021, to give banks a safe harbor from legal or regulatory action for banking a marijuana-related business that is acting in accordance with state law.
Monitor, Track, Act
During the 2021 state legislative sessions, 1,665 bills, resolutions and study requests were reviewed by LBA and 100% of the bills that were identified by LBA as harmful to banks and their customers were either favorably amended or defeated during the state legislative process.
- 5,264 messages were sent through LBA’s VoterVoice Call to Action campaigns to members of the Louisiana Congressional Delegation.
- 52,000+ emails were sent to distribute the 39 LBA Government Relations Update bulletins produced in 2021.
- LBA State PAC 2021 contributions totaled $104,465 from 62 banks—a new record amount raised for LBA's State PAC.
- LBA Fed PAC 2021 contributions totaled $80,109 from 592 individuals.
- There were 32 members of Cliff's Club for 2021, which recognizes institutions whose employees and directors collectively give $1,000 or more to the Fed PAC.
- LBA member banks and bankers have contributed over $1.7 million to the LBA PACs since 2001.
Professional Development/Education
In 2021, LBA welcomed bankers back to in-person training beginning in March and continued to offer classes in a variety of delivery methods throughout the year. In an effort to continue to provide member bankers with the opportunity to network with peers and stay current on important issues affecting a rapidly-changing industry, LBA invested in equipment upgrades to The Bankers Center at the LBA office. Beginning in August of 2021, the upgraded equipment, including ceiling microphones and a video conferencing camera, allowed LBA to offer training programs with more options for attending—live stream via Zoom, program recordings and in-person.
- Total attendees for LBA's Annual Convention & Exposition: 331
- 4,500+ bankers have graduated from LBA's Bankers School for Supervisory Training since the school began in 1973
- There are 32 active LBA Peer Groups & the number continues to grow at the request of bankers. New peer group added in 2021: Deposit Operations
- In 2021, LBA staff collaborated with Louisiana Tech University's School of Business to begin a School of Banking at the university's Ruston campus with the first session schedule for June 2022.
Giving Back
For 64 years, the Louisiana Bankers Education Council has accomplished its mission of facilitating banker development and promoting financial literacy outreach to Louisiana bankers through their various programs, including the Bank-at-School program, Simply Banking study guides, College Freshman Scholarships, 365 to Rich Bank Shadow Day, Leadership School, partnering with Louisiana JumpStart Coalition and managing the Louisiana Bankers Patrick Spencer/FISC Education Foundation which funds the above programs.
LBEC hosted a Skeet Shoot Fundraiser in 2021 to benefit the Louisiana Bankers Patrick Spencer/FISC Education Foundation and raised a total of $5,000. The shoot was held in Mangham with 70 bankers participating from 13 banks.
Bank Counsel Section
The LBA Bank Counsel Section consists of bank attorneys that work as both in-house and outside counsel. The section members, under the direction of the Bank Counsel Committee members, assist in drafting legislation and work closely with the LBA government relations and legal staff throughout the year.
- In 2021, Mississippi Bankers Association joined LBA for the first time in sponsoring the annual Bank Counsel Conference.
Endorsed Products & Associate Members
LBA Endorsed Products and
Associate Members provide banks with superior products and services. These partners are industry leaders who share LBA's high standard for quality service.
13 Total LBA Endorsed Vendors
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LBA Associate Members "associate" themselves with Louisiana's commercial banks and thrifts by monitoring developments in the banking industry with the information they receive from the Association.
Member Services
The LBA Mentorship Program Toolkit resource was added to LBA's website to give member banks a starting point to create a mentorship program.
- The LBA Career Center generated more than 16,000 visits in 2021 and includes:
- LBA Job Bank, individual job openings posted by LBA members with a total of 87 classifieds posted in 2021.
- Member Job Board, an annual subscription available to LBA members where they can post a link to their bank’s career opportunities webpage.
35 LBA Service Awards were presented in 2021, bringing the total presentations since 2001 to 465 LBA Service Awards—awards that represent more than 20,000 years of service to the banking industry. LBA Service Awards are presented to bankers who have 45 years or more of active banking service in Louisiana banks.
Community Cash, a surcharge-free ATM alliance allowing participating banks’ customers access to the combined ATM locations, had 19 alliance members in 2021, with more than 580 ATM locations in 8 states. The alliance also serves as a disaster recovery aid for displaced customers of alliance members during any natural disaster.
Communications
LBA Communications keeps bankers informed, delivering critical industry information to members about legislative and regulatory changes as well as conferences, programs and products and services that are available to members. LBA also works to keep the public informed on key issues through its social media profiles and releases sent to media outlets throughout the state.
In 2021, LBA sent 8 releases to newspapers across the state, including 3 letters to editors covering Bank On certified accounts, taking a stand against the IRS reporting proposal and the impact of FEMA’s flood insurance risk rating methodology.
LBA.org
On average each month in 2021, more than 5,700 visitors together made about 9,700 visits to LBA's website, viewing more than 28,000 pages as they browsed. There are more than 10,000 registered website users and the most popular pages continue to be the Education Calendar, Classifieds, Peer Group Pages, Press Releases & Photo Gallery, LBA's electronic newsletter & bulletins and The Bankers Directory.
Social Media
The LBA regularly posts resources covering topics like financial literacy, identity theft and emergency preparedness on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn that can be re-posted or re-tweeted on members’ social media outlets to benefit their customers.
In 2021, LBA continued to use two hashtags to help spread good news about Louisiana banking.
- #FinLitLouisiana showcases the many financial literacy programs and community projects going on around the state.
- #LouisianaBanksSupportingLouisiana showcases the ways Louisiana bankers are tirelessly working to help neighbors and local businesses.
2021 Social Media Statistics
- Top post with 6,433 impressions and 861 reactions: Congratulations to The Evangeline Bank and Trust Company's LaChanda Alfred's daughter on receiving a 2021 LBEC Freshman Scholarship! http://ow.ly/SqY350EB0Qr
- Top post with 3,017 impressions and 41 reactions: Congratulations to LBA Chief Executive Officer Robert Taylor on celebrating his 30th work anniversary! http://ow.ly/i6mZ50Ffo9m
- Top post with 14,196 impressions and 361 reactions: Congratulations to LBA Chief Operating Officer Ginger Laurent on celebrating her 21st work anniversary with LBA! http://ow.ly/P7YD50DIUM8