Message from Randy Hultgren, IBA President and CEO

The Future of Banking…

The future of banking is in your hands. That is a challenging and, potentially, intimidating thought. Ensuring opportunity for every person in Illinois to have access to a banker and products in a system that allows banks of all sizes to thrive, does not happen by accident. Over the last few years, the IBA has heard from you about the continued challenge to find excellent, capable individuals to work alongside you to serve your customers. We have made significant efforts to provide multiple opportunities for the crafting of a vibrant banking culture in Illinois, but we need your help and full engagement to achieve success. This edition of Illinois Banker will walk you through the IBA strategy to grow future leaders in banking.

Financial literacy needs to start young and grow with the individual. The Stock Market GameTM and Banzai are two fantastic tools to provide children, from 4th grade through 12th grade, with practical teaching and training in finance. The Stock Market GameTM is a free curriculum and competition for teachers to use and for school teams to test their abilities to invest in friendly competition with other schools from all parts of Illinois. The students and the teachers gain a depth of knowledge in the financial markets that will serve them and their families for the rest of their lives. Some students are being inspired to consider pursuing a career in banking or finance. Banzai is an engaging financial literacy curriculum that is also free to schools who are sponsored by a bank. (See Banzai announcement on page 11.) The information is presented in a way that engages students by using practical scenarios and projects. Consider sponsoring Banzai in schools in your community. It costs your bank nothing to initially sponsor a school. Your bank will only pay for the sponsorship if the school uses the curriculum, so your money is sure to have an impact.

Many of you have joined with other bankers throughout Illinois to start and grow the Illinois Bankers Scholarships. There is now over $80,000 that has been raised to be given as college scholarships to students who are interested in preparing for a career in banking. Please consider making a personal or bank donation to the Illinois Bankers Scholarships. Also, the IBA has worked closely with Marquette University, DePaul University, Harper College and other colleges and universities to offer banking degrees and to grow internship opportunities.

Our goal is not just to encourage bright, motivated young people into a career in banking. We want to help them develop into competent, confident visionaries in our industry for decades to come. Cooperation with the Graduate School of Banking provides advanced preparation and training. The IBA is very proud of the dedicated graduates and current class of our Future Leaders Alliance, where bankers grow through teaching, coaching, and networking. FLA graduates are already moving into greater positions of leadership in their banks. BankTalentHQ is a best-in-class job board to connect banks with the most talented, motivated bankers from across the country to fill vital roles in these institutions. The reach and impact of BankTalentHQ will grow exponentially over the next months and years.

We all owe a debt of gratitude to this industry that has given so much to each of us, our families, and our communities. The future of banking is in your hands, but you are not alone. Please join your fellow bankers and your IBA to identify and prepare generations of bankers who will continue your commitment to serve and help American dreams come true.

Rally with Randy

If you would like to have IBA President and CEO Randy Hultgren as a special guest at your bank or in your community, please connect with us! As a former US Congressman who served in public office for 24 years, Randy can provide industry updates with unique insights -- whether virtual or in-person -- for you, your employees, or even your customers and community leaders. His experience on the House Financial Services Committee and on the financial institutions committees in both Illinois chambers gives him a well-rounded view of the current banking climate.