One of the most important things we do as an Association is invest in the next generation of banking talent. We continue to see success stories in this area, including record attendance at this year’s FLD Leadership Conference in July. Nearly 110 emerging leaders were joined by almost 120 college interns, who came on the first day for a mix of joint and separate sessions and networking opportunities. This was the first year for the interns to have a full conference after their networking lunch outgrew the IBA’s office. Read more about this remarkably successful FLD Leadership Conference.

The IBA is leading the state with our new high school apprenticeship program, the Financial Services Academy. We have hired two full-time staff members to spearhead FSA. Chris Fisher serves as president & CEO of the program, and Sara Holmes is curriculum & pathway manager. This is part of a broader initiative envisioned and funded by the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation to establish similar apprenticeship programs across several industries where Indiana employers face a shortage of skilled workers. Recognizing the skill of the FSA team and the support of IBA-member banks, Chris and Sara have been asked to share their knowledge with those other industry programs to help them get off the ground as well.

So far, two dozen bank members are committed to hosting a combined 50 apprentices in the inaugural class starting next August. We believe these apprentices are vital for the future of community banking, which is why my own bank has committed to hosting three, and I am personally serving on the FSA’s governance committee beyond my time as your chairman.

This could easily be the greatest move our Association has taken in its more than 125 years of existence to secure the next generation of our workforce. I would like to personally challenge every IBA-member bank to be part of that step forward and host an apprentice next year.