The IBA’s Future Leadership Division kicked off the year in a big way with over 80 bankers converging on Indianapolis on March 4, representing the largest group ever for our annual FLD Day at the Statehouse. As always, the event aimed to engage members in grassroots advocacy and educate them on its importance to growing as a leader in the industry.

Demystifying the Legislative Process

After a welcome from FLD Advisory Board President Amanda Morris-Feldman of First Federal Savings Bank, Rochester, participants enjoyed a short trivia competition about the legislative session that included various facts about the legislative process, committees and more. Dax Denton and Ross Teare, IBA’s Government Relations team at the Statehouse, gave an overview of the Association’s grassroots advocacy efforts and explained their role in the legislative process and why bankers should be involved. They also shared the latest developments about major issues that have surfaced during the 2025 legislative session and how bankers can advocate on behalf of the industry.

Face-to-Face with Lawmakers

House Financial Institutions Committee Chairman Jake Teshka and his fellow committee member Rep. Kyle Pierce greeted bankers in the House Chambers. They spoke about their roles in the Indiana General Assembly, the importance of connecting with legislators and banking legislation that they have been involved with. Bankers traveled across the hall to the Senate Chambers where Senate Insurance and Financial Institutions Committee members Cyndi Carrasco and Kyle Walker shared insights about their work to improve their communities, major issues affecting the state and this year’s legislative session.

Bankers then broke out into smaller groups for their choice of touring the Statehouse or visiting with their own state legislators. It was great to see bankers connect with their legislators and build connections that will hopefully grow in the future.

From Indianapolis to Washington

Back at the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis, bankers enjoyed a delicious networking lunch with peers, sponsored by the Independent Community Bankers of America. Lucas White, 2024-25 ICBA chairman and president of the Fountain Trust Company, Covington, spoke about his experiences in grassroots advocacy, how his involvement has led to memorable opportunities and experiences that have shaped his career, and gave an update on the fast-changing regulatory landscape. As a former FLD Advisory Board president and IBA chairman, he was also able to speak to his experiences engaging with both state and national trade associations.

Thank you to the approximately 30 banks that were represented. Special thanks to Rep. Jake Teshka, Rep. Kyle Pierce, Sen. Cyndi Carrasco, Sen. Kyle Walker and Lucas White who took the time to speak to the group, and the handful of legislators who met individually with bankers from their districts. The FLD Day at the Statehouse is a premier event of the Future Leadership Division, and we were excited to see the strong participation from our valued members.

We hope to see FLD members again on May 28 at the FLD Networking Reception at the IBA Mega Conference and on July 9-10 at the FLD Leadership Conference.