Bankers Legislative Day

Please mark your calendars and make plans to attend the IBAT-TBA Legislative Day in Austin on February 10, 2009.  IBAT will be offering a menu of proactive initiatives for the community banking industry during the 81st legislative session.  We will also be “playing defense” as legislators address the subprime mortgage meltdown.  We need you to be in Austin to make sure your local legislator understands that community banks did not participate in these unsound practices and should not be penalized for the problems created by others.  Online registration will be available in the next few weeks.  As in the past, there will be a Capitol Briefing with visits to the legislative offices followed by an informal group luncheon with community bankers and legislators.  See you there!

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Overview

*As in the past, there will be a Capitol Briefing with visits to the legislative offices followed by an informal group luncheon with community bankers and legislators.

Because of the attention banks have received in the past 18 months, the 81st Session of the Texas Legislature promises to be a bruising session for Texas bankers. In 2009 it will be more important than ever for Texas bankers to come to Austin en masse to show Texas legislators our commitment to Texas consumers and the strength of the Texas banking industry. Given the overwhelming success of the joint IBAT – TBA Bankers Legislative Day in 2007, the two Associations will once again join forces and plan a day for Texas bankers to come to Austin and learn about the important issues pending before the 81st Legislature. This informative and timely visit will give our members the opportunity to tell their sides of the story when it comes to the financial crisis of 2008 – that traditional, regulated banks operate very differently from investment banks and mortgage banks. Make plans today to come to Austin to protect the Texas banking industry!

Legislative Issues to be Covered:

• Foreclosure Changes
• Mortgage Lending
• Data Security and Privacy
• Immigration
• Trust and Probate
• Tax
• Windstorm Insurance
• And many more . . .

Schedule of Events

Much ground will be covered in a relatively short period of time. After registration and breakfast, the day will begin with opening remarks by the Chairmen of the Boards of both IBAT and TBA. A briefing by the TBA and IBAT lobby teams on the legislative state of play will be followed by the remarks of our invited speakers. After the update, you’re free to attend any appointments you have scheduled with your legislators. The day will conclude with an informal, come-and-go buffet luncheon at which you will have the opportunity to visit with your legislators about the issues affecting your bank.

February 9, 2009

7:00 pm
Dinner and Welcome Reception
Fogo de Chão, 309 E. 3rd Street

February 10, 2009

8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Registration & Continental Breakfast
Texas Capitol Extension, E2.002 — Legislative Conference Center

8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
TBA & IBAT Joint Legislative Briefing and Overview of the 81st Session with Special Guests
Texas Capitol Extension, E2.002 — Legislative Conference Center

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Bankers visit legislative offices and escort legislators to First United Methodist Church (FUMC) Family Life Center

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Come-and-Go Luncheon
FUMC Family Life Center, 1300 Lavaca Street

Hotel Reservations: A block of rooms has been secured for the date of February 9th at the Marriott Courtyard, 300 E. 4th Street at the rate of $149. Hotel reservations can be made by calling the Marriott Courtyard directly at 1-800-321-2211 or by going to the following URL www.marriott.com

Buses: There will be buses available to transport Bankers to the capitol from the Hotel. Busses will load at 7:00 am and departing at 7:30 am from the Marriott Courtyard Hotel to the Capitol on Tuesday, February 10.

Parking: For those of you driving in, there is a parking garage located at the southwest corner of 13th and Lavaca on the south side of the FUMC Family Life Center, we will have coin vouchers available at the luncheon to those who park in that lot.

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Comments & Questions
If you would like to comment on legislative topics or if you have questions about this information please call our public affairs expert, Mae Beth Palone at (800) 749-4228 or e-mail mbpalone@ibat.org.