MAKING A DIFFERENCE
		It’s that time of year to nominate that one special person in your bank who contributes above and beyond, not only in your bank but in your community.  The person who goes beyond the standard in character, attitude and performance.  The person who invests their personal time and effort in volunteer service to the community.      IBAT is currently accepting nominations for the 2008 Making a Difference Award.  We’ve also added a new category this year—The Rising Star Award—for those employees who have been with your bank five years or less, but who are already Making a Difference both in the bank and in the community.      The honorees, selected by our panel of judges, will receive their awards during the IBAT Education Foundation Gala on Tuesday, September 23, at the Hyatt Lost Pines Resort in Bastrop.      Bank chairmen, presidents and CEOs are not eligible for this award.      Click HERE for the nomination form.      Deadline for nominations is June 16.
2008 LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
		Catch the Wave to Leadership Excellence June 19-21, 2008      More information...
LEGAL EASE QUESTION OF THE WEEK
		Question:   A customer came in today with a cashier's check from our bank that was from 1992.  We have no record of this check whatsoever.  We suspect that it was never cashed and was escheated to the state, but we are not sure.  Do you have any advice?      To find out the answer, click on the flashing question mark.  And you can also check out our searchable database of other frequently asked questions.
BAKER WEEKLY
		Once again, crude oil made headlines last week, hitting a new high of $127.82/bbl…Also released was the housing starts report, which unexpectedly rose in the month of April as construction in the volatile condominium and townhome sector rebounded...Manufacturing in the New York area fell in May as orders slowed with businesses anticipating continued slowdowns in the housing market and a tightening labor market…Consumer prices (headline) rose less-than-expected in April as the drop in prices for items like cars and hotels offset the surge in food prices...Read more in this week's Baker Weekly.   Although this information has been obtained from sources, which we believe to be reliable, we do not guarantee its accuracy. This is for information purposes only and is not intended as an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of any security.
SOLUTIONS FROM SERVICES
		IBAT Endorsed Service Provider, SWBC, delivers proprietary and agent card issuing solutions to IBAT members.  Your bank retains ownership & control of the credit card portfolio and SWBC manages the back-end administration.  They will assist you to design custom sales and marketing strategies to guarantee competitive product advantages in your bank markets.  SWBC are the only proprietary card program in the nation focused on Texas community banks.  For more information contact Tim Wells at 866-476-8395 or visit their Web site at www.swbc.com/cardsolutions.
ON THE EDUCATION FRONT
		Because you are a member of IBAT, you have access to the Webcast CD/Rom training catalog.  Choose from a variety of training CDs in the following categories:  Compliance  Directors  Front-Line Staff  Information Technology  Lending  Management  Operations      Click HERE for more information.
COMING SOON
		For a complete listing of upcoming events, CLICK HERE.  Meanwhile, please mark your calendar for some of our key upcoming events.      IBAT Leadership Conference June 19-21, 2008 - Moody Gardens, Galveston   IBAT Associate Member Orientation July 25, 2008 - Austin   Advanced Bonds Summit August 7 - Irving Lending Compliance Summit August 21 - San Antonio   Liquidity Management Summit September 4-5, San Antonio   IBAT 34th Annual Convention September 21-23, 2008 - Hyatt Lost Pines Resort, Austin/Bastrop   Bank Operations Institute October 5-10, 2008 - Dallas   Sales Culture 201 Summit November - Dallas   TechMecca 2008 November 3-4 - Dallas   Financial Literacy Summit December 3-4 - Location TBD