Concurrent Sessions  -  1:30-2:30 pm          

Managing an Effective Deposit Pricing Process
Tom Farin, Chairman & CEO, Farin & Associates  

Presentation

Learn what kind of information needs to flow through to the pricing committee in order to make effective decisions. We will illustrate the use of benchmark rates and marginal cost in choosing between alternative deposit strategies and between retail and wholesale funding.

Finding Alternative Sources of Non-Interest Income 
Hal Oswalt, CEO & President, Brintech  

Presentation

With the net interest margin decreasing at most community banks, non-interest income has become a key driver in improving the bottom line. This session will focus on different sources of income that your bank can use that will improve your bank's bottom line.

Directors Session  -  1:30-3:00 pm  

Directors Session: Ten Essentials for I n d e p e n d e nt Bank Directors 
Philip Smith, Partner, Gerrish McCreary Smith, PC  

Presentation

Whether your bank is new or has been in existence for years and years, it is imperative that your directors fully understand their duties, responsibilities, rights, and opportunities. This session focuses on the top 10 essentials all independent bank directors must know in order to fulfill their role.

 TUESDAY, MARCH 20

Concurrent Sessions  -  7:30-8:15 am          

Directors Session: The Bank Director 's Job - Setting a Winning Strategy in Credit Risk Management
Merrill Reynolds, Partner, Banker’s Edge  

Presentation

Managing credit risk is a paramount concern for your bank. This timely session focuses on the Top 10 Credit Risks directors should understand today. Directors must have a thorough knowledge of the bank’s inherent risks in the lending environment. Attend this session and learn how to identify whether these risks exist within your bank.

Succession Planning - Your Bank’s Future Leadership
Terri Timberman, SVP, Human Resources, AMI SemiConductor  

Presentation

Ensuring you have future leadership talent has never been more critical. Finding and keeping the best people continues to be one of our industry’s biggest challenges with regulators wanting to know that you have a plan. Led by a human resource professional that is also an independent bank director, we’ll provide a practical look at determining your succession planning, developing the planning process that aligns with your bank and cost-effective strategies for the development of potential successors.

Turning to New Technologies to Gather Deposits 
John Waupsh, CEO, First ROI  

Presentation

Learn how you can implement some of the newest technologies, such as geographic plotting and remote capture, as well as other technologies that can increase the use of direct deposits. Find out more about ACH, internet activity, e-statements, bill pay and EFT’s so that you can lower the cost of operations while increasing the life span of your accounts.

Concurrent Sessions  -  9:45-10:45 am        

Directors Session: Escalating Your Bank to a High Performance Institution
Dr. Thomas J. Parliment, President, Parliment Consulting  

Presentation

Directors create the policies that help direct management. Management can only seek to maximize earnings and manage risk within the focus set by directors. We’ll explore several considerations that should be important for directors who want to be or stay in a high performance institution.

Remote Deposit Capture - Lessons Learned
Robert M. Daugherty, President & CEO, AmericanWest Bank
Ruth Razook, Managing Partner, RLR Management Consulting

Presentation

Thinking about or planning to implement remote deposit capture? Then this session is a must! You’ll be exposed to what others in the industry are doing relative to launching this new “must have” technology which has major implications for strategic decisions like branching. Our panelists will tell you firsthand what it took to implement this within their bank along with the challenges and successes they encountered.

Compensation - What are Your Competitors Doing?
David Chun, CEO, Equilar  

Presentation

Identify key findings in the industry to help management and board members design your executive compensation plans. You’ll learn proven strategies that align your interest with the interest of your shareholders. While primarily geared towards public companies, the materials presented will be relevant to all audiences.

Lunch with Guests  -  Noon-1:45 pm

Yesterday’s Memories, Today’s Successes & Tomorrow’s Plan
Nancy Sheppard, President & CEO, Western Independent Bankers

We’ll honor those who have contributed to the past success of WIB and provide insights into what new programs and benefits we are designing for you.

You Must Be Present to Win
Dr. Larry Helms, Trainergy

Woody Allen is reported to have said that “80% of life is showing up.” Funny - but wrong. Lots of people send their bodies to work every day, but find their lives and careers derailed because they fail to engage their brains! Learn how to be mentally prepared to win every day of your life.

Concurrent Sessions  -  2:00-3:00 pm

Can’t You Just Get a Few Basis Points More?
Mitchell Epstein, Group President, Margin Maximizer Group, ProfitStars

Presentation

The key to loan pricing isn’t simply to charge more - it’s knowing how and when to charge more, as well as knowing when to charge less. Learn the practical approach for loan pricing in highly competitive markets.  

Institutional Investors - What Do They Look For?   
Michael Hedrei , Howe Barnes Hoefer Arnett
Fred Cannon, Managing Director, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods
Joseph Genech, Managing Director - Equity Research, Sandler O’Neill
Joseph Morford, Managing Director & Senior Analyst, RBC Capital Markets    

Moderator: Joel Comer, Sandler O'Neill                 

What do institutional investors look for in today’s environment when determining your bank's value? What benchmarks do they expect? How will they assess your potential? This session is a must for public companies. Both directors and management will benefit from our distinguished panel’s expertise and insights.

Why Customer Satisfaction Simply Isn’t Enough 
Michael Hinshaw, Managing Partner, MCorp.  

Presentation

Approximately 60-80% of lost bank customers surveyed have claimed to be “satisfied” just prior to defecting. Understanding the differences between satisfied and loyal is crucial to continued relationship success. Learn what metrics show customer loyalty, how well you’re performing and what activities the bank can undertake to positively influence customer loyalty.

 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21

Concurrent Sessions  -  8:15-9:15 am

What’s The Right Strategy? Acquire, Stay the Course or Be Acquired?   
Deborah Meekins, President & CEO, Sonoma National Bank
Edward Jamison, Chairman & CEO, Community Bank of Nevada  
Murray Bodine, Principal, Sandler O’Neill & Partners, L.P.
Jeffrey Wishner, Managing Director, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods

Presentation

How will your board decide the right strategy for your future? When is it right to consider internal growth, becoming a bigger player by acquisition or just plain getting out of the game? Do you have a clear roadmap and understanding of the consequences and rationale for decisions regarding each of these alternatives? Learn how to activate the right strategy.

Balance Sheet/Liquidity Management  
Will Taylor, Senior Vice President, Vining Sparks PMG  

Presentation

Learn the key areas of concern for independent banks. You will be exposed to the state of the current market conditions, portfolio investments and other tools to effectively manage your bank's balance sheet.

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Proxy Issues
Philip Smith, Partner, Gerrish McCreary Smith, PC  

Presentation

Know the critical areas of improvement to help ensure successful stockholder meetings. We’ll discuss both the legal aspects of various processes as well as practical steps for improved meetings.

Wrap-Up General Session  -  9:30-10:30 am

Bank Leadership and the New ROA
Lyle Sussman, Ph.D., Chairman & Professor of Management, University of Louisville  

Presentation

This informative and entertaining presentation presents three new definitions for ROA (Return on Attitude), ROI (Return on Intelligence) and ROE (Return on Everyone). These three new metrics of bank performance differentiate banks that succeed versus those that gain in the competition for the best talent. Learn the connection between employee relations and profitability so that you may create the ultimate success in your bank.

PEER EXCHANGE SESSIONS

Directors ONLY Peer Exchange Sessions
These sessions allow for round table discussions with other directors on subjects of importance. Not only is this a great networking opportunity, but it is a way to hear how banks and bank directors approach issues, problems and policies.

Monday, March 19, 2007  -  11:00 am-Noon

What’s New in Your Committee? 

• ALCO

• Audit 

• Compensation

• General

• Loan

Tuesday, March 20, 2007 -  8:30-9:30 am

• Gathering Deposits 

• Good Corporate Governance

• Understanding/Monitoring the Bank’s Credit Risk

• De Novo - Issues & Challenges

Tuesday, March 20, 2007  -  11:00 am-Noon

• Compensation, Executive Development & Succession Planning

• Differentiating Your Bank - You Can’t Just Say Customer Service Anymore

Bankers ONLY Peer Exchange Sessions Bankers will have three group sessions to discuss issues with other bankers. Our Peer Exchange format is the primary reason that many independent community bankers in the West attend this Annual Conference. Bankers will be assigned to specific groups for discussions.