SDBA eNews

June 1, 2023

Register for the 2023 National School for Experienced Ag Bankers

The SDBA will host the 2023 National School for Experienced Ag Bankers on June 26-29, 2023 at Black Hills University in Spearfish, S.D. The National School for Experienced Ag Bankers is a seminar for experienced ag bankers who want to further develop their ag lending skills, learn new skills, confirm existing methodology and meet fellow bankers who share the same career path. Taught by a nationally-recognized faculty of bankers, academics and other real-world ag banking practitioners, this program is focused on ag lending opportunities and challenges that are relevant to ag bankers from across the United States.

Set in beautiful Spearfish, S.D., right in the center of the United States, students will have ample time to enjoy the scenic Black Hills of South Dakota. Whether you enjoy hiking in Spearfish Canyon, rock climbing in the Black Hills National Forrest, viewing monuments such as Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse, or just testing your luck at the tables in historic Deadwood, S.D., Spearfish has you covered! Go to www.visitspearfish.com for more details.

This school is limited to 72 students. Priority will be given to bank employees and regulators. In the event the school fills, a waitlist will be implemented and students will be chosen on a first-come, first-served basis off the waitlist.

Find more information and register here!

Submit Your Photos for a Chance to be Featured in the 2024 SDBA Calendar

The South Dakota Bankers Association is creating a customized calendar from photographs of South Dakota submitted by South Dakota bankers, their family members and customers. These calendars are exclusive to SDBA member banks and make a great gift for your customers!
If you are an amateur photographer and would like the opportunity to have your creativity displayed in homes and businesses across South Dakota, this is your chance! Send us your photos of farms, barns, agricultural activities, historical South Dakota locations, county fairs, carnivals, parades or festivals, fall colors, winter snowfalls, spring flowers, or summer fun. Any photo that shows the history and beauty of the great state of South Dakota qualifies.

To submit your photos, go to www.sdba.com/scenes-of-south-dakota-calendar. Submission deadline is July 31, 2023. All photos submitted will be judged and the top photos will be featured throughout the 2024 Scenes of South Dakota calendar.

Questions, email [email protected] or contact Haley Juhnke at 605.224.1653.

Save the Date: Digital Innovations in Today's Banking Environment Conference

Mark your calendars! The SDBA will host the 2023 Digital Innovations in Today's Banking Environment Conference on Wednesday, August 30 in Sioux Falls, S.D. Stay tuned for more information to come!

Free Webinar: Ways to Recognize and Combat Elder Financial Exploitation

In advance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, join ABA Foundation and the Department of Justice for a free webinar on recognizing behavioral and financial red flags on June 14, 2023, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. CT. Elder financial exploitation affects an estimated 10 to 20 percent of older adults and leads to billions of dollars in losses each year. These abuses have spiked over the past few years at alarming rates. Often, bankers are the first ones to notice suspicious activities and are well positioned to combat these crimes.

Safe & Sound: America's Banks Remain Healthy and Strong

With 4,700 banks of all sizes, the U.S. has one of the deepest and most diverse banking systems in the world. The wide range of banks serving communities across the country continues to be a source of strength for our economy. Each bank has its own unique approach, capabilities, and strengths. Together, America's banks provide the fuel that drives the U.S. economy forward.

Banks of All Sizes Make Loans That Drive America's Economy

Total Deposits by Bank Type

The U.S. banking marketplace is also highly competitive with community, midsize, regional and global systemically important banks (GSIBs) all vying for individual and business customers. See the many ways banks of all sizes serve their customers and communities.

Community Banks Infographic

Midsize Banks Infographic

Regional Banks Infographic

Large Globally Active Banks Infographic

Overall Industry Remains Healthy and Strong

As the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s latest Quarterly Banking Profile shows, the banking sector remains strong amid continued economic uncertainty. Below are charts that detail key indicators of the industry’s health.

Capital Levels

Capital levels, one of the best ways to gauge bank health, are strong, with the Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio and Total risk-based capital ratio both more than 30 basis points above pre-pandemic levels (13.65% and 14.94%, respectively). The industry leverage ratio increased for the fourth consecutive quarter in Q4 2022, reaching 8.98% (+24 basis points year-over-year), and total bank equity capital remains 4.5% higher than its pre-pandemic level.

Liquidity

Aggregate loan-to-deposit ratios, one of the tools to measure bank liquidity, remain low at 62.62%, still nearly 8.9 percentage points below pre-pandemic levels. Furthermore, the industry has strong levels of securities eligible for collateral at the new Bank Term Funding Program, which is an additional liquidity option now available to banks. Eligible securities make up 9.9% of total bank assets, up 2.1 percentage points from their pre-pandemic level.

Deposit Levels are Returning to Normal

Banks saw a record flood of deposits during the pandemic as Americans moved their funds to the safety of banks. It’s not surprising that in the post pandemic period, deposits have returned to more normal levels. These charts show the history and recent trends in deposit flows.

View the full article here.

SDBA Staff is Heading to Sioux Falls!

The SDBA staff will be out of office through Wednesday, June 7 as we host the 2023 SDBA/NDBA Annual Convention in Sioux Falls! Many thanks to our generous business partners that help make this event possible. If you are planning to attend, we will see you there!

CISA News: Phishing Attacks Surge 356% Last Year

New technology like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning tools are allowing malicious actors to generate and automate social engineering and phishing attacks.

- 363% increase in phone scam attacks

- 161% increase in cloud storage attacks

- 67.4% of all attacks were phishing

- 83% increase in business email compromise attacks

Are you training your employees to be aware of email phishing scams?

View the full article here.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Q: Can we waive the flood insurance on a real estate loan if the balance owed is only $1,000.00 or less?

A: Unfortunately, if it's still technically required assuming the loan is still secured by a building in an SFHA, and not subject to any exception. There's not a "de minimis" exception for the outstanding balance being low at this point.

There is an exception for smaller loans, but it doesn't apply unless the original principal balance was $5,000 or less, plus the term would have to have been a year or less, so if that is your scenario then it would be possible to waive it. Otherwise, there is not an applicable exemption based on the current principal balance alone:

"§339.4 Exemptions.

The flood insurance requirement prescribed by §339.3 does not apply with respect to:

...

(b) Property securing any loan with an original principal balance of $5,000 or less and a repayment term of one year or less; or" https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx

Compliance Alliance offers a comprehensive suite of compliance management solutions. To learn how to put them to work for your bank, call (888) 353-3933 or email [email protected] and ask for our Membership Team.

For timely compliance updates, subscribe to Bankers Alliance’s email newsletters.