More than 60 bankers converged on the Utah State Capitol on Jan. 30 for the 2024 edition of Banker Day at the Legislature. This is always such an impactful day for banking in Utah, an excellent opportunity to get face-time with state legislators and to discuss bills that will affect the industry.

Senate Majority Leader Evan Vickers addressed the group over lunch, noting the importance of getting involved in the political process: “If you’re not engaged, somebody else will make the decisions for you, and you’re not going to like them.”

Next, the group heard from Steve Waldrip, the governor’s new senior advisor for housing strategy and innovation. Waldrip laid out the housing issues facing the state and appealed to the assembled bankers to join his efforts to help increase supply, noting that “if anyone can solve this puzzle, it’s Utah.”

UBA President Howard Headlee gave a summary of some of the banking-related bills being tracked this session and gave bankers an overview of how — and how easy — it is to get involved in the political process. He then introduced Senate Majority Assistant Whip Kirk Cullimore to go into more detail about an artificial intelligence bill he is sponsoring, which is aimed to protect consumers while also creating a state-level learning laboratory to better understand the technology.

The bankers then dispersed throughout the Capitol, meeting with legislators from their districts, watching floor time in both the House and Senate chambers and sitting in on committee meetings.

We look forward to seeing you on the Hill next year!