The UBA hosted its Bank Executive Winter Conference at the Hilton in downtown Salt Lake City on Dec. 6, 2024. Just a month removed from a contentious and heated election, bank leaders from throughout the state gathered to hear from regulatory, policy and economic experts about how the results will impact our industry moving into the new year and beyond.
Blake Earley, senior vice president, congressional relations for the ABA, kicked off the conference with an overview of how the election results will affect America’s banks, focusing on shifts in Congressional committees and legislative priorities for Republicans, Democrats and the ABA. Then Earley was joined by Hugh Carney, executive vice president, financial institution policy and regulatory affairs for the ABA, and Doyle Bartlett, federal government relations director for the National Association of Industrial Bankers, to discuss how the new administration might affect regulatory and other agencies.
Senator-elect John Curtis zoomed in from Washington, D.C., to thank the group for their support and efforts in the community, and to give an overview of his approach and goals in his new position. Following a quick break, Zions Bank Senior Economist Robert Spendlove gave an overview of the post-election economy, in which he pointed out that the economy itself hasn’t changed, but people’s perceptions have shifted.
After lunch, the UBA’s Executive Development Program Class of 2024 was honored.
Following the graduation ceremony, Scott Anderson, chairman of Zions Bank’s Board of Directors, delivered a rousing keynote address in which he touted banking as a “noble profession” and that banks are at the heart of the community. Moving into 2025, he encouraged bankers to be ambassadors and advocates for the industry, to work towards a level playing field in financial services and to drive for a healthy and inclusive economy.
UBA Chair and Central Bank President & CEO Mark Packard then presented Scott with the first Utah Bankers Community Champion Award, recognizing his exceptional service, impactful support and influential leadership in the community.
