Pub. 6 2018 Issue 3

www.uba.org 8 Retiring Board Members (left to right) Howard Headlee, Utah Bank- ers Association, Erich Sontag, Bank of American Fork, John Taylor, First Electronic Bank, Ron Ostler, Comenity Capital Bank 110TH ANNUAL UTAH BANKERS ASSOCIATION CONVENTION T he 110th Annual Utah Bankers Association Convention was held at the Sun Valley Resort in beautiful Sun Valley, Idaho June 24-27. Over 350 bankers, guests and busi- ness partners attended the event. Special thanks to this year’s convention committee, Jeff Coon, Comenity Capital Bank, chairman, and committee members, Roger Christensen, Bank of Utah, Nic Bement, First National Bank, Brian Bodily, Am- Bank, Dawna DeHart, Cache Valley Bank, Cory L. Gardiner, Zions Bank, and Ken Transtrum, First Bank. This year’s con- vention was perhaps the best-ever, boasting presentation by two key regulators, Jelena McWilliams, Chairman of the FDIC and Randal Quarles, Vice Chairman of Supervision for the Federal Reserve Bank. Add other top speakers, near perfect weather, world renown entertainment, great attendance and the beauty of Sun Valley and you undeniably have a convention for the record books. The event kicked off with an active and busy exhibit hall which hosted a wide range of business partners in forty booths. Bank- ers and families alike enjoyed the fun and inviting atmosphere while business partners had the chance to visit with bank execu- tive management and key decision makers. On Monday, bankers were provided with a fascinating outlook on the economy, from Peter Rupert, Professor of Economics, University of California, Santa Barbara. Kenneth L. Burgess, Chairman, FirstCapital Bank of Texas, NA, who currently serves as Chairman of the American Bankers Association, pro- vided attendees with an update from Washington and Kathy L. Moe, Regional Director, FDIC provided an FDIC update. Arguably the highlight of the convention occurred when Jelena McWilliams, newly appointed chairman of the FDIC flew to town to join attendees as the lunch speaker. In a personal and honest interview, hosted by Howard Headlee, she spoke candid- ly about her life experiences and the path she took to become Chairman. She then shared her perspective on the banking industry and shared her vision of a new and improved FDIC. The final business session on Monday featured Dave Defazio, Partner, StrategyCorps, who spoke on the Amazon Prime Effect, and Robert Morgan, Vice President – Emerging Tech- nologies, ABA who addressed the hot topic of the Fintech Landscape. Monday afternoon, bankers and their family members gathered for the always popular Bingo. Over 500 indi- viduals joined in on the fun. On Tuesday, after a day of recreation, Chairman Ron Ostler hosted a Chairman’s reception and dinner. After dinner, seven bankers were recognized with 40 Year Service awards, (page 11) and the retiring board members were recognized. As the sun set on a beautiful Sun Valley day, attendees were entertained by the talents of music sensation Mary Chapin Carpenter in the Sun Valley Pavillion, sponsored by Zions Bank Correspondent Banking Group. On Wednesday, the closing business session continued the superior agenda, featuring Randal Quarles, Vice Chairman of Supervision for the Federal Reserve Bank. Mr. Quarles shared his insider’s vision for the Federal Reserve and his optimistic and positive plans for the future. Then, Dave Forsyth, incoming chairman of the Emerging Bank Leaders provided the annual EBL report. During the annual membership meeting, bankers elected new leadership for 2018/19, including Doug DeFries, President & CEO, Bank of Utah as UBA Chairman for the up- coming year. The convention was wrapped up with an inspiring presentation by nationally recognized speaker Hyrum Smith who shared with attendees his keys to happiness and inner peace. The UBA convention continues to be a family banking tradition which provides the perfect venue for networking, busi- ness and relaxation. Mark your calendar for next year’s event, the 111th Annual UBA Convention is scheduled for June 23-26 in Sun Valley, ID. n