A Message from LBA Chairman Ken Hale

Below is a letter from LBA Chairman Ken Hale of BOM in Natchitoches on his thoughts as he assumes the chairman's role for 2017-2018.

As I assume the role of Chairman of the Louisiana Banker’s Association, I am humbled, in awe, and somewhat nervous knowing what great bankers have held this office. I am also very excited to be an advocate for the importance of community banking and the benefits community bankers provide for the towns and cities we live and serve.

My three goals as Chairman of the LBA are promoting diversity in banking, continuing education for banking employees and promoting banking advocacy in both Baton Rouge and Washington, D.C.

Diversity in banking is goal one. I want to encourage all banks and bankers to hire women and minorities and appoint more women and minorities to senior positions. With all banks striving to find a way to capture the Millennials, diversity in banking is required for community banks continual survival.

Hiring educated woman and minorities is goal one, and goal two is to ensure banking staff, especially women and minorities, are continually educated. I want to encourage all banks and bankers to send diverse group of employees to classes and seminars that will make those bankers knowledgeable and competitive in this industry. For community banking to compete with the FinTech industry, it is important to have well trained, scholarly bankers. 

Advocacy is goal three. This is a topic I have felt strongly about since I became a banker 23 years ago. It is banker’s diligent duty to go to Baton Rouge and Washington, D.C. and be loud as we can, tell our stories of what we do for our communities, explain the importance of community banks, and inform others of the benefits of banking local. If we, as bankers, do not do this, then no one will!

The LBA Annual Washington, D.C. conference July 18-20 is coming up soon, and it is not too late to register yourself and your fellow bankers! Email Joe Gendron at gendron@lba.org for details.  Every bank in the state of Louisiana should have at least one banker present! This conference is a perfect opportunity to expose minorities, females, and young bankers to the other side of the banking world and get them involved in promoting diversity and advocating for community banks. 

Remember, we are our own voices! It is our duty to advocate and promote that we are not just small town bankers, but savvy, educated, cutting-edge bankers who can and will compete with world bankers.  I am proud to say that I am a 5th generation banker and my goal is to see a 6th generation working, striving, advocating at BOM with the same goals!