MBA Committees

Committee volunteers are the backbone of the MBA's legislative, educational and member service efforts. Each year your association seeks qualified bankers who are willing to give their time to the industry to help shape the activities and policies of the MBA.

Committee appointments are for two or three-year terms (each year runs from July 1 through June 30). Committee chairpersons are appointed for two-year terms by the MBA chairman.

Committee volunteers derive a great deal of personal satisfaction from their service. All committee volunteers receive the mbaBanking magazine, MBA Bulletin, Advocacy Report /Grassroots News, conference and seminar information and other pertinent information. Committee volunteers requesting a second term typically refer to peer interaction as their primary reason for continued involvement. Being on the cutting edge of legislative and regulatory issues and planning educational events provide volunteers with significant input on shaping MBA policy. Committee service heightens awareness of the legislative process while broadening professional credentials.

How do I Volunteer to Serve on a Committee?

Bankers interested in serving should complete the committee volunteer form. The form requests pertinent data regarding your area of expertise and background, and requires the approval and signature of your CEO or supervisor. Committees are structured to represent a cross section of MBA memberships. Your qualifications for service, as well as the size and location of your institution, are considered as committee members are selected. Every attempt is made to avoid having several individuals from the same institution or holding company serve on the same committee.

Audit and Risk Management Committee

This committee provides information and guidance in the formation of MBA legislative and regulatory policy and recommends adjustments to state regulators and legislators. This committee is responsible for the oversight and review of the continuing education of the professional bank audit and compliance personnel. The Audit and Risk Management Committee oversees curriculum at CMU Bank Auditors School and assists in planning workshops and other educational programs as needed. The committee meets a minimum of twice annually at MBA headquarters and conducts electronic conferences as necessary.

Bank Management Committee

This committee plans the MBA’s major educational events, ensuring that the programs deal with timely, senior-management issues. Membership is normally comprised of chief executive officers with the committee meeting twice a year.

Commercial Lending Committee

This committee is responsible for reviewing and initiating commercial lending legislation, including agricultural-related lending. The committee will provide field experience and information to create MBA legislative agendas and priorities that promote/protect business investment. The committee is a conduit of information between bankers and numerous state and federal regulatory agencies. The committee assists in planning workshops and other MBA educational programs as needed.

Environmental Affairs Committee

This committee recommends and reviews proposed public policy changes to environmental laws and regulations that affect banking, cooperatively educates members and staff, and shares best environmental practices. The committee identifies topics for MBA educational programs and helpful information to communicate to member banks.

Funds Management Committee

The committee’s functions include providing information to the MBA and member banks on regulatory and legislative issues impacting bank investments, public funds, asset-liability management liquidity risks, and interest rate risk management. The committee assists in planning MBA educational programs as needed. Membership consists of asset/liability, treasury and/or investment portfolio managers.

Grassroots Advocacy Committee

This committee’s primary focus is the support of the MBA’s political and legislative issues, both state and federal. The committee creates a core of educated, local, grassroots bankers to discuss and educate others within and outside the banking/financial services industry. Membership is comprised of bank CEOs and senior management.

This committee meets a minimum of three times annually with additional meetings as necessary. Committee members are advised that local or regional gatherings with political leaders are anticipated.

Human Resources Committee

The committee’s primary functions are to assist the Association in evaluating federal and state legislation impacting member banks and their employees as to the multiple issues relative to human resource activities. Furthermore, the committee addresses the needs of HR officers of banks and provides input to the Association for appropriate products and services to accommodate those needs.

The committee provides input on the educational needs of banks and HR departments, and the committee assists in planning MBA educational programs as needed. Additionally, the committee provides input on the MBA Annual Compensation, Benefits, and Directors Surveys.

Marketing Committee

The committee assists in planning MBA educational programs as needed and periodically provides input on legislation and special industry projects. The committee selects the MBA financial literacy award winners for each MBA region. Membership is comprised of persons responsible for bank marketing activities.

Operations and Technology Committee

This committee reviews and drafts legislative proposals affecting bank operations, new products, disclosure, technology and security. The committee actively pursues emerging markets in the financial services industry. This committee reviews all identity and informational privacy/security propositions, seeking balance between consumer protection and operational functionality. The committee assists in planning MBA educational programs as needed. Committee membership is comprised of middle and senior level management from all operations and security areas within member banks.

Retail Lending Committee

The Retail Lending Committee recommends changes in legislative issues at the state and federal level relating to retail credit. The committee assists the MBA in analyzing pending legislation and providing appropriate direction to legislators and regulators. This committee is not restrictive and may review and recommend other relative lender issues, technology advancements, and new product offerings. The committee assists in planning MBA educational programs as needed. Committee membership is spread among middle to senior level retail lenders. Committee meets quarterly and as necessary.

Taxation Committee

This committee meets as needed to discuss existing or proposed state legislation and regulation and directs MBA policy on these issues. Committee membership is comprised of senior management who are tax specialists and are not of a term.

Trust Committees

These committees develop legislative positions, review proposed legislation, and suggest amendatory language to current legislation helpful to the Michigan trust industry. They act as a liaison to the Probate section of the State Bar and the Probate Judges Association and maintain a relationship with the Michigan Department of Treasury and the IRS. Providing education and enhancing the public image of the trust industry is another facet of these committees.