April 18, 2024

MBA-Priority Bill Passes Missouri General Assembly

The Missouri Senate voted unanimously today to approve legislation that increases the cap for the MOBUCK$ program from $800 million to $1.2 billion. House Bill 1803 now heads to Gov. Mike Parson for approval. It is the first policy measure that the Missouri General Assembly has sent to the governor this session. If Parson signs the bill, it would be effective Aug. 28.

House Bill 1803 is a priority measure for MBA. Through MOBUCK$, the state treasurer may invest state dollars in Missouri banks to provide loans at reduced rates to small businesses and agricultural producers, among other types of loans.

“After two years of working to increase funding for the MOBUCK$ program, we are thrilled the Missouri legislature recognized the importance of this program and the critical role that banks play as economic drivers in their communities,” said MBA President and CEO Jackson Hataway. 

Rep. Terry Thompson, R-Lexington, sponsored the legislation, and Sen. Sandy Crawford, R-Buffalo, handled the bill in the Senate. The House passed the bill in February.

“This is a significant win for Missouri farmers and business owners,” said MBA Senior Vice President David Kent. “We thank Rep. Thompson and Sen. Crawford for their leadership in guiding the bill through the legislative process, as well as the Missouri Treasurer Vivek Malek.”

Kent also credits MBA members for their efforts in the bill’s passage.

“Our members were key to this bill’s success,” Kent said. “In their discussions with their state lawmakers, they emphasized the importance of increasing the cap to ensure Missouri farmers and small business owners could access credit at lower rates to support their operations.”

MBA Announces Nominees For Board Officers

MBA is pleased to announce the nominations of David Gohn, Patrick Kussman and Tom Klebba to serve as chairman, chairman-elect and treasurer, respectively, of the MBA Board of Directors. They were selected by MBA’s Nominating Committee and will stand for election Wednesday, June 5, at MBA’s 134th Annual Convention and Trade Show in Branson. If elected, their terms begin in June.

	David Gohn President/CEO West Plains Bank and Trust Company David Gohn has served as president/CEO of West Plains Bank and Trust Company since 2017. A fourth-generation banker, he joined the bank in 2005 after serving as an associate attorney with Husch and Eppenberger LLC (now Husch Blackwell) in Springfield. In 2009, Gohn was named the bank’s president and chief operating officer. Gohn is completing a term as chairman-elect on MBA’s Board of Directors and previously served as MBA treasurer in 2021. He has chaired MBA’s Budget and Audit Committee, the Young Bankers Leadership Board of Directors and the VEBA Board of Trustees. He also served a three-year term on the American Bankers Association’s Community Bankers Council.
	Patrick Kussman President and CEO Regional Missouri Bank, Marceline Patrick Kussman currently serves as treasurer on MBA’s Board of Directors and has served as a director since June 2020. Kussman joined Regional Missouri Bank in 2002, and his responsibilities have expanded tremendously with promotions and his involvement with the conversion, acquisition, merger and start-up of six branches. A member of the bank’s board of directors since 2008, Kussman was named bank president and chief operating officer in 2010 and CEO in 2017. He has served on MBA’s Budget and Audit Committee, Bankers Service Corporation Board and VEBA Board of Trustees.
	Tom Klebba President Legends Bank, Linn Tom Klebba currently represents Region 2 on MBA’s Board of Directors and has served as regional director since June 2023. A third-generation banker, he joined Legends Bank in 2002 as chief financial officer and was named president in 2018. In his banking career spanning more than 20 years, Klebba is a graduate of MBA’s Banking Leadership Missouri and was chairman of the MBA Young Bankers Leadership Board of Directors. He also chaired MBA’s Executive Management Committee and served on the VEBA Board of Trustees and Capitol Region PAC, as well as committees for the American Bankers Association.

MBA Hosts Area Banker Meetings

As he approaches his one-year anniversary leading the Missouri Bankers Association, MBA President and CEO Jackson Hataway is meeting with bankers throughout the state to hear their concerns about the banking industry.

Nearly 30 bankers attended meetings in Kirksville and Hannibal on Tuesday, April 16. Hataway highlighted legislative priorities and listened as bankers discussed issues in their markets, including customer fraud. Hataway met with bankers in the Osage Beach region in late March.

“These informal gatherings are a great opportunity for bankers to share what’s on their minds with MBA,” Hataway said. “It’s even more beneficial for MBA to hear directly from our members so we can continue to provide exceptional services that our members expect from MBA.”

MBA is scheduling additional meetings throughout the year in locations around the state and will notify bankers of upcoming meetings.

Deadline Nears for Banking Leadership Missouri Applications

The deadline to submit applications for MBA’s 2024-25 Banking Leadership Missouri program is Friday, May 3. The 12-month program is designed specifically for bankers with broader responsibilities, those in a management role or bankers who have potential for senior management. Bankers seeking to enhance their leadership abilities and knowledge of the banking industry are encouraged to apply.

“Banking Leadership Missouri focuses on developing a solid understanding of the banking industry and the skills necessary for leadership that participants can put into practice immediately,” said Cheri Messerli, MBA senior vice president. “Many graduates of Banking Leadership Missouri now lead their banks in various capacities, including CEO, president, vice president, director and manager.”

The program begins in June 2024 and concludes June 2025. A maximum of 25 Missouri bankers will be selected to participate in the tenth class of Banking Leadership Missouri.

Free Webinar Highlights Resources For Teach Children To Save Day

April 25 is Teach Children to Save Day. The American Bankers Association Foundation will hold a free webinar at noon Monday, April 22, on its new and redesigned materials for the event. The webinar will help banks prepare by showcasing quick-turn resources for in-person and virtual lessons, as well as share stories of banks that participated in Teach Children to Save Day.

As previously shared by MBA, MBA-member banks participating in the Teach Children To Save 2024 Challenge sponsored by MBA’s Next Generation in Banking could win $250 for local schools or organizations in their communities. Bankers who share photos of their presentations on their banks’ Facebook, X, LinkedIn or Instagram accounts and tag MBA (Facebook, X, LinkedIn or Instagram) will automatically be entered into a drawing to win $250 for a school or community youth organization from MBA.

The contest ends Tuesday, April 30. Photos must be posted on social media channels and tag MBA by 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 1.