At a Lake City Bank weekly Management Committee meeting in December, we had a long discussion about the status of our Artificial Intelligence Task Force and our efforts to develop the most effective path to leveraging AI as we move into 2026. I entered the conversation concerned that we were behind in embracing AI and its value to the bank. I left the conversation confident that we were ahead of the game in our AI journey. I suspect that many of you and your teams have had similar conversations recently.
You may wonder why I kick off my first message as the chairman of the IBA with a technology angle? It’s just another reminder of the rapid evolution in technology that will change our community bank business model. As we look forward, there are many challenges that will influence our collective strategic direction as community banks, including further industry consolidation, AI, cryptocurrency and stablecoin, regulatory and political developments, non-bank competition and rapidly evolving technologies.
It will be critical that the IBA strategic plan provides support to us to be prepared to tackle these challenges and remain competitive and relevant. Your IBA board came together recently and developed our next strategic plan. We reflectively looked at the IBA as it exists today and developed a strategic plan focused on ensuring that the IBA will be ready to assist every member bank in Indiana to be prepared for that future. We will share the key deliverables of that plan in future communications.
The good news is that the IBA is one of the strongest state banking associations in the country. Your IBA has a proven track record of proactively working with all of us to ensure that we remain competitive and relevant. Indiana community banking thrives thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit of our member banks and the partnerships created with our robust Preferred Services Providers network. These key partners are a critical component of our strategic plan.
The IBA is only as strong as the membership makes it. While strategic vision is important, execution is paramount. Your IBA has a 128-year history of relevancy. We’ll continue that in 2026 thanks to the contributions of all our members supporting our important role in our Indiana communities. Blocking and tackling, and an ongoing focus on execution will continue to be the foundational strength of the Association.
Thank you for all that you do to support the IBA. We are a strong organization because of you. And I did not use AI to write this note!
