Future leaders of Indiana banking had a unique experience seeing lawmakers working on a compressed timeline as they endeavored to complete their normal legislative work after spending the start of session focused on a proposal to redraw the state’s congressional district boundaries.
Legislative leaders started session the first week of December to address that proposal, pulling up the end of session to the final week of February, when lawmakers are typically still at the Statehouse into March, even in short sessions. The abbreviated timeline did not lead to an abbreviated list of proposals for lawmakers to consider, making industry voices all the more important.
Enter the IBA Future Leadership Division’s annual Day at the Statehouse, our premier grassroots engagement event for next-gen bankers to advocate directly to lawmakers on behalf of the industry and the communities IBA-member banks serve. IBA Chief Policy Officer Dax Denton and Vice President-Government Relations Connor Wong started the day addressing the nearly 65 next-gen bankers in attendance at the Hilton Indianapolis regarding the basics of grassroots advocacy and how to be involved, while also explaining the current environment at the Indiana Statehouse and some of the important issues that have been during the 2026 legislative session.
Members then took a brisk walk across the street to the Statehouse on what was thankfully a sunny, 50-degree February day to get an inside look at the Indiana House of Representatives. Rep. Jake Teshka, Rep. Danny Lopez and Sen. Eric Koch shared their work in the Indiana General Assembly and took questions from attendees. Bankers then had the opportunity to connect with their own elected officials for one-on-one meetings and tour the Indiana Statehouse.
Back at the hotel, members enjoyed a networking lunch and heard from Jon Schwantes, host of Indiana Lawmakers and a member of the Indiana Week in Review panel, both programs aired on WFYI. Schwantes delivered an insightful and interesting session that included his observations on the legislative and political environment in Indiana, how it has changed over the years and why grassroots advocacy is so important for communicating with lawmakers. The day concluded with a fun trivia contest.
All in all, the day was a successful event that saw engagement from dozens of IBA-member banks. Thank you to all the bankers who participated in this year’s event. I also would like to thank the legislators who participated, as well as this year’s lunch sponsor, the Independent Community Bankers of America.
FLD News and Updates
Greg Barnes Jr. of STAR Bank, Fort Wayne, has taken his seat as FLD president for 2026, a position that also gives him a voting seat on the IBA’s Board of Directors. Zach Hockersmith of Hoosier Heartland State Bank, Crawfordsville, is FLD’s vice president this year, making him a non-voting member of the IBA Board.
Both Barnes and Hockersmith have been active contributors in the FLD for several years and served on the FLD Advisory Board. I do want to take one more moment to thank Amanda Morris-Feldman of First Federal Savings Bank, Rochester, who served as FLD Advisory Board president in 2025. Thanks to her leadership and support, the FLD saw great momentum with the addition of over 125 new members!
If you are considering FLD membership, try attending one of our upcoming events like our networking reception during Mega Conference the evening of May 20, and our annual Leadership Conference July 15-16. Be sure to sign up for notifications from the FLD to hear when the rest of our 2026 events get finalized, like our summer Lunch & Learn series hosted at locations across the state for easy access no matter where you are based.
Hundreds of FLD members are making the Indiana banking industry thrive. Get connected today to expand your professional network with like-minded Hoosiers interested in a long-term career in banking.
FLD Advisory Board Names 2 New Members
FLD Advisory Board members advise the Indiana Bankers Association on matters related to FLD events and offerings, and strategies for reaching next-generation bankers and bank leaders, acting as ambassadors for the banking industry.
Everett Southern is a market executive for German American Bank, Jasper, based in the Bloomington area. He earned an associate degree from Vincennes University and a bachelor’s degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. He has over 20 years’ commercial banking experience working with customers in the Bloomington Market area, with an additional six years of public accounting experience. Southern serves on the Board of Directors for Indiana Statewide Certified Development Corporation, Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, Bloomington Economic Development Corporation and Lawrence County Economic Development Corporation.
Michael Foland is a mortgage loan originator for Security Federal Savings Bank, Logansport. He began his career in 2006 as a part-time teller and has since held a variety of roles across several institutions, gaining deep expertise in personal finance and mortgage lending. Raised in the banking industry, Foland has a profound appreciation for the impact financial professionals can have—not just on individual clients, but on entire communities. His passion for financial literacy led him to develop a financial education program to serve local schools and organizations.
Foland is also known for his natural ability to motivate and inspire those around him. He thrives on helping others bring out the best in themselves, fostering confidence, positivity, and growth in both personal and professional settings. As a cancer survivor, he brings a unique perspective of resilience, gratitude and purpose to every aspect of his life.
FLD 2 LDP Scholarship Winner Announced
Christopher Griffith, learning and development coordinator with First Harrison Bank, Corydon, has been awarded the 2025 Indiana Bankers Association FLD 2 LDP scholarship. The scholarship, sponsored by Amundsen Davis LLC, provides $1,500 toward registration fees for the IBA Leadership Development Program.
Griffith has been with the bank for nearly a decade. In that time, he has built a well-rounded background spanning branch management, data operations and the fraud department, giving him a deep understanding of both frontline banking and operational support functions. In his current role, Griffith focuses on developing people, processes and training initiatives that support employee growth and organizational success. His diverse experience across banking operations allows him to bridge strategy with real world application, ensuring learning programs are practical, relevant and impactful.
