To support rural economies, KBA has championed the ACRE Act—Access to Credit for Rural Economies. Originally introduced by Kansas Senator Jerry Moran, the ACRE Act aims to lower the cost of ag real estate loans, which enables banks to help their farm and ranch customers weather economic down cycles. “We were proud to see Kansas take the lead on federal legislation that was signed into law by President Trump, as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill, on July 4th,” Wareham notes. “We also spearheaded the adoption of a similar proposal on the state level in Kansas.” WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: BUILDING THE NEXT GENERATION OF BANKERS KBA is also investing in the future workforce. With labor shortages impacting all sectors, including banking, the association is focused on recruiting, training, and retaining talent within the state. “We need to make banking a viable, attractive career path,” Wareham says. “And we can’t do that without sustainable communities that offer education, healthcare, and financial services.” Through conferences, custom training, and specialized programs, KBA reaches more than 5,000 bank employees each year—from high school interns to CEOs. Topics range from ag lending and commercial services to regulatory compliance and cybersecurity. “We offer everything from live workshops to online seminars,” Wareham explains. “We’ll even custombuild training for a specific bank if needed. It’s all about meeting members where they are.” COMBATING FRAUD THROUGH COMMUNITY EDUCATION One of KBA’s newest and most impactful initiatives addresses the rise of fraud and scams affecting both banks and consumers. With fraud losses reaching $9 billion in the U.S. in 2023, KBA is taking a proactive stance. “Fraudsters are getting more sophisticated every day,” says VanZwoll.“It’s not enough to train bankers—we have to educate the public.” THE HEALTH OF THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR Kansas is an agricultural powerhouse, and its economy—and banking sector—are deeply tied to the health of that industry. But with years of low commodity prices and skyrocketing input costs, many farmers and agribusinesses are under pressure. “Our banks reflect the economic health of their communities,” says Wareham.“When our farmers are hurting, so are our banks.” 88 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 09
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