2013 June Issue
IBJ Newsmakers/IBJ Business News
IBJ Newsmakers Rench tapped to head First Mid-Illinois Bank’s Metro East region Brad Rench has taken the reins of First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust’s Metro East market in the wake of Gordon Smith’s recent retirement. Rench succeeds Gordon as senior vice president and regional president of First Mid’s operations in Southwestern Illinois which include…
Read MoreMerit shop contractors oppose Prevailing Wage amendment, say it will hurt smaller shops
A bill that stalled in the Illinois Senate’s House Labor and Commerce Committee at session’s end is merely procedural, union contractors say, in recognizing them for the apprenticeship programs they already provide. Those advocating for small open and merit shops, however, say the reporting requirements inherent in HB 924 could put them out of…
Read MoreNews from Around the Nation
JOYCE M. ROSENBERG ~ AP Business Writer – May 22, 2013 Made in the USA back in style for small businesses Reprinted by permission of The Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) – When Martin Rawls-Meehan started making adjustable beds in 2004, it was a foregone conclusion that key parts would be made overseas. It was…
Read MorePOINT: President Obama’s Budget
Compromised: President’s Budget, Another Attempt to Reach Fiscal Deal President Barack Obama’s FY 2014 budget is unlike any previous presidential budget request in recent history. It is not a statement of the president’s vision for the federal budget. It does not represent what he thinks is the best course of action for spending, taxation…
Read MoreNorma Bellcoff, Vice President/Trust, The Investor Group, TheBANK of Edwardsville
Norma Bellcoff has more than 26 years of experience in banking and brings her knowledge of finance and customer service to the position of vice president/trust for The Investor Group at TheBANK of Edwardsville. In her role as trust officer, Bellcoff specializes in investment management and trust and estate administration. She facilitates individual estate…
Read MoreCOUNTERPOINT: President Obama’s Budget
Obama Budget: A Step in the Wrong Direction Congress passes hundreds of bills each year, with many of those bills receiving broad, bipartisan support. Most of these bills pass without much fanfare and aren’t reported on by the media. What Americans do notice, however, are the bills to deal with bigger issues – issues…
Read MoreMichelle Gross, Illinois Banker’s Association Volunteer of the Year, EVP/COO, State Bank of Bement
A commitment to strengthening the identity and niche of community banks is a mainstay of Michelle Gross’s career. Gross is a big believer in community banks and the difference they make. There must be a viable environment in which community banks can thrive in order to help those they serve with financial and charitable…
Read MoreQ & A with Kenneth R. Diel
Certified Public Accountant, Certified Valuation Analyst, Diel & Forguson LLC IBJ: Has technology changed the accounting business? Diel: Technology has made a major impact on our industry. For example, every accounting firm used to have a library. We had hundreds of books in our library, and now we have no library at all. All of…
Read MoreKelly Wagner, VP & Marketing Director, First Clover Leaf Bank
The creativity and enthusiasm that Kelly Wagner brings to her position as marketing director at First Clover Leaf Bank is contagious. She established the bank’s in-house marketing department in 2007 and since then has created marketing campaigns that she says have met with much success in the community. Wagner’s entrée into the banking…
Read MoreLisa Regula, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones
Lisa Regula does not limit her financial advisement solely to her clients at Edward Jones; instead, she makes an effort to share her knowledge and experience with as many people as she can reach through community venues. Regula donates her time to discuss relevant financial topics to the community on a regular basis.…
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