2013 June Issue
Geraldine M. Burek, Chairman of the Board, Illinois Credit Union League, South Division Credit Union
By KERRY L. SMITH The evolution of women in finance reflects the financial evolution of women in general from the 1970s on, says Geraldine Burek. As president and chief executive officer of South Division Credit Union in Evergreen Park, Ill. and as the Illinois Credit Union’s board chairman, Burek has a unique vantage point from…
Read MoreSignificant development occurring throughout Southwestern Illinois
with information provided by Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois While much of the area’s focus is on the massive $667 million construction project to build the New Mississippi River Bridge, hundreds of millions of dollars of development is currently going on throughout Southwestern Illinois. Here is a review of just some of the projects recently finished,…
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 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 MoreHydraulic fracturing propels substantial reinvestment in U.S. fertilizer industry
The popularity of fracturing – a drilling process that creates low-cost sources of natural gas – is catapulting the U.S. fertilizer market to new heights in exporting and attracting the attention of fertilizer manufacturers from abroad who desire to build plants in Illinois. In 2011, the U.S. fertilizer industry reported $10 billion in revenues,…
Read MoreIDOT multi-year transportation program includes major emphasis on interstate bridge safety
In contrast to recent years where emphasis has been on added capacity projects such as the New Mississippi River Bridge and Illinois 255 here, the Illinois Dept. of Transportation’s FY 2014-2019 Multi-Modal Transportation Improvement Program will focus on maintaining existing bridges and roads statewide. The $9.53 billion program, “Transforming Transportation for Tomorrow,” allocates nearly…
Read MoreBoard Chairman Brouster leads turnaround of Reliance Bank
IBJ Newsmakers Board Chairman Brouster leads turnaround of Reliance Bank Reliance Bank is alive and well and is actively looking for business, following a recapitalization of $31 million earlier this year. The revival has been led by Reliance Board Chairman Thomas H. Brouster Sr. and his long-time business partner, Gaines Dittrich. Brouster is…
Read MoreCompetition for commercial loans driving down interest rates and bank margins
It’s a borrowers’ market with too many lenders chasing too few strong loans, according to a survey of senior loan officers conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank Board in April. The Fed survey revealed that many banks were easing standards on commercial and industrial loans and many of those respondents cited increased competition as…
Read MoreU.S. House bill offers workers chance to finish degree without losing unemployment benefits
A bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Illinois) and announced on the campus of SIUE aims to prevent Americans from having to choose between keeping their unemployment benefits and seeking the additional workforce training needed to find a job. Opportunity KNOCKS (H.R. 1530) broadens the definition of “approved training” in what Davis and…
Read MoreSt. Louis Regional’s West Star Aviation announces major expansion
IBJ Newsmakers St. Louis Regional’s West Star Aviation announces major expansion Solid growth in West Star Aviation’s key markets is fueling significant expansion plans, including its presence at St. Louis Regional Airport in East Alton. Airport manager David Miller says that while the industry as a whole continues to rebound from the greatest aviation downturn…
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