Audio tapes available of the highly rated ABA Marketing Conference. (ABA Resources).

Audio tapes of the October 2001 ABA Marketing Conference are still available for sale.

The conference received high marks for quality, according to a survey in which banker-attendees participated. Survey participants gave the conference, which was held in Chicago, an overall rating of 4.03 on a scale of 1 to 5 (5=excellent), ABA said.

Sixty-nine percent of respondents said that they either "may attend," "most Likely will attend," or "definitely will attend" next year's conference.

Audio cassette tapes of the conference are available for purchase from Chesapeake Audio/Video Communications Inc., 6330 Howard Lane, Elkridge, MD 21075.

Tapes can be purchased for individual sessions, a choice of any 12 sessions or the complete set of all sessions. Purchases can be made with a credit card by telephoning [phone].

New ABA advisory service helps members seeking research information

ABA has introduced a new Information Advisory Service to assist member banks in searching for information. The service, which is free, will not actually perform research but, instead, will direct members to the sources most appropriate to gather information about the desired topic. The advisory service will help members in connection with a broad range of questions relating to financial services and customers.

The service also will guide members in identifying sources of information that are the least costly to use.

The service is available Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:45 p.m. Eastern time. The service can contacted by telephoning (800) BANKERS and asking for the Information Advisory Service.

Start thinking about 2002 ad awards competition

Now is a good time review the advertising campaigns that your bank ran in 2001 with an eye toward selecting entries for the ABA-MN Annual Advertising Awards.

Ad entries for the 2002 contest must have been published or broadcast for the first time during calendar year 2001.

Awards will be given to the best television, radio, print, website and direct mail advertisements as well as to the most outstanding multimedia advertising campaign.

Entry forms will be mailed to all ABA-MN members in the spring. The deadline for entries, which will be announced later, is usually around mid-year.

ABA endorses carreker croducts for preventing fraud, improving cash efficiency

The ABA has endorsed three Carreker Corp. technology products designed to help banks fight exposure to fraudulent deposit and check activities as well as reduce cash inventories and reserve requirements. Carreker Corp. is headquartered in Dallas. The endorsed products are

* FraudLink-PC.

* Integrated Cash Operations Modules (iCom).

* Reserve Link.

Carreker's solutions earned the endorsement following a lengthy due diligence review by ABA's subsidiary, the Corporation for American Banking. CAB's due diligence process addressed many organizational factors, including financial soundness, marketing capabilities and customer service standards, as well as a thorough product review and analysis. In addition, CAB employed Alex Sheshunoff Management Services to provide an independent review.

Marketing will be discussed march 3--6 at ABA national conference for community bankers

Marketing issues of interest to community bankers will be among the topics that will be discussed at the ABA National. Conference for Community Bankers, March 3--6, at Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas.

Two of the marketing and sales training sessions include, "Improving Your Marketing Investments," presented by Tom Hershberger, president of Cross Financial Group, Lincoln, Neb., and "Performance Compensation to Create Competitive Advantage," presented by Mike Higgins & Associates, Lincoln, Neb.

Also, Steven L. Scheid, vice chairman of The Charles Schwab Corp. and president of the Schwab Retail Group, will give the keynote address on "Financial Services in the 2lst Century." Among other issues, Scheid will discuss competitive and marketing issues facing the financial services industry.

RELATED ARTICLE: ABA-MN Chapter Calendar 2002 Minnesota Chapter Events

Alisha Johnson

[phone]

Jan. 23

Marketing to the Small Business Niche

Northeast Bank Community Room

Minneapolis

Speakers:

Linda O'Connell

Barlow Research

Richard Stephens

"The Geek Squad Story"

Charlette House

Cherokee Bank

Sue Moore

Legacy Bank of Texas

Karen Rathbone

Richfield Bank & Trust

March 12

Customer Relationship Management & Internet Strategies for Community Banks

8 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Holiday Inn Select

Eagan, Minn.

Speakers:

Diane Gerstener

Sheshunoff Management Services

Lance Kessler

Lance Kessler and Associates (tentative)

Robert Crossier

Online Resources

May 8

Branding and Positioning

8 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Holiday Inn Select

Eagan, Minn.

Speakers:

Harold Mauer

Frankel

Other Speakers To Be Determined