OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NEW MEXICO BANKERS ASSOCIATION

Pub. 18 2021 Issue 4

In Memoriam: Claude Leyendecker


Former NMBA President Claude E. Leyendecker (1972-73) passed away Aug. 6, 2021. He was born Oct. 15, 1922, and grew up in Albuquerque, the son of railroad pioneers. He interrupted his college education for five years to volunteer for service in World War II, and then in 1949, he graduated from New Mexico State University with honors in agricultural education.

Claude’s agricultural career included positions with New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau in Law Cruces. In 1958, he moved his family to Deming and managed Farmers, a large store owned by the Mimbres Valley Farmers Association. In 1964, while at Farmers, he was named to the board of Mimbres Valley Bank (now a Wells Fargo Bank). And in 1966, community leaders persuaded him to accept leadership of the bank.

Claude was part of almost every professional, civic, and charitable organization imaginable on the local, state, and national levels. This includes serving as a board member at the Dallas Federal Reserve, El Paso Branch; President, New Mexico Bankers’ Association; National Executive Council of American Bankers Association; National Executive Council of Independent Bankers Association of America; and Distinguished Alumnus Award of New Mexico State University.

Those who predeceased him: his parents; his wife, Josephine Shubert; his son, Phillip; brother, Dr. Phillip Leyendecker; sister, Dona Grisinger; and many friends. Those left to mourn him: his daughter Claudia Jeffreys (Gary) of Deming; son Greg Leyendecker (Georgetta) of Albuquerque; and four grandsons.

The funeral mass was said by Father Prakasham Babu and Deacon Art Gutierrez Aug. 13, 2021, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Deming. Burial followed at Mountain View Cemetery.

NMBA President Lonnie Talbert Receives Distinguished Service Award


Albuquerque Economic Development, Inc. announced Lonnie Talbert — President and COO of Southwest Capital Bank — as the AED Chairman’s Distinguished Service Award recipient for the third annual 505 Awards. The 505 Awards recognize organizations and individuals making exceptional contributions to economic growth and prosperity in the Albuquerque metro area, resulting in improvements to the region’s overall economic strength. The AED Chairman’s Distinguished Service Award recognizes individuals or organizations that have exemplified support for economic development efforts in alignment with AED’s Strategic Plan in a wide variety of areas, truly settling the bar for the future of the region.

Among his significant contributions to the area’s economic growth, Mr. Talbert has served as a Bernalillo County Commissioner (District 4) for eight years and served as Commission Chair in 2020, working well with Commissioners regardless of party affiliation. In his time on the Commission, Talbert brought in 67 projects valued at $1.3 billion that will generate more than 6,000 jobs in Bernalillo County. Additionally, he supported the gender-pay equity amendment in 2020 and approved additional grants for small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

“We are incredibly grateful for the dedication and commitment Lonnie Talbert has shown to serving his community and to increasing economic opportunity for our area,” said Danielle Casey, AED President and CEO. “His 30-year career in the banking industry, in combination with his eight-year tenure as a Bernalillo County Commissioner, contribute to his inherent understanding of what people need and want in terms of quality of life and what businesses must have to operate successfully and profitability. He’s proven time and again that his driving goal is to make a positive difference in the lives of those in the Albuquerque area and beyond.”

American Bankers Mutual Insurance, Ltd. Announces $3 Million Distributions to ABA Member Banks


The American Bankers Association recently announced that American Bankers Mutual Insurance, Ltd., the reinsurer for the ABA-endorsed insurance program, has declared a $3 million distribution. This money is to be shared by qualified ABA member banks insured through ABA Insurance Services, a member of Great American Insurance Group.

This is the 32nd consecutive year that the industry’s leading professional liability and bond insurance provider has declared distributions to eligible ABA member banks, bringing the total to $94.3 million since the program’s inception. ABA member banks that purchase their directors and officers, bond, cyber and related insurance from this program are eligible to receive a distribution.

J.P. Morgan International Council Releases Latest Report


The J.P. Morgan International Council, which was founded in 1967 and whose members include CEOs and policy leaders from across the globe, released its latest report Safeguarding Business and National Infrastructure, which outlines how government and business can better work together to confront cybersecurity challenges. Key takeaways from the report include:

  • Strengthening cybersecurity is an increasingly urgent challenge for business and political leaders alike, one that requires fresh thinking and sustained attention from all levels of government and society.
  • Council members recognized the enormous amount of work underway in both the U.S. Congress and the Biden Administration to tackle this massive challenge.
  • The Council also saw opportunities to amplify these efforts while pointing to new areas for public policy action:
    1. Strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors by:
      • Boosting the capacity of government and business
      • Sharing timely information
      • Promoting accountability
    2. Turning policy into law by:
      • Passing legislation to codify key provisions of E.O.s enacted under current and prior administrations
    3. Elevating international cyber diplomacy by:
      • Intensifying diplomatic efforts among like-minded countries to enhance intelligence sharing
      • Encouraging public-private collaboration at the international level
      • Defining and enforcing norms of cyber behavior