We received a letter from Austin Associates out of Toledo, OH, stating that the statues governing branching now permit Iowa banks to expand state wide beginning July 1, 2004. Did I nap through something? Can someone give me the code section that they are referring to or help in any other way? Thanks!

Ok...I take it since no one has responded, that you haven't heard of this either. Maybe I'll call them and ask for the code section that was amended.

I have attended several meetings recently at the IBA where upcoming legislative changes were discussed and this was never mentioned.

All righty then...I have an answer (if any one is interested) . House File 222 (located here) amended section 524.1202 effective 2-21-01. This amendment added subsections 4 and 5. Then HF222 (see section 10) goes on to repeal 524.1202 on 7/1/04. So that's what the letter meant about the ability to branch statewide. 524.1213 is also repealed with the file.

I was going to suggest that you access Section 524 through the Iowa Division of Banking web site, because 524.1202 would refute their information. Now when I go back there I notice there is a little footnote referencing the future appeal on 7-1-04. Hurray! Now we can branch into C.R.!