Friday AM Daily | June 30, 2017

Tony Dickinson, who oversaw Wells Fargo's marketing operations for its seven-state Great Plains region, is leaving the bank effective today after 11 years to take a position with malpractice insurance provider NCMIC in Clive.

Dickinson, vice president of marketing and field support, also sat on the bank's charitable contributions committee that reviews contributions to Iowa organizations. "Things aren't going to change in that regard," Dickinson said of Wells Fargo's local charitable giving. "I have a great team behind me, and Wells Fargo will continue to be a great corporate citizen."

Dickinson served in a number of charitable and nonprofit board positions, among them past president of Boys and Girls Club of Central Iowa, communications and marketing board of the Greater Des Moines Partnership and its Investor Campaign, as well as chair of the marketing committee of the Iowa Bankers Association. "We've identified replacements in all those positions," he said.

Mark Nichols, marketing program manager, will be the contact for the local marketplace until a permanent replacement is announced.

At NCMIC, Dickinson was recruited by CEO Mike McCoy, whom he worked with at Wells Fargo, to be vice president of strategy and business development. "It was really just the perfect opportunity at the perfect time for me," Dickinson said, noting that it was appealing to him that future advancement with the company should keep him in Greater Des Moines. To read a 2012 Forty Under 40 profile of Dickinson, click here.

Iowa cities can restrict fireworks sales following ruling
A U.S. district judge ruled Thursday that Iowa cities can restrict where fireworks are sold, The Des Moines Register reports. They will not, however, be able to require special permits to sell fireworks or restrict sales from temporary structures. 

Healthiest State Initiative launches social media campaign for walk
The Healthiest State Initiative's annual walk will follow the theme "Walk More. Connect More," and in order to promote the theme, the group has launched a social media campaign to accompany the buildup to the walk. Healthiest State will start awarding weekly prizes on July 10 to Facebook users, as well as selecting the recipient of a $1,000 prize to go toward healthy initiatives in the winner's hometown. More information about the campaign can be found on the Healthiest State Initiative's Facebook page.

Iowa Premium approved to export beef to China
Iowa Farmer Today: Beef processor Iowa Premium said it has received USDA approval to export beef to China, making it the first Iowa-based company to gain such approval. The Tama company noted its approval came just weeks after China officially opened its market to American beef following a 13-year ban.

All-clear for big banks raises fears of a return to risk
New York Times: It took a decade — and $200 billion in fines — but the big banks are back. The Federal Reserve's passing grade for all 34 of the institutions it checks annually for financial soundness — the first all-clear since the Fed tests began in 2011 — is a watershed moment.

Staples is selling itself for a fraction of its former value
CNNMoney: Staples announced that it will go private, selling itself at a huge discount to Sycamore Partners, a firm focused on keeping distressed retailers afloat. The deal values the office supply company at $6.9 billion, a fraction of the nearly $19 billion it was worth in early 2010.