Oklahoma Bankers Association We make bankers better!
In This Issue…
- From Adrian’s desk …
- Inflation concerns wane somewhat among consumers in survey
- OBA Emerging Leaders Academy accepting applications
- Washington Visit nearing – hotel reservation deadline this week!
- OBA education corner …
From Adrian’s desk …
By Adrian Beverage
OBA President & CEO
Just some random tidbits that might be of interest to our bankers this week!
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OBA Chair Alicia Wade and I will hit the road on Wednesday to visit with banks and check in on how things are going! We’re not sure yet which direction we’re headed, but on the chance we head your way, keep an eye out for a green Chevy Tahoe in your bank parking lot and a pair of chipper travelers bounding into your lobby!
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Primary season is FINALLY over with, as the runoffs were completed here in Oklahoma last week. The biggest stunner was when House Appropriations and Budget Chairman Kevin Wallace lost his re-election bid to political newcomer Jim Shaw. Wallace was one of the most powerful members of the Oklahoma legislature and, reportedly, sat on a campaign war chest of three-quarters of a million dollars and had the active support of Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt. It still wasn’t enough as the combination of tough budget negotiations and, ahem, human excrement doomed Wallace’s chance to keep an office in Oklahoma City.
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Jeez, it’s hard to believe we’re almost exactly two months away from the election, as of today.
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Nebraska is undefeated! The ‘Huskers won their opening game of the 2024 college football season, obliterating UTEP 40-7. New quarterback Dylan Raiola looked good, the defense was solid, so I’d say everything’s in place for a long-awaited visit by Primetime in primetime this weekend.
Inflation concerns wane somewhat among consumers in survey
The percentage of U.S. bank customers who are financially healthy has remained steady, but their overall concern regarding inflation has fallen – yet still remains high – according to a new survey by J.D. Power.
Nearly two-thirds of customers said they are struggling to keep up with the cost of goods, which was the lowest level so far this year. The drop suggests consumers are finding workarounds for higher prices, according to J.D. Power. Many banks have offered personal financial management tools to help customers cope with inflation, but only 40% said that they completely understand the data presented to them in their bank’s tool.
OBA Emerging Leaders Academy accepting applications
Take note the OBA 2024-25 Emerging Leaders Academy is currently accepting applications, with the deadline Sept. 16.
We’re looking for the best and brightest bankers who seek to sharpen their leadership skills. The Academy will help you reach new heights with powerful speakers offering information leaders need for effectively maneuvering in today’s business climate. Each session helps participants become true leaders by understanding those around you through non-traditional methods.
The OBA extends an invitation to any employee of a bank that is a member of the OBA to apply. A panel of bankers will review the applicants and choose those accepted into the Academy (maximum 30 bankers). Participants must attend all sessions to successfully graduate from the program.
There are six sessions to the Academy: Nov. 6, Dec. 5, Jan. 24, Feb. 26, March 28, April 25. Graduation will take place in May 2025 at the OBA Annual Convention.
Click here to apply! Also, for more information, please contact Megan McGuire at (405) 424-5252 or megan@oba.com.
Washington Visit nearing – hotel reservation deadline this week!
The OBA’s Annual Washington Visit has been scheduled for Sept. 22-24 and the hotel will be The Mayflower Hotel.
Click here to view the brochure. If you have any questions, contact Megan McGuire at the OBA. Take note: the deadline for room reservations at The Mayflower is this Friday, Sept. 6!
We are still finalizing the detailed schedule but we historically meet with the following: ABA, Federal Reserve, FinCEN, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, FDIC, OCC, Treasury and the Oklahoma delegation.
Login to register online or submit the registration form available in the brochure.
We had 100 Oklahomans in D.C. in 2023, and we are aiming for even more in 2024!
OBA education corner …
Labor Day has come and gone, which means we’ve passed the unofficial end of summer (and, in some viewpoints, the actual OFFICIAL end!) The end of summer always makes us think of one of our all-time favorite songs, which inevitably finds its way on our playlists every year about this time. So, take a second, put on your Wayfarers, slap a Deadhead sticker on a Cadillac and listen to the erstwhile lead singer of the Eagles talk about how summer’s out of reach, and also check out some upcoming continuing education opportunities available from the OBA!
- Posting With Confidence: Social Media Compliance, Sept. 11, webinar — Whether your promotions are digital, print, or televised, multiple compliance regulations strictly prescribe what can be said, the elements that should be included and how they should be displayed.
- Avoiding Check Fraud Liability: From Prevention to Loss Allocation, Sept. 19, webinar — This webinar provides attendees with tips to avoid check fraud losses, as well as an overview of the laws that apply to loss allocation when check fraud occurs.
- Marketing and Advertising Compliance All-Day Streaming, Sept. 20, webinar — In this day and age of UDAP/UDAAP, it’s clear that how you say what you say in your advertisements is just as important as what you say.
- Beneficial Ownership Update for Customers Service Representatives, Sept. 20, webinar — Catch your front-line branch staff and lending teams up on BOI
- Real Estate Lending Compliance Seminar, Sept. 24-25, Oklahoma City — The program provides an overview of the real estate lending requirements from 10 regulations, along with comprehensive coverage of selected topics, policy suggestions, employee training tips, audit techniques and steps to eliminate past problems.
- 2024 OBA Consumer Lending School, Oct. 7-11, Oklahoma City — The program exposes students to major issues consumer credit managers face. It provides a framework for examining a bank’s consumer credit programs, policies and procedures.