Oklahoma Banker

July 2020

• July 18, 2020

  Executive News: Taking your eyes off the ball

  Just about every banker I know, and certainly every bankers’ trade association I know, has been up to his/her/their eyeballs in Paycheck Protection Program matters – loans, guarantees, forgiveness applications and so forth since April. Four separate pieces of legislation have been passed by this Congress dealing with the subject, followed by several sets of (very confusing) rules and regulations …
• July 18, 2020

  Second phase of OBRP slated to start this month

  The Oklahoma Department of Commerce announced a second phase of the Oklahoma Business Relief Program, which will begin later this month. Phase II of the OBRP is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, July 14. Another $50 million has been designated for use in the Program. Additionally, when sending in OBRP applications, the Department of Commerce mentioned frequent …
• July 18, 2020

  PPP extended into August

  The Paycheck Protection Program was extended through Aug. 8 after a measure passed through the U.S. Senate and House early this month and was signed by President Trump. The U.S. House of Representatives approved an extension of the Paycheck Protection Program on July 1, only hours after the U.S. Senate approved the measure to extend the Paycheck Protection Program. The …
• July 18, 2020

  Oklahoma Bankers Hall of Fame taking nominations

  The OBA will be taking nominations for 2020 Oklahoma Bankers Hall of Fame inductees through the middle of July. The Hall of Fame was created by the OBA Board of Directors to honor individual bankers for their contributions to the banking industry and the State of Oklahoma. In addition, the Hall of Fame is intended to recognize bankers’ achievements on …

June 2020

• June 22, 2020

  Executive News: Food production, banking and beyond

  I recently read an article written by Evan Sparks, who is the editor-in-chief of the ABA Banking Journal and vice president for publications at the American Bankers Association. His article hit home and stirred up some memories for me – some good, most bad. Years ago, I was the director of the D epartment of Banking and Finance in Nebraska. …
• June 22, 2020

  Lawton’s Walker takes OBA chairman reins

  Rick Walker, vice chairman and CEO of Liberty National Bank in Lawton, was inducted as the 2020-21 chairman of the Oklahoma Bankers Association during a video conference on May 19. Walker has been with his bank for almost 15 years. He began his banking career in 1987 working in various aspects of lending and management. He holds a bachelor’s in …
• June 22, 2020

  OBA joins colleagues in asking to simplify PPP’s loan forgiveness policy

  The OBA has joined two different groups of trade associations in asking the Trump Administration to simplify the confusing forgiveness process for PPP loans. “As this issue of the Oklahoma Banker goes to press, we’re waiting for President Trump to sign H.R. 7070, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act,” OBA Executive Vice President/Government Relations Adrian Beverage said. “The Senate approved …

May 2020

• May 21, 2020

  Executive News: Next big hurdle: ‘forgiveness’

  It may be a new beginning as consumer patience wears off and people begin to venture out to test the waters. Some of us recognize the difference between previous recessions (usually they begin in a sector, like energy or agriculture) and this one. Right now, consumers are on the front lines o f the current recession (no jobs, no income, …
• May 21, 2020

  Safe harbor granted extension

  In updates to its list of Frequently Asked Questions, the Small Business Administration said it will grant a seven-day extension to the safe harbor for firms that have access to other sources of capital to repay PPP loans. Borrowers that applied for a PPP loan prior to April 24, 2020, and that repay the loan in full by May 14, …
• May 21, 2020

  SBA looks for help – what does it imply?

  We received an email notice from the SBA recently asking us to spread the word that they are looking to hire a large number of people who are experienced bankers, or who have accounting or finance experience. The agency is looking for temporary employees for a period of 2-6 months. During those 2-6 months, it would be a full-time position, …