Oklahoma Banker

February 2019

• February 15, 2019

  Understanding current process for growing hemp

  Last month’s passage of the 2018 Farm Bill was a huge, bipartisan accomplishment, according to its supporters. Others? Maybe not so much. One of the things it did accomplish was decriminalizing hemp, which is technically identified as Cannabis sativa L. Again, a HUGE bipartisan accomplishment. Or not, depending on your view of what it means to “legalize” hemp. We’ve had …

January 2019

• January 14, 2019

  Executive News: Happy New Year!

  We made it. I think. While 2018 was a great year in so many respects, it was maybe not so hot in others. Certainly, the passage of S. 2155 has to be on the top shelf where we keep track of “great” things. So does the appointment of Jelena McWilliams as chair of the FDIC and Joe Otting as the …
• January 14, 2019

  State legislature set to begin in early February

  The Oklahoma 56th Legislature will open for business on Monday, Feb. 4. It should be interesting, considering 46 members of the House (46 percent) are brand new. In addition, there are 11 new senators (out of 48, or 23 percent). According to our friends at the State Chamber of Oklahoma, 54 percent of the Senate is either new, elected in …
• January 14, 2019

  Tulsa banker tabbed for state cabinet post

  Gov. Kevin Stitt announced the appointment of Tulsa banker Sean Kouplen as the next secretary of Commerce and Workforce Development. Kouplen will serve in an unpaid capacity in the position. Kouplen will also continue his role as chairman and CEO of Regent Bank in Tulsa. Under Kouplen’s leadership, the bank has grown in size from $72 million to almost $600 …

December 2018

• December 17, 2018

  Executive News: Merry Christmas

  Each December I intentionally offend the “politically correct” crowd with this headline in my monthly column. If any one feels that way, my suggestion is simple: Get over it. We call it “Christmas” for a reason, Bucko, and it’s not because we’re celebrating “go-out-and-buy-as-much-stuff-as-you-can-and-give-it-to-family-and-friends” day. We’re celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is, after all, …
• December 17, 2018

  Hall Headliners

  The Oklahoma Bankers Hall of Fame inducted its first-ever class on Dec. 4 at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City. Shawnee banker Larry Briggs, Altus banker Ken Fergeson and Oklahoma City banker Gene Rainbolt made up the inaugural group. The ceremony was hosted by the Oklahoma Bankers Association’s immediate past chairman, Guy Sims, who is also president/CEO/chairman of Shamrock …
• December 17, 2018

  Banking industry continues success over third quarter

  Recently, the FDIC released its third quarter report showing FDIC-insured institutions reported aggregate net income in the amount of $62 billion, up $14 billion, or 29.3 percent, over last year at this point in the year. According to the agency, this increase in earnings came as a result of higher net operating revenue plus a lower effective tax rate. According …

November 2018

• November 8, 2018

  Executive News: Well, now what?

  As this issue of the Oklahoma Banker goes to press, the November elections are over. Sort of. But I still want to see some key numbers and results that will help me have a better understanding of the lay of the (new) political landscape. At the state level, we know most of our key new players – almost all of …
• November 8, 2018

  Oklahoma Bankers Hall of Fame inaugural class set for induction

  The Oklahoma Bankers Hall of Fame will induct its first-ever class on Dec. 4 at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City. Shawnee banker Larry Briggs, Altus banker Ken Fergeson and Oklahoma City banker Gene Rainbolt will make up the inaugural class. If you are interested in attending the event, please RSVP by Nov. 21 to the OBA’s Nancy McKinnis …
• November 8, 2018

  Fed needing comments on real-time payments

  The Federal Reserve Board of Governors published a notice on Oct. 3 asking for comment on actions the Fed could take to facilitate real-time interbank settlement of faster payments. The goal, according to the notice filed, is to “achieve ubiquitous, nationwide access to safe and efficient faster payments.” “Technology has changed everything,” said Esther George, president of the Federal Reserve …