Oklahoma Banker

March 2019

• March 14, 2019

  Executive News: Rambling thoughts …

  As I’ve watched the debut of the 116th Congress unfold, I’m having strange thoughts about what I’m actually watching. And why. For example, every day I see lots of video clips and featured stories about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) – more than 445 articles on FoxNews.com alone since Jan. 3. More recently, I’ve been reading and listening to stories about …
• March 14, 2019

  Banking industry continues strong reports in fourth quarter

  Commercial banks and savings institutions insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation reported aggregate net income of $59.1 billion in the fourth quarter of 2018, up $33.8 billion (133.4 percent) from a year ago. The improvement in net income was led by higher net operating revenue and lower income tax expenses. Financial results for the fourth quarter of 2018 are …
• March 14, 2019

  OBA Women in Banking luncheon in March

  The 2019 Women in Banking Luncheon, set for March 28 in Oklahoma City, will feature guest speaker Natalie Bartholomew. Bartholomew, with Grand Savings Bank, launched the Girl Banker blog in November 2017 in hopes of creating a voice for women in banking and working moms. Also know as “The Girl Banker,” she will lead the empowering luncheon titled “Navigating Through …

February 2019

• February 15, 2019

  Executive News: Hemp legalization: Where are we?

  The headline above poses a good question. And my answer is, “I’m not sure.” What I do know is that in April, Gov. Fallin signed HB 2913, the “Oklahoma Industrial Hemp Agricultural Pilot Program,” into law, and that changes the landscape as to what banks may and may not do going forward. Honestly, I didn’t pay much attention at the …
• 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 …