Oklahoma Bankers Association We make bankers better!
In This Issue…
- From Adrian’s desk …
- Beverage in Tulsa World: Time to rethink credit unions’ tax exemption
- ABA, ICBA other banking associations urge administration to retain CDFI staff, funding
- OBA Book Club discussion set for Nov. 18
- OBA Oktoberfest Golf Tournament scheduled
- 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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I’m away at the ABA Annual Convention this week, held in Charlotte, North Carolina. It’s been a great event so far, with a keynote address from North Carolina Governor Josh Stein and a conversation with Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan Gould. I’m particularly looking forward to today’s sessions on Stablecoins, and frauds and scams.
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Since we were so close, a few of us from here in Oklahoma took advantage of already being in the Carolinas to drive down and catch the OU football team’s game against South Carolina on Saturday. It was only about a 90-minute drive, and we were rewarded with one of OU’s best games of the season!
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I wish I could have said the same about my Cornhuskers. Nebraska was handled, rather easily, by Minnesota on Friday night. It was demoralizing to watch the ‘Huskers offensive line flail about so futilely. I felt sorry for quarterback Dylan Raiola, who had to run for his life all night long.
Beverage in Tulsa World: Time to rethink credit unions’ tax exemption
OBA President and CEO Adrian Beverage contributed an op/ed article to the Tulsa World over the weekend, where he discussed the outdated model that allows credit union to avoid paying taxes.
You can read the article on the Tulsa World’s website, although a subscription is required.
ABA, ICBA, other banking associations urge administration to retain CDFI staff, funding
The American Bankers Association, the Independent Community Bankers of America and three other banking associations said it is important the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund maintain appropriate staff and funding to continue its mission in a joint letter to Trump administration officials sent Monday.
The Office of Management and Budget has reportedly sent reduction-in-force notices to CDFI Fund staff informing them that their positions are being terminated as the program’s mission is inconsistent with President Trump’s priorities. In a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and OMB Director Russell Vought, the associations said the fund “has long stood as one of the federal government’s most effective, market-based strategies for fostering economic opportunity and expanding homeownership in low- and moderate-income communities.”
A federal judge in San Francisco last week issued a temporary restraining order preventing the Trump administration from firing more than 4,000 federal workers during the government shutdown, including staff at the Treasury Department, which houses the CDFI Fund.
OBA Book Club discussion set for Nov. 18
The OBA Book Club’s next book selection is “Friday Night Lights“. If you’d like to read along, the discussion will take place at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18 via Zoom.
To get involved, please email Joan Anderson, and she will add you to the Book Club Roster.
“Friday Night Lights” delivers a nuanced, sometimes uncomfortable exploration of leadership and personal growth. It’s more about real-world complexity than clear-cut inspirational messages – but that’s part of its power. It invites readers to think critically about what it means to lead, grow and make meaningful choices when surrounded by intense social pressure.
OBA Oktoberfest Golf Tournament ready for next week!
Show off your golfing skills or simply join your banking peers as a social registrant at the 2025 OBA Oktoberfest Golf Tournament on Oct. 27 at Belmar Golf Club, in Norman.
The tournament fee is $175 and the registration deadline is Oct. 20. The tournament will begin with registration and lunch. Immediately following the tournament, we will hold an awards ceremony. Sign up now to reserve your spot. We hope to see you on the course!
Not golfing? Join your banking peers as a social attendee for lunch, refreshments and fellowship on the patio. Social attendee registration fee is $50.
If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities, contact Thi Pham.
Tournament Schedule
10 a.m. — Registration
11 a.m. — Lunch
12 p.m. — Shotgun Start
Immediately Following Golf — Award
OBA education corner …
Ace Frehley, the original guitarist for legendary rock band KISS, died last week. For those who grew up in the 70s, watching Frehley strut around in his “Space Ace” outfit and makeup made for an indelible memory. Frehley was more than just a great guitarist, however, as the songs he contributed lead vocals to – like “New York Groove” and “Shock Me” – are fan favorites for those in the KISS Army. So, while you Rock and Roll All Nite, make sure you take a little time to keep up with what’s happening on the continuing education front, including the following:
- Fraudulent Cashier’s Checks: Best Practices for Avoiding Losses, Oct. 29, webinar — Learn about the unique risk cashier’s checks pose to financial institutions and the best practices for limiting losses when processing these transactions.
- Marketing and Advertising Compliance – 3-Part Series, Oct. 29, Nov. 5, Nov. 12, 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. Style matters. You must be clear and conspicuous in your wording so as not to confuse and deceive.
- OBA/Forvis Mazars Executive Banking Symposium, Oct. 30, Oklahoma City — This event delivers timely insights on economic trends, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, regulatory developments and strategic leadership.
- Preventing Financial Crimes: Elder Fraud, Human Trafficking, Cyber Crimes, and More, Oct. 30, webinar — Our best defense is a good offense. Get ready to prevent financial crime!
- 2025 IRA Basic and Advanced Issues, Basics: Nov. 4-Tulsa, Nov. 6-Oklahoma City; Advanced: Nov. 5-Tulsa; Nov. 7-Oklahoma City— IRA providers are scrambling to adjust their policies, procedures, forms and communications to comply with the ongoing substantive changes to the laws governing IRAs.