Oklahoma Bankers Association We make bankers better!
In This Issue…
- From Adrian’s desk …
- Comptroller outlines OCC’s review of ‘debanking’
- Oklahoma Bankers Hall of Fame induction ceremony slated for early December
- Save the date: OBA Convention, senior management events set for 2026
- 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!
• • •
It looks like we might be nearing the end of a record-breaking government shutdown. Seven Democratic senators, and one independent, broke ranks and voted to end the shutdown. Now, just because the vote is done doesn’t mean the effects are over with immediately as the House also has to vote after some more political wrangling. Even though the government is officially shut down, the red tape never ends!
• • •
I didn’t even know who Nebraska’s backup quarterback was until he trotted onto the field Saturday, but I definitely know him now. Freshman T.J. Lateef had an incredible first-ever start for the ‘Huskers in their win over UCLA Saturday. Beyond the win, it also gives me hope we might have a fighting chance down the stretch to add a win or two.
Comptroller outlines OCC’s review of ‘debanking’
The OCC is taking action to address concerns about “debanking,” Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan Gould said at a speech last week.
Specifically, the agency is focused on examiner practices on anti-money laundering/Bank Secrecy Act compliance, where he said banks “feel put between a rock and a hard place,” and he also highlighted the agency’s removal of reputation risk from its handbooks.
Speaking at the Clearing House’s annual conference on Nov. 4 in New York City, Gould also said that the OCC is — pursuant to President Trump’s order on debanking — “looking into the very largest banks” on this issue. He said some banks have in the past “very publicly … made assertions about categorically discouraging or simply not banking certain sectors of our economy.”
He added that the OCC would be using its licensing process, the Community Reinvestment Act exam process, the consumer complaints it receives and third-party databases to “bring to light any debanking issues.”
Oklahoma Bankers Hall of Fame induction ceremony slated for early December
The Oklahoma Bankers Hall of Fame announced today the four bankers who will be inducted into its 2025 class later this year.
R.S. “Brud” Baker, Sandra J. “Sandy” Bracken, Gary Huckabay and Lee Symcox will make up the 2025 class. The inductees were selected by a panel of bankers from across the state, and were voted on late last week.
The ceremony will be held over lunch at 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 4 at the Oklahoma History Center, which is located at 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr., in Oklahoma City. It will be hosted by the Oklahoma Bankers Association’s immediate past chair, Alicia Wade, who is COO of Sovereign Bank, in Shawnee.
If you are interested in attending the event, please RSVP by Nov. 25 to the OBA’s Joan Anderson (joan@oba.com, 405-424-5252). The cost for an individual seat is $80 and $750 for a table of 10.
Additionally, contact Thi Pham (thi@oba.com, 405-424-5252) for sponsorship opportunities.
Click here to read the full release and more info on each of the to-be inductees.
Save the date: OBA convention, senior management events set for 2026
Mark your calendars as the OBA Convention and OBA Senior Management dates and location have been set for next year!
The 2026 OBA Convention will be held May 18-20, back at the Okana Resort, in Oklahoma City. Meanwhile, the 2026 OBA Senior Management Conference will be held on March 29-31 at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort and Spa, in Indian Wells, California.
More details will be available in the coming months, but go ahead and get those notes on your calendar today!
OBA education corner …
A few of us had the opportunity to check out a Journey tribute band over the weekend. The aptly named Journey of a Lifetime band may have been one of the best tribute bands some of us have ever seen. Look, it isn’t easy to emulate Steve Perry’s soaring tenor, but Journey of a Lifetime’s Rick Cruz was up to the task. In fact, the entire Oklahoma City-based band was impressive, leaving some of us wondering if they might actually be BETTER than the current iteration of Journey. Either way, when the Lights go down, make sure you take a little time to keep up with what’s happening on the continuing education front, including the following:.
- 2025 Branch Operations All-Day Streaming: Compliance, Security, and Operations Training, Nov. 20, webinar — During this program, we will look at many of the operational and compliance issues that happen in your branches. We will also include some security procedures for your branch staff.
- CRE Lending: Cash Flow Analysis and Cap Rates, Nov. 24, webinar — This program covers the key variables and concepts for determining commercial real estate cash flow and transaction-level stress-testing.
- BSA Reporting and Training for the Board, Dec. 2, webinar — BSA officer communication with the board starts with effective initial and ongoing training.
- Most Common TRID Issues, Dec. 3, webinar — Learn to reduce the risks of noncompliance as we explore TRID hot spots, gray areas and frequently-violated provisions.
- Understanding the Role of the Notary Public, Dec. 3, webinar — In this webinar, you’ll learn about notary public responsibilities and notarial acts, basic laws and liability.