Oklahoma Bankers Association We make bankers better!
In This Issue…
- From Adrian’s desk …
- Agencies release updated list of CRA-eligible communities
- Help on holding funds when fraud, exploitation is suspected
- First Friday Fraud Forum postponed to next week
- 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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As we near the 250th birthday of the United States, ABA President and CEO Rob Nichols wrote a nice little article about the importance of banking in the history of America. I wanted to share it with everyone.
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On a sad note, I attended the funeral of Charles Appling today. Appling died last week at 84-years old. He was a longtime banker in this state, finishing his career with All America Bank, in Sentinel. He’s also the father of the OBA’s current first vice chair, Troy Appling.
Troy is one of my closest friends in the world and the Appling family has all my prayers.
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I’m fully in Major League Baseball mode … I guess. The Cubs have been a bit … bipolar … this season. They’ve had TWO winning streaks of 10 games. They’ve also had a 10-game losing streak. Currently they’re in second place, but 5.5 games out of first. It’s been a bit crazy.
Maybe it’ll all keep me interested until football season gets here, though!
Agencies release updated list of CRA-eligible communities
The federal banking agencies today released the 2026 list of certain geographies where certain bank activities are eligible for Community Reinvestment Act credit.
The list includes distressed or under-served non-metropolitan middle-income geographies where revitalization or stabilization activities are eligible to receive CRA consideration, according to the agencies. Revitalization or stabilization activities in these geographies are eligible to receive CRA consideration under the community development definition for 12 months after publication of the current list.
As with past lists, the agencies apply a one-year lag period for geographies that were included in 2025 but are no longer designated as distressed or under-served in the current list.
Help on holding funds when fraud, exploitation is suspected
Oklahoma S.B. 2067 becomes effective on Nov. 1, 2026 and establishes a framework for financial institutions to intervene when they suspect a “protected adult” is being targeted for financial exploitation and fraud.
It mandates reporting while providing legal immunity to the institutions and their employees for acting in good faith to protect vulnerable customers.
The OBA’s Scott Thompson has prepared a summary of the legislation. To read the full final version of the bill, visit https://www.oklegislature.gov/cf_pdf/2025-26%20ENR/SB/SB2067%20ENR.PDF.
Before Nov 1, bankers will need to review their bank processes for change. How will your employees and supervisory staff react to suspected fraud or exploitation; what information will the bank use to determine reasoning for placing a temporary hold up to 10 business days on incoming or outgoing funds; what internal processes need to be set up for the mandatory reporting requirement; developing and promoting a “Trusted Contact” form, etc. This bill also amends the Oklahoma Financial Privacy Act to allow financial institutions to disclose (without a subpoena/search warrant) relevant financial records to investigating agencies without violating privacy laws (including OK DHS Adult Protective Services).
First Friday Fraud Forum postponed to next week
Speaking of fraud-related news, the First Friday Fraud Forum, which would normally take place this coming Friday, will be delayed until next week because of the holiday weekend.
We’ll have a reminder in next week’s OBA Update for the coming Forum, as well as the meeting link.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to drop Sharon Lewis an email!
OBA education corner …
There’s really two different types of “hot.” There’s the hot we’ve had the past couple of weeks, where the actual thermometer says “Hey, it’s not that bad out here!” but then you walk outside into a steam bath. Then there’s the hot we currently have where the thermometer isn’t lying, but it also doesn’t feel like you’re wearing the air. Humidity is the rake in the great poker game of weather. We might be past the rainy season now, though. While trying to keep your hair from frizzing in Mother Nature’s steam spa, make sure to keep up with what’s happening on the continuing education front, including the following:
- Top Ten Loan Documentation Mistakes and How to Avoid Them, July 13, webinar — When it comes to loan documentation, you must know the correct procedures and how to avoid frequent exceptions and mistakes.
- CRA for Community Banks Workshop, July 13, webinar — As of early 2026, federal regulators are primarily operating under the 1995 Community Reinvestment Act regulations, having proposed to rescind the 2023 modernization rule following legal challenges.
- Reg. O and W: Dealing with Insiders, July 15, webinar — An in-depth discussion of dealing with insiders, including insider loans (Regulation O) as well as transactions with affiliates (Regulation W). We’ll discuss regulatory requirements as well as best practices and recommendations.
- Teller Compliance Issues – BSA, Reg. CC and More, July 16, webinar — We will look at your signature contract, and state and federal rules regarding the handling of checks. You will review some fundamentals but move toward the more advanced check issues involving fiduciaries, scams and holds.
- Unclaimed Property Compliance for Financial Institutions, July 17, webinar — Explore the key unclaimed property compliance challenges facing financial institutions, including reporting requirements, organizational risk areas, and recent legislative developments, and gain practical strategies to strengthen reporting processes and reduce risk.
- 2026 OBA Compliance School, Aug. 17-21, Oklahoma City — Students will return to their banks equipped to deal with compliance regulations that impact lending practices and deposit functions as well as other related federal and state laws and regulations.