Oklahoma banks have risen to the occasion in helping their customers, who are federal employees, during the current partial shutdown of the federal government. Banks across the state are either integrating a standard policy to aid customers who are federal employees with incomes directly impacted by the shutdown, or are helping on a case-by-case basis with those individuals. These efforts …

The Oklahoma Bankers Association 2019 Community Bankers Leadership & Senior Management Conference is scheduled for April 7-9 at the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass in Phoenix, Arizona. This year’s conference features an exciting lineup of speakers, including the ABA’s Jim Chessen, GSB-Colorado’s Tim Koch, BankOnIT’s Sara Nielson, PCBB’s Doug Hensley, The Baker Group’s Dale Sheller, Equias Alliance’s Trey Deupree, …

In This Issue… • Sandy’s salutations • ABA urges Trump, Congress to reopen government • De novo bank formation: FDIC requesting information • OBA looking for in-house bank counsel to serve on legislative review committee • Is your bank helping federal employees during shutdown? Let us know! • Register for OBA’s 2019 Contact Banker Program • OBA education corner …

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 …

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 …

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 …

All OBA banks should be aware of is the OBA Intern Program. The Intern Program will again be active in 2019 and we’re looking for participating banks! For more information on this IMPORTANT program – important not only to aspiring students, but also to participating banks – Click here for more information or contact the OBA education department at (405) 424-5252!

Our next round of individuals answering 20 random questions, ranging from informational, to entertaining to downright bizarre, is ready for your viewership! Three new interviews are now posted for everyone’s enjoyment. These interviews – with Curtis Davidson, of First National Bank in Ardmore; Jessica Walker, of Security State Bank in Hammon; and Maureen Carollo, with Great Plains Bank in Oklahoma …

Gov.-elect 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 …

In This Issue… • Sandy’s salutations • OBA raising money for Gov.-elect Stitt’s Inaugural Ball • Key Kansas City Fed supervisor to retire • Oklahoma legislature ready to start next month • Compliance Alliance hosting board of directors webinar • OBA education corner …