On June 26, I was closely following the results of the primary election in a hotel room where I was attending the annual meeting of bankers associations located in the Heartland. The governor’s primary was of keen interest, of course, as were the races for attorney general and the First Congressional District, among others. And there was this other thing …

On June 26, Oklahoma voters approved State Question 788, which purports to “legalize” the growth, distribution and sale of marijuana for medicinal purposes. A hard-fought campaign between the proponents of the state question and the business community which, in general, opposed the measure that was adopted by a 14-point margin, 57-43 percent. “Oklahoma is now one of 30 states and …

Register today for the OBA’s initial seminars addressing bankers concerns over the recent legalization of medical marijuana. “Preliminary Considerations for Banking Marijuana-Related Businesses” will take place on Aug. 7 in Oklahoma City and Aug. 8 in Tulsa. Click here for more information and to register for the Oklahoma City seminar. Click here for more information and to register for the Tulsa Seminar. There …

In This Issue… • 2019 OBA convention set: save the dates! • Banks have questions on SQ 788/legalization of medical marijuana • Agencies grant S. 2155 stress-testing exemption to all institutions under $100 billion • CRA reform: We’re asking for your help, please! • Women In Banking conference scheduled for October • OBA education corner …

The OBA has received questions from bankers recently related to the mandatory annual five consecutive days of leave rule, particularly in how it relates to holiday days, such as this week’s July Fourth. Here is the response from the OBA’s legal team: 10-5-3. Minimum control elements for bank internal control program All internal control programs adopted by banks shall contain …

In This Issue… • Clarifying language on ‘five-day rule’ • Answer leadership’s call: OBA Emerging Leaders Academy accepting applications • Emerging Leaders lunch-and-learn scheduled • OBA education corner …

The OBA’s Annual Washington Visit has been scheduled for Sept. 30-Oct. 2 and the hotel will be the Marriott Marquis Washington D.C. Registration information should be hitting your bank shortly, but you can also download the registration and information form, and get more info on the hotel, by clicking here. If you have any questions, contact Adrian Beverage at the OBA.

In This Issue… • Answer leadership’s call: OBA Emerging Leaders Academy accepting applications • Deadline for nominations for Oklahoma Bankers Hall of Fame fast approaching • Emerging Leaders lunch-and-learn scheduled • OBA education corner …

They’re back: BEC wire and ACH fraud. Not that they ever went away, but we are seeing a serious uptick in wire fraud that is impacting realtors and abstract companies.  The numbers are large (just under $40,000 and just under $300,000, as two examples).  Our bankers are doing callbacks as required but the realtors believe they have been given correct …

In This Issue… • Kraninger selected to lead Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection • RBSA/anti-money laundering bill introduced in House faces hurdles • Trio of Oklahoma bankers graduate from GSB-LSU • Bowman, Clarida nominations approved • Luetkemeyer seeks clarity on rule-making procedures • Banks’ economic impact in Oklahoma quantified • Frauds popping up among Oklahoma banks • OBA education corner …