Thursday, March 28, 2024

Oklahoma Banker

Oklahoma Bankers Hall of Fame taking nominations

The OBA will be taking nominations for 2020 Oklahoma Bankers Hall of Fame inductees through the middle of July. The Hall of Fame was created by the OBA Board of Directors to honor individual bankers for their contributions to the banking industry and the State of Oklahoma. In addition, the Hall of Fame is intended to recognize bankers’ achievements on …

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Executive News: Food production, banking and beyond

I recently read an article written by Evan Sparks, who is the editor-in-chief of the ABA Banking Journal and vice president for publications at the American Bankers Association. His article hit home and stirred up some memories for me – some good, most bad. Years ago, I was the director of the D epartment of Banking and Finance in Nebraska. …

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Lawton’s Walker takes OBA chairman reins

Rick Walker, vice chairman and CEO of Liberty National Bank in Lawton, was inducted as the 2020-21 chairman of the Oklahoma Bankers Association during a video conference on May 19. Walker has been with his bank for almost 15 years. He began his banking career in 1987 working in various aspects of lending and management. He holds a bachelor’s in …

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OBA joins colleagues in asking to simplify PPP’s loan forgiveness policy

The OBA has joined two different groups of trade associations in asking the Trump Administration to simplify the confusing forgiveness process for PPP loans. “As this issue of the Oklahoma Banker goes to press, we’re waiting for President Trump to sign H.R. 7070, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act,” OBA Executive Vice President/Government Relations Adrian Beverage said. “The Senate approved …

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Executive News: Next big hurdle: ‘forgiveness’

It may be a new beginning as consumer patience wears off and people begin to venture out to test the waters. Some of us recognize the difference between previous recessions (usually they begin in a sector, like energy or agriculture) and this one. Right now, consumers are on the front lines o f the current recession (no jobs, no income, …

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Safe harbor granted extension

In updates to its list of Frequently Asked Questions, the Small Business Administration said it will grant a seven-day extension to the safe harbor for firms that have access to other sources of capital to repay PPP loans. Borrowers that applied for a PPP loan prior to April 24, 2020, and that repay the loan in full by May 14, …

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SBA looks for help – what does it imply?

We received an email notice from the SBA recently asking us to spread the word that they are looking to hire a large number of people who are experienced bankers, or who have accounting or finance experience. The agency is looking for temporary employees for a period of 2-6 months. During those 2-6 months, it would be a full-time position, …

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Executive News: Nightmare on main street

There I was, minding my own business, with thoughts of the upcoming anniversary of my heart attack. Happy thoughts they were because I was so very blessed to have survived it. That memory brought back feelings of gratitude and praise that I lived to celebrate my 74th birthday. It was the best one ever, as you might imagine. Now I’m …

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Implementing the CARES Act – successes, frustrations

We’re almost a week into the process of implementing the CARES Act, and still there seem to be more questions than answers. “We have been trying to keep our member banks up to date on various aspects of the PPP (Paycheck Protection Program),” said Adrian Beverage, OBA’s chief of staff. “It just seems like once we think we have an …

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Executive News: Credit unions – Enough is enough already

Over the years, many of you have heard me talk about credit unions and their growing presence both in Oklahoma and across the nation. And every time I see a commercial for Navy Federal Credit Union, I want to barf. What are we, 1,500 miles away from an ocean? Isn’t that where one would expect to find our “navy” and …

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