Thursday, March 28, 2024

Oklahoma Banker

April 2019

  • April 10, 2019

    Executive News: Frustrated

    Earlier this month, some 20 Oklahoma bankers joined me at the ABA Summit in Washington. This year’s summit was the largest Summit ever for ABA – more than 1,300 bankers and state association folks gathered to discuss some of the pressing issues of the day. We heard from the chairpersons of the respective committees that have jurisdiction over your business …

  • April 10, 2019

    Real time payments: Does Fed have a role?

    As technological advancements have been introduced into the mainstream of commerce, more and more consumers are asking for development of a faster payments system, one that responds in “real time.” It’s the new norm of consumer expectations and bankers across the country are engaging with each other to determine the best course of action. Today there is only one provider …

  • April 10, 2019

    OBA Convention set for next month in Edmond

    One of the soldiers responsible for the capture of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, as well as a noted entrepreneur, businessman and CEO are slated as bookend keynote speakers at this year’s OBA Convention and Trade Show. The 2019 OBA Convention and Trade Show will feature former U.S. Army Delta Force member Eric Maddox as the opening keynote speaker, and Clifton …

March 2019

  • March 14, 2019

    Executive News: Rambling thoughts …

    As I’ve watched the debut of the 116th Congress unfold, I’m having strange thoughts about what I’m actually watching. And why. For example, every day I see lots of video clips and featured stories about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) – more than 445 articles on FoxNews.com alone since Jan. 3. More recently, I’ve been reading and listening to stories about …

  • March 14, 2019

    Banking industry continues strong reports in fourth quarter

    Commercial banks and savings institutions insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation reported aggregate net income of $59.1 billion in the fourth quarter of 2018, up $33.8 billion (133.4 percent) from a year ago. The improvement in net income was led by higher net operating revenue and lower income tax expenses. Financial results for the fourth quarter of 2018 are …

  • March 14, 2019

    OBA Women in Banking luncheon in March

    The 2019 Women in Banking Luncheon, set for March 28 in Oklahoma City, will feature guest speaker Natalie Bartholomew. Bartholomew, with Grand Savings Bank, launched the Girl Banker blog in November 2017 in hopes of creating a voice for women in banking and working moms. Also know as “The Girl Banker,” she will lead the empowering luncheon titled “Navigating Through …

February 2019

  • February 15, 2019

    Executive News: Hemp legalization: Where are we?

    The headline above poses a good question. And my answer is, “I’m not sure.” What I do know is that in April, Gov. Fallin signed HB 2913, the “Oklahoma Industrial Hemp Agricultural Pilot Program,” into law, and that changes the landscape as to what banks may and may not do going forward. Honestly, I didn’t pay much attention at the …

  • February 15, 2019

    Understanding current process for growing hemp

    Last month’s passage of the 2018 Farm Bill was a huge, bipartisan accomplishment, according to its supporters. Others? Maybe not so much. One of the things it did accomplish was decriminalizing hemp, which is technically identified as Cannabis sativa L. Again, a HUGE bipartisan accomplishment. Or not, depending on your view of what it means to “legalize” hemp. We’ve had …

January 2019

  • January 14, 2019

    Executive News: Happy New Year!

    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 …

  • January 14, 2019

    State legislature set to begin in early February

    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 …