Friday, March 29, 2024

Oklahoma Banker

January 2019

  • January 14, 2019

    Tulsa banker tabbed for state cabinet post

    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 …

December 2018

  • December 17, 2018

    Executive News: Merry Christmas

    Each December I intentionally offend the “politically correct” crowd with this headline in my monthly column. If any one feels that way, my suggestion is simple: Get over it. We call it “Christmas” for a reason, Bucko, and it’s not because we’re celebrating “go-out-and-buy-as-much-stuff-as-you-can-and-give-it-to-family-and-friends” day. We’re celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is, after all, …

  • December 17, 2018

    Hall Headliners

    The Oklahoma Bankers Hall of Fame inducted its first-ever class on Dec. 4 at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City. Shawnee banker Larry Briggs, Altus banker Ken Fergeson and Oklahoma City banker Gene Rainbolt made up the inaugural group. The ceremony was hosted by the Oklahoma Bankers Association’s immediate past chairman, Guy Sims, who is also president/CEO/chairman of Shamrock …

  • December 17, 2018

    Banking industry continues success over third quarter

    Recently, the FDIC released its third quarter report showing FDIC-insured institutions reported aggregate net income in the amount of $62 billion, up $14 billion, or 29.3 percent, over last year at this point in the year. According to the agency, this increase in earnings came as a result of higher net operating revenue plus a lower effective tax rate. According …

November 2018

  • November 8, 2018

    Executive News: Well, now what?

    As this issue of the Oklahoma Banker goes to press, the November elections are over. Sort of. But I still want to see some key numbers and results that will help me have a better understanding of the lay of the (new) political landscape. At the state level, we know most of our key new players – almost all of …

  • November 8, 2018

    Oklahoma Bankers Hall of Fame inaugural class set for induction

    The Oklahoma Bankers Hall of Fame will induct its first-ever class on Dec. 4 at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City. Shawnee banker Larry Briggs, Altus banker Ken Fergeson and Oklahoma City banker Gene Rainbolt will make up the inaugural class. If you are interested in attending the event, please RSVP by Nov. 21 to the OBA’s Nancy McKinnis …

  • November 8, 2018

    Fed needing comments on real-time payments

    The Federal Reserve Board of Governors published a notice on Oct. 3 asking for comment on actions the Fed could take to facilitate real-time interbank settlement of faster payments. The goal, according to the notice filed, is to “achieve ubiquitous, nationwide access to safe and efficient faster payments.” “Technology has changed everything,” said Esther George, president of the Federal Reserve …

October 2018

  • October 8, 2018

    Executive News: The Kavanaugh effect

    I waited a few days after my “deadline” had passed to write this month’s column. The reason for the delay is I wanted to see whethe r the U.S. Senate would confirm or reject Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to serve as a justice on the Supreme Court of the United States. The final vote occurred shortly after Texas beat OU …

  • October 8, 2018

    Oklahoma Bankers Hall of Fame inaugural inductees announced

    The OBA is proud to announce the inaugural group of inductees for the Oklahoma Bankers Hall of Fame, with the ceremony set for Dec. 4 in Oklahoma City. Larry Briggs, with First National Bank of Shawnee; Ken Fergeson, with NBC Oklahoma in Altus; and Gene Rainbolt, with BancFirst in Oklahoma City, comprise the initial group to be inducted into the …

September 2018

  • September 11, 2018

    Executive News: What else should we be considering?

    As I write this month’s column, OBA Chairman Sandy Werner and I are in Washington with the State Chamber for its Annual Washington Visit. The most “interesting” thing going on is we’re right in the middle of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to confirm Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. I assure you, it is as chaotic and …