Oklahoma Banker

October 2025

• October 16, 2025

  Executive News: Washington Visit touched on many topics

  It’s been almost three weeks since nearly 100 bankers made the trek to Washington D.C. for the OBA’s Annual Visit. We were able to meet with most of our federal regulators, and we were fortunate enough to hear from every member of the Oklahoma delegation. I always love how we go into our Washington Visit with an agenda, and what …
• October 16, 2025

  Four bankers picked for Hall of Fame induction

  The Oklahoma Bankers Hall of Fame announced late last month the four bankers who will be inducted into its 2025 class later this year. R.S. “Brud” Baker Jr., Sandra “Sandy” Bracken, Gary Huckabay and Lee Symcox will make up the 2025 class. The inductees were selected by a panel of bankers from across the state. The induction ceremony will be …

September 2025

• September 15, 2025

  Executive News: ‘Debanking’ issue looms over banks

  On Aug. 7, President Trump issued the executive order, “Guaranteeing Fair Banking For All Americans.” In Section 1, the president clearly lays out what his thinking is and why this order is necessary. Purpose — Financial institutions have engaged in unacceptable practices to restrict law-abiding individuals’ and businesses’ access to financial services on the basis of political or religious beliefs …
• September 15, 2025

  Disparate impact deleted from FDIC exam manual

  The FDIC announced late last month it had removed all references to disparate impact from its Consumer Compliance Examination Manual. Instead, the agency said it will evaluate potential discrimination under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Fair Housing Act “only through evidence of disparate treatment.” President Trump issued an executive order in April to eliminate enforcement of disparate-impact liability, which …
• September 15, 2025

  Credit union reform in banks’ crosshairs

  Did you know the average federal income tax paid by an Oklahoma resident was $10,589 last year? Did you know the TOTAL income taxes paid by credit unions was $0? As a banker, you probably did, but do your customers know? In a time when the federal deficit is regularly at the forefront of the news, maybe they should know …

August 2025

• August 17, 2025

  Executive News: Stablecoin questions pop up with new bill

  We’ve finally reached Aug. 1, and that means three things: kids are about ready to go back to school, Congress is headed home for a month and college football is just around the corner. I’ll let you decide in what order of priority you would place these items. At least for this article, we’ll put the emphasis on the traditional …
• August 17, 2025

  Attorneys general urge passage of cannabis rule

  A bipartisan coalition of 32 state attorneys general, including Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, called on federal lawmakers late last month to pass legislation that would enable financial institutions to serve legitimate cannabis businesses in states where it is legal. In a joint letter to congressional leaders on July 24, the attorneys general endorsed the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation …

June 2025

• June 23, 2025

  Executive News: A tale of two bills …

  The 1st Session of the 60th State Legislature has been completed and we are finally able to look back at everything that happened this year. Like I say every year, each session is different in its own special way. This year was no different as we got to experience things I’ve never had the opportunity to do in my 26 …
• June 23, 2025

  Agencies issue host state loan-to-deposit ratios

  Federal bank regulatory agencies issued last month the host state loan-to-deposit ratios that are used to evaluate compliance with section 109 of the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994. These ratios replace those from June 2024. Oklahoma stayed at 86% in the ratios released, same as last year, although a 10% jump from 2023. Other neighboring states …

May 2025

• May 18, 2025

  Executive News: EFS filing bill on top of docket for OBA

  We have finally arrived at the last month of the state legislative session and I will say that everyone seems to be playing nice for now. As I’ve mentioned in previous articles, the only thing the legislature is statutorily required to accomplish is pass a state budget. So, all the policy issues still being considered must be across the finish …