Inaugural Session of the Louisiana Tech School of Banking Held

Forty-seven bankers from across Louisiana and Mississippi attended the first Louisiana Tech School of Banking, June 6-10, in Ruston. The school is a two-year program with one week per year on the Louisiana Tech campus. Presented by the College of Business in collaboration with the LBA, the professional development program aims to expand the skills and knowledge base of rising bank leaders. Courses taught by over 20 Louisiana Tech faculty members, top banking executives, bank consultants and regulators covered a variety of topics, including operations, risk management, liquidity, marketing, sales and regulations. A strategic focus on fintech, regional economic development and cybersecurity helped attendees hone skills that have become increasingly critical to the banking industry. These participants will return for a second year featuring BankExec simulations and case studies that will complement classroom discussions. Another class of first year attendees will also enter the school next June. For more information on the school, click here. 

Pictured above is the first class of bankers participating in the Louisiana Tech School of Banking.  

(above) Bankers enjoyed the social held on Monday evening.

(above) The Monday evening social included a keynote message on “The Business of Banking” by Jude Melville of b1BANK.

(above) Jason Smith of Citizens National Bank was one of the leaders for the Thursday morning class on “Interest Rate Risk: Core Concepts, Old and New Measures, Asset-Liability Committee.” The class was also led by (seated in the front row) Jack Byrd of b1BANK and (not pictured) Jeff Fair of American Planning.

(above, from left) The Louisiana Bankers Education Council led a panel on "From Job to Career" at the school on Thursday afternoon. Pictured are Paige Oliver of Bank of Oak Ridge, Tony Haring of Franklin State Bank, Jeff Lee of First Federal Bank, Kendra Palmer of B1Bank, Jason Smith of Citizens National Bank and Josh Perot of Louisiana National Bank. 

Inaugural Louisiana Tech School of Banking Advisory Board—made up of bankers and university officials—is pictured above meeting on campus prior to the beginning of the school, preparing for the first 47 bankers entering the school.