Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance Receives Re-Accreditation from CSBS

Business Wire, July 7, 2003

Business Editors

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 7, 2003

The Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) announced that the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance has received its third certificate of accreditation from CSBS, certifying that the department maintains the highest standards and practices in state banking supervision. The CSBS Accreditation Program identifies banking departments that serve the citizens of their state by operating a capable and professional regulatory program.

The Nebraska Department was first accredited in 1993, and supervises 193 commercial banks, 4 non-deposit trust company and 2 savings banks with total commercial bank assets of $15.071 billion, as of December 31, 2002. The Department is comprised of two divisions - Financial Institutions and Bureau of Securities. Together these two entities regulate and investigate consumer complaints for many banking- and financial-related businesses. The Banking and Finance Department is funded entirely by the industries it regulates.

The CSBS Performance Standards Committee voted for re-accreditation based on the reports of a re-accreditation review team (comprised of veteran state and federal regulators) and an audit team. In addition to an on-site review, the accreditation process includes review and analysis of an extensive self-evaluation questionnaire on all department operations: administration and finance, personnel, training, examination, supervision, and legislative powers.

"Director Samuel P. Baird and his staff are to be congratulated on establishing and maintaining the high standards set by the program," said Neil Milner, CSBS President and CEO. "As the banking industry evolves, state banking departments work to keep up with the changing industry that they regulate. The Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance has demonstrated that it has met this challenge," Milner added.

The Conference of State Bank Supervisors is the only national organization dedicated to enhancing the value of the state charter and strengthening the dual banking system. Founded in 1902, CSBS is the premier resource for state banking and the major champion of the American dual banking system. A fundamental goal of CSBS is enhancing the professionalism of state banking departments and their personnel. Well-educated examiners bring more efficiency, experience, and accuracy to the examination process.

The Conference of State Bank Supervisors is the professional association of state officials responsible for chartering, supervising, and regulating the nation's 6,000-plus state-chartered commercial and savings banks, and more than 400 state-licensed foreign banking offices nationwide.