From our readers

RMA Journal, The, Sept, 2004 by John Fawley, G. Rosemary Brooks

Dear Editor:

I received my June issue of The RMA Journal and was surprised and pleased to see that the Association is celebrating its 90th anniversary. Congratulations to RMA from a 50-plus-year member and past president!

Also, I have a question. Would you or one of your readers have a list of the original members of the Robert Morris Club--circa 1914 or any of the early years?

--John Fawley, Lansdale, PA

Dear Mr. Fawley:

What we do have are copies of the Journal from the time it was The Robert Morris Associates Monthly Bulletin. For example, the 1921-22 volume begins with the minutes from the Annual Meeting held in Buffalo on May 21, 1921. RMA President Joseph L. Morris's address begins with a recap of the first two years of operation of RMA's central office in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania. "The most important development in point of actual results during this term appears to have been the organization and successful operation of chapters in the following cities, listed in the order in which they were organized," said President Morris. Those chapters were: New York, Cleveland, Boston, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia. All registrants at the meeting were listed. Succeeding issues of the Monthly Bulletin list new members. The articles make for some fascinating reading; if you're in the neighborhood, stop in and take a look!

Dear Editor:

The June 2004 issue of The RMA Journal included an article by Frank DiLorenzo on draw management. I just wanted to let you know how fascinating I thought it was. I am working in a new department within our company, and I am for the most part accountable for all outgoing construction draws. I'm very detail oriented, and even though I do not have any formal education in this area, common sense led me to investigate some things that just didn't make sense. Further investigation led me to discover some of the subject matter you addressed in your point of view. I am going to be engaged along with my supervisor in setting up policies and procedures for our company to avoid loss associated with poor risk management, and I'd appreciate some direction on the topic or resources that would be helpful.

--G. Rosemary Brooks, Middleburg Bank

Dear Ms. Brooks:

Frank has written a number of articles for The RMA Journal, and each one seems to find people who write either to thank us for the articles or to ask follow-up questions. I know that Frank has already written to you with some information he hopes you'll find useful. Bankers sharing the benefit of their experience with other bankers has always been a hallmark of RMA and the Journal. I look forward to a contribution from you some day!