Oklahoma Credit Union League restructures organization

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Jan 14, 2003

Oklahoma Credit Union League President Bob Bianchini has announced a new organizational structure.

Dave Douglas, senior vice president, has been named chief financial officer.

Lisa Finley, vice president, was named senior vice president/ chief operating officer, a new position.

According to Bianchini, the changes were made to streamline the reporting structure as well as better coordinate league activities.

"After taking a close look at how our league operates, it seemed appropriate to break our organization down into two functional areas of responsibility -- financial and operational," Bianchini said. "This will allow each area to coordinate their activities in an efficient manner and allocate resources as necessary to provide the best possible services to our state's credit unions."

Douglas will be responsible for accounting, human resources, and the Audit Division. This includes oversight of the financial operation and human resource management of the league and its subsidiary organizations.

Douglas joined the Oklahoma Credit Union League in 1999 with an extensive background in the credit union industry after working with credit union leagues in Iowa and Minnesota. Douglas is a graduate of the University of Iowa.

Finley's areas of responsibility will include governmental affairs, communications, administration, the Credit Union Development Division, and the League Service Corp.

Finley joined the league in 1998 as head of communications and public relations. Finley was a member of the executive staff of the Cherokee Nation.

The league includes 93 credit unions in Oklahoma.

Logan forms firm

Scott Logan has formed Asset Planning Solutions in Oklahoma City and registered the firm as an investment advisor with the Oklahoma Department of Securities.

The firm offers investment and financial planning for individuals and small business owners for a preset fee.

Logan teaches a financial planning course at Francis Tuttle and is public relations director for the Central Oklahoma Chapter of the Financial Planning Association. He is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and is a certified financial planner.

American Bank, Edmond

Robert Kirby has been appointed senior executive vice president of American Bank, Edmond. He joined the bank in 1975.

George Drew was named executive vice president and John Meyers was appointed senior vice president. Drew joined the bank in 1992 and Meyers has been with American Bank since July.

Christine Wall, marketing officer, has been awarded the certified financial marketing professional designation by the Institute of Certified Bankers. She has been with American Bank for 14 years.

Credit union offers bonus

Members of the FAA Employees Credit Union are receiving a bonus.

The credit union's board of directors approved the payment of a 2 percent bonus dividend on interest earned on all deposit accounts, except Individual Retirement Accounts, for 2002 and a 2 percent interest rebate on all loan interest paid, excluding real estate loans.

"It was a board decision, made after they reviewed the credit union's performance and success over the year," said Steve Rasmussen, chief executive officer. "While this is not an automatic benefit, it was the third year in a row that we've offered this type of bonus for members. The first two years, the bonus was set at 1 percent. For 2002 it was set for an even higher rate -- 2 percent."

Rasmussen said this is a positive sign for the community credit union, which operates three branches.

"It is significant that we paid this, even in the face of a downturned economy," he said. "In spite of tough times, the FAA Employees Credit Union has performed well."

The FAA Employees Credit Union, formed in 1946, has more than 33,000 members.

First National Bank

First National Bank in Midwest City has installed a new computer program designed to offer faster and more convenient account management for business owners, according to Scott Lesley, project manager for the bank's new e-Corp system.

The system eliminates bank visits and assures customers secured Internet access to accounts, Lesley said.

"In effect, it empowers the business owner to efficiently monitor and manage company finances," said Bill Croak, senior vice president. "It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week allowing information related to deposits, disbursements, float analysis and funds availability."

Gold Bank to sell branch

Gold Bank has agreed to sell its branch in Guymon to City National Bank of Guymon. The purchase is expected to be finalized upon receipt of regulatory approval.

The deposits of the Guymon Gold Bank branch are total $36 million with total loans of $8 million, according to Michael W. Gullion, chairman and CEO of Gold Banc Corp., the bank holding company that owns Gold Bank.

Jim Webster is president of City National Bank of Guymon.

"The sale of this branch at this time supports the long-term strategic goals established by our company," said Gullion. "The capital raised from the sale of this branch will be reinvested in the targeted growth areas within our company."