OKC Financial Briefs April 1, 2003

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Apr 1, 2003 by Steve Wedel

The Kansas Credit Union Association has joined Endpoint Exchange, owned by CheckClear of Oklahoma City.

The Wichita-based credit union association provides check processing services to credit unions in Kansas and Nebraska. The association brings 43 more fully truncated endpoints to the National Check Image Exchange Network.

Endpoint Exchange membership will allow the association to exchange images of checks and share drafts with other financial institutions rather than exchanging paper. Image exchange increases efficiency and security of the payments clearing process.

"Since most credit unions have little need to return paper checks to their account holders, they are a natural fit with image exchange programs," said Mark Craig, general manager of the CheckClear. "The Kansas Credit Union Association is clearly seizing this opportunity for the benefit of their members."

First National Bank

Canda L. Stevenson-Price has been named mortgage loan originator for First National Bank in Midwest City.

A graduate of Shawnee High School, Stevenson-Price has taken college classes in banking and finance from Oklahoma City Community College. She comes to First National Bank from Countrywide Home Loans, where she was branch operations manager.

Stevenson-Price has 10 years of experience in financial lending, including FHA, VA and conventional assumptions, refinances and purchase loans. She was named a direct endorsement underwriter by HUD.

MidFirst Bank

MidFirst Bank of Oklahoma City named Brett Brown as vice president of the income national lending and appraisal review department.

Brown's duties include engaging, reviewing and approving third- party due diligence for commercial and private bank lending units. He also will organize and facilitate loan closings.

Brown is a graduate of Southwestern Oklahoma State University. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics. He joined MidFirst Bank in April 2000 as a real estate support officer for the income property lending group. Before working for MidFirst Bank, he was an appraiser for Farmer's Insurance Group.

Oklahoma Accountancy Board

Gov. Brad Henry appointed Janice L. Gray of Norman to the Oklahoma Accountancy Board. Pending state Senate confirmation, Gray's term will being July 1 and expire June 30, 2008. She will replace Archer Honea.

FBD Consulting

Ken Culver of FBD Consulting has earned the accredited investment fiduciary auditor designation from the Center for Fiduciary Studies.

Culver received his training in Columbus, Ohio, though Nationwide Financial. In 2002, Nationwide Financial introduced its The Best of America Fiduciary World Series program, which offers a guide, online tools and training materials to assist in investment selection and monitoring and fulfilling fiduciary responsibilities.

Culver will help business owners manage their retirement plan issues for FBD Consulting. The company has been in business since 1962.

The Center for Fiduciary Studies is the first full-time training and research facility for fiduciaries. In associated with the University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business, the center teaches fiduciary standards of care and investment best practices designed for trustees and investment professionals.

Steve Wedel welcomes your comments and contributions. You may reach him by phone at 278-2848, by fax at 278-2890 or by e-mail, steve.wedel@ journalrecord.com.