Pub. 7 2016 Issue 4

www.wvbankers.org 24 West Virginia Banker Why Banking School? By Amanda Cunningham, Director of Education B anks and their employees face numerous challenges, such as increased competition and the economy. A key to overcoming these challenges and distinguishing the abilities of the financial institution, is an educated workforce. Because education is critical to our professional success, West Virginia Bankers Association works to fill the needs of its bankers through seminars, classes and the highly-recognized West Virginia School of Banking. A two-year program, WV- BA’s School of Banking is the premier educational opportu- nity for our member institutions to educate their employees. Students walk away with practical knowledge for day-to-day use, as well as first-hand knowledge of how a bank operates. Extremely affordable, banking school will improve the quality of your employees. Dr. Ed Seifried continues to be the Dean of our School and is one of its greatest assets. The School of Banking meets one week annually for two years and focuses on bank management, leadership skills and stra- tegic planning. The curriculum consists of formal instruction through lectures, case analyses and group discussions. In the second year, the students run their own bank with Bank Exec, a computer-based bank management program. Through exciting competition, the students determine what decisions must be made to create the most profitable bank in their community. Except for senior management, few individuals in a bank have the opportunity to be exposed to the wide range of operating decisions that are presented in this exercise. A major purpose of Bank Exec is to develop an understanding of the complexities of managing a bank and the need for a consistent set of policies to maintain the growth, profitability and survival of the bank. Like the WV School of Banking, the Lloyd P. Calvert Grad- uate School approaches banking from a top management perspective. It is designed to further broaden the partici- pant’s outlook, as well as spark creative thinking and offer a “big picture” view of a bank’s survival and growth. Many of the graduates of the School of Banking will find the graduate school more thought provoking – plus it serves as a refresher to those who graduated several years ago. Applications are currently being accepted. This year’s school is May 21 – 26, 2017 at the beautiful University of Charleston, directly across the river from the State Capitol. A full bro- chure and application are available on our website – www.wvbankers.org . Why Banking School? Provide bank personnel at the supervisory and officer level and prospective managers the opportunity to increase their knowledge about the banking industry and the economy – while at the same time enhancing their self-esteem and confidence level.  BANKING SCHOOL “Welcome to the WVBA Team, Amanda! Amanda Cunningham joined the WVBA as Director of Ed- ucation, effective December 1, 2016. Amanda is replacing Donna Atkinson who announced her retirement effec- tive December 31, 2016. Amanda joins the Association with broad industry experience in the areas of management, administration, finance and government relations, serving as Executive Director of the WV Board of Barbers and Cosmetolo- gists since 2014. Amanda also has seven years of bank- ing experience as a relationship banker, assistant branch manager and training coordinator. Amanda and her husband Jared love the outdoors and enjoy spending time with their family and church family. They have a 14-year old son, Hunter, who attends South Charleston Christian Academy.”