Educating bankers is a key West Virginia Bankers Association value proposition. I was recently reminded that there is no more significant educational opportunity we provide than the West Virginia School of Banking.

The banking school experience for our students is transformative. We accept students who have often displayed expertise and commitment to very focused banking aspects and introduce them to the vast and complex elements that must be coordinated to operate even the smallest bank. Our students invariably leave the school changed in their perspectives, appreciations and potential as bank leaders.

In January, I had the opportunity to facilitate a day-long strategic planning session with the banker-led board of trustees for the school. I was immediately struck by the trustees’ passion and commitment to providing students with the highest quality curriculum, faculty and experience.

The results from the planning session are the topic for another article. I do want to share some very interesting details about the school that I learned as I prepared for the planning session. The most significant details relate to stability, participation and relevance.

The banking school board and staff have achieved remarkable stability against the backdrop of declining bank charters, pandemic-driven changes of in-person training patterns and increased competition. The school was not held in 2020 and was provided virtually in 2021 due to pandemic restrictions. Apart from the pandemic hiatus, since 2018 the school has maintained enrollment between 64 and 84 students, kept its expenses flat, recruited new faculty and refreshed its board with new leaders.

The school averages enrollment from 55% of state‑chartered banks. Nearly all the banks that have sent a student since 2018 have sent multiple students. One-third of state-chartered banks send at least one new student each year. The banks that send students continue to see value in sending more students.

The key to attracting repeat banking customers is the commitment of the trustees and staff to ensuring that the education remains relevant. The school is constantly reevaluating curriculum, instructors, instructional methods, peer learning opportunities and overall experience. As the trustees and staff pursue priorities identified in the planning exercise, I am confident that the school will enhance its relevance to our rapidly changing industry and workforce.

I am gratified by our member banks’ support for our banker led school. It is truly a center of excellence in the state. The trustees and staff are sensitive to the bank commitment required to send an important team member out of the bank. Their commitment is to ensure that graduating students return with skills, perspectives and relationships that will repay the lost productivity associated with attending the school.

If you currently send students to the school, you know the value they return. If you have not sent a student in a while, I invite you to help one of your team members experience a transformative journey right here at home.