Rob Barrett, Comissioner of Finance, Department of Commerce and Insurance

Welcome to Our Two Cents with MBA. I’m Lori Bruce, communications director for the Missouri Bankers Association.

In this episode, we discuss the 2023 state legislative session with MBA’s government relations team —  Senior Vice President David Kent and Vice President Emily Lewis. David and Emily highlight MBA-priority bills that were passed by the Missouri General Assembly and the vital role that MBA-member banks played during this legislative session. 

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Joining us for this episode of Our Two Cents with MBA is Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer, who represents Missouri's third congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. Congressman Luetkemeyer joins MBA President Jackson Hataway to discuss the current banking system and environment, FDIC insurance reform, the debt ceiling, CFPB reform, SBA lending and his work on the House Financial Services Committee.

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In this Our Two Cents with MBA podcast episode, MBA Vice President Emily Lewis speaks with Casey Crowell, senior vice president for The Bank of Missouri in Cape Girardeau, about MBA’s Next Generation in Banking. NextGen is the new name for the former Young Bankers Leadership Division. As chair of NextGen, Casey shares the rebranding behind NextGen, the benefits of the program and how this new name reflects the diverse range and experience of Missouri bankers. 

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What must an employer do to attract great prospective candidates while simultaneously ensuring current employees are enjoying their work environment? It’s a question that weighs heavily on the minds of employers across all industries. 

In this episode of Our Two Cents with MBA, Karen Shannon, vice president with Ollis/Akers/Arney in Springfield, Missouri, joins us to share her insights on how banks can stand out in today’s job market and how to keep current employees motivated and engaged. She also shares how LinkedIn plays a key role in both recruitment and employee engagement.

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As the banking world changes, it brings an array of job opportunities for individuals. For college students, an internship with a bank allows them to explore the career possibilities that banking offers. In this episode, Lindsey Hing with the Mizzou Business Career Services and Cody Miller, internship coordinator for MU’s Trulaske College of Business, join MBA Vice President Rachael Preston to discuss the business school’s internship program, networking with MU students and the benefits that banks and students gain from these experiences.

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In this episode, we explore the partnership between Focus Bank and MBA associate member Haberfeld that has led to a culture of engagement to provide the best and highest level of customer service. Anna Ferrell, marketing director for Focus Bank, and Shawn Wagoner, senior vice president of client services for Haberfeld, share how using programs developed by Haberfeld aided the bank in educating employees about products and services available to customers. These lessons and ongoing engagement have enhanced customer relationships and the “will to win.”

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In this episode of Our Two Cents with MBA, we welcome new MBA Chairman J.R. Buckner, president and CEO of First Federal Bank of Kansas City. J.R. shares how education and encouragement from supervisors and managers early in his career led to his involvement with MBA. The encouragement and educational opportunities that J.R. received influenced his career, and he now “pays it forward” to the next generation seeking to make their mark in the banking community. J.R. shares his concerns about issues affecting the industry and why it’s vital for bankers “to be their own advocate.” 

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In this episode of Our Two Cents with MBA, we explore a new partnership between two St. Louis businesses, Midwest BankCentre and BJC HealthCare. BJC has developed a depository relationship with Midwest BankCentre to address a historic lack of investment in the City of St. Louis and North St. Louis County. The deposits will be used to create loans to invest in these communities, including support for entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses and for individuals to realize the dream of home ownership. Dr. Jason Purnell, BJC’s vice president of community health improvement, and Midwest BankCentre Chairman/CEO Orv Kimbrough discuss the partnership, its goals and the impact it will have on St. Louis communities. 

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In this episode of Our Two Cents with MBA, we are excited to have Scott Breckenkamp and Don Thompson, regional presidents for First State Community Bank based in Farmington, join us to share their thoughts on MBA’s Washington Visit. Scott and Don are frequent participants in MBA’s annual D.C. visit — in fact, they bring several colleagues from their banks to meet with policymakers and regulators. In their conversation with MBA Vice President Emily Lewis, Scott and Don share how the personal interactions and relationships with Missouri’s congressional delegation and the regulatory agencies are essential for serving the bank’s customers. They also discuss the advocacy efforts of First State Community Bank and offer advice for bankers new to advocacy about becoming more involved with MBA.

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In this episode, we discuss major federal banking issues on the docket in Washington D.C. with Kirsten Sutton, ABA EVP of Congressional Relations and Legislative Affairs. New to the role, Kirsten offers insightful perspective on CFPB based on her experiences as Chief of Staff to prior CFPB Director Mick Mulvaney. She also discusses the likelihood of SAFE banking passage, credit union field of membership expansion legislation (now through the House Financial Services Committee) and efforts to expand Durbin to credit. 

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