Minnesota Banker, Alum to Lead GSBC in 2019

Andy Noll, president, First Farmers & Merchants National Bank, Fairmont, Minn., has been appointed chair of the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado (GSBC) for 2019.

Noll’s career with First Farmers & Merchants National Bank spans 25 years. In addition to serving as president, he also serves as senior vice president of its holding company, 215 Holding Co., which operates offices in 15 communities across Southern Minnesota.

Kansas, Nebraska Bankers Elected to Board of Trustees

The Graduate School of Banking at Colorado (GSBC) has recently elected bankers to leadership roles for the Board of Trustees. Barry Lockard, president and chief executive officer, Cornhusker Bank, Lincoln, Nebraska and Lance White, president and chief executive officer Flint Hills Bank, Wamego, Kansas.

GSBC Update, Alumni Association Reception

The GSBC Alumni Association will host a reception during the upcoming Community Bankers Summit and 68th Annual School Session. Don’t miss an opportunity to mingle with your favorite GSBC faculty and fellow graduates over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as you learn about how GSBC is preparing the future leaders of our industry! 4:00 pm |…

Federal Debt: An Accident Waiting to Happen

The U.S. is facing a federal debt crisis. With current and anticipated federal deficits over the coming years, the amount of outstanding federal debt held by the public is expected to rise sharply. Interest payments on this debt are similarly expected to rise given this higher debt load and the consensus that interest rates will generally rise in the near future.

GSBC to Honor Hoenig, 29th Scarboro Award Recipient

BOULDER, COLO. — The Graduate School of Banking at Colorado (GSBC) is pleased to announce Thomas M. Hoenig, immediate past vice chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and former president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, as the 29th recipient of the James C. Scarboro Award.

Community Bank Acquisition Due Diligence

The community bank mergers and acquisitions market is currently very active. While this has been the case for the past few years, the industry as a whole is in a much different place today than it was five years ago. During and coming out of the recession, much of the industry’s consolidation was born out of necessity—i.e., survival—and many of the “traditional” reasons for mergers and acquisitions, such as lack of succession or a price too good to refuse, were not predominant factors driving deals.

GSBC Launches Alumni Ambassador Program

The GSBC Alumni Association is pleased to announce the addition of a new program aimed at keeping alumni involved beyond graduation, the Alumni Ambassador Program.

2018 Student Rec Events Announced

Battle of the Classes 6:00 pm | Thursday, July 19, 2018 Students will join forces with their fellow classmates to prove which year rules the field in a fun, co-ed night during the school session. Activities include field-day classics like the three-legged race, tug-of-war and egg and spoon races. Clear Creek Rafting Adventure 1:30 pm…

68th Annual School Session Keynote Speakers Announced

BOULDER, COLO. — GSBC is pleased to announce the keynote speaker lineup for the 68th Annual School Session. In addition to regularly scheduled courses during the two-week session, students will learn from these influential leaders each Monday of the session.

Federal Reserve Monetary Policy and Inflation

The U.S. Congress mandates that the Federal Reserve seek to achieve maximum employment, stable prices and moderate long-term interest rates in the U.S. The Federal Reserve itself operationalizes this “stable price” goal by stating that 2% annual inflation is “price stability”. This has never made sense to me. If prices rise 2% a year for…

Is the Bull Market in Bonds Over?

This past December, the Federal Reserve raised the federal funds rate target to between 1.25% and 1.50%. While two of the Fed presidents voted against the decision due largely to concerns that inflation and wage gains were still small and below expectations, Fed Chair Janet Yellen and the others referenced a strengthening labor market and growth in the aggregate economy to support the rate rise. Economic data released since the December decision have, in turn, created considerable uncertainty regarding the path of U.S. interest rates going forward.