This one week school— especially designed for financial managers—provides the essential tools necessary to build a solid foundation in asset/liability management. This immensely popular school is filling quickly so early application is encouraged. Register now to:

• Develop an effective capital planning strategy

• Use the annual planning process to respond to change and make effective decisions on risk-return trade offs

• Analyze peer and trend analysis to develop a risk management profile with effective measures and goals

• Examine interest rate risk and the measurement systems of gap, duration, dynamic income at risk, static and dynamic value at risk

• Use an A/L model to evaluate risk-return trade offs

• Communicate financial information to management for responsible decision making

• Evaluate liquidity risk management strategies and funding options

• Review investment portfolio management strategies and investment policy issues

• Examine effective credit risk management including loan policy, tracking issues, and integration with the ALCO process

• Price loans using benchmark securities

• Install an effective deposit pricing process with decision-making tools for choosing the best retail and wholesale funding options

• Make better decisions by measuring the profitability of the organization, lines of business, products and customers

• Use profitability analysis tools in the product development process

A number of GSB graduates who enjoyed the asset/liability curriculum at the Graduate School of Banking have also participated in this exceptional school. Attending the Financial Managers School is a great opportunity for GSB alumni to take an even deeper dive into these important topics; however, GSB is not a prerequisite. n

GSB – WHERE BANKING AND LEADERSHIP COME TOGETHER

APPLY NOW FOR 2018 PROGRAMS

Educating Professionals, Creating Leaders GSB Connection March 2018 1

GSB Connection E-News | Issue 16 March 2018

Financial Managers School Filling Quickly

Presented jointly by the Graduate School of Banking and the Financial Managers Society

For Susan Whitson, CEO, First National Bank Cedar Falls, Plainfield, Waverly, “going outside your comfort box” is more than a mantra.

The 1994 GSB graduate has worked in many different areas in her 30+ years of banking from being an agricultural loan officer and credit administrator to serving as asset liability manager and cashier. However, nothing took her more out of her comfort zone than adding the role of HR—a role she held for ten years—to her already full plate. It’s not unusual for GSB graduates to credit the school with enhancing their overall bank knowledge, but

for Whitson, the human resources focus of the curriculum had the greatest impact on her preparing her to take on what is now a must-have in financial services— employee engagement.

One of the pieces she implemented even before completion of the program was the practice of using employee surveys. “Understanding the use of an employee survey is one method of providing input from employees,” she says. “And the real value is when it’s shared with the employee. You can have a lot of knowledge, but if you don’t share that knowledge, how can you develop it? Together you can come up with a far better product.”

“There was an opportunity to utilize the tools, techniques and education I’d gained to apply the business benefit from it. It really does improve the engagement,” she adds.

Whitson acknowledges that it is incumbent on bank leadership to be able to see a bigger picture of how the bank departments work together, and her GSB education laid the foundation for her success in HR in building a culture of trust and respect.

“I have a science degree, so the personnel management is not part of the background of a science degree,” she says. “In any area of business, you have to work with people to move forward, and to me, that personnel management was a big part of the improvement of myself out of Graduate School of Banking. It was the one area I had not worked in before attending GSB.”

In addition to the HR component, Whitson praises the popular bank simulation project, which she says helped her to understand the importance of recognizing that bankers should be open to many approaches rather than operating in silos.

And she and her group set the example by presenting their project in a unique way that did not involve PowerPoint or slideshows. “My group provided a report that was sung to the tune of the Beverly Hillbillies,” she recalls, laughing, referring to a television sitcom. “We had a creative team! Shame on me for not remembering all the words to it! The BankSim and presentation process also lets you know there are a lot of ways to do things. We had several memorable groups that we were competing against. We had success at what we were doing, and we just wanted to share that.”

The desire for memorable experiences carries over into Whitson’s personal life. She and husband, Mike, are avid travelers one state away from completing their goal to travel to all 50 states.

“We have Alaska left, and you have to plan for that one!” she says. ”Over the course of a few years, it does add up. Alaska’s not on the immediate calendar, but sooner rather than later!” n

The Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin - Madison is an exceptional banking school—and it’s also a leadership program without equal. Bankers who complete the rigorous 25-month curriculum for the Graduate School of Banking will earn a diploma from GSB as well as Certificate of Executive Leadership from the Wisconsin School of Business Center for Professional and Executive Development. GSB alumni who graduated prior to 2017 are encouraged to click here and learn more about earning this prestigious certificate with advanced placement. n

Educating Professionals, Creating Leaders GSB Connection March 2018 2

Susan Whitson,Chief Executive Officer, First National Bank Cedar Falls, Plainfield, Waverly

Susan Whitson and family

GSB Spotlight Profile: Susan Whitson

Certificate of Executive Leadership Awarded to GSB Graduates

The Graduate School of Banking is pleased to support, sponsor and attend a number of industry events throughout the year where bankers gather to learn, network and share best practices. We recently participated in the Wisconsin Bankers Association Executive Conference, the Nebraska Bankers Association Operations and Technology Conference, the Kansas Bankers Association Technology Conference, the Ohio Bankers League Annual Meeting and many others – and we always enjoy being part of these exceptional events. At some upcoming conferences we’ll have a representative onsite – so please stop by the GSB booth and say hello; we love to spend time with our graduates! Here’s just a sampling of upcoming events. Will you be attending a banking industry conference? Please reach out to Kathy Berman at kberman@gsb.org and let us know; when possible, we’d like to support the events you’re most interested in.

• Illinois Bankers Association ONE Conference

• Minnesota Bankers Association Women’s Leadership Conference

• Western Bankers/California Bankers Association Annual Convention

• Indiana Bankers Association MEGA Conference

• Michigan Bankers Association BEST Conference

• Wisconsin Bankers Association School of Bank Management

• Nebraska/Kansas Schools of Banking

• Kentucky Bankers Association School of Banking

• Michigan Bankers Association Perry School of Banking

• Ohio Bankers League Young Bankers

• North Dakota Peer Groups for HR, IT, Finance and Marketing

• Missouri Bankers Association Technology Conference

• Iowa Bankers Association Marketing Conference

• Iowa Bankers Association Leadership Group

• Illinois Bankers Association Annual Convention

• Minnesota Bankers Association Annual Summit

• Wisconsin Bankers Association Women in Banking

• Many more!

Educating Professionals, Creating Leaders GSB Connection March 2018 3

Nebraska Bankers Association staff showing off the GSB bags being distributed at the NBA Operations and Technology Conference, held recently in Lincoln.

GSB – On The Road

GSB Enrollment Deadline is June 1

DON’T DELAY!Reminder – Enrollment Deadline for GSB is Earlier in 2018 than Prior Years

For detailed program information, or to apply online, please visit gsb.org. If you have any questions, please call GSB at 800-755-6440.

Educating Professionals, Creating Leaders GSB Connection March 2018 4

GSB Online Seminars

MARCH 2018

Upcoming Programs by Category (listed in start date order):

For additional information— including detailed seminar descriptions and presenter bios— and to register online, please visit http://gsb.virtualvenues.com/store

A/L MANAGEMENT

Fundamentals of Interest Rate Swaps and Caps with Dan Dwyer, on Mar. 6 & 8 from 1:00-2:30 pm CT

GENERAL BANKING

Dealing with Powers of Attorney with Jim Lethert, on Mar. 1 from 10:00-11:30 am CT

The World of Trusts for Bankers with Jim Lethert, on Mar. 28 from 10:00-11:30 am CT

HR MANAGEMENT

Becoming an Employer of Choice with Ann Lueth, on Mar. 14 from 10:00-11:30 am CT

Reward and Recognition Strategies with Patrice McGuire, on Mar. 16 from 9:30-11:00 am CT

LENDING

Collateral Evaluation in C&I Lending with Linda Larger, on Mar. 1 from 9:30-11:00 am CT

How to Craft an Effective Commercial Loan Write-Up with David Osburn, on Mar. 6 from 10:00-11:30 am CT

Loan Underwriting Mistakes with Linda Larger, on Mar. 8 from 9:30-11:00 am CT

Loan Committee Presentation Skill Training with David Osburn, on Mar. 9 from 10:00-11:30 am CT

Advanced Financial Statement Analysis with David Osburn, on Mar. 20 from 2:00-3:30 pm CT

MANAGEMENT

Unparalleled Funding Opportunities Overview with Neil Stanley, on Mar. 8 from 2:00-3:00 pm CT

Three Key Risk Assessments in Your ERM Program - ERM, IT, and Internal Controls with Marcia Malzahn, on Mar. 20 from 2:00-3:30 pm CT

Strategies for Family Banks with Philip Smith, on Mar. 29 from 10:00-11:00 am CT

Strategic Planning Tips for a New Environment with Philip Smith, on Mar. 29 from 2:00-3:00 pm CT

RELATIONSHIP BANKING

Getting in the Door with Prospects - Tips on Leveraging Your Network with Ned Miller, on Mar. 19 from 10:00-11:00 am CT

How to Build an Employee Referral Program That Works with Tom Hershberger, on Mar. 22 from 10:00-11:30 am CT

Recipe for an Effective Sales Environment with Tom Hershberger, on Mar. 22 from 2:00-3:30 pm CT

TECHNOLOGY

PCI Compliance & Cybersecurity with Doug Baun, on Mar. 27 from 10:00-11:00 am CT

Attacking the Human Element - Social Engineering with Chad Knutson, on Mar. 29 from 2:00-3:30 pm CT

About The GSB Online Seminar Series

The GSB Online Seminar Series offers a convenient, cost-effective way to access quality educational opportunities. GSB seminars are designed to meet the dynamic learning needs of today’s busy financial professional and are delivered by some of today’s top industry experts. All sessions are recorded, so if you’re unable to attend one of the live presentations, it’s no problem! When you register for a GSB Online Seminar, you’ll have access to the live presentation as well as a recording of the live session in case you are unable to attend the entire program. There is no additional fee to view the recording, it’s included in your registration fee. It’s your choice to attend the live session, view the recording—or do both—based on your schedule. With the GSB Online Seminar Series you’ll benefit from:

• Nearly 100 relevant, bank-specific courses that deliver must-know information

• A variety of live, interactive courses offered throughout the year—each recorded for scheduling flexibility

• Additional On-Demand seminars on popular topics available any-time, anywhere, to fit your schedule. Instructor contact information is provided so you have the ability to ask questions as you go through the recordings.

• Competitive pricing—one fee allows multiple attendees to partic-ipate through a single connection and includes all handouts and materials

• State-of-the-art technology that ensures a quality learning experience

• The faculty and expertise of the nation’s most respected graduate banking school

For additional information, please visit gsb.org