Developing A Lending School

• Get representation from as many banks as possible—this will enhance support.
• Can include duplicate or separate members from your chapter board.
• Choose people who are willing and have experience teaching.
• Designate a chair and co-chair to coordinate and run the school (the co-chair would ascend to chair next year).
• Not every member of the board has to be an instructor at the school.

Develop a curriculum

• The board should select hot topics (i.e., cash flow, commercial real estate, loan structuring, sales, collections, etc.).
• Ask banks active in RMA events for input, ideas, and support.
• Curriculum must be designed to provide an exceptional value to the financial institutions sending students.
• Use case studies.
• Divide students into groups.
• Groups analyze request as a team and present to Loan Committee.
• Loan Committee can be comprised of students.
• Presentation—last day so they use what they have learned.

Team with a college or university for support

• Good location (i.e., desirable access)
• Share profits
• University staff typically prepares all student materials, provides mailing, and administrative support.

Find/identify instructors

• Volunteers—do wonders for profits
• Provide a nice instructor gift
• Get referrals
• Have students critique instructor and school after each class
• Instructors draw best if they are well known and have many years of banking experience

Schedule

• Dates
• Class length
• Remember—serve refreshments at the breaks
• Develop teamwork projects/times (i.e., case studies)

Include welcoming event

• Class/group photo
• Casual dinner (if start on Sunday), i.e., barbecue, etc.
• Team building/bonding/introduction
• One group dinner with a speaker

For more information and for additional resources, please contact William Githens at bgithens@rmahq.org or 215-446-4124 or contact a Regional Manager for your area - either Community Bank (assets below $1 billion) or Large Financial Institution (assets of $1 billion and up).