As his time as MBA chairman draws to a close, David M. Gohn, president and CEO of West Plains Bank and Trust Company, looks back on his past year as chairman. A third-generation banker, David shares his thoughts on the importance of a strong banking environment, as well as legislation and regulations affecting the industry. He also reflects on following in his father’s steps as a community banker and MBA chairman. Connect with MBA Facebook | X | LinkedIn | Instagram

The Missouri General Assembly is back for the 2025 state legislative session, and MBA’s government relations team has hit the ground running with its advocacy efforts. In this episode, MBA Senior Vice President David Kent and MBA Vice President Emily Lewis discuss the association’s legislative priorities. They also share how bankers can be part of MBA’s advocacy efforts through the Target Banker program and resources to help bankers advocate for their customers and communities. Connect ...

Welcome to our Two Cents with MBA. I’m Lori Bruce, communications director for the Missouri Bankers Association. Every year, MBA publishes a calendar featuring photos of Missouri scenery and landscapes. These photos are submitted by bankers throughout the state. Mark Ramsey, president of County Bank in Brunswick, has had a photo featured in MBA’s calendar 16 times since 2009. The 2025 calendar showcases Mark’s last photo for MBA’s calendar. After a career spanning 45 years in banking, M...

MBA Senior Vice President David Kent and Vice President Emily Lewis join us on the podcast to discuss state legislation passed by the Missouri General Assembly in 2024. One of the measures addressed consumer loans, and MBA Senior Vice President Carol Barnett stops by to talk about changes affecting consumer loans. David and Emily also highlight opportunities and resources for bankers to become more involved with MBA’s advocacy efforts. Connect with MBA Facebook | X | LinkedIn | Instagram

Before Missourians head to the polls Aug. 6 for Missouri’s primary election, MBA President and CEO Jackson Hataway joins MBA’s government relations team —Senior Vice President David Kent and Vice President Emily Lewis — to share their insights on races affecting the banking community and to highlight the importance of voting in the August primary election. Connect with MBA Facebook | X | LinkedIn | Instagram

Throughout April, banks join various organizations and community groups to celebrate National Financial Literacy Month as they emphasize the important role that budgeting and saving play in managing finances. On this podcast episode, MBA Chairman Adrian Breen, CEO/president of The Bank of Missouri, talks about how his upbringing influenced his banking career and how The Bank of Missouri is guiding customers in their financial journeys. Connect with MBA Facebook | X | LinkedIn | Instagram

The Missouri General Assembly returned from its annual spring break this week for the last half of 2024 state legislative session, and MBA has several priority bills that are in good position in the Missouri House and Senate. David Kent and Emily Lewis with MBA’s government relations team join us on the podcast to discuss these measures and how the conversations that bankers have with state lawmakers are vital for MBA’s advocacy efforts. Connect with MBA Facebook | X | LinkedIn | Instag...

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. Connect with MBA Facebook | X...

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. Connect with MBA Facebook | X | LinkedIn | Instagram

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. Connect with MBA Facebook |...

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 engag...

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 ...

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 h...

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 iss...

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 ow...

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 i...

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 ...

In this episode of Our Two Cents with MBA, John Everett, CEO of Legacy Bank and Trust in Springfield, reflects on this past year of serving as MBA chairman. John shares how his relationship with the Harlin family introduced him to MBA and how it led him to become more involved in the association. He discusses highlights from this past year and working with MBA leadership. John also shares his advice for the next generation of leaders, as well as his views on finding talent for the banking ind...

In this episode of Our Two Cents with MBA, MBA’s Government Relations staff joins us to share an overview of the state legislative session that concluded in mid-May. David Kent and Emily Lewis share how the atmosphere in the Missouri General Assembly affected MBA’s legislative priorities and how bankers played a significant role in our advocacy efforts this session. David and Emily also provide an update on the August primaries and what bankers can do in speaking with lawmakers and candidates...

In this episode of Our Two Cents With MBA, we learn about the work of the St. Louis Regional Financial Empowerment Coalition. The coalition helps individuals with their financial health through education and access to banking services. Its goal is to promote equitable opportunities for financial health to help build wealth and economic prosperity. Coalition board members Lisa Potts and Jeanne Marra discuss the nonprofit’s partnerships with community organizations and financial institutions an...