Helpful Links
Financial Institution Info
American Bankers Association
Founded in 1875, the American Bankers Association represents financial institutions of all sizes and charters, and is a voice for the nation's almost $17 trillion banking industry and its more than 2 million employees.
American Banker online
American Banker is a leading information resource serving the banking and financial services community. The daily print edition of American Banker was first published in 1836. Its on-line counterpart has been live since 1996.
Arkansas Bankers Association
The Arkansas Bankers Association (ABA) was established in 1891. It is the state's largest and oldest banking industry organization. The ABA provides a variety of member services, including educational programs, products and services, publications and a comprehensive government relations program.
Arkansas Community Bankers Association
Founded in 1980, the Arkansas Community Bankers Association is committed to the preservation and promotion of community banks, their franchise values and the communities they serve.
Bank Administration Institute
The Bank Administration Institute (BAI) is a financial services association and leading industry resource for breakthrough information and intelligence. The organization has deep expertise in retail banking, payments and regulatory compliance. BAI offers a wide depth of products and services for banks and credit unions such as conferences and events, bank research and benchmarking programs, and bank and credit union compliance training.
Conference of State Bank Supervisors
The Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) is the nationwide organization of financial regulators from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The organization, organized in 1902, advocates at the national legislative and regulatory level on behalf of bank and non-bank supervision by the states. CSBS also offers department accreditation, professional development and examiner certification programs.
Consumer Bankers Association
The Consumer Bankers Association (CBA) is a trade association for today's leaders in retail banking - banking services geared toward consumers and small businesses.
Economics Departments, Institutes and Research Centers in the World
There is now an amazing number of economics institutions on the Worldwide Web. This is an attempt by Christian Zimmermann (Research Division, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis) to index them.
Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council
The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) is a formal interagency body empowered to prescribe uniform principles, standards, and report forms for the federal examination of financial institutions by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (FRB), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and to make recommendations to promote uniformity in the supervision of financial institutions. In 2006, the State Liaison Committee (SLC) was added to the Council as a voting member. The SLC includes five representatives from the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS); the American Council of State Savings Supervisors (ACSSS); the National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors (NASCUS); and state bank departments.
Bank Insurance & Securities Association
The Bank Insurance & Securities Association (BISA) was formed in October 2002 as a result of the Bank Securities Association (BSA) and the Financial Institutions Insurance Association (FIIA) merger. The Association is dedicated to serving those responsible for the marketing of securities, insurance, and other investment products and advisory services through the financial services channel.
Independent Community Bankers of America
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), the nation’s voice for more than 5,800 community banks of all sizes and charter types, is dedicated exclusively to representing the interests of the community banking industry and its membership through effective advocacy, best-in-class education, and high-quality products and services.
The Bankers Association for Finance and Trade
The Bankers Association for Finance and Trade (BAFT) is the association for organizations actively engaged in international transaction banking. Its primary mission is to contribute to the safety and soundness of the global financial system. BAFT serves as the leading forum for bringing the financial community and its suppliers together to collaborate on shaping market practices, influencing regulation and legislation through global advocacy, and developing and adapting new and existing instruments that facilitate the settlement of products and service offerings for clients.
Mortgage Bankers Association
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) is the only association representing all segments of the real estate finance industry. The Association develops innovative business tools, educates and trains industry professionals, serves as the industry's voice on legislative and regulatory issues, and develops open and fair standards and practices for the industry.
NACHA - The Electronic Payments Association
NACHA (National Automated Clearing House Association) - The Electronics Payment Association administers and facilitates private-sector operating rules for Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments. As a not-for-profit association, NACHA also represents almost 10,000 financial institutions via 11 Regional Payments Associations and Direct Membership. Through the Payments Innovation Alliance, accreditation programs, conferences and educational offerings, NACHA unites payments systems stakeholders, fostering dialog and strengthening the ACH Network.
Office of Foreign Assets Control
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on U.S. foreign policy and national security goals against targeted foreign countries and regimes, terrorists, international narcotics traffickers, those engaged in activities related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and other threats to the national security, foreign policy or economy of the United States. OFAC acts under Presidential national emergency powers, as well as authority granted by specific legislation, to impose controls on transactions and freeze assets under U.S. jurisdiction. Many of the sanctions are based on United Nations and other international mandates, are multilateral in scope, and involve close cooperation with allied governments.
Bankersonline.com
BankersOnline.com is a joint effort by Glia Group, Inc. and the Bankers Information Network. BankersOnline.com provides research support to bankers with questions regarding compliance, lending, operations, security and technology.
Nationwide Multistate Licensing System Resource Center
The Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) Resource Center is the official gateway into the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System & Registry, and provides users with tools, tips, news and updates.
Financial Accounting Standards Board
Established in 1973, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) is the independent, private-sector, not-for-profit organization that establishes financial accounting and reporting standards for public and private companies, and not-for-profit organizations, that follow Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
The Risk Management Association
The Risk Management Association (RMA) is a not-for-profit, member-driven professional association whose sole purpose is to advance sound risk principles in the financial services industry. RMA helps its members use sound risk principles to improve institutional performance and financial stability, and to enhance the risk competency of individuals through information, education, peer sharing and networking.
Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center
The Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center (FS-ISAC) was established by the financial services sector in response to 1998's Presidential Directive 63. That directive - later updated by 2003's Homeland Security Presidential Directive 7 - mandated that the public and private sectors share information about physical and "cyber" security threats and vulnerabilities to help protect the U.S. critical infrastructure. FS-ISAC is the global financial industry's "go to" resource for cyber and physical threat intelligence analysis and sharing.
Electronic Municipal Market Access
The Electronic Municipal Market Access system (EMMA) is the official repository for information on virtually all municipal securities. EMMA provides free public access to official disclosures, trade data, credit ratings, educational materials and other information about the municipal securities market.
EMV Connection
The Secure Technology Alliance developed the EMV Connection Web site to assist issuers, merchants, acquirers/processors, ATM owners/operators and consumers with the migration to EMV chip technology used in cards and payment devices.
fTLD Registry Services, LLC
This Web site provides information on how a bank can register for a ".bank" domain.
Cybersecurity Assessment Tool
In light of the increasing volume and sophistication of "cyber" threats, the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council developed the Cybersecurity Assessment Tool (Assessment) to help institutions identify their risks and determine their cyber-security preparedness. The Assessment provides a repeatable and measurable process for financial institutions to measure their cyber-security preparedness over time. This Web page contains a copy of the Assessment, including a User's Guide; an overview for chief executive officers and bank directors; and an instructional video presentation with PDF slides that can be printed.
Cybersecurity 101: A Resource Guide for Bank Executives
The Conference of State Bank Supervisors has published a non-technical, easy-to-read resource guide on "cyber" security that bank chief executive officers and senior executives may use to help mitigate cyber-security threats at their banks. The guide puts into one place industry-recognized standards for cyber security and best practices currently used within the financial services industry.
Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Cybersecurity Awareness
The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) members are taking a number of initiatives to raise the awareness of financial institutions and their critical third-party service providers with respect to cyber-security risks and the need to identify, assess and mitigate these risks in light of the increasing volume and sophistication of cyber threats.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Advisory on Elder Financial Abuse
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on March 23, 2016, issued an advisory for financial institutions on preventing, and responding to, elder financial exploitation. The advisory, intended for banks and credit unions, is accompanied by "Recommendations and Report to Financial Institutions on Preventing and Responding to Elder Financial Exploitation." The report provides, among other things, additional background and greater detail on the recommendations in the advisory. The Recommendations and Report are available here. Neither the Advisory nor Recommendations and Report impose new supervisory requirements on financial institutions. The materials were developed as a resource for financial institutions to address an issue that is costing Americans 65 and older billions of dollars annually.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Directors' Resource Center
The Directors' Resource Center is a special section of the FDIC's Web site that is dedicated to providing useful information and resources to directors and officers of FDIC-insured institutions. The content of this page focuses on guidance and other information that address current issues faced by the banking industry.
Appraisal Institute
The Appraisal Institute was established when the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers and the Society of Real Estate Appraisers unified in January 1991. The American Institute and the Society, founded in 1932 and 1935, respectively, were created to help standardize the appraisal process by promoting professional education and upholding high ethical standards. With 85 years of history, the Appraisal Institute continues to serve as the nation’s largest professional organization of real estate appraisers through its designation programs, public affairs outreach efforts, peer-review process education and publishing endeavors.
Consumer Info
Arkansas.gov
The Arkansas state government Web site has been developed to help families, citizens and businesses find state services, agencies, elected officials and the location of offices. The Web site can be used to pay property taxes and renew automobile tags. The "home" page includes government news and a public calendar.
Arkansas Secretary of State
The Secretary of State of Arkansas is one of the elected constitutional officers of the state. The office's several divisions include Business and Commercial Services and Elections.
Fannie Mae
Fannie Mae is a government-sponsored enterprise chartered by Congress. The company is a leading source of financing for mortgage lenders, providing access to affordable mortgage financing for families nationwide.
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis was established in 1914, after the creation of the Federal Reserve System in 1913. The Eighth Federal Reserve District is headquartered in St. Louis and has branches in Little Rock, Arkansas, Louisville, Kentucky and Memphis, Tennessee. The District includes all of Arkansas and portions of six other states: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee.
Federal Reserve System
The Federal Reserve System, often referred to as the Federal Reserve or simply the "Fed," is the central bank of the United States. It was created by Congress in 1913 to provide the nation with a safe, flexible, and stable monetary and financial system.
Internal Revenue Service
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is a bureau of the United States Department of the Treasury. It is the nation's tax-collection agency and administers the Internal Revenue Code enacted by Congress.
Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions
The Office of Financial Institutions (OFI) is responsible for the supervision of various entities that provide financial services to the citizens of the State of Louisiana. The Office is divided into three major divisions based on general types of institutions regulated - depository institutions, non-depository services and securities.
Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance
The Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance (DBCF) is charged with the primary mission of providing effective supervision and regulation of Mississippi's state-chartered banks and other financial service industries to ensure the public is provided with a convenient, safe and competitive banking environment, along with fair and lawful consumer-related financial transactions. The Department has three divisions - Banking, Consumer Finance and Mortgage.
Missouri Division of Finance
The Missouri Division of Finance regulates state-chartered banks, trust companies, consumer credit facilities, mortgage brokers, and savings and loan institutions. Primary objectives include ensuring the safety and soundness of those institutions and the monitoring of compliance with laws and regulations, thereby safeguarding the funds of depositors and maintaining public confidence in Missouri's financial system.
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) charters, regulates and supervises all national banks and federal savings associations. The OCC also supervises the federal branches and agencies of foreign banks. The primary mission of the OCC in supervising banks and federal savings associations is to ensure that they operate in a safe and sound manner and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Another top priority of the OCC is the provision of fair access to credit and financial services. The OCC is an independent bureau of the United States Department of the Treasury.
Oklahoma State Banking Department
The Oklahoma State Banking Department regulates the following state-chartered entities: banks, credit unions, savings and loans, trust companies, money-transmitter companies and money-order companies.
Small Business Administration
The mission of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) - created on July 30, 1953, as an independent agency of the federal government - is to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of owners of small businesses. The mission of the SBA also includes preserving free competitive enterprise, and maintaining and strengthening the United States economy.
Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions
The Department of Financial Institutions has legal responsibility for ensuring that Tennessee financial institutions remain fiscally strong and comply with governing authority. In its supervisory role, the department actively regulates, and examines the safety and soundness of, state-chartered banks and credit unions; trust companies; business and industrial development corporations; industrial loan and thrift companies; insurance premium finance companies; mortgage lenders, brokers, servicers and originators; title pledge lenders; check cashers; deferred presentment services companies; money transmitters; and flexible credit act lenders.
Texas Department of Banking
The mission of the Texas Department of Banking is to ensure Texas has a safe, convenient and competitive financial services system. The Department is responsible for the chartering or licensing and supervising of state-chartered banks; trust companies; money services businesses; prepaid funeral contract sellers; perpetual care cemeteries; cemetery brokers; private child-support enforcement agencies; and check-verification companies.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
The mission of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to: strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes; utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business.
U.S. Department of the Treasury
The Treasury Department is the executive agency responsible for promoting economic prosperity and ensuring the financial security of the United States. The Department is responsible for a wide range of activities such as advising the President on economic and financial issues, encouraging sustainable economic growth, and fostering improved governance in financial institutions. The Department of the Treasury operates and maintains systems that are critical to the nation's financial infrastructure, such as the production of coin and currency, the disbursement of payments to the American public, revenue collection and the borrowing of funds necessary to run the federal government.. The Department works to encourage global economic growth, raise standards of living and, to the extent possible, predict and prevent economic and financial crises. The Treasury Department also performs a critical and far-reaching role in enhancing national security.
Arkansas Auditor of State
As one of Arkansas's seven constitutional officers, the State Auditor is the general accountant for the state and serves as the payroll officer for the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches. In addition, the Auditor administers Arkansas's Unclaimed Property program.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) preserves and promotes public confidence in the U.S. financial system by insuring deposits in banks and thrift institutions; by identifying, monitoring and addressing risks to the deposit insurance fund; and by limiting the effect on the economy and the financial system when a bank or thrift institution fails. The FDIC directly examines and supervises almost 3,800 commercial banks and savings institutions - almost two-thirds of FDIC-insured financial institutions - for operational safety and soundness. The FDIC also examines banks for compliance with consumer protection laws and compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), which requires banks to help meet the credit needs of the communities they are chartered to serve.
FDIC Find Institution Data:
The FDIC BankFind Suite provides financial and regulatory data for every FDIC-insured financial institution and for bank holding companies.
United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT)
US-CERT is an office within the United States Department of Homeland Security. One of its goals is to foster a safer, stronger Internet by responding to major incidents, analyzing threats and exchanging critical cyber-security information with other organizations around the world. There is a page on the US-CERT Web site that features tips about common security issues for non-technical computer users.
Business Scams 101: Common Schemes and How to Avoid Them
The National Council for Safety, Protection and Wellness partners with ethical companies that have useful data and information and need help getting the word out.