April 3, 2023

Community Banks carry an ongoing burden of compliance for information technology (IT). Examiners expect the bank to undergo annual IT audits, penetration tests, policy reviews, and complete comprehensive technology plans, risk assessments and cybersecurity self-assessments all while trying to do the real work of banking in the community. Why do regulators expect this level of […]

Risk Management Firm Ranks MRV Banks No. 1 in Nation Among Community Banks On Feb. 27, 2023, CB Resource, Inc., a risk management firm, ranked MRV Banks first on its CB Top Ten™ list of community banks with assets between $500 million and $1 billion. The firm identifies the top 10% of community banks throughout

I will be candid with you. Your correspondent is most assuredly not a professional journalist. And, being an accountant by trade, creativity isn’t something that comes naturally. Therefore, when composing these investment columns I often rely on some techniques I’ve learned from listening to the professionals. Among these are joke writers, specifically those for nighttime

Bankers Security (BSI) was founded in 1981 by Chris Thatcher. What started as a vault door and bank lock company quickly evolved into a full-service bank equipment company servicing the Midwest. Chris loved to teach and share his skills with anyone who wanted to learn; his peers and bankers have kindly referred to him as

There can be no mistake that small businesses represent the backbone of the Missouri economy. According to the Small Business Administration’s 2022 Small Business Profile, there are approximately 542,700 small businesses in the State of Missouri, which represents 99.4% of all Missouri businesses. The COVID-19 pandemic posed an existential threat to most small businesses. In

Ben Compton Market President — Belton Hawthorn Bank Where are your main bank and branches located?We are located at the Belton branch, but we are headquartered in Jefferson City and have 22 locations throughout the State of Missouri. What is something unique about your bank? We are very involved within the community and are a

At this writing, the Missouri Legislature is preparing to recess for the annual legislative spring break. The break begins Friday, March 10 and ends Sunday, March 19. It signals that, when the legislature reconvenes, there will only be eight weeks left in the 2023 session. We are currently tracking 32 House and Senate bills and

The first few months of the 118th Congress have been off to a productive and busy start. Since my last column, Committee assignments have been finalized, and I’ve got some new responsibilities this Congress. I will continue serving on the House Financial Services Committee and will now be leading the Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit

Serving as ICBA Chairman has been one of the highest honors of my life. It’s hard to put into words how special this experience is. The work you’re doing every day puts real faces and names to the communities we’re fighting for, and it has been a privilege to be your representative at the national