Walton College and American Bankers Association Advance Future of Banking

Photo by Walton College Executive Education

Banking industry leaders met at Walton College at 2nd & Main in downtown Little Rock to discuss the future of banking.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Earlier this year, nearly two dozen banking industry leaders met at Walton College at 2nd & Main in downtown Little Rock to discuss the future of banking.

The result of the collaborative efforts of the University of Arkansas’ Sam M. Walton College of Business Executive Education and the Arkansas Business Association is the recently published “Future of Banking” white paper.

According to the White Paper

These leaders addressed some of the most challenging issues facing the banking industry in Arkansas, including the most pressing: people. It sounds simple on the surface – Arkansas banks just need to hire the right people. But intense competition and misconceptions about banking as a career choice have created obstacles to this desired state.

If Arkansas banks are to reach the desired state mentioned in the summit, the industry must continue to hire and retain people who can effectively serve their communities as well as create a pipeline of new knowledge workers.

Banks are a vital part of communities and should promote themselves as offering a variety of interesting career options with opportunities to help others each day. The many career paths and variety of work means that anyone – regardless of their background or skills – can find a fulfilling career in banking.

Report Highlights

• Reducing regulatory burden on community banks prevents them from consolidating and allows them to better serve their communities.
• Finding the balance between modern technology and brick-and-mortar banks to best meet customers where they are will be key.
• Managing the impact of inflation and interest rates affects everything from money market accounts to home loans.
• People will be the future of banking and attracting a diverse, talented pool into this field is as important as ever.

Download the white paper to learn more.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.