CBA, BAI Congratulate 2014 GSRBM Graduates

Bank of the West’s Vaidya Wins Tem Wooldridge Award for Outstanding Academic Performance, Integrity and Work Ethic

Washington, D.C. (July 29, 2014) – The CBA/BAI Graduate School of Retail Bank Management (GSRBM) congratulates the 78 members of the Class of 2014, and is proud to announce this year’s honors students as well as the Tem Wooldridge Award to the top student. GSRBM, now marking its 62nd year with 5,095 graduates, offers the banking industry's top talent the knowledge and skills they need to develop into the leaders of tomorrow. Designed and delivered by leading industry practitioners, the program immerses students in real world scenarios experienced daily by retail banks.

“Congratulations to the 2014 graduates of GSRBM! They have completed a professional journey which has given them the tools to rise to the top of today’s retail banking industry. Their hard work and dedication is integral to the success of GSRBM, and they should be proud of this accomplishment,” said CBA President and CEO Richard Hunt. 

GSRBM students participate in one-of-a-kind simulation exercises that challenge them to run the entire consumer business of a bank. They learn how to analyze and use financial data to influence a bank’s future performance, and they dive into an executive level virtual experience that requires them to manage a bank from the top down. Enhancements made this year to the MarketSim banking simulation will further put the focus where it belongs on the customer, and includes enhanced marketing decisions and focus on delivery channels. Students are anchored on a path to leadership and graduate with a deep understanding and appreciation of how various segments of retail banking are interrelated.

“The GSRBM graduating class of 2014 has earned well-deserved recognition for their commitment to developing their knowledge and leadership skills that helps strengthen an industry vital to the American economy. We look forward to watching them help advance the retail banking industry as they join the ranks of GSRBM alumni," said Debbie Bianucci, President and CEO of BAI.

Swapnil "Neil" Vaidya from Bank of the West was selected by the GSRBM faculty and his fellow students to receive the Tem Wooldridge Award. This prestigious award recognizes the top GSRBM student each year who demonstrates outstanding academic performance, high integrity and a strong work ethic. In addition to academic merit, the Tem Wooldridge winner possesses the necessary character and leadership skills to bring out the best in their teammates.  The honor is named for a now-retired GSRBM faculty member. 
The 2014 Honors Graduates demonstrated excellent academic achievement in their GSRBM coursework.
 

GSRBM 2014 Honors Graduates
Swapnil "Neil" Vaidya, Bank of the West (2014 Tem Wooldridge Award recipient) 
John Anderson, Umpqua Holdings Corporation
Michael Bower, First Niagara Bank, N.A.
Paul Fronczak, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Tarun Kapur, Citigroup Inc.
John Massie, PNC Bank, N.A.
Beth McCarter, M & T Bank Corporation
Steve Stevens, Texas Dow Employees Credit Union

The next session of GSRBM will take place July 19-29, 2015 at Furman University in Greenville, SC. For more information about GSRBM, please visit our website.

About CBA
The Consumer Bankers Association (CBA) is the trade association for today's leaders in retail banking - banking services geared toward consumers and small businesses. The nation's largest financial institutions, as well as many regional banks, are CBA corporate members, collectively holding two-thirds of the industry's total assets. CBA’s mission is to preserve and promote the retail banking industry as it strives to fulfill the financial needs of the American consumer and small business.

About BAI
BAI is the financial services industry's resource for breakthrough information and intelligence needed to innovate and stay relevant in an evolving marketplace. For more than 85 years, BAI has provided the industry with unbiased and objective education and research. BAI's offerings are as diverse as the industry, and include premier events such as BAI Retail Delivery Conference & Expo, groundbreaking research, professional learning and development programs, and in-depth editorial coverage through BAI Banking Strategies. For more information, visit www.bai.org.

BAI is Bank Administration Institute and BAI Center.

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The Consumer Bankers Association is the recognized voice on retail banking issues in the nation’s capital. Founded in 1919, CBA provides leadership, education, research and federal representation on retail banking issues. For more information, please contact Tom Crosson, tcrosson@consumerbankers.com, (703) 869-1246 or visit www.consumerbankers.com.