August 18, 2023

Banking School Recap

At Sawyers & Jacobs, we are honored to be chosen as faculty members at six prestigious banking schools across this great nation.

This involvement gives us the opportunity to educate future banking leaders on the strategic importance of technology, cybersecurity, payments, and risk management, while helping them to become high performers and achieve success in their careers.

More importantly, these schools allow us to give back to an industry that has been extremely good to us as a firm and has allowed us to live the American dream of starting and owning a business.

In chronological order by the time of year they hold their sessions, we present the six banking schools where we serve as faculty members and supporters of their missions to shape future banking leaders.

Barret Graduate School of Banking

(Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee)

Always a pleasure to return to his alma mater, Christian Brothers University, Jimmy Sawyers has taught the Technology, Payments, and Cybersecurity course for the past 23 years at the Barret Graduate School of Banking each May. The school is also the CPE sponsor for our annual Bank Tech Summit as well as the Information Security Officer Education we provide to banks across the nation each year. Drawing bankers from all over the United States, this year's session included bankers from 30 states plus Washington D.C.

Southwestern Graduate School of Banking

(Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas)

Each June for the past 10 years, Jimmy Sawyers has taught two classes at the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking: a core class (Technology, Payments, and Cybersecurity) and an elective (Managing Technology, Operations, and Cybersecurity Risk). He also speaks at the school's Assembly for Bank Directors events and will lead a session at the new Certified Community Bank Director's Program (coming up November 8-10, 2023) at SMU. The Southwestern Graduate School of Banking celebrates its 67th year with next year's annual session.

South Carolina Bankers School

(Lander University, Greenwood, South Carolina)

Since Joshua Jacobs had already served as an adjunct faculty member teaching a Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics course at his alma mater, Christian Brothers University, one of our South Carolina clients knew that he would be the perfect fit for teaching at the South Carolina Bankers School. He now brings his expertise to Lander University each July to educate bankers on cybersecurity and balancing the risk-reward proposition in banking.

The Southeastern School of Banking

(Belmont University, Nashville, Tennessee)

Returning each July and now celebrating his 23rd year on the faculty teaching the Technology, Payments, and Cybersecurity course to Tennessee bankers, Jimmy Sawyers enjoys further involvement with the Tennessee Bankers Association as a speaker at many of their events, most recently at their technology conference in May and last year at their annual convention. Our firm is also an associate member of the TBA.

Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management

(University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia)

While speaking at a Virginia Bankers Association event in Richmond many years ago, a conversation ensued about many banking schools lacking a technology course despite the strategic importance of tech in the banking industry. This led to Jimmy Sawyers being the first and only instructor for the Technology, Payments, and Cybersecurity course at this fine school. Jimmy spoke at the VBA annual convention last year in Virginia Beach and always enjoys his annual trips to the University of Virginia each July.

The Mississippi School of Banking

(The University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi)

Recommended by one of our Mississippi clients over 10 years ago, Jimmy Sawyers became the first and only instructor for the Technology, Payments, and Cybersecurity course at the Mississippi School of Banking, now held each August at Ole Miss. Our firm is also an associate member of the Mississippi Bankers Association and a longtime supporter of banking events in Mississippi.

There is an often-quoted story about two bank executives who were deliberating about the expense and effort involved with training their staff. One asked, "What happens if we invest in developing our people and then they leave us?" The other wisely pointed out, "What happens if we don't ... and they stay?"

Investing in your bank's people pays huge dividends to the bank, your community, and the individuals and their families. We would like to encourage our clients and friends to send their people to banking school in 2024 and beyond! Click on the button below to visit our Events page, which has links to all the banking schools where our founders serve as faculty members. We hope to see your future leaders in our classes next year!

Visit Our Events Page

Sawyers & Jacobs LLC, leaders in Innovation-Risk Management-Cybersecurity-Technology through our four brands.

RedTorch Consulting: Lighting the Path to High Performance

Strategic consulting designed to align people, processes, and technology for world-class innovation, management, and operations.

RedTail Risk Management: Watch Risk Like a Hawk

A suite of risk management services designed to help bankers identify threats and mitigate risk through practical applications, comply with laws and regulations, and maintain a high level of customer service, security, and profitability.

RedWolf Cybersecurity: Protect the Pack

A full range of cybersecurity services for those serious about securing the enterprise and repelling the attackers who threaten the bank and its customers.

RedCape Tech Support: Your Hero in Tech

Concierge-level tech support delivered in a strong, intelligent, and friendly manner with premium quality, superior service, and special attention.

For more information, visit sawyersjacobs.com, call 901.853.1000,

or email jsawyers@sawyersjacobs.com.