September 18, 2023

Per the ACH Rules, just like participating financial institutions, Third-Party Senders (TPS) are required to conduct an annual ACH Compliance Audit. The EPCOR Audit team performs TPS audits each year, which often result in repeated findings and recommendations from one audit to the next. In this article, we will look at the audit issues we most often encountered throughout 2022 and the corresponding recommendations to assist TPSs in developing a strong ACH risk management program and promote ongoing ACH Rule compliance.

Citizens Bank of Kansas (CBK) is pleased to announce the addition of a student-run branch located at Circle High School (CHS) in Towanda, Kansas. Modeled after the highly successful branch at Derby High School, the CHS branch will offer a special account for Thunderbird students and accounts for Circle teachers and staff. The CBK-CHS branch

Being one who can empathize with the late, great humorist Ms. Bombeck, I thought it might be interesting to discuss a segment of the fixed-income universe that has served community banking well over the decades. It’s been many months since I’ve covered it for two practical reasons. The first is that it doesn’t present relative value in the current cycle, and the second is that, because of the first, portfolio managers haven’t been buying many of them recently.

Congratulations to the banks celebrating September and October anniversaries as chartered institutions! September 136 years, est. 1887 State Exchange Bank — Mankato 125 years, est. 1898 Peoples Bank & Trust Co. — McPherson 123 years, est. 1900 First State Bank — Ransom 94 years, est. 1929 Farmers State Bank — Fairview October 127 years, est.

The Federal Reserve’s FedNow® Service, which launched July 20, 2023, promises to revolutionize money movement by enabling more banks to process instant payments and provide unparalleled convenience to consumers and businesses alike. Unlike traditional payment methods that can take hours or even days to complete, real-time payments process within seconds and allow payment recipients to access funds right away.

Practical advice for using data to develop and support institution goals. Answering three questions ahead of strategic development discussions can ensure data drives your financial institution’s efforts.

Just as you have to complete due diligence before you buy a home, due diligence for banking vendors can make or break a partnership. Not completing enhanced due diligence (EDD) is like buying a house sight unseen and without doing an inspection! You never know what you might find.

The Community Bankers Association of Kansas held their 45th Annual Convention & Tradeshow July 19-21 in Overland Park, KS. Attendees enjoyed hitting the green at Topgolf and had some family fun at Chicken N Pickle. Event speakers talked about an array of educational topics and everyone had a good time catching up with old friends and making new ones. The event closed with the Chairman’s Reception, dinner and a live auction. A big thanks to our sponsors. We hope to see you at our next event.