In founding the Federal Reserve more than a century ago, Congress recognized the importance of connecting the nation’s central bank to the Main Streets of America. The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City carries out this role through its president and its programs and activities throughout the Tenth District, nation and welcoming countries. Here is a glimpse at the recent activities of President Esther L. George and the staff of the Kansas City Fed.

 

Kansas, Missouri and Beyond

 

 

Kansas City Fed President Esther George, left, speaks with John W. Bluford, who is the founder and president of the Bluford Healthcare Leadership Institute in Kansas City, Mo., during a luncheon meeting in June at the Bank’s headquarters.

 

George met with Barbara Walker, center, executive director of Independent Bankers of Colorado, on April 13 at the Kansas City Fed’s Denver Branch. Also pictured with Walker and George is Kevin Moore, senior vice president of Supervision and Risk Management at the Kansas City Fed.

 

Oil prices reached a low in the first quarter of 2016, even briefly dropping below $30 a barrel. Wilkerson said that after fluctuating in mid-2016, oil prices began to increase consistently again have stayed in a band of $50-$55 a barrel, although prices in mid-March through May dipped slightly below that range. The Kansas City Fed’s quarterly Energy Survey has shown that, on average, prices in that band make drilling profitable for firms headquartered in the Tenth Federal Reserve District.

 

In May, George was the commencement speaker at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Henry W. Bloch School of Management graduation ceremony. George, a UMKC alum, was honored this year by the school’s alumni association as alumna of the year.See related story.

 

George met with members of the Central Exchange Young Professionals Roundtable during a roundtable session April 24 at the Kansas City Fed’s headquarters building. Seated next to Esther is Courtney Thomas, president and CEO of the Central Exchange in Kansas City, Mo.

 

George met with a delegation from the Kansas Legislature, that on May 10 toured the Kansas City Fed’s headquarters building and spoke to her and Kansas City Fed staff members about the economic conditions in their state.

 

Micki Bowman, left, bank commissioner for Kansas, and Debra Hardman, right, former acting commissioner of finance for Missouri, are pictured with George during a banking regulation update seminar in April at the Kansas City Fed’s headquarters.

 

George gave remarks April 6 via live video feed on “Why Community Banks Matter” for the Community Banking Conference in New York City. See relatedstory.

Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming

 

Kicking-off Money Smart Colorado 2017

 

Each year the Denver Branch helps lead Money Smart Colorado, which is a campaign to promote personal financial literacy. This year the Denver Branch hosted the Money Smart Colorado 2017 kick-off breakfast. Erin Davis, public affairs specialist at the Denver Branch, left, and Queen Wilkes, a Kansas City Fed Student Board alumni director, present information about Federal Reserve resources and programs at the event.

Banking and Economy Forum for emerging bank leaders

 

High-potential emerging bank leaders attended a Banking and Economy Forum hosted in partnership with the Kansas City Fed Denver Branch, Colorado Bankers Association and Independent Bankers of Colorado in May. The forum addressed topics critical to bankers today. A panel of banking executives, moderated by Ashley Burt, far left, Denver Branch board director and President of Gunnison Bank and Trust, shared advice about their career paths.

Rock the Fed in Denver

 

The Denver Branch was rocking when the rock band Gooding came to share its music and financial advice to 150 students from area high schools. Students learned about the pros and cons of credit, how to save, paying off debt and how to avoid financial difficulties.

Oklahoma

 

Wilkerson gives economic outlook at Rotary Club event

 

In April, Oklahoma City Branch Executive Chad Wilkerson spoke to Rotarians at the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City, the largest club in Rotary International. His speech focused on the current economic outlook in Oklahoma and the nation, as well as the impact of the energy industry on Oklahoma’s economy.

Community Affairs roundtable in Hugo

 

The Oklahoma City office conducted a Community Leaders Roundtable in Hugo, Okla., to learn about the issues and opportunities in that region. The Community Affairs Department partnered with Becky Reynolds, who is executive director of Little Dixie Community Action Agency Inc. and a member of the Kansas City Fed’s Community Development Advisory Council, to host the event in March.

Oklahoma City Branch Board member inspires Student Board of Directors

 

Fourteen students completed the Kansas City Fed Oklahoma City Branch’s 2016-2017 Student Board of Directors program. The event included a keynote address by Branch board member Chuck Hall. He congratulated the students on the success of completing the program and offered words of inspiration and motivation. His talk focused on the importance of learning, growing and making connections.

Omaha

 

Kauffman testifies before Congress

 

Omaha Branch Executive and Economist Nathan Kauffman testified in June before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry about the state of the farm economy and its effects on rural America.

Student Board learns about careers in healthcare

 

The Omaha Branch Student Board of Directors visited CHI Health’s Immanuel Hospital to learn about careers in healthcare. In addition to a tour, hospital staff from various departments and specialties participated in a panel discussion about their career paths and healthcare career opportunities. The student directors graduated the program in May and participated in a pinning ceremony at the Omaha office.

Fed program makes connections in Lincoln

Senior Community Development Advisor Dell Gines organized Investment Connection: Lincoln at the Lincoln Community Foundation in partnership with Prosper Lincoln. Investment Connection provides a way to connect nonprofits, seeking funding for Community Redevelopment Act eligible projects and programs, with investors. Since 2011, the Kansas City Fed’s Investment Connection program has connected nonprofits with approximately $29 million in funding. Learn more at www.kansascityfed.org/community/investmentconnection.