Larry Hoffman, CFO at The First National Bank of Pandora, recently graduated from the 2011 OBL Bank Management School sponsored by the Ohio Bankers League.

Hoffman was one of 28 bankers who completed the intensive one-week program in September.

One of the longest-standing educational traditions in the Ohio banking industry, the School was established in 1955. The comprehensive School offers bankers from across the state the opportunity to enhance their skills in all areas of bank operations and management, and helps them understand the impact changes in the economy have on the profitability of a bank.

The highlight of the School continued to be the Bank Executive Simulation where students were divided into groups, selected key roles and then had an opportunity to make "real- life" executive decisions on how to run a bank - all in a risk-free environment - through the BankExecTM software program. This was complemented with sessions in asset liability, bank investments, strategic planning, risk management and more.

"Students at the OBL Bank Management School get a real sense for what leaders in their banks do on a daily basis, and the challenges they face in today's economy," said Mike Van Buskirk, president & CEO of the Ohio Bankers League.

"Graduates need to understand the investment the bank made in each of them represents the belief that each will play an important role in the future of their organization."

Bank employees at nearly every level can benefit from the challenging educational opportunities that are offered in a rewarding environment at the OBL Bank Management School.

About the Ohio Bankers League
The Ohio Bankers League is the trade association for the Ohio banking industry - and is Ohio's only organization focused on meeting the needs of all banks and thrifts in the Buckeye State.

The non-profit association is comprised of 200 FDIC-insured financial institutions including commercial banks, savings banks, and savings and loan associations ranging in size from more than $1.7 trillion to just over $13 million in assets.