Philadelphia, PA - June 12, 2011
Good morning everyone.Please accept my most sincere congratulations to each of you for having been chosen by your respective organization to attend what has become the most significant Banking Leadership program in the world. The best of the American Bankers Association Stonier Graduate Banking program and the American Community Bankers National Graduate School of Banking, now integrated with Wharton Executive Education has produced a powerful leadership experience greater than the sum of its parts.
Our record enrollment verifies the magnified value that has been placed on the skills necessary to lead our industry in the 76 year history of the school. I wish to recognize the skillful and hard work of the members of the Board of Directors and staff of the ABA during this time of significant change, please rise and accept our sincere appreciation.
Leadership is born in adversity. At no time in the last 80 years has our economy and our industry been so challenged. Coming out of a horrific recession coupled with dramatic world events; the Gulf spill, European economic de-stabilization, the Arab spring, but to name a few. The global economic standing of the U.S. has never been so ambiguous. Therefore, the US Financial Services community has a wonderful opportunity to be the leaders in creating jobs and thereby improving our economy. As the primary allocators of credit, WE are the drivers of change. And by bringing this change forward you will help your communities become a better place to live and work.
In the near future we will announce an enhancement to the curriculum for public service in the area of financial literacy in your respective community; we have seen that financial illiteracy knows no economic or social bounds over the last few years.
Today is a "bucket list" day for me as I humbly accept the Chairmanship of the Stonier Board of Advisors. My experience as a student in the program, along with my ten years on the faculty and service on the board has allowed me to work and learn from the most unselfish and committed group of individuals outside of my own organization. Stonier has been a home for me. Stonier will always be the experience that will bond each of you.
The values of Reality, Reasoning, Independent Thinking, Honesty, Integrity, Justice, Productivity, Pride, Self-Esteem and Teamwork are at work at this great institution.
My late father, an immigrant to this country, well understood what the freedom to be means as we seek to achieve our hopes and dream. I know this as the American Dream. I am "proud to be a banker" using the words of Governor Keating. In your hands lies the future of the economic freedoms that made this country great, indeed I believe that our BEST DAYS ARE AHEAD!!!
It is now my pleasure to introduce former Governor of Oklahoma and now Chief Executive Officer of the American Bankers Association, the honorable Frank Keating.....
Luis G. Lobo
Chairman
Stonier Graduate School of Banking Board of Advisors
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