News | CFTEA | Center for Financial Training & Education Alliance

Congratulations Jay Hallam, Leaving a Legacy Award

September 27, 2022

A huge salute to former board member, Jay Hallam of Kennebunk Savings, for receiving our Leaving a Legacy Award. Jay’s feedback and engagement speak directly to our mission of professional helping the next generation of professionals in the banking industry. As a council member, board member, instructor, and guest speaker at our annual Leader’s Conference over the years, Jay’s presence is missed. He is committed to supporting career development. His years with our non-profit have allowed us to become the

2022 Making a Difference Award Winner

September 26, 2022

Brianna Critch of Claremont Savings Bank has been awarded our 2022 Making a Difference Award. The award is based on innovative thinking and inspiration. In the post-pandemic world, CFTEA is constantly growing in an effort to provide career thinking to the next generation of professionals. As an active CFTEA council member, Brianna engages in a way that provides opportunities that aren’t just the same thing the non-profit has always done. At one of the council meetings, Brianna suggested that young

What Is My Why? Lise Patterson

September 23, 2022

Lise Patterson Androscoggin Bank “I have been active with CFTEA for some years. It has provided me with exposure to courses that I may have otherwise not had the opportunity to take. With the help of the courses, I have grown from a customer service representative to my current position. Several years ago I became a council member. Expanding my reach through further collaboration with like-positioned users strengthened my support for CFTEA. In my position as board president, and

Demand Increasing for Nonmedical Benefits

September 21, 2022

Studies repeatedly cite health insurance as the most desired workplace benefit among employees. However, recent studies show an increasing demand for nonmedical workplace benefits. CFTEA provides career-specific training that is a key benefit for employees to support in gaining talent. In November 2021, LIMRA reported that nonmedical benefits are expected to increase 20% by 2026. This data comes from a survey conducted by LIMRA and Ernst & Young. Findings from the survey: Employees have a growing interest in nonmedical benefits,

Announcing: ABA Certificate Updates

September 19, 2022

The following certificates have been updated by ABA: Certificate in Deposit Compliance Certificate in Lending Compliance Core Concepts The following certificates have been added by ABA: Certificate in Compliance Essentials Certificate in Mortgage Lending Compliance Students currently completing the old versions of the Certificate in Deposit and Lending Compliance will not see disruption and can complete the old material. New students will receive the new programs.

Build a Culture of Learning

September 14, 2022

According to the World Economic Forum, more than half of all employees will require significant reskilling and upskilling by 2025. But while many companies understand the importance of employee training, implementation remains a challenge. Nationally, less than 10% of eligible employees access tuition reimbursement programs. CFTEA in-house courses allow organizations to infuse their culture, policies, procedures, and unique situations into reskilling and upskilling employees. Employers who invest in staff development help their employees hone strengths

Spotlight on Success: Michele Close

September 9, 2022

Spotlight on Success: Michele Close Norway Savings Bank Michele works as a Cash Management Specialist to organize the setup and servicing of account information and payments for business clients. Her role brings close collaboration with Norway Savings Bank’s commercial, retail, and operations teams to provide training, project support, and service excellence. She started her banking career eight years ago as an Operations/Project Assistant. As she reflected on the support she has received in continuing education, Michele highlighted this key point

Learning Statistics

September 7, 2022

68% of workers consider training and development opportunities an organization’s most important policy. Companies that invest in training have a 24% higher profit margin. Learning and training at a workplace are important to 87% of millennials. Employee retention rate grows by 30–50% at companies with a potent training program. 12% of employees claim they use the knowledge acquired through training to do their job. Ineffective training costs companies $13.5 million per 1000 employees annually. 94% of employees would stick with an organization longer if it invested in their training.

What Is My Why? Anna Johnson

August 26, 2022

Anna Johnson Northfield Savings Bank “CFTEA has allowed me to grow in my career and expand my knowledge of banking. I have been able to move up through multiple promotions due to the available training and classes offered through CFTEA. The flexibility of courses offered and how they are conducted allowed me to take necessary classes in multiple different settings, from self-study to online instructor-led to having the class with a live instructor. These selections allowed me to take

Spotlight on Success: Becky Cook

August 19, 2022

Spotlight on Success; Becky Cook Claremont Savings Bank Becky works as a Commercial Loan Credit Analyst II and was recently appointed as an Officer of the Bank in November 2021. She began her banking career in 2007 during her summer break from college at Boston University. In 2017, Becky made the decision to pursue her Master’s degree in Accounting and Finance. In 2019, she began working at Claremont Savings Bank as a credit analyst in the commercial lending department. As