School of Banking

2025 School of Banking

2025 School Brochure | Freshman Schedule | Junior Schedule | Senior Schedule
(2024 schedules are shown above as a sample curriculum. The 2025 schedules will be posted soon.)

The Florida School of Banking (FSB) provides bank personnel at the supervisory and officer level the opportunity to increase their knowledge about the banking industry and the economy. In 2024, the school celebrated its 54th year of investing in banking education. This school is conducted on a three year cycle basis, and the one week long annual sessions must be taken in sequence.

Participants taking all three years of the cycle will receive a good basic introduction to the banking industry and, upon receiving a passing mark, will be awarded a diploma at the graduation ceremony. The Florida School of Banking remains relevant as attested by over 3,000 graduates, and continues to offer an excellent educational opportunity. While education is the School's primary focus, the relationships and friendships developed over the course of the three-year schedule will be invaluable to students and their banks.

The FSB begins on Sunday afternoon with registration, freshman class orientation and an opening banquet later that same evening. Orientation is where the freshman learn the rules and policies of the school, and are given a chance to get to know one another better by introducing themselves to the rest of the class. This is a good time for the freshmen to become acquainted with the J. Wayne Reitz Student Union where all of the classes are held. Everyone has a good time reacquainting themselves and making new and lasting relationships. After the banquet, the seniors head back to class for their first "decision", and the Juniors have the night off.

Bright and early Monday morning the freshman get right to work learning the fundamentals of banking such as understanding bank balance sheets, federal reserve and monetary policy, and personal financial analysis. The juniors are returning for more of the same in addition to diving deep into commercial and consumer lending topics. The seniors start their year on Sunday afternoon with the Bank Management Computer Simulation, while everyone else is still registering.

The senior class is divided into many teams of banks that exist only in cyberspace. These teams use their previous two years of education and compete against each other in simulated banking communities for deposits, loans, etc.; much like in a typical city. To make the exercise interesting, our simulation leader throws variables into the mix each day, such as fluctuating interest rates, loan losses, etc. And to make the simulation as realistic as possible, we have our own resident regulator roaming around the room making sure everyone is in compliance with all regulations, as well as helping out when possible.

For the Seniors, the whole week leads up to a final presentation that must be given by each team to a resident "bank board of directors." The presentation, and the following question and answer period, typically last approximately twenty minutes. All team members must contribute and have a chance to present their portion of the talk. After it's all said and done one team from each community rises to the occasion and is chosen as the "winner." Each team is judged on not only the details and content of their report, but also the presentation skills they used before the board of directors.

2025 Registration Fee
FBA Member Institution
By 5/3/25 $1,695
After 5/4/25 $1,895

Non-Member Institution $3,390
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Non-members are not able to register through the FBA Members Only portal, please fill out and submit a Non-Member Registration Form.

NON-MEMBER REGISTRATION FORM

2024 School of Banking

2024 School of Banking - Graduates

Housing & Transportation
Each student is responsible for booking and covering the cost of their own accommodations for the week. It is recommended to stay at the Hyatt Place Downtown Gainesville, where FSB Students will have the opportunity to network and study together.

Hyatt Place Downtown Gainesville
212 SE 1st Street, Gainesville, FL 32601
(352) 496-75006
Room Rate: $159 per night ++
Book your room online
The hotel provides complimentary breakfast, self-parking and WIFI.
The cut-off date to make a reservation is Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at 5:00pm.

The FBA provides complimentary shuttle service between the Hyatt Place Downtown Gainesville and the Reitz Union, Monday through Friday. Buses will transport students to campus each morning and return to the hotel after classes conclude.

Meals:

Breakfast is on your own. Please note that Hyatt Place Downtown Gainesville guests will have complimentary breakfast available at the hotel daily.
Lunch: Each student will receive a preloaded $75 Gator Card to use for lunch meals throughout the week in the Reitz Food Court.
Dinner will be provided to all attendees on Sunday, August 3, 2025 at 5:00pm at the Welcome Banquet in the Grand Ballroom on the Reitz Union 2nd Floor.
Dinner is on your own August 4-8, 2025.

FBA School of Banking Contacts
Olga Williams (Registrar)
Professional Development Coordinator
[email protected]
850-701-3501

Marilyn Matherne
Director of Education
[email protected]
850-701-3515

2024 Bank Simulation Community A Winning Team
John Carreiro, Raymond James Bank
Rob Deese, Capital City Bank
Rebecca Farmer, Ameris Bank
Jennifer Guynn, Community Bank

2024 Bank Simulation Community B Winning Team
Lyndsi Johnson, SouthState Bank
Jeremy Kelly, Raymond James Bank
Felipe Rodriguez, City National Bank of Florida
Nick Wahrer, First State Bank of the Florida Keys

2024 Florida School of Banking
Honor Graduate

Brooke Hand (C) - First Federal Bank

Dr. C. Arnold Matthews Honor Graduate Award

Each year, the FBA Florida School of Banking presents an Honor Graduate Award to a graduating senior who has been singled out by the directors and staff as the outstanding class graduate. Criteria for the selection of the Honor Graduate includes: scholastic achievement during the three-year course of study, contribution to and participation in class, and overall personal contribution within the student body. The selection is made from the top 10 percent of senior students according to grades.

2024 Florida School of Banking Class Directors
(Left to Right)
Connie Nelson – Junior Class Director
Kyle Phelps – Associate Director
Susan Blackburn – Senior Class Director
Karen Sharp – Freshman Class Director

Florida School of Banking Board of Directors

This school would not be possible without the expertise and guidance of a professional team of bankers behind the effort. The Florida Bankers Association in general, and the Florida School of Banking in particular, are very fortunate to have the assistance of the board of directors
pictured above.