​Save The Date: August 4-10, 2024 | J. Wayne Reitz Union, University of Florida, Gainesville
2024 School Brochure    |   Freshman Schedule    |    Junior Schedule  |   Senior Schedule

---

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. 

Hotel Information
Hilton University of Florida Conference Center
1714 SW 34th Street, Gainesville, Florida 32607, (352) 371-3600

Each student must make and pay for their own sleeping room reservation for the week at School. It is recommended that students stay at the Hilton Conference Center which is in close proximity to the Reitz Union and has accommodated our students for many years with much success and reliability. To make reservations call 800-445-8667 and identify yourself with the Florida Bankers Association, to secure the $165 room rate. The cut-off date to make a reservation is Thursday, July 4, 2024 at 5:00pm. The vast majority of the FSB students have traditionally stayed at this hotel for the week, but please note that the final decision of where to stay is solely up to the student and their supervisor. The hotel provides complimentary breakfast, self-parking and WIFI.  Online Hotel Booking Link - Click Here

FBA Education Contacts
Olga Williams
Professional Development Coordinator
[email protected] 
850-701-3501

Future Sessions

• 2025 Session:  August 3-9, 2025

2024 Registration Fee 
FBA Member Institution
 By 5/1/24 $1,495
After 5/1/24 $1,695

Non-Member Institution $3,390
Not sure if your institution is a member?
Search Here

Register now

2023 School of Banking

2023 School of Banking - Graduates

2023 Bank Simulation Team A
​Winner

Jamie Futch – United Community Bank
Chelsea Jones – Fieldpoint Private Bank & Trust
Corey Jones – Climate First Bank
Marivi Sanabria – City National Bank of Florida
Christopher Waite - First Citrus Bank

---

2023 Bank Simulation Team B
​Winner

Ashley DeLuca – Crews Bank & Trust
Zachary Eberley - Crews Bank & Trust
David Li - TCM Bank
Mushtaq Maxwell – SouthState Bank
Michael Squitieri – Hacker, Johnson & Smith PA

2023 Florida School of Banking
Honor Graduate
 
Ashley DeLuca (L) - Crews Banks & Trust 

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. ​

2023 Florida School of Banking Class Directors 
(Left to Right) 
Connie Nelson – Freshman Class Director
Jeff Oody – Senior Class Director
Susan Blackburn – Junior Class Director
Karen Sharp – Associate 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.