Panel Discussion at Webster University to Address Outlook for Local Banking Industry in Current Economic Crisis, Impacts on Consumer Lending

Panel to include top local banking executives from Southwest Bank, UMB Bank, Regions Bank, The Private Bank and Commerce Bank

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 12, 2008 – “Solving the Banking Crisis,” a panel discussion with St. Louis’ top banking executives, will be presented at noon on Wed., Nov. 19 at Webster University. Hosted by Webster’s School of Business and Technology, the program will take place in the University Center’s Sunnen Lounge, 175 Edgar Rd. in Webster Groves. The event is free and open to the public but reservations are encouraged. To RSVP, go to www.webster.edu/speakers. Free parking is available in the University‘s Garden Park Garage, 554 Garden Ave.

Panel members include:

·      Robert Witterschein, president and chief executive officer, Southwest Bank

·      Tom Chulick, chairman and chief executive officer, UMB Bank

·      Sally Roth, president and area executive, Regions Bank

·      Allan Ivie, president and chief operating officer, The Private Bank

·      Dwight Erdbruegger, executive vice president-corporate banking,
Commerce Bank

·      Julie Stackhouse, senior vice president-supervision and regulation,
Federal Reserve Bank

Dr. Benjamin Ola. Akande, dean of Webster’s School of Business and Technology, will facilitate the panel discussion. Topics to be covered include the current state of consumer lending by St. Louis banks, including requisite consumer credit scores; the future of the housing market locally; the outlook for credit availability for home and auto loans; and the strength of St. Louis’ financial institutions, now and into the future.   

With its home campus in St. Louis, Webster University is a worldwide institution committed to delivering high-quality learning experiences that transform students for global citizenship and individual excellence. Founded in 1915, Webster offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs through five schools and colleges, and a global network of more than 100 campuses. Its 20,000-plus student population represents almost 150 nationalities. The University’s core values include excellence in teaching, joining theory and practice, small class sizes, and educating students to be lifelong independent learners, fully prepared to participate in an increasingly international society.

Since opening its first campus overseas in Geneva in 1978, Webster has become a recognized leader and innovator in global education, with an international presence that now includes campuses in London; Vienna; Amsterdam and Leiden, the Netherlands; Shanghai, Shenzhen and Chengdu, China; and Bangkok and Cha-am, Thailand. Webster also has educational partnerships with universities in Mexico and Japan.

###