The Duncan Banner

Local News

September 29, 2008

Local banks not feeling crunch

DawnDee Bostwick

DUNCAN — Talk of a multi-billion dollar economic bailout package aimed at helping failing banks isn’t the first sign of a “sick” market Americans have seen.

Consumers picked up the undertones when commodity costs started to rise and gas prices began their roller coaster ride.

With the failing of Washington Mutual and other major financial institutions around the nation, it’s no wonder many people are sitting at home contemplating what is coming next.

But for Oklahomans, and many others across the nation, the outlook is not all that bleak. Holding in a stable economy, residents of the Sooner State have yet to really feel the economic pressures being experienced elsewhere.

And that’s a good thing, especially for the local banking industry, which has seen stability and even growth during the past year.

“The health of the banking industry here in Oklahoma is really very good,” said Joe Morris, Bank of Commerce chairman and CEO. “Our bank is having a very strong year. Banks today in our state, I think, are all liquid and well-capitalized.”

A stable local industry has helped to keep Oklahoma out of the reaches of national problems, Morris said.

“It’s given this market (Duncan) some stability that’s even stronger than Oklahoma sometimes,” he said.

Understanding that consumers have valid questions, Morris encourages them to call their banks if they have concerns, while reminding them that there is plenty of public information available about bank performance through the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

“There are some problems in the economy, but that doesn’t mean all banks have problems or the system has problems,” he said.

“I think we have to remember that no depositor has lost money in an account that is federally insured,” he said. “I think the worst thing people can do in times like today is overreact.”

Morris isn’t alone in his opinion. The Banner contacted Legacy Bank, BancFirst, First Bank & Trust, IBC Bank and Arvest Bank — all federally insured — for information on how each institution is performing. All, except IBC and Arvest, which had not responded by press time, shared a response similar to Morris’ — they’re having a strong year and understand customers have valid concerns.

“We haven’t been affected at all in the financial crisis that’s been going on,” said Chris Graham, Legacy Bank president of southern operations. “This type of investment the large banks have, they haven’t really had any effect on the local banks at all.

“Our foreclosure rate is at an all-time low at this time.”

He noted many local banks don’t have portfolios that include subprime mortgages — one reason several larger lending institutions have failed.

It’s a sentiment Ron Ludwick, BancFirst executive vice president, echoed.

“We’re having a really good year,” Ludwick said. “By and large, banks in this area did not get involved in the subprime mortgage lending. The banks in this area are after long, stable growth, they’re not after the ‘pie-in-the-sky.’”

First Bank & Trust Stephens County Market Manager Lance Bowman noted the questions he’s fielded are not ones he hasn’t addressed before.

“I get the same questions from my wife at home when she watches the media,” Bowman said. “If customers have questions, certainly they can call and are encouraged to.”

For more information about a bank’s performance, visit www.fdic.gov, or contact the financial institution.

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