Banking Schools

The NH Bankers Association co-sponsors the schools below with states associations around New England each year. These schools are designed to help bank employees advance their careers with continuing education. 

The New England School for Financial Studies

THE NEW ENGLAND SCHOOL FOR FINANCIAL STUDIES provides banking professionals with the tools needed to manage effectively in today's changing financial climate. An intensive two-year program of studies broadens the skills of supervisory personnel and trains them to make decisions that promote the profitability of the bank as a whole. Over 3,456 bankers have graduated from the School.

Two one-week resident sessions provide students with 135 hours of classroom instruction conducted by distinguished faculty members chosen for their expertise in both the academic and business worlds. Classes combine lectures with case studies to involve participants actively in the process of research, analysis and creative planning.

Between sessions, students complete five assigned independent study projects that focus on their bank and build on the first week's instruction to prepare them for more advanced training during the second year resident session. The course culminates in a comprehensive computerized simulation which challenges students to assume senior management responsibilities.

Students will be evaluated on their knowledge of BankExec, strategic planning exercises and presentations. Each segment will be appropriately-weighted and scored as part of the final grade. By graduation, students are better prepared to contribute to their bank's overall operation and participate in profitable decision making.

Next session: May 19-24, 2019 - This session has ended for 2019

Northern New England School of Banking

The Northern New England School of Banking is a four-day residence session conducted annually in October. The school is designed as a “junior college” level program for low- to mid-level bank employees who have exhibited the capacity to advance themselves to positions of greater responsibility.

Next Session: October 21-25, 2019 

The School of Commercial Lending 

Co-sponsored by NH Bankers and other New England state associations. Administered by Massachusetts Bankers Association and is held annually in October.  The School of Commercial Lending is designed for bankers with a minimum of one year experience in either commercial lending or credit administration, those that have completed the Fundamentals of Credit Analysis (strongly encouraged), or five years experience in general banking. Students attend group lectures and actively participate in case studies that illustrate real world commercial lending situations. Through study, analysis and documentation, participants develop practical skills that can be applied in their own bank environments.

Next session: October 21-25, 2019 

RMA Commercial Lending School 

Administered by Vermont Bankers Association for the RMA chapter (Phil Hatch, speaker – with RMA), and is co-sponsored by NH Bankers. It is 6 days of professional training offered 2 days per week for 3 consecutive Tuesdays & Wednesdays; This comprehensive lending school has been designed to serve the fundamental commercial credit analysis training needs of community bankers. The course consists of a review of basic financial accounting concepts and the presentation of basic financial statement credit analysis theory rooted in industry adopted “best practices”. 

Who Should Attend? Junior Commercial Credit Analysts, Junior Commercial Lenders, Small Business Development Officers, Loan Review Staff, Commercial Loan Administrative Assistants, Branch Managers, Mortgage Lenders, Consumer Lenders, Other Credit Staff who face the underwriting challenges associated with self-employed individuals and closely held companies.

Next session: May 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 2019 - This session has ended for 2019

Executive Development Programs through the business school at the University of New Hampshire are accessible to NH Bankers Association members at a 10% discount.  These programs are intended to prepare high-potential employees to transition from a management role into senior leadership roles, or from senior leadership roles into an executive role.

Programs can be viewed on the College of Business and Economics website here. Register early and take advantage of the early bird discount, plus your NHBA discount.