TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — A lot of frightening rhetoric has been coming out of Washington, D.C., the past week concerning the state of banks in the U.S.
But before you shove all your money in a mattress, you might take some words of advice from Roger Beverage, president and CEO of the Oklahoma Bankers Association.
“Nothing’s safer than money in the bank,” he said.
Beverage, along with Don Abernathy Jr., president and CEO of The Bankers Bank, are traveling to towns throughout Oklahoma to answer questions and explain how the country’s finances took such a sharp downturn.
“We’re meeting with people, bankers, newspapers, civic groups to talk to them about how the banking system works and what’s going on with the financial rescue plan in Washington,” said Beverage.
Beverage indicated some people are concerned money in savings accounts and checking accounts may be at risk.
“The FDIC insures accounts up to $100,000 and has never, ever failed to pay,” he said. “The banks in Oklahoma are strong, but even if you had money in a bank that was having trouble, your money would be safe, thanks to the FDIC.”
Beverage explained that in the coming weeks, people looking to borrow money for a car may pay a higher interest rate.
“That’s because larger banks aren’t loaning to smaller banks, which ties up the money,” said Beverage.
Abernathy’s bank works with more than 240 banks across the state, and he indicated the market is strong.
“What we’re seeing is banks have money to lend and are looking for good loans to make,” he said. “We’re looking for opportunities to loan it out.”
Both Abernathy and Beverage are concerned the national media may be creating a problem in Oklahoma where there is none.
“People are afraid of what they’re hearing about banks in the national media, and the talk about ‘the sky is falling’,” said Abernathy. “When this happens, even in a strong market, it could become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Bankers are concerned all the hype may come true in Oklahoma, and it’s just not happening.”
Beverage recommends anyone who has questions visit the FDIC’s Web site, www.FDIC.gov.
“Or better yet, ask your banker,” he said.
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