June 13, 2024 – Sheffield, AL – Bank Independent is proud to announce that Senior Business Analyst Anne Osborne has graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University (GSBLSU). Anne, along with 152 classmates, completed the rigorous three-year program on May 31, 2024, joining an esteemed network of more than 17,000 alumni.
“We are incredibly proud of Anne’s graduation from the Graduate School of Banking at LSU.” Bank Independent CEO Rick Wardlaw said. “Her dedication to professional growth and excellence exemplifies the values we hold at Bank Independent. Anne’s success in the program and her team’s recognition as the Best Managed Bank reflect her exceptional skills and commitment to the field. We look forward to her continued contributions and leadership within our organization.”
The GSBLSU program is designed for leaders in the financial industry, focusing on comprehensive training and practical application in various areas of bank management. Over the course of three years, students engage in 10 home-based projects and attend intensive two-week on-campus training sessions each May. The program culminates in a Bank Management Simulation (BMSim) course, which serves as a capstone experience.
Anne excelled in this final exercise, participating in a small group of six that was awarded the Best Managed Bank honor in the bank simulation. This competition involved creating and managing a hypothetical bank, making strategic decisions across all aspects of operations, and presenting results to a panel of judges comprising bank CEOs and examiners.
“For three years, I spent two weeks over Memorial Day weekend living in a campus dorm attending The Graduate School of Banking at LSU,” Osborne said. “GSBLSU provides an opportunity to gain a well-rounded understanding of banking while meeting a great cohort of bankers primarily from the Southeast. The final, senior year culminates in a banking simulation in which you apply the knowledge and compete with a team of five peers against four banks also made up of peers. I was fortunate to have an all-star team and even with stiff competition, we were awarded the best managed bank in our community.”
Anne’s achievement reflects her dedication and expertise in the field of banking, and her participation in the GSBLSU program further strengthens Bank Independent’s commitment to professional development and excellence in service.
About Bank Independent
Since 1947, Bank Independent has taken pride in serving the customers who count on us to be there for them when they need us most. With 33 traditional Sales Offices across North Alabama, an on-campus Deshler Tiger Branch, and the Digital Sales Office, we’re committed to providing the best service, designing the most desired products, and creating an overall excellent experience for each and every customer. As a local community bank, we believe in building relationships that run deep and last. All our team members reside in our local communities and believe in giving back through volunteering. To become part of a bank that makes a positive difference in people’s lives, visit us at bibank.com.
