SFA Offers New Certificate for Banking Professionals


David Kaiser, director of Stephen F. Austin State University’s Chadwick Family Banking Program, will teach several of the courses offered as part of its new Banking Essentials Certificate.

May 19, 2022 — Beginning this fall, the Chadwick Family Banking Program in Stephen F. Austin State University’s Rusche College of Business will offer banking professionals access to essential industry courses, allowing them to earn a professional certification in banking.

Designed for banking professionals who do not have an undergraduate banking degree, the 15-hour Banking Essentials Certificate can be completed via livestream and/or in person over one to two years.

“The flexibility of this program helps participants maintain a good work-life balance,” said David Kaiser, director of the Chadwick Family Banking Program and an instructor for several of the certificate courses.

“Bankers working toward the certificate can close their office doors, attend class over Zoom and immediately resume working after,” he added. “We are using the remote meeting capacities developed during COVID-19 as a platform that allows emerging leaders in banking to attend and participate in actual college courses in real time.”

The certificate also can assist banking and human resources managers in providing a path for professional development and promotion to emerging leaders in banking.

“The banking industry is committed to developing skilled professionals, and some managers are willing to incorporate this type of professional development into the workday, as well as help finance professional development,” said Dr. Miles McCall, executive vice president of Commercial Bank of Texas in Nacogdoches.

With scholarships available through the banking program and potential tuition reimbursement opportunities through employers who want to develop emerging banking leaders, the certificate is a great investment, Kaiser added.

“The path to career advancement in the banking industry has never been more flexible, obtainable and affordable,” he said.

Courses include Introduction to Investments, Banking Fundamentals, Selling Financial Products and Services, Commercial Bank Management, and Commercial Bank Lending.

For more information, visit sfasu.edu/ecofin/academics/banking or email Kaiser at kaiserdr@sfasu.edu.