Banker Education

The OBA's goal for banker education is to provide quality training, information and educational services to our members. Our educational programs are offered in a variety of formats to make training as convenient, timely, and cost-effective as possible.

Upcoming Programs

Executive Development Program
January-November, 2026 | Portland, OR
The Executive Development Program (EDP) is an intensive, year-long program designed to cultivate the next generation of bank leaders. Sessions are led by seasoned professional instructors with years of industry insights and experience who help participants acquire the strategic, financial and communication skills required of successful leaders in today's financial institutions.

Northwest Bank Directors Series
April, June, August & October | All sessions are held virtually from 8:30 - 10:00 AM PT
This four-session virtual Northwest Bank Directors Series is designed to meet the educational needs for both new and existing directors. The series is an excellent opportunity for bank directors to enhance their understanding of their evolving responsibilities. Participants will gain insight into industry hot topics and emerging trends, as well as primers on banking fundamentals and governance issues. While taking place virtually, the sessions are all live and interactive.

Credit Analyst Development Program
March-May 2026 | Virtual
Offered in partnership with the Washington Bankers Association, the Credit Analyst Development Program provides future and new credit analysts with the fundamentals of commercial loan underwriting and a foundation in commercial credit. It covers the basics of banking, accounting and key ratio analysis, while also providing an overview of basic personal and business tax return analysis, loan structure, compliance training, C & I lending and commercial real estate lending.

Management Development Program
April-September 2026 | Virtual
Offered in partnership with the Washington Bankers Association, the Management Development Program (MDP) is an excellent prep program for bank managers wishing to advance their careers. This is a class designed for those who have aspirations of broadening their understanding of the key success elements required to manage a successful banking organization. Some MDP graduates go on to enroll in the more advanced Executive Development Program.

Agricultural Bankers Conference
April 29-May 1, 2026 | Richland, WA
Offered in partnership with the Idaho and Washington Bankers Associations, this event focuses on providing first-class education as well as promoting Idaho, Oregon and Washington agriculture. This event is not exclusive to bankers; the schedule offers opportunities for ALL industry-related professionals, including producers.

Bank PR & Crisis Communications Series
May 7 & 14, 2026 | Virtual
Strengthen your bank’s communications strategy with this two-part webinar series designed to help banking professionals work effectively with the media and prepare for high-stakes situations. Industry veterans and former journalists will share practical guidance on crafting compelling news pitches, understanding what reporters want, and building a crisis communications plan that helps your bank respond confidently when challenges arise.

Branch Manager Boot Camp
Summer & Fall, 2026 | Virtual
Invest in your branch managers and assistant branch managers with this dynamic, four-part Branch Manager Boot Camp designed to strengthen leadership skills, drive branch growth, and elevate team performance. With multiple scheduling options for this live virtual training, institutions can conveniently enroll managers on different days while maintaining branch coverage.

Retail Branch Manager Development Program
August 2025-March 2026 | Virtual
Offered in partnership with the Washington Bankers Association, the Retail Branch Manager Development Program focuses on providing bankers a strong foundation in the dynamic and demanding retail banking sector. The program is specifically tailored for current retail bank managers and bankers seeking a retail management position. Participating bankers will commit to a session per month and can expect up to six hours of homework each month. Students are paired with a self-selected mentor from their institution for class support and to facilitate engagement with key leaders.

The MAIN Event
September 10, 2026 | Salem, OR
The MAIN Event is Oregon banking’s new must-attend gathering — designed to bring together banking professionals from across the state for a day of momentum, insight, and meaningful connection. This is where bankers step out of silos, engage in candid conversations about the issues shaping our industry, and build relationships that strengthen Oregon banking as a whole. Focused, forward-looking, and built for real-world impact, The MAIN Event delivers the access, perspective, and networking today’s bankers need — all in one place, at one time.

Commercial Lending Boot Camp
September-November, 2026 | Salem, OR
Focusing on the foundation you need to master commercial lending, these three intensive two-day sessions dive into essential elements of building a safe and sound loan portfolio. Whether you are a seasoned veteran or a junior lender, learning and refreshing these skills is a necessity in today’s competitive banking environment.

AML/CFT & Financial Crimes Workshop
October 6, 2026 | Salem, OR
This annual workshop examines key Anti-Money Laundering / Countering The Financing Of Terrorism (AML/CFT) compliance and financial crime issues affecting the banking industry, offering insight from both regulatory and law enforcement perspectives. Participants will hear directly from the FDIC, IRS Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Oregon TITAN Fusion Center/Department of Justice, gaining valuable understanding of current priorities and enforcement trends.

Free Notary Public Se minars
Ongoing | Various Locations Throughout Oregon
Webinar Basics Classes AND Webinar Advanced Classes

Offered by the Oregon Secretary of State Office, the information presented at these live webinars covers the rules, regulations, and best practices for Oregon Notaries Public. In the basics class, we explain how to properly identify the signer, what to record in your journal, and the requirements of an Oregon Notarial Certificate. This training meets the educational requirements for those applying for a commission.

Current notaries are encouraged to attend either course, but are particularly invited to the advanced webinar, which includes topics such as employee notary issues, elder abuse fraud, troublesome notarial certificates, journaling witnesses, signature by 3rd party, and much more. The classes are 3 hours long and include time for Q&A.

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Co-Sponsored Schools

Willamette University MBA Program for Professionals
All Oregon Bankers Association members are eligible for a discounted tuition rate in the MBA for Professionals program in the Atkinson Graduate School of Management at Willamette University. For more information, click here.

Pacific Coast Banking School
PCBS offers a three-year graduate-level management education program for high-potential bankers. Industry experts and academicians teach curriculum designed to encompass the banking industry's most critical components: risk management, financial performance, and leadership.

For more information about OBA education, please contact us at (503) 581-3522 or [email protected].