ABA School of Bank Marketing and Management upgrades BankExec simulation exercise.

• Position: ABA RESOURCES - American Bankers Association

ABA HAS UPDATED THE BANKEXEC SIMULATION that is used by second-year students at the School of Bank Marketing and Management (SOBMM).

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Bank marketing students work in groups for the BankExec exercise, which teaches them about the financial side of banking. In the process, students learn the terminology and business decisions needed to run a successful bank.

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This year, the school will introduce an Internet-based version of BankExec. Among other improvements, the new model has the ability to run "what-if" scenarios. Teams can now test potential decision sets before actually submitting their decisions. "This is a big improvement in the learning process," notes John Capotosto, vice president, Professional Development. "Teams can now estimate results, change individual inputs based on the 'what-if.' The learning curve is enhanced; teams get up to speed faster."

This year's school is scheduled for May 15-22 at Southern Methodist University, Dallas. The school is taught by a faculty of industry experts and experienced instructors who are leaders in their fields. The curriculum is completed in two intensive one-week sessions spaced a year apart. The first session is focused on marketing essentials: planning, return-on-investment and market research. Between the first and second years, students are directed to complete a marketing plan or research report that can be utilized by their organization.

In the second year's session, marketers learn how to be credible members of the banks management learn. Students also learn about asset-liability management; profitability; strategic issues; and how to implement a bank brand.

The two-year curriculum prepares marketers to sit...