FYI: Business
BY LAURIE WINSLOW World Staff Writer
Sunday, January 13, 2013
1/13/13 at 3:31 AM
Forbes ranks BOK Financial among best banks
Oklahoma-based BOK Financial Corp. and BancFirst are listed among "Forbes 2013 Best Banks in America" in a story published last month.
Tulsa-based BOK ranked No. 22 on the list, up from No. 35 the year before. Oklahoma City-based BancFirst ranked No. 13.
To gauge the health of the biggest banks, Forbes used data from SNL Financial, which supplied information regarding the asset quality, capital adequacy and profitability of the 100 largest publicly traded banks and thrifts.
Forbes ranked the banks based on eight metrics of financial health, including return on average equity, net interest margin and nonperforming loans as a percentage of loans, among others.
The data is based on regulatory filings through the 2012 third quarter, according to the publication.
BOK Financial had total assets of $27 billion and a return on average equity of 11.9 percent. Its nonperforming loans as a percentage of loans was 1.1 percent, according to the publication.
BancFirst, with $6 billion in assets, had a return on average equity of 10.4 percent. Nonperforming loans to total loans was 0.7 percent, according to the publication.
Small business lending increases in Oklahoma
Oklahoma institutions receiving capital through the Small Business Lending Fund continue to increase their small business lending, in total by more than $407.5 million over their baselines, according to a recent report from the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Across the country, SBLF participants have increased lending by $7.4 billion overall and $740 million over the prior quarter. Community banks participating in SBLF have also increased business lending by substantially greater amounts than a peer group of similar banks.
The SBLF, established as part of the Small Business Jobs Act that President Barack Obama signed into law in 2010, encourages community banks to increase their lending to small businesses, helping those companies expand their operations and create new jobs.
Treasury invested more than $4 billion in 332 institutions through the SBLF. Collectively, these institutions operate in more than 3,000 locations across 48 states.
SBLF encourages lending to small businesses by providing capital to community banks and community-development loan funds with less than $10 billion in assets.
Locally owned Dinner's at 6 caters to busy people
Dinner's at 6, a recently opened business locally owned by Bridgette Skow, provides fresh-prepared, frozen entrees customers can purchase and cook at home.
All entrees are packaged for easy final preparation, fast frozen to ensure freshness and labeled with nutritional information and cooking instructions. The business, located at 4652 W. Houston St. in Broken Arrow, has more than 300 recipes, including low-calorie options.
You can learn more about the business at dinnersat6.com or by trying samples at its booth at the Tulsa Women's Expo to be held Feb. 8-10 in the upper level of the QuikTrip Center at Expo Square.
OK Ethics tackles toxic workplace issues
Syndicated author and psychotherapist Linnda Durré will discuss proven techniques for diagnosing and treating toxic workplace issues quickly and effectively during the Tulsa Chapter of Oklahoma Business Ethics Consortium (OK Ethics) luncheon Jan. 24.
Dealing with pestering co-workers, unmanageable managers or angry clients can take a toll on job performance. Referencing methods outlined in her book, "Surviving the Toxic Workplace," Durré will cover how to pinpoint and treat these office maladies with effective communication, integrity and conflict-negotiation techniques.
The luncheon is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel Downtown, 616 W. Seventh St. Cost is $25 for OK Ethics members and $35 for nonmembers. Reservations are required. Register online at tulsaworld.com/okethics by Jan. 21.
The event qualifies for one continuing professional education credit.
Israel Diamond Supply wins Bride's Choice Award
Israel Diamond Supply recently was notified that it has won a Bride's Choice Awards 2013.
WeddingWire Bride's Choice Awards 2013 recognizes the top 5 percent of wedding professionals nationwide. Professionals across 20 service categories, ranging from wedding venues to wedding photographers, are recognized based on their overall achievements throughout the previous year.
The recipients represent the top 5 percent of the WeddingWire local vendor community, comprising more than 200,000 wedding professionals throughout the United States, Canada and abroad, according to the organization's website.
The awards are given based on the reviews from past clients on weddingwire.com, a wedding review website featuring more than 1 million newlywed reviews.
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