Frerichs Earns Distinguished Banking Diploma

Mara Frerichs, AVP & Cashier of Farmers Trust & Savings Bank in Buffalo Center, has graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado’s graduate school of banking program. Frerichs was among 169 graduates of the class of 2022 honored during a ceremony on July 28, 2022, in Boulder, Colo.

Students graduate from the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado (GSBC) upon successfully completing annual two-week sessions of classroom training and intersession research projects between sessions throughout the year. Courses covering four career areas are delivered by community-banking experts and include Financial Management & Strategy, Innovation & Engagement, Leadership & Culture and Lending.

The program’s capstone course is an in-depth bank management simulation, where students assume the roles of senior management of a commercial bank, involving themselves in the group dynamics and managerial skills of managing a bank in a competitive environment with changing economic conditions.

“Mara’s hard work and dedication to the coursework and projects completed with the GSBC will enhance her skills as a community banker and leader,” states Doug Leland, President & CEO of FTSB. “We are proud of Mara’s accomplishments and feel fortunate to have her at FTSB and as part of our community.”

GSBC held its 71^st Annual School Session July 17-29, 2022, on the University of Colorado Boulder campus, hosting nearly 500 students from across the nation.