University News
CBT Ethics Day
October 31, 2006
MACOMB, IL – Western Illinois University’s College of Business and Technology Ethics Day 2006, “Lending for the Social Good,” will be held Thursday, Nov. 9 and will feature a variety of speakers discussing the lending industry.
Speakers and panelists will include representatives from Citizens National Bank, a leading regional financial institution in western Illinois; the Woodstock Institute, a non-governmental organization (NGO) in Chicago that advocates with government and financial institutions on behalf of the poor and “unbanked;” ACCION Chicago, an NGO that has been a leader both internationally and domestically in providing small loans to the poor for the development of microenterprises; and ShoreBank Corporation, a bank based in Chicago with operations in Detroit, Cleveland, and the state of Washington that has pioneered many innovative financial service initiatives designed to promote the economic development of socially and environmentally sustainable communities. ShoreBank is also the recipient of the 2006 Social Responsibility Leadership Award of Western Illinois University’s Program for the Study of Ethics.
“Historically banks and other lending institutions have been critical players in the economic development of communities,” explained Gordon Rands, management professor and co-director of Western’s Program for the Study of Ethics. “Through philanthropic activities and community leadership, lending institutions have also played a key role in community social development.”
Ethics Day events include:
8-9:15 a.m. – Informal breakfast reception; news media interviews, Stipes Hall 501.
9:30-10:45 a.m. – Keynote Presentation: “Banking on Community and Environmental Change,” by Ellen Seidman, vice president of ShoreBank Corp., Stipes 121.
Seidman will present how a small bank on ChicagoÂ’s South Side has been transforming underserved neighborhoods into vibrant communities and is encouraging a worldwide community development banking movement. Seidman will discuss ShoreBankÂ’s innovative strategies and ongoing commitment to creating new economic and community development opportunities.
11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. – Panel Discussion: Ellen Seidman, ShoreBank; Kate Johnson, ACCION Chicago; Tom Feltner, Woodstock Institute; Todd Lester, Citizens National Bank; and Jim Tripp, WIU marketing and finance professor, moderator, Stipes 121.
12:30-1:45 p.m. – Luncheon (invitation only); presentation of Social Responsibility Leadership award to ShoreBank Corporation.
2:00-3:15 p.m. – Research and Advocacy for Fair Finance by Tom Feltner, Woodstock Institute, Stipes 121. Feltner will discuss Woodstock Institute's mission and how to evaluate the community impact of non-productive debt and develop legislative, regulatory and market-based solutions to this issue to ensure that lower-income and minority people and communities have the opportunity to build assets.
3:30-4:30 p.m. – “Helping Millions Help Themselves: An Introduction to Microcredit” by Kate Johnson, ACCION Chicago, Stipes 121. Johnson will discuss how ACCION, along with hundreds of other microfinance institutions worldwide, is “helping millions help themselves,” by providing “micro” loans, business training and other financial services to low-income men and women who start their own businesses.
“Today many lending institutions have chosen to develop a strong commitment by providing financial services to poor individuals and communities, and by trying to extend such services to those that have previously not made use of banks – the ‘unbanked,’ Rands added. “Our 2006 Ethics Day will spotlight the challenges and problems, as well as the new and innovative services emerging in the areas of community development banking, microcredit and other means of ‘Lending for the Social Good.’”
For more information on Ethics Day 2006, contact Rands at 309/298-1342 or the College of Business and Technology at 309/298-2442.
*EDITORÂ’S NOTE: Media are invited to interview Ethics Day presenters at an informal reception from 8-9:15 a.m. in Stipes Hall 501. To confirm attendance, please contact Darcie Shinberger at 309/298-1993 or DR-Shinberger@wiu.edu. Media are also invited to attend any of the sessions listed above.
Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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