Urban Bankers chief issues a call for leadership.

The newly elected president of the National Association of Urban Bankers, the professional group for minorities in banking, thinks it can do better.

Speaking during the association's recent annual conference in San Diego, Paul R. Wiggins said it will emphasize the professional development and job stability of its 3,000 members, and general economic development in minority communities.

Providing Opportunity

"We must continue to search for avenues to provide educational, leadership, networking, and growth opportunity for our member," said Mr. Wiggins, who also is vice president of SunBank of Tampa Bay, Fla.

On the urban bankers' educational agenda will be a computerized bank simulation program to help members learn to deal with day-to-day decision-making problems.

"Leadership development is critical to our success"' said Mr. Wiggins. "We'll communicate with the various banking schools with the intent of increasing urban banker enrollment."

In the interest of upward mobility, the association operates a job bank and assists members seeking to advance.

"Urban bankers across this country are able, willing, and ready to drink from the cup of opportunity, and when given the opportunity, we will succeed," Mr. Wiggins said.

|Ahead of the Curve'

Mr. Wiggins has a recruitment project of his own: He plans to seek a full-time executive director to run the association's administrative staff.

"I certainly believe that it is critical that NAUB strive to be ahead of the curve" of financial industry change, he said.

At Sunbank, Mr. Wiggins is responsible for management reporting and review. He joined the SunTrust Banks Inc. affiliate in Tampa in 1985, and has served in many positions, including credit analyst, commercial lender, branch manager, and loan review officer.

Other Posts

As president of NAUB, for 1993-94, Mr. Wiggins succeeds Herbert W. Whiteman Jr., vice president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Lloyd Griffin is president-elect of the association. Mr. Griffin is vice president of Western Trust Services in San Diego.

Reelected treasurer was Richard Holmes, assistant vice president of Bank of America, San Diego.

Beverly Brown, vice president, lending compliance, D&N Bank, Flint, Mich., is the newly elected secretary of the association. Mr. Whiteman will be chairman of the advisory board.

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