Bank & Banker Education, Training, and Advisory


Who is Cerfis?

Cerfis ( /SIR-fis/ ) was founded in Dallas, Texas by veteran banker R. Jay Phillips with the goal of bringing knowledge, expertise and ultimate success to banking institutions and to those seeking expertise in starting, acquiring or managing banks. Cerfis clients find the experienced guidance and objectivity they seek for their financial institution, themselves and, likely, both.


Education

High performance can only be achieved through a focused, well-informed and well-educated workforce. Cerfis specializes in helping to fill your training needs by integrating an effective training plan into your overall business plan. Let us help you by strategically planning and customizing the professional development of your bank board, officers and employees to enable your bank to achieve its goals. Such superior training results in individual growth and satisfaction of your bank's stakeholders. This, in turn, is a primary contributor to the success of an organization. Director education is of paramount importance given today's increased attention to corporate governance. Cerfis can help you to provide your financial institution's directors the understanding of their legal and practical responsibilities.


About Jay

Jay Phillips is passionate about banker education. His banking career spans 30 years, starting during his high school and college years where he worked in every aspect of community banking. Jay has served as CEO of independent banks, community banks owned by large holding companies and was most recently CEO of a publicly traded, listed regional banking company on the Texas coast.

Jay founded the Bank Operations Institute twenty-eight years ago and continues to direct the Institute, which is now in association with the Independent Bankers Association of Texas and the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking Foundation. He has taught numerous American Institute of Banking courses, RMA/Omega Commercial Loans to Business, and college management courses.

Jay served as the director for Executive and Professional Growth in the School of Management at The University of Texas Dallas. In that role, he managed nondegree programs primarily offered in Dallas’s Telecom Corridor including open enrollment programs, certificate programs and customized corporate programs. He was also responsible to degreed programs customized for corporate clients. His clients included Fujitsu Network Communications, Volvo North America, Alcatel, and a major soft drink manufacturer.

Now as principal of Cerfis Group, Inc., Jay Phillips is a full-time speaker, trainer and consultant dedicated to assisting clients meet their strategic goals. Phillips is a frequent speaker for industry groups including Texas Orthopaedic Association, Independent Bankers Association of Texas, Marquis Software Solutions, Western Independent Bankers Association, and the Southwest Automated Clearing House Association.

Educational Offerings

Banker 101 for the Non-Banking Professional

In Banker 101, the participant is introduced to the various types of banking institutions, their differences and their regulators. Participants overview banking regulations with particular attention given to those that affect insiders including control shareholders, officers and directors. Through case studies, participants learn where to find and analyze financial information on banks.

Banker 101 for the New Banking Professional

This program provides an overview of the purpose and structure of financial institutions and their regulators. Particpants will learn why banks exist, the primary functions of banks and how and why banks make money. It provides a background of accounting basics and the components of net income.

Profit Driven Marketing: Marketing by the Numbers

Bank marketing executives should be seen as part of the bank's strategic planning team but often are not because they do not possess an understanding of financial reporting. To be credible, marketers must understand and interpret financial reports of both the bank and its competition to be able to determine strengths and weaknesses of each. Only then can the marketer design effective solutions and set financial benchmarks to measure and ensure success. This course gives equips the participant with the tools necessary to make a meaningful contribution to the planning process.

Time Management

Balance is brought to our life if we can manage our behavior at work and home so that our attention can be devoted to work issues, co-workers, family, friends and, most of all, ourselves! This course helps us understand the things that bring stress into our lives by investigating the issues that affect us including culture, our natural tendencies, how we waste time and that results in stress. Participants develop solutions through stress management, balance, productivity and goal setting.

Let’s talk.

jay@cerfis.com
(214) 455-8846

4037 Herschel Avenue
Dallas, TX 75219