McFarland receives degree from Graduate School of Banking at LSU

BATON ROUGE, La. – Jason McFarland, vice president/senior lender, First and Farmers National Bank, Columbia, is among the 205 bankers receiving graduation diplomas on June 3 from the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. This three-year program provides courses covering all aspects of banking, economics and related subjects. Students traveled from 23 states and Mexico to participate in this session.

Regarding this esteemed accomplishment, Ann Martin, president of First and Farmers National Bank says, “We appreciate Jason’s great dedication and enthusiasm while attending on-site courses at LSU, and as he completed required online assignments. The Graduate School of Banking at LSU challenges its students through strenuous coursework. He willingly took time away from his lovely family to attend this program. I am confident that he will project the knowledge gained at LSU throughout his daily interactions at FFNB.”

Sponsored by 15 southern state bankers associations in cooperation with the division of continuing education at LSU, the banking school requires attendance on campus for three years, with extensive bank study assignments between sessions. The faculty consists of bankers, business and professional leaders and educators from all parts of the U.S.

During their three years at the Graduate School of Banking, students receive 180 hours of classroom instruction, 30 hours of reviews, planned evening study and written final examinations at the end of each session.

McFarland says, “I am humbled and gracious to have had the opportunity to attend the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University.  The three-year program has been a challenging, yet rewarding experience that I’m sure will benefit me for the rest of my banking career. I look forward to many more years serving the people of Adair and surrounding counties for all of their lending and banking needs.”

In addition to completing the LSU Graduate School of Banking program, he also completed the Kentucky Banker’s Association General School of Banking in June 2013. McFarland holds a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Business and a minor in Business Administration from Western Kentucky University. He was welcomed into the First and Farmers National Bank family in 2011.

McFarland is native to Adair County, where he currently owns a farm. McFarland and his wife, Melanie, reside in Campbellsville with their two children Chloe and Chase.