CHARLESBRIDGE’S LAURA HICKSON GRADUATES FROM NEW ENGLAND SCHOOL FOR FINANCIAL STUDIES
Laura Hickson, Director of Financial Crimes Compliance & BSA Officer, has graduated from the New England School for Financial Studies (NEFS), according to an announcement by John Huether, Chief Risk Officer at Charlesbridge.
Noted Huether, “Charlesbridge and our affiliate banks – Dedham Savings and South Shore Bank – will greatly benefit from the education Laura received through The New England School for Financial Studies. Not only has she gained tools and insights needed to excel in today’s banking industry, but she has also developed a strong peer network for future collaboration. We’re extremely proud of Laura’s accomplishments and appreciate her ongoing commitment to our organization.”
Offered through the Massachusetts Bankers Association, the New England School for Financial Studies provides banking professionals with the tools they need to manage effectively in today’s changing industry. An intensive two-year program of studies broadens the skills of supervisory personnel and trains them to make decisions that promote the profitability of the bank as a whole. Two one-week resident sessions provide students with 135 hours of classroom instruction conducted by distinguished faculty members chosen for their expertise in both the academic and business worlds. Classes combine lectures with case studies to actively involve participants in the process of research, analysis, and creative planning. Between sessions, students complete five independent study projects that focus on their bank and build on the first week’s instruction to prepare them for more advanced training during the second-year resident session. The course culminates in a comprehensive computerized simulation that challenges students to assume senior management responsibilities. Students will be evaluated on their knowledge of BankExec, strategic planning exercises, and presentations. Each segment is appropriately weighted and scored as part of the final grade. By graduation, students are better prepared to contribute to their bank’s overall operations and participate in profitable decision-making.
As Director of Financial Crimes Compliance & BSA Officer, Hickson is responsible for maintaining and ensuring that Charlesbridge bank affiliates maintain compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and oversees the bank’s effort to prevent and manage financial crimes including fraud. She also is involved in offering support to local community groups regarding financial fraud education and prevention. In addition to her nearly 20 years of experience in the banking industry, Hickson holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and Management from Westfield State University, a Master of Business Administration degree from New England College of Business and Finance, and Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) certification. Hickson lives in Dedham with her husband and two children.
Charlesbridge
Charlesbridge is a mutual multi-bank holding company headquartered in Dedham, Massachusetts. Affiliate banks include Dedham Savings and South Shore Bank. Together, the banks offer a complete line of consumer and business deposit, lending, and digital banking services to MA-based clients. For those seeking to deliver the latest financial solutions rooted in trustworthy, high-quality service, Charlesbridge Group provides the operational support, resources, legacy, and innovative thinking to financial institutions so they can deliver a suite of flexible, personalized solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of our clients and our communities.