America’s Community Bankers and RMA-The Risk Management Association have formed a new strategic alliance to promote RMA’s risk management products in the commercial banking area to ACB member banks. RMA has received ACB’s first designation as a "preferred solutions provider."

"RMA is recognized as a national leader in risk management education," said Diane Casey-Landry, ACB president and CEO. "Through this alliance, ACB will be providing access to RMA’s expertise through products and services specifically designed to help community banks compete in the commercial lending arena. Small business lending, in particular, is a natural way for community banks to expand their programs to meet their communities’ financial needs."

RMA president and CEO Maurice H. Hartigan said, "RMA is delighted to welcome ACB’s members into the growing list of financial services companies for whom we provide proven risk management products and services. The alliance with ACB provides an opportunity for both organizations to advance sound risk principles that benefit not only our members, but the customers they serve."

On an introductory basis, RMA will offer ACB members a free institutional trial membership through August 31, 2004. After that, ACB members will be eligible for the promotional membership rate that RMA is offering at the time through its chapters. In addition, ACB members that take advantage of the trial rate will be eligible for a 30-day free trial subscription to eMentor, RMA’s innovative, online knowledge, information, and training tool.

ACB members who choose not to join RMA will still receive discounts on RMA’s non-member prices for courses, products, and services. They can also participate in RMA’s Risk Management and Community Bank audio conference series at member rates through Aug. 31, 2005.

RMA speakers will lead concurrent breakout sessions at ACB’s annual convention and other conferences on risk management topics of interest to ACB members. ACB is developing a special link to RMA’s Web site to streamline member access to RMA products, and will list RMA course offerings in its education catalog.

ACB and RMA have enjoyed a working relationship in the education area since 1986. An alliance in 2001 selectively made courses available to ACB members. The new alliance offers the full breadth of RMA products and services to ACB members.