2014 WEST MICHIGAN RMA CHAPTER ARTICLE WRITING ...
INVITATION TO COMPETE IN THE:
2014 WEST MICHIGAN RMA CHAPTER ARTICLE WRITING COMPETITION Sponsored by:
Win Money, Gain Professional Recognition! Forget all those old memories of term papers and hours and hours in the library, this competition has been specially designed for today’s busy credit risk professional. Write your article on any topic applicable to financial services risk management. It should be no more than five (5) pages and double spaced. Any employee of an RMA member institution, RMA members from non-member institutions, as well as Professional Members may enter (must be located west of Lansing or in the Upper Peninsula). This competition has easy rules, simple instructions, and flexibility—you can even write the article jointly with one of your peers. You can draw from past experiences with little or no outside research, you can pick a cutting-edge topic and do special research, or you can do something in-between. Articles are judged on appropriateness, content, creativity, style, and grammar. Share your resources, talent, research, and insight with your peers. Write an article and you could win money, fame, and satisfaction. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsor Clark Hill, PLC, the West Michigan RMA Chapter will be awarding $500 for first place, $250 for second place, and $100 for third place. These three winners will also be awarded with a one-year RMA membership (or $75 credit towards a professional membership) and one free entry into the 2014 annual golf outing. But wait, there’s more! If your article finishes in the top three, it will automatically be entered in the RMA HQ competition that also gives cash awards and pays the Annual Conference registration fees for top winners. Note: CRCs will receive 3 CEU credits for the first article submitted, 3 additional credits if the article places first, second or third, and 9 credits more if the article is published in The RMA Journal. If you have any questions, or if you are interested in learning more about this competition, please connect with the West Michigan RMA Article Writing Chairperson: Chairperson Name: Organization: Address: Phone/email:
Scott Setlock Mercantile Bank of Michigan 310 Leonard St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 (616) 726-5869 [email protected]
10/2013
1
THE RMA ARTICLE WRITING COMPETITION: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Who is eligible to participate? All full-time personnel from RMA member institutions, RMA members from non-member institutions, and Professional members who have not been published in The RMA Journal are eligible to participate in this competition. (Note: No previously published material may be submitted.) What is the deadline for submission? The deadline for submission of articles to the West Michigan RMA chapter is April 30, 2014. The top three winning entries will then be entered into the RMA HQ competition. Is there a registration fee to enter the RMA Competition? No. There is no registration fee for the RMA Article Writing Competition. What topics are acceptable? You may choose any topic of interest to the financial services industry. For example, you may write about a consumer lending issue, a capital markets topic or a specific legal or accounting question facing the industry. See page 7 for a list of potential topics for your article. What are the prizes? Thanks to the generosity of our sponsor Clark Hill, PLC, the winners of the RMA West Michigan Chapter will be awarded $500 for first, $250 for second, and $100 for third. These three winners will also be awarded with a one-year RMA membership (or $75 credit towards a professional membership) and one free entry into the 2014 annual golf outing. The writers of the top three articles will be entered into the RMA HQ competition where the top three at that level will receive free registration to the 2014 RMA Annual Conference in the fall, and cash prizes of $1,000, $750, and $500.
I’d like to write this article with somebody else. Is that acceptable? Yes, co-authored articles are encouraged; but limited to two individuals. Both individuals must be employed by RMA member institutions, be RMA members from nonmember institutions, or be Professional Members. How long does the article have to be? Articles should be no more than five (5) pages, double spaced. Any submission over five pages will not be accepted. What are the judges looking for? Two main criteria are evaluated: 1) the content of the article—its originality, insights, analysis, etc., and 2) the presentation of the article—style, grammar, etc. It boils down to what you say and how you say it. As suggested by members who have been involved in previous competitions, the presentation could be divided into the following sections: Background and history of the subject. Significant questions/issues existing or developing with the subject. Potential problems/opportunities and possible solutions/programs to meet them. If I win, will my article be published? Prize-winning articles in the headquarters competition are considered for The RMA Journal. In addition, many chapters publish their top articles in their newsletters. Note: CRCs will receive 3 CEU credits for the first article submitted, 3 additional credits if the article places first, second, or third, and 9 credits more if the article is published in The RMA Journal.
Can I submit an article based on an article that I have done as a project at work? Yes. Many of the past prize winners used research they conducted on a topic of interest to their employers. It’s important for you to clear this with your supervisor if you think there may be any sensitivity here.
10/2013
2
THE RMA ARTICLE WRITING COMPETITION: WRITING TIPS
WRITING TIPS Read The RMA Journal. It helps to know the types of articles we have published and the style in which they are written. Keep the length reasonable. Articles should be no more than five (5) pages, double spaced. Any submission over five pages will not be accepted. Use charts and graphs to illustrate your point. Not all articles benefit from charts and graphs, but many do. Charts and graphs may be created in Word and sent embedded within the article; if imported from another program, however, please send the files from which they originated, e.g., PowerPoint or Excel. Use bulleted and numbered points. No matter how technical the topic, the best writing is simple writing. By using short sentences, lists, and subheads, you make your article easier to read and understand.
Explain “how to.” Articles offering useful advice, such as what to consider when lending to hotels, are most popular. Readers also like to learn from others’ mistakes in “Spilled Milk” articles. Articles that offer problem-solving tips are also well read. Limit the use of footnotes. We discourage the use of more than 10 footnotes and actually prefer less than five. Articles should not read like research articles. The Article Review Process If your article places in the national competition, it will then be reviewed by members of The RMA Journal Editorial Advisory Board. These reviews can take up to a few weeks. If the article is accepted for publication, you’ll be asked to sign our standard copyright form, which gives us the rights to print the article first and to continue to use it. You can reuse your article however you wish as long as you indicate that it was first published in The RMA Journal.
10/2013
3
O FFI C I A L 2014 RM A ART I CL E W R IT IN G C O M P E T IT IO N ENTRY FORM (This form must be attached to your article. Your name should not be on your article) TITLE OF ARTICLE:
Author’s Name:
Title:
Organization: Address: City: Telephone: (
State: )
Zip: / email:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO): of your institution: CEO’s Organization name: Address: City:
State:
Zip:
RMA Chapter: West Michigan Chapter Article Writing Competition Chairman: Scott Setlock Article Writing Chairman’s Institution/Address: Mercantile Bank of Michigan City: Grand Rapids
State: MI
310 Leonard St NW
Zip: 49504
The undersigned hereby represents that the material presented is his/her own work, that any and all source material has been given adequate attribution, and that this article has not been published previously, either in whole or in part. The undersigned also agrees that the entry will become the property of the local chapter when received and that copies may be reproduced and distributed for use of others or publication as deemed appropriate by the local chapter. Articles forwarded to RMA Headquarters will become the property of RMA. RMA will have the right to reproduce and distribute the article for use of others, as they deem appropriate. Further, the undersigned agrees that his/her article, if selected, may be published in The RMA Journal without remuneration.
Author’s Signature
10/2013
4
THE RMA ARTICLE WRITING COMPETITION: COMPETITION RULES AND GUIDELINES
A. Eligibility
C. Other Rules
Anyone employed by an RMA member institution, an RMA member employed by a non-member institution, or any Professional member who has not been published in The RMA Journal is eligible to participate in this competition. We encourage experienced professionals as well as entry-level employees.
1.
All entries must be accompanied by the Official Entry Form (found on page 4). THE COMPETITOR’S NAME SHOULD BE INCLUDED ON THE ENTRY FORM, BUT SHOULD NOT APPEAR ON THE ARTICLE OR ANY COPIES. THE JUDGES SHOULD NEVER KNOW THE WRITER’S NAME OR INSTITUTION.
2.
The article should be submitted no later than April 30, 2014. All articles submitted after this date will not be considered.
3.
Competitors may write on any topic of interest in the financial services industry.
4.
One entry per person.
B. Format for Entries All entries should conform to the following: 1.
The entry should be typed on plain 8 1/2” by 11” white paper.
2.
Margins should be between 1” to 1 all around.
1/2”
3.
The text should be double-spaced.
4.
The article should be no more than five (5) pages.
5.
If the competitor conducts research, it must be referenced with endnotes or footnotes and a bibliography; however the use of footnotes is discouraged and should be limited to no more than 10. An article should not read like a research paper. Any common references format is acceptable.
10/2013
5
THE RMA ARTICLE WRITING COMPETITION: CHECKLIST FOR COMPETITORS
Consider areas in which you have special interest or expertise. Determine if research on a specific problem identified by your organization would be beneficial. If you are a junior banker, consider teaming up with a senior banker to write the article. After tentatively selecting a topic, determine if the subject has been previously covered. Do you have anything new to add? Determine and list all available sources of information. Are there sufficient sources to provide pertinent information for a meaningful article? Become familiar with all guidelines and tips on writing the article. Review these guidelines during the preparation of your article to assure you are adhering to them. From the outset, establish an effective plan for writing the article, including a workable outline, methods of conducting and recording your research, and effective utilization of your time and available resources. Carefully proofread your final copy. Complete one Official Entry Form to accompany your article. (NOTE: the Official Entry Form must accompany your entry.) Submit the article (the original and three copies) to the chapter Article Writing Competition Chairperson, Scott Setlock (616-446-9765) , no later than April 30, 2014 . (Insert Chairperson’s name) (Article Writing Deadline)
10/2013
6
THE RMA ARTICLE WRITING COMPETITION: IDEAS FOR YOUR ARTICLE The following is a list of titles of some previous winners in the competition. You might also review recent issues of The RMA Journal or other banking publications if you need help in selecting a winning topic for your article. • What to Do with Troubled TICS? Considerations for Lenders (2009) • Practical, Political, & Legal Complications in Lending for Texas Real Estate Development Projects Receiving Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) Financing (2009) • The Process of Valuation – Placing Value on Your Business (2009) • Mark to Market or Mark to Absurdity (2009) • Credit Default Swaps (2008) • The Major Effect of Microfinance (2008) • A Historical Analysis of the Yield Curve: How Banks Should (and Should Not) Respond to Recent Trends (2008) • Micro-equity: Can Private Equity Address the Coming Transition in Small Business Equity Ownership? (2007) • Nontraditional Mortgages and Risk Management: A Cautionary Tale for Financial Institutions (2007) • The Ethical Nature of Predatory and Subprime Mortgage Lending (2007) • Change, Grow, and Reform How Banks Can Reduce Risk Today (2007) • Micro Business Lending: Bank Services for the Smallest Companies • Value at Risk • Financing the Chapter 11 Borrower: The Lender’s Viewpoint • An Approach to the Analysis of Cable Television Companies • Loan Securitization: The Crucible of Commercial Bank Competitiveness • Understanding Title Insurance: A Lender’s Perspective • Loan Loss Reserves: Tax, Regulatory, and Adequacy Issues • Early Warning Signs of Bankruptcy Using Cash Flow Analysis • Risk Management of Off-Balance Sheet Activities • Other Real Estate Owned: Developing Procedures for Rapid Disposal • Lending to the Convenience Store Industry • Improving the Business Development Performance of Loan Officers • Screening Real Estate for Environmental Problems • Profitably Banking the Small Business • Improving Loan Officer Productivity • Home-Equity Loans: Does Everybody Win? • SBA Lending and the Secondary Market • Spilled Milk Articles
10/2013
7
THE RMA ARTICLE WRITING COMPETITION: SCORING GUIDELINES AND RULES Introduction The Official Scoring Sheet has been designed for use by RMA Chapter and Headquarters judges. It is best if both participants and judges understand the purpose/mission of the competition and are provided with as much information as possible on how the article will be scored. Purpose/Mission of Competition The Article Writing Competition’s main purpose is to further the financial services profession through research and/or sharing of experiences. By pooling our collective resources, we can provide our industry with information needed to improve the way we do our jobs, the way we serve our institutions and customers, and to better ourselves. This competition provides participants with a chance to make a contribution to the industry, improve their own knowledge base, and spotlight their organization. As a side benefit, the competition identifies and rewards individuals who have a willingness to strengthen themselves, their employers, and their industry. Process Description Each article will be submitted directly to the appropriate chapter or, if the appropriate chapter is not participating in the competition, directly to RMA HQ. Only first, second, and third place articles at the chapter level will be submitted to the headquarters competition. In order to ensure consistency, the chapter judges will be required to use the same judging criteria as the headquarters judges. In addition, the identity of all entrants shall remain anonymous through all phases of the
judging process. Judging at the chapter level shall be by a committee established by the Chapter Article Writing Competition chairperson. Judging at the headquarters level shall be done by a committee of Associates appointed by the Director of Member Relations. Guidelines The judging committee shall adhere to these general guidelines: 1) Each judge will, independently and without knowledge of the other judges’ opinions, complete and sign the Official Scoring Sheet for each entry. 2) Following the individual scoring, the judges will select the first, second, and third place winners and three honorable mention places (unless a greater or lesser number of honorable mentions are felt appropriate during any given year) by averaging the ranks they assigned to the articles. In previous years, the points were averaged to determine the winning entries, and it is considered more equitable to compensate for differences in individual judges’ assignment of points to base the winners on the average rank. 3) In the event of ties from this method of assigning winners, a review of the points or any other appropriate means may be employed to make an equitable decision.
10/2013
8
THE RMA ARTICLE WRITING COMPETITION: OFFICIAL SCORING SHEET
Title of Article: Identification Number: Rating submitted by: This article should be read and scored using the following criteria and point award system. The maximum points that can be awarded are indicated in the first column. The points actually awarded by the judge are to be entered in the second column and then totaled at the bottom. Minimum point award is 1, not 0. POINTS
MAXIMUM AWARDED
POINTS
APPROPRIATENESS OF TOPIC (Total Weight of 20)
Does the topic relate to RMA’s primary area of interest, i.e., domestic and international commercial lending, credit administration, asset/liability management in banks and their affiliates, and matters closely related thereto?
20
WORTHWHILENESS OF TOPIC (Total Weight of 30)
Does the article make a reasonable contribution to the literature of commercial lending
by originality of topic?
15
by originality and brilliance of treatment?
15
SKILL IN PRESENTATION (Total Weight of 50)
Whatever the topic, has the writer covered all the major points, touched all the bases, and cited obvious authorities (as appropriate)?
20
Is the article well organized, in logical sequence, and easy to follow?
20
Quality of spelling, punctuation, and grammar?
10
TOTAL MAXIMUM POINTS
100
TOTAL AWARDED POINTS
Please rate each paper and return scoring sheets to:
10/2013
9
2014 WEST MICHIGAN RMA CHAPTER ARTICLE WRITING COMPETITION Sponsored by:
Win Money, Gain Professional Recognition! Forget all those old memories of term papers and hours and hours in the library, this competition has been specially designed for today’s busy credit risk professional. Write your article on any topic applicable to financial services risk management. It should be no more than five (5) pages and double spaced. Any employee of an RMA member institution, RMA members from non-member institutions, as well as Professional Members may enter (must be located west of Lansing or in the Upper Peninsula). This competition has easy rules, simple instructions, and flexibility—you can even write the article jointly with one of your peers. You can draw from past experiences with little or no outside research, you can pick a cutting-edge topic and do special research, or you can do something in-between. Articles are judged on appropriateness, content, creativity, style, and grammar. Share your resources, talent, research, and insight with your peers. Write an article and you could win money, fame, and satisfaction. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsor Clark Hill, PLC, the West Michigan RMA Chapter will be awarding $500 for first place, $250 for second place, and $100 for third place. These three winners will also be awarded with a one-year RMA membership (or $75 credit towards a professional membership) and one free entry into the 2014 annual golf outing. But wait, there’s more! If your article finishes in the top three, it will automatically be entered in the RMA HQ competition that also gives cash awards and pays the Annual Conference registration fees for top winners. Note: CRCs will receive 3 CEU credits for the first article submitted, 3 additional credits if the article places first, second or third, and 9 credits more if the article is published in The RMA Journal. If you have any questions, or if you are interested in learning more about this competition, please connect with the West Michigan RMA Article Writing Chairperson: Chairperson Name: Organization: Address: Phone/email:
Scott Setlock Mercantile Bank of Michigan 310 Leonard St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 (616) 726-5869 [email protected]
10/2013
1
THE RMA ARTICLE WRITING COMPETITION: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Who is eligible to participate? All full-time personnel from RMA member institutions, RMA members from non-member institutions, and Professional members who have not been published in The RMA Journal are eligible to participate in this competition. (Note: No previously published material may be submitted.) What is the deadline for submission? The deadline for submission of articles to the West Michigan RMA chapter is April 30, 2014. The top three winning entries will then be entered into the RMA HQ competition. Is there a registration fee to enter the RMA Competition? No. There is no registration fee for the RMA Article Writing Competition. What topics are acceptable? You may choose any topic of interest to the financial services industry. For example, you may write about a consumer lending issue, a capital markets topic or a specific legal or accounting question facing the industry. See page 7 for a list of potential topics for your article. What are the prizes? Thanks to the generosity of our sponsor Clark Hill, PLC, the winners of the RMA West Michigan Chapter will be awarded $500 for first, $250 for second, and $100 for third. These three winners will also be awarded with a one-year RMA membership (or $75 credit towards a professional membership) and one free entry into the 2014 annual golf outing. The writers of the top three articles will be entered into the RMA HQ competition where the top three at that level will receive free registration to the 2014 RMA Annual Conference in the fall, and cash prizes of $1,000, $750, and $500.
I’d like to write this article with somebody else. Is that acceptable? Yes, co-authored articles are encouraged; but limited to two individuals. Both individuals must be employed by RMA member institutions, be RMA members from nonmember institutions, or be Professional Members. How long does the article have to be? Articles should be no more than five (5) pages, double spaced. Any submission over five pages will not be accepted. What are the judges looking for? Two main criteria are evaluated: 1) the content of the article—its originality, insights, analysis, etc., and 2) the presentation of the article—style, grammar, etc. It boils down to what you say and how you say it. As suggested by members who have been involved in previous competitions, the presentation could be divided into the following sections: Background and history of the subject. Significant questions/issues existing or developing with the subject. Potential problems/opportunities and possible solutions/programs to meet them. If I win, will my article be published? Prize-winning articles in the headquarters competition are considered for The RMA Journal. In addition, many chapters publish their top articles in their newsletters. Note: CRCs will receive 3 CEU credits for the first article submitted, 3 additional credits if the article places first, second, or third, and 9 credits more if the article is published in The RMA Journal.
Can I submit an article based on an article that I have done as a project at work? Yes. Many of the past prize winners used research they conducted on a topic of interest to their employers. It’s important for you to clear this with your supervisor if you think there may be any sensitivity here.
10/2013
2
THE RMA ARTICLE WRITING COMPETITION: WRITING TIPS
WRITING TIPS Read The RMA Journal. It helps to know the types of articles we have published and the style in which they are written. Keep the length reasonable. Articles should be no more than five (5) pages, double spaced. Any submission over five pages will not be accepted. Use charts and graphs to illustrate your point. Not all articles benefit from charts and graphs, but many do. Charts and graphs may be created in Word and sent embedded within the article; if imported from another program, however, please send the files from which they originated, e.g., PowerPoint or Excel. Use bulleted and numbered points. No matter how technical the topic, the best writing is simple writing. By using short sentences, lists, and subheads, you make your article easier to read and understand.
Explain “how to.” Articles offering useful advice, such as what to consider when lending to hotels, are most popular. Readers also like to learn from others’ mistakes in “Spilled Milk” articles. Articles that offer problem-solving tips are also well read. Limit the use of footnotes. We discourage the use of more than 10 footnotes and actually prefer less than five. Articles should not read like research articles. The Article Review Process If your article places in the national competition, it will then be reviewed by members of The RMA Journal Editorial Advisory Board. These reviews can take up to a few weeks. If the article is accepted for publication, you’ll be asked to sign our standard copyright form, which gives us the rights to print the article first and to continue to use it. You can reuse your article however you wish as long as you indicate that it was first published in The RMA Journal.
10/2013
3
O FFI C I A L 2014 RM A ART I CL E W R IT IN G C O M P E T IT IO N ENTRY FORM (This form must be attached to your article. Your name should not be on your article) TITLE OF ARTICLE:
Author’s Name:
Title:
Organization: Address: City: Telephone: (
State: )
Zip: / email:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO): of your institution: CEO’s Organization name: Address: City:
State:
Zip:
RMA Chapter: West Michigan Chapter Article Writing Competition Chairman: Scott Setlock Article Writing Chairman’s Institution/Address: Mercantile Bank of Michigan City: Grand Rapids
State: MI
310 Leonard St NW
Zip: 49504
The undersigned hereby represents that the material presented is his/her own work, that any and all source material has been given adequate attribution, and that this article has not been published previously, either in whole or in part. The undersigned also agrees that the entry will become the property of the local chapter when received and that copies may be reproduced and distributed for use of others or publication as deemed appropriate by the local chapter. Articles forwarded to RMA Headquarters will become the property of RMA. RMA will have the right to reproduce and distribute the article for use of others, as they deem appropriate. Further, the undersigned agrees that his/her article, if selected, may be published in The RMA Journal without remuneration.
Author’s Signature
10/2013
4
THE RMA ARTICLE WRITING COMPETITION: COMPETITION RULES AND GUIDELINES
A. Eligibility
C. Other Rules
Anyone employed by an RMA member institution, an RMA member employed by a non-member institution, or any Professional member who has not been published in The RMA Journal is eligible to participate in this competition. We encourage experienced professionals as well as entry-level employees.
1.
All entries must be accompanied by the Official Entry Form (found on page 4). THE COMPETITOR’S NAME SHOULD BE INCLUDED ON THE ENTRY FORM, BUT SHOULD NOT APPEAR ON THE ARTICLE OR ANY COPIES. THE JUDGES SHOULD NEVER KNOW THE WRITER’S NAME OR INSTITUTION.
2.
The article should be submitted no later than April 30, 2014. All articles submitted after this date will not be considered.
3.
Competitors may write on any topic of interest in the financial services industry.
4.
One entry per person.
B. Format for Entries All entries should conform to the following: 1.
The entry should be typed on plain 8 1/2” by 11” white paper.
2.
Margins should be between 1” to 1 all around.
1/2”
3.
The text should be double-spaced.
4.
The article should be no more than five (5) pages.
5.
If the competitor conducts research, it must be referenced with endnotes or footnotes and a bibliography; however the use of footnotes is discouraged and should be limited to no more than 10. An article should not read like a research paper. Any common references format is acceptable.
10/2013
5
THE RMA ARTICLE WRITING COMPETITION: CHECKLIST FOR COMPETITORS
Consider areas in which you have special interest or expertise. Determine if research on a specific problem identified by your organization would be beneficial. If you are a junior banker, consider teaming up with a senior banker to write the article. After tentatively selecting a topic, determine if the subject has been previously covered. Do you have anything new to add? Determine and list all available sources of information. Are there sufficient sources to provide pertinent information for a meaningful article? Become familiar with all guidelines and tips on writing the article. Review these guidelines during the preparation of your article to assure you are adhering to them. From the outset, establish an effective plan for writing the article, including a workable outline, methods of conducting and recording your research, and effective utilization of your time and available resources. Carefully proofread your final copy. Complete one Official Entry Form to accompany your article. (NOTE: the Official Entry Form must accompany your entry.) Submit the article (the original and three copies) to the chapter Article Writing Competition Chairperson, Scott Setlock (616-446-9765) , no later than April 30, 2014 . (Insert Chairperson’s name) (Article Writing Deadline)
10/2013
6
THE RMA ARTICLE WRITING COMPETITION: IDEAS FOR YOUR ARTICLE The following is a list of titles of some previous winners in the competition. You might also review recent issues of The RMA Journal or other banking publications if you need help in selecting a winning topic for your article. • What to Do with Troubled TICS? Considerations for Lenders (2009) • Practical, Political, & Legal Complications in Lending for Texas Real Estate Development Projects Receiving Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) Financing (2009) • The Process of Valuation – Placing Value on Your Business (2009) • Mark to Market or Mark to Absurdity (2009) • Credit Default Swaps (2008) • The Major Effect of Microfinance (2008) • A Historical Analysis of the Yield Curve: How Banks Should (and Should Not) Respond to Recent Trends (2008) • Micro-equity: Can Private Equity Address the Coming Transition in Small Business Equity Ownership? (2007) • Nontraditional Mortgages and Risk Management: A Cautionary Tale for Financial Institutions (2007) • The Ethical Nature of Predatory and Subprime Mortgage Lending (2007) • Change, Grow, and Reform How Banks Can Reduce Risk Today (2007) • Micro Business Lending: Bank Services for the Smallest Companies • Value at Risk • Financing the Chapter 11 Borrower: The Lender’s Viewpoint • An Approach to the Analysis of Cable Television Companies • Loan Securitization: The Crucible of Commercial Bank Competitiveness • Understanding Title Insurance: A Lender’s Perspective • Loan Loss Reserves: Tax, Regulatory, and Adequacy Issues • Early Warning Signs of Bankruptcy Using Cash Flow Analysis • Risk Management of Off-Balance Sheet Activities • Other Real Estate Owned: Developing Procedures for Rapid Disposal • Lending to the Convenience Store Industry • Improving the Business Development Performance of Loan Officers • Screening Real Estate for Environmental Problems • Profitably Banking the Small Business • Improving Loan Officer Productivity • Home-Equity Loans: Does Everybody Win? • SBA Lending and the Secondary Market • Spilled Milk Articles
10/2013
7
THE RMA ARTICLE WRITING COMPETITION: SCORING GUIDELINES AND RULES Introduction The Official Scoring Sheet has been designed for use by RMA Chapter and Headquarters judges. It is best if both participants and judges understand the purpose/mission of the competition and are provided with as much information as possible on how the article will be scored. Purpose/Mission of Competition The Article Writing Competition’s main purpose is to further the financial services profession through research and/or sharing of experiences. By pooling our collective resources, we can provide our industry with information needed to improve the way we do our jobs, the way we serve our institutions and customers, and to better ourselves. This competition provides participants with a chance to make a contribution to the industry, improve their own knowledge base, and spotlight their organization. As a side benefit, the competition identifies and rewards individuals who have a willingness to strengthen themselves, their employers, and their industry. Process Description Each article will be submitted directly to the appropriate chapter or, if the appropriate chapter is not participating in the competition, directly to RMA HQ. Only first, second, and third place articles at the chapter level will be submitted to the headquarters competition. In order to ensure consistency, the chapter judges will be required to use the same judging criteria as the headquarters judges. In addition, the identity of all entrants shall remain anonymous through all phases of the
judging process. Judging at the chapter level shall be by a committee established by the Chapter Article Writing Competition chairperson. Judging at the headquarters level shall be done by a committee of Associates appointed by the Director of Member Relations. Guidelines The judging committee shall adhere to these general guidelines: 1) Each judge will, independently and without knowledge of the other judges’ opinions, complete and sign the Official Scoring Sheet for each entry. 2) Following the individual scoring, the judges will select the first, second, and third place winners and three honorable mention places (unless a greater or lesser number of honorable mentions are felt appropriate during any given year) by averaging the ranks they assigned to the articles. In previous years, the points were averaged to determine the winning entries, and it is considered more equitable to compensate for differences in individual judges’ assignment of points to base the winners on the average rank. 3) In the event of ties from this method of assigning winners, a review of the points or any other appropriate means may be employed to make an equitable decision.
10/2013
8
THE RMA ARTICLE WRITING COMPETITION: OFFICIAL SCORING SHEET
Title of Article: Identification Number: Rating submitted by: This article should be read and scored using the following criteria and point award system. The maximum points that can be awarded are indicated in the first column. The points actually awarded by the judge are to be entered in the second column and then totaled at the bottom. Minimum point award is 1, not 0. POINTS
MAXIMUM AWARDED
POINTS
APPROPRIATENESS OF TOPIC (Total Weight of 20)
Does the topic relate to RMA’s primary area of interest, i.e., domestic and international commercial lending, credit administration, asset/liability management in banks and their affiliates, and matters closely related thereto?
20
WORTHWHILENESS OF TOPIC (Total Weight of 30)
Does the article make a reasonable contribution to the literature of commercial lending
by originality of topic?
15
by originality and brilliance of treatment?
15
SKILL IN PRESENTATION (Total Weight of 50)
Whatever the topic, has the writer covered all the major points, touched all the bases, and cited obvious authorities (as appropriate)?
20
Is the article well organized, in logical sequence, and easy to follow?
20
Quality of spelling, punctuation, and grammar?
10
TOTAL MAXIMUM POINTS
100
TOTAL AWARDED POINTS
Please rate each paper and return scoring sheets to:
10/2013
9
