Independent Banker - January 2025 - 66

CONNECTIONS POWERING POTENTIAL
Certification Q&A: Arlene Cooper
Arlene Cooper, internal audit off icer at CNB Bank in Carlsbad, N.M., is a certified community bank internal
auditor (CCBIA) and certified community bank compliance off icer (CCBCO). She shares insights on compliance
challenges and her approach to upholding ethical standards at CNB Bank. Interview by Caitlin Billings
Q: What has your banking career
looked like thus far?
A: I started my banking career in late
2018 as a compliance administrator
at CNB Bank. In 2021, I accepted
the position of internal audit offi cer
for the bank, and I later earned my
CCBIA and CCBCO certifi cations
from ICBA.
Q: How do you make the most out
of your workday?
A: I use my Microsoft Outlook
calendar to prioritize tasks. I tackle
the most important and timesensitive
tasks fi rst, then move on
to lower priorities. My daily tasks
are guided by the internal audit risk
assessment. I follow the assessment's
requirements and make sure to
address every detail thoroughly.
Q: What's a challenge you're
currently facing, and how do you
address it?
A: The fi eld is constantly changing
with new risks and regulations;
keeping up and ensuring our audit
processes meet requirements can
be challenging. I stay updated by
attending conferences and engaging
in professional development.
Q: What advice do you have for
others in your role?
A: Take the " I want to be your
safe harbor " approach. It can be
tough for people to hear they're
not complying with a regulation.
Reassuring them you are not there
to reprimand but to educate makes a
huge diff erence.
Q: What is your favorite thing
about attending ICBA institutes
and conferences?
A: I love meeting new people and
hearing the stories and experiences
we all share. Making those
connections is so rewarding.
Q: How have your designations
affected your role at the bank?
A: My designations have helped
grant me the ability to make
positive changes and infl uence our
company's direction.
Caitlin Billings is a content marketing
specialist for ICBA.
Upcoming
certification
opportunities
ICBA Audit Certification
(CCBIA): Learn to establish
and maintain an eff ective
internal audit function within
a community bank, including
auditing basics, liabilities,
assets and information
systems. This event will be
held in Bloomington, Minn.,
May 4-9, or via livestream
Sept. 9-11 and 16-18.
" I love meeting new people [at
ICBA events] and hearing the
stories and experiences we all
share. Making those connections is
so rewarding. "
-ARLENE COOPER, CNB BANK
66 // ICBA Independent Banker // January 2025
ICBA Compliance
Certification (CCBCO):
Master regulatory compliance
areas for community
bank compliance off icers,
including lending, deposits
and operations. This event,
also held in Bloomington,
Minn., will run in-person Sept.
14-19 or via livestream June
3-5 and 10-12. Registration
opens soon.
Check icba.org/seminars
for updates.

http://www.icba.org/seminars

Independent Banker - January 2025

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