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UNT Dallas Partners with Texas Capital Bank to Diversify Banking Talent Pool
TEXAS METRO NEWS — The partnership aims to equip students with the tools and skills necessary to compete in a highly competitive field while exposing them to Texas Capital Bank’s culture and career options, said Marci MacKay, executive director of talent management at Texas Capital Bank. The program is an opportunity for students to obtain American Banker Association’s Commercial Lending Certificate at UNT Dallas.
The post UNT Dallas Partners with Texas Capital Bank to Diversify Banking Talent Pool first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

By Ayesha Hana Shaji, Texas Metro News Staff
UNT Dallas and Texas Capital Bank have teamed up to offer students a Commercial Lending Certificate Program, providing a pathway for diverse students to find career paths in the financial services industry. Students will also have the opportunity to network with Texas Capital Bank officers, including their talent development and university recruiting teams. On Thursday, March 30, UNT Dallas welcomed Texas Capital Bank to their campus, officially launching their partnership and the program. UNT Dallas President Bob Mong, Effie Dennison, Managing Director of Texas Capital Bank, along with other executive members spoke at the event.
With the program already underway, the partnership aims to equip students with the tools and skills necessary to compete in a highly competitive field while exposing them to Texas Capital Bank’s culture and career options, said Marci MacKay, executive director of talent management at Texas Capital Bank. The program is an opportunity for students to obtain American Banker Association’s Commercial Lending Certificate at UNT Dallas.
It targets students and sets them up for success. A student who is in the program will have access to resume reviews and interview tips as well, MacKay said. Students who take the program will also be taken into consideration for internships with TCB. Effie Dennison, managing director of corporate responsibility at Texas Capital Bank said, the program targets diverse students and makes banking arenas more accessible to BIPOC students. TCB is currently present in three other HBCUs.
“When you look at this composition of [UNT Dallas] campus and their ability to want to incorporate this into their overall educational curriculum, it was just a no-brainer for us,” she said, adding that in typical HBCUs, careers in banking are void and students don’t know what it looks like. “We didn’t grow up with commercial bankers sitting next to us as a family friend, I can talk to us about it,” she said. “We’re planting the seeds for them to be able to not just be a banker, but to have a career path to excel in banking by having the tools this is the foundation right here…early in their careers.”
The program has been under the pipeline for two years and has 22 students enrolled currently. Mujtaba Zia, assistant professor and finance programs coordinator at UNT Dallas said, the Credit Analysis Program is available to UNT students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and can be completed as a track within finance, business and accounting majors. Zia said it covers fundamentals of banking, technical writing in banking, financial statement analysis, credit analysis, commercial lending and many more skills.
The program aims to level the playing field for students who are competing with universities that have schools of banking programs, Dennison said. This collaboration will provide students with the tools they need to compete on the same level, including the ABA certification that is highly recognized in the industry.
Mireya Cortez, a senior majoring in Finance and a program participant, said the program is helping her grow into the financial field, showing her all the possibilities of her degree. She said she’s grateful for the opportunity and being able to represent her school in a positive light. “I like to learn new things every day,” Cortez said. “It’s so interesting to learn, you know, all these new things related to banking.” Every bank is looking to scout top talent but being able to help cultivate, invest and grow that particularly diverse talent is even better, McKay said.
Ayesha Hana Shaji is a 2022 graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington, where she was on The Shorthorn staff. Email: http://www.ayeshahshaji@gmail.com
The post UNT Dallas Partners with Texas Capital Bank to Diversify Banking Talent Pool first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
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How to Use Credit Wisely
(NewsUSA) – As the holiday season approaches, more people are out shopping, searching crowded stores and online promotions for the best discounts, and using their credit cards to pay for it all. But beware the financial dangers of credit use — how you pay for these deals could safeguard your budget or lead to debt. […]
The post How to Use Credit Wisely first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional can help you guard against costly credit mistakes, paving the way for a financially sound festive season and beyond. Learn more about how to use credit in a way that works for you with the insights below.
Choose Your Credit Card Wisely
Whether you’re shopping for holiday gifts or purchasing necessities like groceries, the credit card you use can make a big difference. There are several factors to consider:
- Interest Rates. Rates generally run from 21-33%. The standard bank card charges at the low end of the range, and retailer credit cards (those typically with the store’s name on them) charge as much as 33%.
- Cash Back. Among the best deals are bank cards that offer cash back ranging from 1-4% of your purchase.
- Rewards Points. Some cards have rewards programs where you earn points that you can redeem for products or services. They may seem attractive but are worthwhile only if you’re actually interested in the rewards offered.
- Cash Discounts. While retailer credit cards have the highest rates, some offer big cash discounts at the point of purchase. That may be the only time they’re worth using.
Improving Your Credit Score
Boosting your credit score can help you qualify for the lowest available interest rates on auto loans, personal loans and mortgages. If you can, pay the full balance when your credit card bill arrives. But most importantly, never miss a payment. Paying on time not only avoids late fees, but also is a key factor in improving your credit score. The easy way to ensure timely payment is to set up automatic online payments.
A CFP® professional can help you develop other strategies to save money while improving your credit profile, including the following:
- Identifying which debt to pay down first.
- Switching to balance transfer cards that don’t charge interest for a year or longer.
- Converting high-interest debt with interest payments that are not tax-deductible to lower-interest debt whose interest payments are tax-deductible.
Establishing Credit
Lenders offer credit to people with a long and reliable credit history. Most young adults don’t have one. There are various ways to obtain credit, but steer clear of debit cards that claim they can help you build a credit history. When you consider the costs and requirements, they’re usually no bargain. You have better and cheaper options for establishing credit. Here are three of them:
- Get a secured credit card.
- If you have a student loan, make sure you’re up-to-date with payments.
- If you pay rent, ask your landlord to report your on-time payments to the credit bureaus.
The choices we make in managing credit can have a lasting impact on our financial journey. As you navigate the complex credit landscape, remember that CFP® professionals can offer tailored guidance for your unique circumstances. Whether it’s identifying strategic debt payments, exploring balance transfer options or establishing credit responsibly, a CFP® professional can provide a roadmap for achieving your financial goals. Find a CFP® professional today.
The post How to Use Credit Wisely first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
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Acura ZDX Type S features
LA Auto Show was the venus for the Acura ZDX Type S details.
The post Acura ZDX Type S features first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

LA Auto Show was the venus for the Acura ZDX Type S details.
The post Acura ZDX Type S features first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
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Subaru Forester exhibit LA Auto Show
LA Auto Show was the venue for the Subaru Forester. This was the most interesting display technologically.
The post Subaru Forester exhibit LA Auto Show first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

LA Auto Show was the venue for the Subaru Forester. This was the most interesting display technologically.
The post Subaru Forester exhibit LA Auto Show first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
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