On Thursday morning, Columbus State University ’s D. Abbott Turner College of Business welcomed regional leaders in business, government and education to the Cunningham Center for the university’s annual Financial Forecast Breakfast. 

Dr. Deborah Kidder, dean of the Turner College of Business, presented findings from the college’s Butler Center for Business and Economic Leadership research findings on the local economy, including consumer buying trends and a business attitudes survey.

“The results of the survey for consumers and local business owners unfortunately were a bit pessimistic and there were several indicators that people are worried,” Kidder shared, “but one of the positive signs is the consistency in planned capital expenditures by local businesses, which suggests some confidence in the economy.”

Speaking on the future of banking, Synovus President and CEO Kevin Blair shared his perspective on how the bank relationships of the future will evolve from the branch model to serving customers with a new balance of high touch and high tech.

“With all the data and technology available, banks are all about building relationships,” he said. “I think one of the responsibilities of a bank is to help the customer manage their spending and financial planning by looking at the data and proactively coming to the customer with recommendations. Data and analytics will allow us to do that.”

The forum also highlighted the historic and inspiring collaboration between CSU and the business community, with students benefiting from the internships, practicums, and clinical partnerships to propel them from the classroom to becoming community and business leaders locally and around the globe.

“Through our many community partnerships, our students are putting theory into practice as they develop the skills that you, their future employers, value and that our communities need,” CSU President Chris Markwood said. “These partnerships enhance our academic programs and ensure they both meet the current needs of today’s workforce and the anticipated skills and knowledge required of the future.”

To learn more about the educational opportunities in the Turner College of Business, visit https://turner.columbusstate.edu.