Sanna Griffith of Merchants and Planters Bank (Image provided by Merchants and Planters Bank)
Sanna Griffith of Merchants and Planters Bank in Newport was among 83 students who graduated from the Paul W. Barret, Jr. Graduate School of Banking, school officials announced.
The graduation ceremony capped off the school’s session, which was held May 17–22 on the campus of Christian Brothers University in Memphis.
Mike Hobbs, chairman of the Board of Regents of the Paul W. Barret, Jr. School of Banking, spoke at the graduation ceremony and congratulated the graduates on behalf of the board.
To complete the three-year curriculum, graduates received in excess of 200 hours of instruction and prepared in-depth reports in eight areas of study. The program is designed to provide a high degree of understanding of all commercial banking functions.
The 2026 session drew 230 financial industry professionals from 30 states.
In addition to their coursework, participants and invited guests attended the annual Paul W. Barret, Jr. Lecture Series event, which featured an address by Darren Woodson, a three-time Super Bowl champion and business leader.
The Paul W. Barret, Jr. Graduate School of Banking has been providing advanced banking education for 55 years.
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