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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                           MEDIA CONTACT

Alexis Daniel

Granado Communications Group

Office: 214.599.8467

Cell: 214.830.1949

alexis@granadopr.com

 

SWACHA TO HELP FIGHT CYBER-CRIMINALS IN NATIONWIDE CYBER ATTACK SIMULATION EXERCISE FOR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

More Than 600 Financial Institutions Anticipated to Participate in This Year’s Exercise.

 

            DALLAS, September 05, 2014 -- SWACHA, one of the largest not-for-profit regional payment associations in the country, has joined with Reston, Va.-based Financial Service-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (FS-ISAC) to support the 2014 Cyber Attack Against Payment Processes (CAPP) simulation exercise designed to help financial institutions assess their readiness to ward off cyber-attacks. This is the fifth year SWACHA has joined forces with FS-ISAC to sponsor this event. For two consecutive days on September 9-10 or September 16-17, hundreds of financial institutions across the country will respond to simulated cyber security attacks to assess their response procedures. The exercise is offered at no cost to qualified financial institutions.

            “The CAPP exercise is a highly realistic way to determine if your financial institution’s critical response team is able to effectively respond to cyber-attacks,” said Dennis Simmons, AAP, CEO of SWACHA. “As we have seen recently, staying ahead of potential threats is essential to protect financial institutions and their customers.”

            According to Simmons, more than 600 financial institutions participated in last year’s event, more than any other year since the exercise was launched in 2010. 

“According to a July report in The New York Times, a Russian gang was discovered to have the largest known collection of stolen internet credentials, consisting of 1.2 billion usernames and passwords, and more than 500 million email addresses, said Simmons. “It was reported the hackers amassed data on a wide range of businesses; from large entities to small business. It is clear cyber-criminals are continuing to advance their strategies and techniques. “Regulators are increasingly in favor of financial institutions participating in FS-ISAC exercises as they help measure and improve responses to cyber-attacks on electronic payment processes. As a leading resources on electronic payments, we want to try to assist financial institutions reduce their risks and we believe the CAPP exercise is one of the most effective ways to do that.”           

  

 

About SWACHA:

SWACHA is a leading not-for-profit Regional Payments Association celebrating 40 years of serving approximately 1,000 members across the Southwest.  SWACHA is the resource of choice for financial institutions and corporations in the areas of education, training, payments system risks and knowledge about electronic payments. For more information, visit:

Web:                       www.swacha.org

Facebook:             www.facebook.com/bringingpaymentstogether

Twitter:                   @SWACHA

 

About FS-ISAC:

Founded in 1999, FS-ISAC is constantly gathering reliable and timely information from financial services providers, commercial security firms, federal, state and local government agencies, law enforcement and other trusted resources; the FS-ISAC is now uniquely positioned to quickly disseminate physical and cyber threat alerts and other critical information to your organization. This information includes analysis and recommended solutions from leading industry experts.

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This year marks the Tenth Consecutive Year Abcarian Has Been Selected for this Honor

                                                                                                                          

The Dallas office of national labor and employment law firm Fisher & Phillips LLP announced today that Michael V. Abcarian, who is managing partner of the Dallas office, has been named to the 2014 Texas Super Lawyers® list. This marks the tenth consecutive year Abcarian has been selected for this honor.

Super Lawyer selections are based upon independent research and peer nominations from the Thomson Reuters-owned publication. Recognition in Super Lawyers demonstrates an exemplary degree of respect and professional achievement the lawyer has earned from peers, with no more than 5 percent of attorneys in Texas selected to appear on the list.

During more than 35 years of practice, Abcarian has handled hundreds of lawsuits in federal and state courts representing both private and public employers, large and small. He has worked on everything from large class actions and other complex litigation cases to individual plaintiff cases. Abcarian, who has not lost a lawsuit since 1996, appears frequently before agencies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, the National Labor Relations Board, and the U.S. Department of Labor. Abcarian is a sought-after speaker and a prolific author on labor and employment law issues.

“I’m honored to receive this recognition,” said Abcarian. “At Fisher & Phillips, we work very hard to serve our clients with the utmost skill and dedication. It is rewarding to know that my peers and colleagues see and appreciate that body of work over time.”

The full list of Texas Super Lawyers is featured in the Super Lawyers magazine as well as the September issue of Texas Monthly.

 

About Fisher & Phillips LLP (www.laborlawyers.com)

Fisher & Phillips LLP is a law firm committed to taking a practical, businesslike approach to solving labor and employment problems for employers. Labor and employment law is all the firm does, offering deep and broad knowledge and experience in the area of the law the attorneys know best. Fisher & Phillips attorneys help clients avoid legal problems, are dedicated to providing exceptional client service, and are there when you need them. The firm has 300 attorneys in 31 offices. In addition to Dallas, the offices are in Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbia, Columbus, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Gulfport, Houston, Irvine, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, New England, New Jersey, New Orleans, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Tampa, and Washington, D.C.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                 MEDIA CONTACT               

                                                                                          Alexis Daniel

Granado Communications Group

Office: 214.599.8467

alexis@granadopr.com

 

 

SWACHA IS NOW CERTIFIED BY THE ELECTRONIC CHECK CLEARING HOUSE ORGANIZATION TO OFFER EXAM TRAINING FOR THE NATIONAL CHECK PAYMENTS CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

 

DALLAS, August 21, 2014 – Dallas-based SWACHA announced today it has been certified by the Electronic Check Clearing House Organization (ECCHO) to teach training classes for the National Check Payments CertificationTM Program. SWACHA, one of the country’s largest not-for-profit electronic payments associations, is able to provide this training as a sponsoring member of ECCHO.

SWACHA will offer exam-prep training sessions covering all aspects of the electronic check payment system including products and operations, applicable rules that govern checks, industry standards and the mitigation of fraud and risk.

“ECCHO’s National Check Payments Certification TM is an important designation in our industry as it recognizes an elevated level of payments expertise, said Laura Steele, AAP, SWACHA president and COO. “As one of the leading resources for information and training on electronic payments, we are always looking for ways to educate our members so they can increase their knowledge and understanding of the industry. We believe that giving our members the support they need to help them pass ECCHO’s rigorous exam is not only important to our mission, but will increase the number of members who carry this prestigious designation”

 

About SWACHA

SWACHA is a leading not-for-profit Regional Payments Association celebrating 40 years of serving approximately 1,000 members across the Southwest.  SWACHA is the resource of choice for financial institutions and corporations in the areas of education, training, payments system risks and knowledge about electronic payments. For more information, visit:

Web:                www.swacha.org

Facebook:        www.facebook.com/bringingpaymentstogether

Twitter:                        @SWACHA

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Editor’s note: This is an update to information distributed July 2, 2014.

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Fisher & Phillips LLP announced today that two Dallas attorneys, alongside 84 from 25 additional offices, have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2015® (Copyright 2014 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, S.C.). Michael V. Abcarian, managing partner in the Dallas office, and Michael P. Royal, partner in the Dallas office, who specialize in labor and employment law, were honored for their work.

 

“It’s a privilege to receive this recognition from my peers,” said Abcarian. “It is gratifying to know that others in the industry have taken note of the time and hard work we put forth in serving our clients.”

 

Below is the full list of Fisher & Phillips selected to The Best Lawyers in America 2015.

 

In addition, six lawyers from the firm have been named Best Lawyers' 2015 “Lawyers of the Year.” The designation is indicated by each of their names.

 

Atlanta

D. Albert Brannen

Burton F. Dodd

Donald B. Harden

C. L. “Tex” McIver

Ann Margaret Pointer

Roger K. Quillen

Thomas P. Rebel

Douglas R. Sullenberger

John E. Thompson,

Kim Kiel Thompson, Immigration Law

Joshua H. Viau

Marion Walker

James M. Walters

 

Boston

Joseph W. Ambash

 

Charlotte

Mason G. Alexander

Kevin J. Dalton

 

Chicago

Craig R. Annunziata

 

Cleveland

Terry E. Lardakis

Richard A. Millisor

Steven M. Nobil (20 years listed)

Daniel P. O’Brien – Workers’ Compensation Law - Employers

David E. Schreiner

 

Columbia, SC

Cheryl L. Behymer

Michael D. Carrouth

G. Daniel Ellzey

Fred Manning II, Litigation - ERISA

Stephen C. Mitchell

Jonathan P. Pearson, Labor Law - Management “Lawyer of the Year”

J. Hagood Tighe, Litigation – Labor & Employment “Lawyer of the Year”

Karen Luchka Wingo

 

Columbus

David P. Hiller

Robert M. Robenalt

 

Dallas

Michael V. Abcarian

Michael P. Royal

 

Denver

Todd A. Fredrickson

Darin L. Mackender

Susan M. Schaecher

 

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Suzanne Bogdan

David A. Buchsbaum

Charles S. Caulkins, Employment Law - Management “Lawyer of the Year”

James C. Polkinghorn

Christopher D. Robinson

Cathy M. Stutin

 

Gulfport, MS

Steven R. Cupp

 

Irvine, CA

Karl R. Lindegren

James J. McDonald, Jr.

Warren L. Nelson

John M. Polson

 

Kansas City, MO

J. Randall Coffey

Brian J. Finucane, Employment Law – Management “Lawyer of the Year”

James R. Holland II

 

Las Vegas

Scott M. Mahoney

Mark J. Ricciardi (10+ years listed)

 

Louisville

George D. Adams

Thomas J. Birchfield

Cynthia Blevins Doll

Raymond C. Haley III

Jeffrey A. Savarise

Craig P. Siegenthaler

 

Memphis

Jeff Weintraub (20 years listed)

 

New Jersey

Rosemary S. Gousman

Cynthia M. Jacob (20 years listed), Appellate Practice

Christopher H. Mills

 

New Orleans

Sandra Mills Feingerts (20 years listed), Employee Benefits Law

Edward F. Harold

Robert K. McCalla (25 years listed)

Michael S. Mitchell

Keith M. Pyburn, Jr. (15 years listed), Litigation – Labor & Employment “Lawyer of the Year”

Timothy H. Scott

 

Orlando

Jeffrey E. Mandel (15 years listed)

Benton N. Wood

 

Philadelphia

J. Freedley Hunsicker, Jr. (20 years listed)

 

Portland, ME

Melinda J. Caterine

Elizabeth A. Olivier, Labor Law - Management “Lawyer of the Year”

Jonathan Shapiro

David A. Strock

Eric J. Uhl

 

Portland, OR

Clarence M. Belnavis

Richard R. Meneghello

 

San Antonio

Robert Kilgore

 

San Diego

Christopher C. Hoffman

David B. Monks

 

San Francisco

Timothy J. Murphy (25years listed)

 

Tampa

Steven M. Bernstein

Theresa M. Gallion

Christine E. Howard

 

About Best Lawyers

Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey. More than 52,000 leading attorneys cast more than 5.5 million votes on the legal abilities of other lawyers in their practice areas. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. Corporate Counsel magazine has called Best Lawyers “the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice.”

 

About Fisher & Phillips LLP (www.laborlawyers.com)

Fisher & Phillips LLP is a law firm committed to taking a practical, businesslike approach to solving labor and employment problems for employers. Labor and employment law is all the firm does, offering deep and broad knowledge and experience in the area of the law the attorneys know best. Fisher & Phillips attorneys help clients avoid legal problems, are dedicated to providing exceptional client service, and are there when you need them. The firm has 300 attorneys in 31 offices. In addition to Dallas, the offices are in Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbia, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Gulfport, Houston, Irvine, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, New England, New Jersey, New Orleans, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Tampa, and Washington, D.C.

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Dallas-based SWACHA – The Electronic Payments Resource®, one of the largest not-for-profit electronic payment resources in the country, announced today that John Cogdill has been hired as Director of Member Sales and Services.

Cogdill comes to SWACHA with more than 12 years of experience in Treasury/Cash Management, ATM network administrations, risk management and assessments, audit organization, daily operations of ACH and Wires and debit card/check processing. Prior to joining SWACHA he was Treasury Management Representative with First American Bank in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He received his Accredited ACH Professional (AAP) designation in 2011 and has served as a member of an Operational Risk Committee with First American Bank of Artesia, NM which oversaw and monitored risk of Commercial ACH Originators.

“John’s vast understanding of banking, risk management and electronic payments will be a valuable asset to SWACHA,” said Laura Steele, AAP, president and COO of SWACHA. “We are excited to welcome him on board.”

As the newest addition to SWACHA’s member services team, Cogdill’s focus will be on outreach to banks, credit unions and other financial institutions to provide insights and assistance pertaining to electronic payments, and to promote the superior services and educational benefits provided by SWACHA to its members.

Cogdill is a 2002 graduate of New Mexico State University with Bachelor of Business Administration and Economics.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                         MEDIA CONTACT

Alexis Daniel

Granado Communications Group

Office: 214.599.8467

 alexis@granadopr.com 

 

 

 

SWACHA CELEBRATES 40 YEARS AS A LEADING

ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS RESOURCE

SWACHA Will Commemorate its Anniversary with an Open House on July 9th

 

DALLAS, July 1, 2014 – Dallas-based SWACHA is set to celebrate its 40th anniversary on Wednesday, July 9, 2014, with a reception from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at its headquarters located at 1999 Bryan Street, Suite 3600, Dallas, Texas 75201. SWACHA is one of the largest not-for-profit electronic payments associations in the country.

“We are excited to honor our history and our future as we celebrate this 40th anniversary,” said Laura Steele, AAP, president and COO of SWACHA. “SWACHA has stayed true to its roots for 40 years providing our members with a sense of stability about who we are and confidence in what we provide. While our 40th anniversary is very important to us, we are just as excited about our plans to continue to support our members with education, products and expertise across the full spectrum of electronic payments.”

 

A Look Back

SWACHA began in 1974 with eight board members from respected, local banks including Republic National Bank of Dallas, First National Bank of Dallas, Fort Worth National Bank and Mercantile National Bank at Dallas. They set out with the mission to form an organization that would anticipate and meet the electronic payment needs of financial institutions. SWACHA has since grown to include 15 elected board members and nearly 20 employees, but the original mission continues to ring true today.

In 1999, SWACHA was the first Regional Payments Association to host teleseminar training. Then, in a continued effort to better educate members on electronic payments services, SWACHA launched the ACH Certification Program. The program aims to prepare members for the Accredited ACH Professional (AAP) test, one of the highest honors payments professionals can earn.

Throughout the years, SWACHA has continued to launch exceptional programs that provide members with industry knowledge, including online training through video classes, webinars, and its Executive Leadership Payments Summit, a conference addressing the challenges and opportunities facing the electronic payments industry leaders.

In addition to quality training programs, SWACHA has offered many other products and services to its members and the industry during its 40-year history. It teamed up with the FBI in 1995 to launch the first Financial Institution Crime Day, which has become an annual event offering those in the financial industry the tools needed to strengthen their defenses against the most current trends in fraud relevant to each individual area. It began in Houston in 1995, but has since spread to San Antonio, Albuquerque, and New Orleans.

SWACHA also offers a scholarship program for The NACHA Payments Institute. To date, SWACHA has awarded more than $130,000 to employees of SWACHA members. Members also have access to the Payments Answerline™, a toll-free number which allows members immediate access to a SWACHA professional who can answer questions about electronic payments.

 

 “We are proud of our past and the many successes achieved to this point,” said Steele. “However, we are eager to continue to discover innovative ways to educate and protect our members as we embark on our bright future. As the industry changes and evolves, so will SWACHA.”    

 

About SWACHA:

SWACHA is a leading not-for-profit Regional Payments Association celebrating 40 years of serving approximately 1,000 members across the Southwest.  SWACHA is the resource of choice for financial institutions and corporations in the areas of education, training, payments system risks and knowledge about electronic payments. For more information, visit:

Web:                www.swacha.org

Facebook:        www.facebook.com/bringingpaymentstogether

Twitter:              @SWACHA

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Mabcarian.jpg Michael V. Abcarian is the managing partner of labor and employment law firm Fisher & Phillips' Dallas office.

Summer Wardrobes May Reveal Too Much Including, For Some, Unwanted Tattoos

 

It is hot, hot, hot in Texas and many employers are left to decide whether to crank up the A/C, or relax the dress code policy and risk turning up the heat in the office with skimpier wardrobes that may show more than they want to see, including, for some, unwelcome tattoos.

 

The number of Americans sporting tattoos has risen dramatically in the last few years. In fact, a 2013 study by Pew Research Center shows that 14 percent of Americans now have at least one tattoo, and that statistic increases to 40 percent among adults ages 26 to 40.

 

“Addressing tattoos may be new territory for many employers,” said Michael V. Abcarian, managing partner of labor and employment law firm Fisher & Phillips’ Dallas office. “If tattoos are an issue for an employer, it is important they develop a policy based on the company’s best interests. Additionally, the policy may need to outline what is appropriate for different positions within the company. A no-visible tattoo policy may be appropriate for positions in customer service, but not for those who have no customer contact. Employers should also remember that some tattoos may have a religious affiliation, which may require an exception to the policy. Other than tattoos that have religious ties, tattoo and summer dress code policies should be consistently enforced for both men and women.”

 

If tattoos and summer hemlines cross the line between office-appropriate and too revealing, employers need to know what may be considered discriminatory behavior when enforcing dress code compliance.

 

Here are a few tips for employers as they decide how to handle their company’s summer dress code:

  • Have a written dress code policy detailing what is acceptable and unacceptable, with examples.
  • Communicate policies with all employees. It is often helpful to require employees to sign a form acknowledging the policies.
  • Consistently enforce policies; only make exceptions when you are compelled to do so in order to reasonably accommodate employees based on a protected class (religion, ethnicity, etc.). 
  • Enforce the same, or similar, policies for both men and women. If it is absolutely necessary to include different standards, make sure neither sex faces a greater burden.
  • If there is a need to address the wardrobe of the opposite sex, it is typically best to have a person of the same sex as the employee present in order to avoid liability.

 

Smart employers will communicate and implement policies before issues arise, lest a wayward employee claim that the rules unfairly target them.  When reviewing or forming a dress code, be sure it is reasonable, nondiscriminatory, and founded on legitimate business needs.  This way you can beat the summer heat, without getting burned by a cold employee.

 

 

About Fisher & Phillips LLP (http://www.laborlawyers.com)

Fisher & Phillips LLP is a national law firm committed to providing practical business solutions for employers’ workplace legal problems. Labor and employment law is all the firm does, offering deep and broad knowledge and experience in the area of the law the attorneys know best. Fisher & Phillips attorneys help clients avoid legal problems, are dedicated to providing exceptional client service, and are there when you need them. The firm has 300 attorneys in 31 offices. In addition to Dallas, the offices are in Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbia, Columbus, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Gulfport, Houston, Irvine, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, New England, New Jersey, New Orleans, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Tampa, and Washington, D.C.

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                                                                                             MEDIA CONTACT          

Alexis Daniel            

Granado Communications Group           

Office: 214.599.8467          

alexis@granadopr.com         

 

 

SWACHA AND THE ALBUQUERQUE FBI JOIN FORCES TO HOST THE

10th ANNUAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTION CRIME DAY

New Mexico Ranked 28th In The Country For Fraud

 

DALLAS AND ALBUQUERQUE, NM, May 22, 2014 -- Dallas-based SWACHA will team up with the Albuquerque office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on May 29, 2014 to host the 10th Annual Financial Institution Crime Day to help local banks, credit unions and other financial institutions reduce their exposure to fraud. SWACHA is one of the largest not-for-profit electronic payments associations in the country.

The conference is designed for fraud and security professionals, compliance officers at financial institutions and law enforcement officials in the Criminal Intelligence and White Collar Crime Departments. It will cover issues such as white collar crime, bank robbery trends, fraud and risk management, bulk cash smuggling, and cyber-crime trends in New Mexico as well as nationally.

“It is obvious that fraud has become an increasingly popular form of financial crime, and it is our hope that by better preparing and educating financial institutions we will help combat this security issue,” said Laura Steele, AAP, president and COO of SWACHA. 

New Mexico was ranked 28th in the country in 2012 and 2013 for complaints reported on fraud according to the Federal Trade Commission’s annual Consumer Sentinel Network Report.

“The FBI is committed to working with SWACHA to defeat criminals who would rob the savings and investments of hard-working Americans who rely on the security of banks and credit unions,” said Carol Lee, FBI Special Agent in Charge.

The event will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.at the Tanoan Country Club, 10801 Academy Rd. Albuquerque, NM 87111, and will cover topics including:

  • Albuquerque Ponzi Scheme Case Study presented by David Backlund, Special Agent with the FBI
  • Prepaid Access Cards – Bulk Cash Smuggling presented by James Wilson, Special Agent in Charge of Border Violence
  • Mortgage Fraud Case Study presented by Jack Howard, Special Agent with the FBI

 

 

About SWACHA:

SWACHA is a not- for-profit Regional Payments Association celebrating 40 years of serving approximately 1,000 members across the Southwest.  SWACHA is the resource of choice for financial institutions and corporations in the areas of education, training, payments system risks and knowledge about electronic payments. For more information, visit:

Web:                www.swacha.org

Facebook:        www.facebook.com/bringingpaymentstogether

Twitter:              @SWACHA

 

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 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                         MEDIA CONTACT

                                                                                                                                       Alexis Daniel   

Granado Communications Group   

Office: 214.599.8467   

Cell:  214.830.1949   

alexis@granadopr.com   

  

 

SWACHA ANNOUNCES NACHA’S THE PAYMENTS INSITUTE 2014 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

SWACHA’s Scholarship Program Has Awarded More Than $130,000 Since Its Inception in 2001

 DALLAS, May 20, 2014 -- Dallas-based SWACHA, one of the largest not-for-profit electronic payments associations in the country, announced today the recipients for its 2014 scholarships for NACHA’s The Payments Institute. This marks the 14th year SWACHA has provided scholarships, and the 10th year for its most prestigious scholarship, the Keith Daniels Memorial Scholarship. Since the program’s inception, SWACHA has awarded more than $130,000 through its scholarship program.

            “We want to congratulate the recipients for their hard work in the industry and hope their participation at The Payments Institute will help them gain the knowledge they need to succeed in the banking industry, “ said Laura Steele, AAP, president and COO of SWACHA. “Education has always been a high priority for SWACHA; it is our hope that through this scholarship program the participants will gain the information they need to stay competitive for a future in the industry.”

              SWACHA’s scholarship program, which awards more than $10,000 annually, is open to employees of financial institutions that are members of SWACHA. The scholarships recognize professionals involved in the facilitation of electronic payments who demonstrate a high level of knowledge in payments systems and show continued interest and involvement in the industry. The Keith Daniels Memorial Scholarship winner, named after the former SWACHA Board member who was known for his commitment to customer service and financial education, is chosen for a similar high standard of customer service in the industry.

 NACHA’s The Payments Institute will be held at the Emory University Conference Center Hotel in Atlanta, GA, July 20-23. The conference is a university-style program meant to help financial professionals strengthen their knowledge of all payment systems and the most important topics currently surrounding the industry.

A Blue Ribbon selection panel made up of distinguished SWACHA members chose this year’s scholarship winners.

2014 Keith Daniels Memorial Scholarship winner:

  • Adam Ortega, SVP, Heritage USA Federal Credit Union, Midland TX 

The Keith Daniels Memorial Scholarship provides tuition, room and board along with a travel allowance. 

2014 NACHA’s The Payments Institute Scholarship winners:

  • Julie Campos, Generations Community FCU, San Antonio, TX
  • Mike Simpson, Austin Bank, Texas N.A., Kilgore, TX
  • Bertha Martinez, First Light FCU, El Paso, TX 

Each general scholarship recipient receives tuition, room and board. 

                           

About SWACHA:

SWACHA is a not- for-profit Regional Payments Association celebrating 40 years of serving approximately 1,000 members across the Southwest.  SWACHA is the resource of choice for financial institutions and corporations in the areas of education, training, payments system risks and knowledge about electronic payments. For more information, visit:

Web:                www.swacha.org

Facebook:        www.facebook.com/bringingpaymentstogether

Twitter:              @SWACHA

 

 

 

About The NACHA Payments Institute

The NACHA Payments Institute provides an intensive curriculum aimed at helping financial professionals achieve a higher understanding of the payments system. The Payments Institute is not a conference, rather it is a university-style program focused on continuing education for industry professionals, providing targeted education on the payments industry’s most important topics.

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ARE YOUR COMPANY’S INTERNS ACTUALLY EMPLOYEES?

Not Compensating Summer Interns May Lead to Lawsuits

 

Everyone loves a good summer intern, but are you unknowingly taking advantage of their efforts by not paying them when you should be? 

 

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, approximately 96.9 percent of employers are expected to hire interns and/or co-op students this year. And although there are no official records regarding the number of paid versus unpaid interns, it is likely many students will be “working” this summer in unpaid internships. Companies currently offering such opportunities to students would be wise to review the internship requirements published by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and evaluate such programs carefully, given that the number of lawsuits claiming unpaid wages being brought against employers is sharply on the rise. One of the most visible of these was the 2012 lawsuit against The Charlie Rose Show on PBS in which interns claimed they should have been classified as employees. As a result, about 189 interns recovered approximately $250,000 in claimed back pay losses. Following that lawsuit, at least 30 large corporations were sued by former interns making similar arguments.    

 

“Unpaid internship programs should be structured and operated to benefit the intern, not the employer,” said Michael V. Abcarian, managing partner in the Dallas office of labor and employment law firm Fisher & Phillips. “It is important for employers to keep in mind that such programs should not displace or be a substitute for regular employee work. The purpose of the program must generally have a training objective in mind, whether the intern ever becomes employed by you or not. Failure to abide these requirements can expose an employer to costly consequences.”

 

The Intern Test

To help clarify this area, employers must be mindful of a six-factor test, developed by the DOL, which is used to determine whether interns are actually employees who should be paid for their work. In doing so, it is important to note that generally all six criteria must be met in order to validate an unpaid internship program.

  • The training is similar to vocational school, containing a significant educational component.
  • The training is primarily for the benefit of the intern.
  • Interns do not displace regular employees, but instead work under their close supervision.
  • The company derives no immediate advantage from the intern's activities.
  • Interns are not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of training.
  • Interns understand they are not entitled to wages.

 

The Results

If even one box remains unchecked, you might have to pony up in a claim for unpaid wages. The consequences of a non-compliance finding by the DOL could be considerable, as your company may end up owing back wages, including possible overtime pay, to past and present interns.

 

 

About Fisher & Phillips LLP (www.laborlawyers.com)

Fisher & Phillips LLP is a law firm committed to taking a practical, businesslike approach to solving labor and employment problems for employers. Labor and employment law is all the firm does, offering deep and broad knowledge and experience in the area of the law the attorneys know best. Fisher & Phillips attorneys help clients avoid legal problems, are dedicated to providing exceptional client service, and are there when you need them. The firm has 300 attorneys in 31 offices. In addition to Dallas, the offices are in Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbia, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Gulfport, Houston, Irvine, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, New England, New Jersey, New Orleans, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Tampa, and Washington, D.C.