First Port City Bank is proud to recognize Wil Giannars for his recent graduation from the prestigious Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University (LSU). Giannars was among 168 accomplished banking professionals who received their diplomas on May 30, 2025.
The Graduate School of Banking at LSU is a rigorous three-year program designed to deepen knowledge across all facets of banking, economics, and related financial subjects. This year’s graduating class included students representing 18 states and Mexico, reflecting the program’s broad reach and reputation for excellence.
Sponsored by 15 southern-state bankers associations in partnership with LSU’s Division of Continuing Education, the program requires three years of on-campus attendance, supplemented by extensive intersession bank study assignments. The curriculum includes 180 hours of classroom instruction, structured evening study, and comprehensive final examinations at the conclusion of each session.
The faculty, composed of over 50 leading bankers, business professionals, and educators from across the United States, provides students with a comprehensive and practical education designed to advance their careers and leadership within the banking industry.
Wil Giannars and his team were also the winners of the Bank Management Simulation. Each year, the seniors of GSBLSU participate in the Bank Management Simulation (BMSim), an intensive, computer-based capstone course designed to immerse students in the realities of bank leadership and strategic decision-making. This simulation challenges students to manage every major area of bank operations—from investments and funds management to loans, risk, and asset/liability management.
In BMSim, students are grouped into management teams across six simulated communities. Each team is handed the reins of a virtual bank with identical starting financial conditions and is tasked with navigating a two-year simulated operating period, broken into “quarterly” decision cycles. Throughout the course, teams make a wide range of strategic and tactical decisions, analyzing their impact through immediate, computerized feedback.
The culmination of this experience is a verbal presentation before a panel of judges—composed of real-world bank CEOs and regulatory professionals—who act as shareholders. These judges evaluate each team based on overall bank performance, earnings, leadership, and vision for the future. Most importantly, teams are judged on their ability to communicate their strategies and outcomes effectively, just as they would in front of real stakeholders.
At the conclusion of the simulation, one team from each community is named a winner. These top performers are recognized at graduation, along with the President and CEO of their sponsoring home bank, with a certificate and letter of recognition for their exceptional performance.
“We are incredibly proud of Wil for achieving this milestone,” said Scott Ewing, President/Chief Executive Officer. “His dedication to professional growth reflects the values we uphold at First Port City Bank, and we look forward to his continued contributions to our team and our community.”
