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The Oregon Bankers Association (OBA) Education Foundation (“Foundation”) presented Roger Busse with the 2025 Financial Education Champion Award during a banking industry event held on Dec. 11 in Portland. Presented every other year, this award honors an individual or organization whose commitment to financial education is strengthening Oregon’s future. Busse’s impact stands out as truly exceptional. Roger Busse currently serves as the James F. and Shirley J. Rippey Professor of Practice at the University of Oregon’s (UO) Lundquist College of Business—a role he embraced after completing a distinguished 47-year banking career. His industry leadership included serving as president and CEO of Pacific Continental Bank, and in recognition of his contributions to the banking sector and his community, he was inducted into the Oregon Bankers Hall of Fame in 2018. In addition to his work in education, Busse serves on the board of directors of Citizens Bank in Corvallis, further demonstrating his ongoing commitment to the banking profession. Since transitioning into education, Busse has devoted his second act to preparing the next generation of bankers. Over the past five years, he has taught more than 1,195 students through the Foundation-supported commercial banking program at the University of Oregon. Demand for his course has surged, with the university now offering two full sections every term and a waitlist exceeding 40 students this fall alone. His classroom has become one of the most effective banking talent pipelines in the state. More than 28% of his students—over 335 graduates—have gone on to careers in banking, one of the highest career-placement outcomes of any individual course of any size at any university. This level of impact has made Busse’s program one of Oregon’s most reliable sources of emerging bank talent. Busse’s success stems from intentional collaboration with Oregon banks, ensuring students learn practical, real-world banking skills that translate directly to the workplace. His passion for mentorship has led many students to cite his course as the moment they discovered a calling to the profession. In 2023, his commitment to teaching excellence was recognized with the University of Oregon’s Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award. Beyond his work at UO, Busse also extends his expertise to students at Oregon State University and George Fox University, broadening the reach of quality banking education across the state. “Roger exemplifies everything the Financial Education Champion Award represents,” said OBA President and CEO Scott Bruun. “His generosity, expertise, and deep belief in banking as a community-serving profession are shaping stronger students, stronger communities, and a stronger future for Oregon banking.” The OBA Education Foundation congratulates Roger Busse on this well-deserved honor. 2025 Financial Education Champion Award recipient Roger Busse accepting his award during a banking industry event held on Dec. 11 in Portland. Roger Busse (center), joined by his Citizens Bank colleagues during his award presentation. Pictured (left to right) are Cameron Howell, EVP and chief financial officer; Brad Webster, EVP and chief banking officer; Kate Salyers, EVP and chief credit officer; and Gordon Zimmerman, president and CEO.
The Oregon Bankers Association (OBA) Education Foundation (“Foundation”) presented Roger Busse with the 2025 Financial Education Champion Award during a banking industry event held on Dec. 11 in Portland. Presented every other year, this award honors an individual or organization whose commitment to financial education is strengthening Oregon’s future. Busse’s impact stands out as truly exceptional.
Roger Busse currently serves as the James F. and Shirley J. Rippey Professor of Practice at the University of Oregon’s (UO) Lundquist College of Business—a role he embraced after completing a distinguished 47-year banking career. His industry leadership included serving as president and CEO of Pacific Continental Bank, and in recognition of his contributions to the banking sector and his community, he was inducted into the Oregon Bankers Hall of Fame in 2018. In addition to his work in education, Busse serves on the board of directors of Citizens Bank in Corvallis, further demonstrating his ongoing commitment to the banking profession.
Since transitioning into education, Busse has devoted his second act to preparing the next generation of bankers. Over the past five years, he has taught more than 1,195 students through the Foundation-supported commercial banking program at the University of Oregon. Demand for his course has surged, with the university now offering two full sections every term and a waitlist exceeding 40 students this fall alone.
His classroom has become one of the most effective banking talent pipelines in the state. More than 28% of his students—over 335 graduates—have gone on to careers in banking, one of the highest career-placement outcomes of any individual course of any size at any university. This level of impact has made Busse’s program one of Oregon’s most reliable sources of emerging bank talent.
Busse’s success stems from intentional collaboration with Oregon banks, ensuring students learn practical, real-world banking skills that translate directly to the workplace. His passion for mentorship has led many students to cite his course as the moment they discovered a calling to the profession. In 2023, his commitment to teaching excellence was recognized with the University of Oregon’s Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award.
Beyond his work at UO, Busse also extends his expertise to students at Oregon State University and George Fox University, broadening the reach of quality banking education across the state.
“Roger exemplifies everything the Financial Education Champion Award represents,” said OBA President and CEO Scott Bruun. “His generosity, expertise, and deep belief in banking as a community-serving profession are shaping stronger students, stronger communities, and a stronger future for Oregon banking.”
The OBA Education Foundation congratulates Roger Busse on this well-deserved honor.
2025 Financial Education Champion Award recipient Roger Busse accepting his award during a banking industry event held on Dec. 11 in Portland.
Roger Busse (center), joined by his Citizens Bank colleagues during his award presentation. Pictured (left to right) are Cameron Howell, EVP and chief financial officer; Brad Webster, EVP and chief banking officer; Kate Salyers, EVP and chief credit officer; and Gordon Zimmerman, president and CEO.