Bankers Digest History
On June 15, 1942, J. W. Pinson published the first issue of Bankers Digest from his office in Dallas. In preparing this web page we enjoyed combing the library of past issues to draw from them a history of the publication.
We were not surprised to find that the current magazine follows closely Mr. Pinson's idea of what Southwestern bankers look for in this weekly magazine. Our aim has been to hold closely to his mission because it is one that has proved successful over many years.
Following is part of the mission statement he wrote for the first magazine.
"BANKERS DIGEST makes its debut with this issue to bankers of the Southwest. It will be published each week as a bank newspaper. "Seldom, perhaps never, in American history has the banker, in his capacity of advisor to all business, had greater need for a tersely edited roundup at frequent intervals of financial and business intelligence. BANKERS DIGEST proposes to meet that need.
"Of constant interest to bankers is news of other bankers... BANKERS DIGEST will be tersely edited so that the reader can note quickly the items of interest to him...
"Things are moving fast nowadays. BANKERS DIGEST will be timely, reaching its readers every Monday morning with news of banks and bankers, with pertinent information bearing upon the banking business.
"This initial issue is designed to give an ideal of the goal toward which we are striving. We realize, of course, that it is not a perfect issue. We expect to polish constantly, to make improvements with every successive issue. Suggestions from readers are solicited and will be appreciated."
Succeeding years have seen refinements in the magazine's layout and printing, but the great change began in the late 1970s when the number of Southwestern banks soared to almost 3,500, and the magazine increased from 12 and 16 pages to 24 and 28. The regulators frequently published long lists of new bank charter applications and approvals. The trend continued until the late 1980s when the list of bank failures began to look as long as the list of new bank openings of a few short years before.
Bankers Digest grew and then contracted along with the banking industry, all the while keeping bankers informed about other bankers, the new trends of branching, mergers and acquisitions in a consolidating industry, technology and new products and services.
The first half century saw a beneficial partnership develop between Bankers Digest and Southwestern bankers. We sincerely hope the next half will see that partnership continue to flourish.
Bankers Digest Principals
Bonnie Jamison Blackman, publisher and editor, began working for
Robert M. Pinson as editor of Bankers Digest in October 1976. In 1988, she and husband Gib Blackman bought the publication.
Bonnie earned a BA degree from the University of Arkansas and an MA degree from SMU. She has been a teacher of writing and literature. Bonnie has been an active volunteer for a variety of education and service organizations and has served as chairman of the board of the Gladney Center for Adoption in Fort Worth.
R. Gilbert Blackman, Jr., managing editor and business manager, worked as a Texas banker for ten years and ran a Small Business Development Center for the SBA for several years. He earned a BA degree and an MBA degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He has coached girls and boys soccer, softball and baseball, and is a volunteer with Boy Scouts.
The Blackman family are active members of Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas.
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