Board of Directors - Updated 6/2026
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Catherine Cook
President
From: Florida
Term: June 2026-2028
Collects: Primarily Spelter and Cast-Iron Figural Banks. Also collect Mechanical Banks and Celluloid Banks.
Why I collect banks: I love the history each bank tells as well as the workmanship that has gone into them.
My favorite bank: Hard to pick but both the Kingfisher and “Happy Hippo” compete for a top position! The attention to detail on the Kingfisher bank is spectacular and the Happy Hippo character makes me smile every time I look at it.
Why I belong to the SBCCA: Being a member of the SBCCA is an educational adventure. Nowhere else could I meet so many knowledgeable collectors who are so willing to give their time and expertise. Just as importantly, membership in the club has introduced me to people I now consider lifelong friends.
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Ken Russell
Vice-President
From: Kansas
Term: June 2026 – 2028
Collects:
Why I collect banks:
My favorite bank:
Why I belong to the SBCCA:
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Dick Soukup
Treasurer
From: Illinois
Term: Not Limited. Serving since 1992
Collects: Primarily cast iron architectural (building), figural and safe banks, and an assortment of other types that I like. Also have a large collection of dime celluloid pocket banks and a collection of Charity/Collection boxes (mostly from England).
Why I collect banks: I like the variety of types of building banks and the color variations of the painted building, figural and safe cast iron banks. The graphics on the front of the dime celluloid pocket banks and the promotional advice to savers on the reverse side of many of them are fascinating. I also find the variety of subject matters and types of materials (lithographed paper, wood, molded composite material) of the Charity/Collection boxes very interesting.
My favorite bank: Impossible to choose just one! For sure, the painted cast iron building, figural and safe banks are favorites. The condition and the color variations of the banks are more important than the rarity.
Why I belong to SBCCA: I deeply value the bank collector friendships that I have fostered over the past 40 years. I have grown from a novice collector who had the required 5 banks needed to join the Club in 1983 to an experienced advanced collector today. It has been a fantastic learning and most enjoyable experience that I would not trade for anything else. My wife and I especially enjoy the opportunity to visit other member’s homes during our annual convention to view their collections and see how they are displayed.
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Dave Jensen
Membership Chairman
From: Missouri
Term: Elected 2024
Collects: Cast Iron, Ceramic, Lead & Tin
Why I collect banks: I was drawn to still banks by the variety of materials and endless subjects that manufacturers used to make them.
My favorite bank: I like any bank that presents a window to the past and the intention to teach thrift with an attractive presentation.
Why I belong to SBCCA: In the SBCCA you can make contact with collectors who are friendly and willing to help grow your collection. Every level of collector is welcome. If you join, I would urge you to attend the annual convention where you will be welcomed to learn more about the hobby, buy, sell, trade banks and make new friends.eMail: djensensbc24@gmail.com
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Gene Marshall
Club Historian
From: Indiana
Term: Appointed
Why I Collect Banks: The find, after the thrill of the hunt.
My favorite still bank: Is the bank that was used in our church Sunday school class to collect coins from birthdays and regular donations.
Why I belong to the SBCCA: The hunt for banks and the annual meeting, where new friends are met and old friendships are rekindled.
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Linda Ferguson
Secretary
From: Ohio
Term: Appointed
Why I Collect Banks: I was born and have lived my entire life in Ravenna, Ohio where the AC Williams factory was located. I enjoy finding and bringing AC Williams still banks back home to Ravenna.
My favorite still bank: It’s hard to pick just one bank, but I especially like my wood patterns and transportation banks … cars, trolleys, and blimps.
Why I belong to the SBCCA: Attending the annual SBCA conventions has given me the opportunity to purchase great banks and learn from knowledgeable bank collectors from all over the country. The information on the club website and in the Penny Bank Post has been an additional bonus.
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Joyce Swope
Penny Bank Post Editor
From: Missouri
Term: Not limited. Serving since 2021
Why I Collect Banks: I like the look of cast iron banks, especially the architectural and animal banks, and I like the history related to them. Plus, there is always the thrill of the hunt!
My Favorite Bank: My favorite bank in my collection is the large Statue of Liberty bank. One of my favorite banks that I do not own but hope to one day is the General Butler bank.
Why I Belong To The SBCCA: I was introduced to the SBCCA by Ken Russell at a Kansas City toy show shortly after I discovered cast iron banks at an antique auction. Through the years the benefits of being a member have truly outweighed the costs. The club and club members have provided much more knowledge than I could have acquired on my own and the friends found through the group are priceless.
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Mike Holz
Website Administrator
From: Buffalo, NY expat currently living in Pennsylvania
Term: Not Limited. Has served since 2025
Why I Collect Banks: I collect cast iron banks, ceramic banks from Austria and Depositor Banks from Western NY savings banks.
My Favorite Bank: Cast Iron Safes, particularly those with advertising.
Why I Belong To The SBCCA: I have been a member since my early 20s. Moving around the country and traveling as much as I did for work over the next 20 years it was always nice to visit and connect with other collectors.
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Brett Balthrope
Board of Directors
From: Texas
Term: 2025-2027
Collects: cast iron building banks, cast iron mechanical banks, early American tin building banks, early American trade signs, early Texas pottery and furniture, antique Caucasian carpets
Why I collect banks: I have been a collector my entire life.
Favorite Bank: Boston State House, City Bank with Chimney
Why I belong to the SBCCA: Making contact with fellow collectors, buying and selling opportunities, learning more about banks, establishing life-long friendships.
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John Marquand
Board of Directors
From: Virginia
Term: 2025-2027
Collects: I collect all types of cast iron banks
Why I collect banks: The best answer to this question I have heard was from an old collector a long time ago who said, "I just like to look at them."
My favorite bank: Polish Rooster
Why I belong to the SBCCA: I joined the club to meet fellow collectors that share my passion for still banks.
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Mike Henry
Board of Directors
From: Illinois
Term: 2026 – 2028
Collects: Still Banks, primarily cast iron and ceramic. I also collect cast iron mechanical banks
Why I collect banks: I view them as works of art.
My favorite bank: Hard to pick just one, but I give the nod to the Two-faced Boy.
Why I belong to the SBCCA: Learning what I don’t know, sharing what I do. Visiting collections around the country, seeing new places and collecting collector-friends.
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Leon Weiss
Board of Directors
From: New Jersey
Term: 2026 - 2028
Collects: Still & Mechanical Banks and American Folk Art
Why I collect banks: I collect banks for several reasons. Their beauty and charm, their historical significance and because they were used by children to save for their future, to reach for their dreams.
My favorite still bank: The Old South Church bank.
Why I belong to the SBCCA: I belong to the SBCCA because I truly enjoy being in an organization of folks who share my collecting PASSION!
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Doug Ferguson
Board of Directors
From: Maryland
Term: 2026 – 2029
Collects:
Why I collect banks:
My favorite bank:
Why I belong to the SBCCA:
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Dale Wallman
Board of Directors
From:
Term: 2026 – 2029
Collects:
Why I collect banks:
My favorite bank:
Why I belong to the SBCCA:
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Bob Arp
Immediate Past President
Board of Directors
From: Nebraska
Term: 2026-2028
Collects: Cast iron still banks (most anything but architectural – no room for more!)
Why I collect banks: I have always been enamored with anything cast iron. When I realized there was a world of CI banks out there, I was hooked.
My favorite bank: Wow, that’s hard to say. I probably have two; the Basset Hound and the Hippo.
Why I belong to the SBCCA: The amount of knowledge I have gained from my membership has been amazing. I have also been able to acquire some wonderful banks at member gatherings. Plus making new friends from every corner of the country makes belonging a slam dunk.