It was very interesting to see this blending of technology and long-standing cultural tradition. On the other reservation, I visited a very impressive community college. In both cases I met with the Indian leadership and bankers, and had a good opportunity to explore ways to facilitate more effective relationships between banks and the reservations. Most of the time on these trips I'm looking at urban areas, and this is one of the first times that I've seen these challenges in more rural communities. I think I understand better the need for a two-way education process.
Bankers have to be better educated about tribal law and about how the tribal court systems work.
Also, tribes need to be better educated about what banks need to make loans-on Indian reservations or anyplace else. In the complete interview, Meyer discusses a wide range of topics from his professional life as a member of the Board of Governors to current changes in the banking industry. Dave Fettig, editor of The Region , conducted the interview with Governor Meyer. Margaret Tyndall is community affairs manager at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.