Former Mid-Missouri Bank employees banned from banking

Scott Rosenthal, Frank McReynolds, Chris Couch and Kay Muskrat - all former employees at the 2230 E. 32nd St. Joplin branch of Mid-Missouri Bank - have been banned from participation in the banking and financial industry by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

The four were terminated from Mid-Missouri in April 2007 when the bank came under investigation by the Missouri Division of Finance, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., the FBI and the bank's bonding company.

Rosenthal, who was Joplin branch president, and Muskrat, a loan officer at the bank, were investigated for improper lending practices associated with deeds of trust and mortgages throughout the tri-state area, according to the FDIC. Couch and McReynolds - as well as Tim Langston, another loan officer - were also under investigation as associates. Langston has since been released of any association with the investigation.

Rosenthal was ordered to pay civil penalties of $62,500, while Couch and McReynolds were ordered to pay $50,000 and $13,500 respectively. Muskrat has not been ordered to pay any penalties.

All four agreed to the terms outlined by the FDIC. In the orders, the FDIC said the four bank employees had engaged or participated in violations of the law that would cause Mid-Missouri bank to suffer financial losses or other damage.[[In-content Ad]]