Safety deposit expert offers a wealth of knowledge

By VALERIE SWEETEN
CHRONICLE CORRESPONDENT
David McGuinn, a Jersey Village resident known as a safe deposit guru," is edging towards retirement after 40 years in the banking industry.
McGuinn, owner of Safe Deposit Specialists, has trained more than 250,000 safe deposit personnel since 1969 and served as president of the American Institute of Banking and the American, Texas and Houston Safe Deposit Associations.
He has also been interviewed by a variety of national news sources for his expertise.
Collegues Pat Curtis and Jack Miller said McGuinn is an expert in his field.
Curtis, former president of the Houston Safe Deposit Association, met McGuinn in 1985.
She credits him for being her mentor.
He hasn't met a stranger, which is why I think he's done so well," said Curtis, who is retired from banking.
He gives good advice people can understand and is so easy to talk to.
I'm proud of the security he brought about. He taught me everything I know."
Miller has known McGuinn for 25 years.
He said McGuinn will be hard to replace" when it comes to the understanding he has in safe deposit boxes operations.
He has done expert witness testimony and been on the show, 20/20," Miller said.
If there's ever a question about legal issues he's the person to call.
There are people who do what he does, but they're not even close when it comes to his experience level in banking and teaching. He's a wealth of knowledge."
A native of Kansas City, Mo., McGuinn moved to the Houston area as a young child.
He graduated from Cy-Fair High School in 1962 and attended South Texas Junior College in downtown Houston.
McGuinn worked as a trainee at Fairbanks State Bank between semesters.
McGuinn pursued his banking education at the Houston chapter of the American Institute of Banking, the educational arm of the American Bankers Association.
During the next 10 years, McGuinn would receive every certificate AIB offered.
In 1965, he moved to Heights State Bank,
and climbed through the ranks as loan teller to senior vice president and cashier.
Safe Deposit Specialists was established in 1969 by McGuinn.
He developed seminars, training videos, manuals, forms and procedures to ensure the proper handling and security of safe deposit boxes.
His reputation grew as one of the most knowledgeable persons on the subject of safe deposit boxes.
I found a niche. Over the past 20 years, I have worked for every credit union league and American Safe Deposit Association in each state.
Every state has different safe deposit laws that have to be in compliance," said McGuinn, who served on the Houston American Institute of Banking board of directors for 10 years.
McGuinn is known for his six written manuals used throughout the U.S. that covers everything from Self Service Safety Deposit Boxes, Policy and Procedures Handbook, and How to Open a Private Safe Deposit Box.
His goal is to not leave any question or procedure unanswered.
Every day is different. It's a fun profession.
My work is to make sure people in the banking industry know how important their job is and to ensure the client's contents are safe," McGuinn said.
Going into retirement after a long history with banks and credit unions is no easy task.
McGuinn is currently developing Webinars and self study courses for his commercial clients.
My goal is for them to train themselves.
I'm still developing new programs, but converting all the old material to self study courses," said McGuinn.
In his free time, McGuinn, who is still working seven days a week, enjoys being with his wife, Kay McGuinn, and their four grandchildren.
For more information about McGuinn, go to www.sdspec.com.