This year’s popular update session features an executive briefing on current legal and regulatory issues and trends affecting financial institutions, including the fallout from recent bank failures. The focus of the update is on practical suggestions and best practices from longtime experience representing a large and diverse banking practice across the country. Developments in M&A, fintech relationships, BaaS, UDAAP, executive compensation, DEI, ESG, fair lending, BSA, and a host of others will be discussed in this interactive session.

The world is changing faster and faster. The Fed has re-written history on monetary policy, both in size and scope. Competition for human capital has never been tougher. Fintech and big banks are taking deposits. Loan demand is waning. Cyber security is a major threat. Net overhead is rising. What hasn’t changed is that for 95% of community banks, Net Interest Income today and tomorrow will be the lifeblood for earnings, enterprise value, and sustainability while serving our communities. Bad NII decisions today can and will create trouble this quarter, next quarter, and for the years to come. Hear a time-tested strategic decision- making process that will help your team make better and more complete NII and capital allocation decisions in a fast-paced industry. Understand the importance of utilizing a Level Playing Field framework, that compares apples to apples decisions on all areas of balance sheet, across rates and time horizons.
Tales From the Vault - Places We’ve Been and Never Want to Visit Again
Kimberly Schaefer, Partner, & Nici Workman, Partner, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP


Join Kim and Nici as they revisit out-of-the-ordinary situations encountered by financial institutions over the last two years. Each of these case studies will serve as a reminder about the importance of vigilance, preparedness and self-evaluation. They will discuss issues that may arise when executing due diligence, preparing for an acquisition, launching a new line of business, drafting employee benefit plans and compensation programs and more. This session is designed to help bankers and directors evaluate areas in your institution where you can make improvements now to avoid issues in the future. By hearing and learning from the challenges of others, attendees will be better able to avoid costly pitfalls and position the institution in a manner that leads to favorable outcomes.
Friday, June 23rd
10:30 am - 11:15 am
Migrating from Transactions to Conversations: Setting Your Branches and People Up for Success
Jim Caliendo, President & CEO, PWCampbell

PRACTICAL; ENLIGHTENING; INSIGHTFUL
The bank branch was traditionally a place where routine transactions were taken care of, job functions were specialized, and limited conversations took place quickly to move people along. Today’s customers want one-on-one conversations, education, and advice; experts who can help them through life’s important moments. They want open spaces, natural light, and environments that feel like home, along with the ability to perform self-service functions at the touch of a button. Good service has changed from “how quickly you can get me out of here” to “how well can you educate me”. From designing the look, feel, and functionality of a branch based on customer needs, to streamlining branch operations to free up time; to training your employees to have conversations with customers and transitioning to the universal staffing model; this session covers both sides of the spectrum and your two most important assets – people and branches.
How to Win Wallet Share while Cutting Costs in Operations
Ryan Wilson, Vice President, Client Relationships, Aunalytics

CUSTOMER; INTELLIGENCE; ANALYTICS
In an unreliable economy, cost cutting and employing efficient strategies to grow operating income is imperative. One of the best ways to achieve better returns and higher margins is to focus on existing customers with data-driven insights that grow wallet share. Insights from data analytics empower mid-market financial institutions to dig deeper into their local roots, act upon their local knowledge using personalized offers, and find ways to make their branch presence meaningful to a profitable segment of customers. This local data, first party data, is not something that direct banks or big banks have. If harnessed, it can be a game changer for regional and community financial institutions to grow market share.
Managing Risk Amid Rising Rates, Inflation, and Economic Challenges
Charley McQueen, President & CEO, McQueen Financial Advisors

RISING RATES; INFLATION; ECONOMIC CHALLENGES
Our industry continues to face uncertainty, inflation, and a possible recession (we may be in one now). Interest rates have trended sharply higher and 2023 is set to be a year of change with a possible topping of interest rates. This session covers:
Reviewing the 1980’s to elevate knowledge, as only a few individuals in the industry were managing institutions the last time the U.S. faced simultaneous inflation and economic slowdown.
The potential impact of inflation and a weakening economy on the balance sheet and interest rate risk positions.
Several action steps that can be taken to mitigate risks and address the potential impact of a weakening economy.
Performance-Based Compensation Strategies for Banks
Michael Blanchard, CEO;
Matt Brei, President, Blanchard Consulting Group

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION; PAYFOR-PERFORMANCE; INCENTIVE PLAN DESIGN
This presentation focuses on performance-based compensation
approaches that community and regional banks should consider to attract and retain quality officers. The session will examine the current compensation environment and discuss different performance-based incentive vehicles; while presenters discuss the keys to effective and motivating cash incentive plans. They will also share what banks are using in respect to equity-based/longer-term incentives, as well as incorporates applicable regulatory guidelines and updates surrounding incentive-based pay. Market data from BCG surveys and databases will be incorporated throughout.
Wednesday, June 21st
11:30 am - 12:15 pm
Current State of Community Bank M&A and Capital Markets
Richard Maroney, Senior Managing Director, Hovde Group

COMPREHENSIVE, INTERACTIVE, THOUGHT-PROVOKING
This session will provide a comprehensive report on community bank M&A, as well as the significant changes that are occurring in bank equity and debt markets. Commentary and data on the economy, political environment, and industry will be presented to fully understand bank consolidation, valuations and capital markets trends. Specifics to both Ohio and Illinois will be provided, including evaluation of recent M&A deals, along with equity and debt raises. It is worthy to note the presenter/s have significant deal experience having advised on hundreds of deals, in addition to observing M&A and capital markets transactions across the country.
10 Cybersecurity Questions for Executives and Directors
Nick Podhradsky, Executive Vice President, SBS CyberSecurity

CEOs, senior management and Board members have historically struggled to understand the components of an Information Security Program, current security threats, and technology risks. Regardless, this group is ultimately responsible for the security of the organization’s information, setting expectations or providing direction to management, and approving investments into cybersecurity. This discussion will review FFIEC Cybersecurity expectations, current threats to financial institutions, and touch on 10 questions that executives and board members must know to protect the bank in today’s cybersecurity world.
Update on the War for Talent in Banking: Strategies for Success
Alan Kaplan, Founder & CEO, Kaplan Partners

INFORMATIVE; VITAL; REAL-TIME
Talent has become the defining element for success in today’s highly competitive and evolving industry. Whether in the C-Suite, on the board, or driving new business, the competition for talent is fierce and this trend will continue. Now more than ever, bank leaders and board members need to adapt to the new realities of the talent landscape and craft strategies to differentiate and succeed in the battle for employees. This session provides insights into the current workforce climate and provide best practices in the market for banking talent.
Maximizing the Value of Your Digital Transformation
Brian Hufford, Digital Strategy Consultant, Backbase

VALUE, DIGITAL, TRANSORMATION
Banks and financial institutions are accelerating their digital transformation efforts, investing resources into a variety of initiatives to improve customer experience. But it’s challenging to measure the progression of your digital transformation. Or more important, quantifying the impact of digital on the bottom line. This session covers practical tips on constructing a roadmap that gives you the fastest time to business value – including building your business case, defining what to build first, and measuring the ROI. Attendees will be able to: Link business value to digital strategy and implementation with a product mindset; identify the problem you are trying to solve with digital programs; build a business case; and build a roadmap connected to your digital strategy.