Session Descriptions
Breakout Session Descriptions
Column headers with buttons are sortable from A-Z and Z-A
| DESCRIPTION | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Reasons to Automate Your Financial Accounting | Kandra Person, Senior Solution Consultant Darik Salem, Senior Solution Consultant |
Fiserv | Automation is changing how people work across industries, and financial services is no exception. Automating the financial accounting function creates benefits including time and money savings, increased productivity, client retention, and growth and expansion support. In a busy financial institution, the accounting department often finds itself with a growing list of responsibilities and increasing demands making automation essential to thrive. Join this session to learn about the necessity to automate. |
Advanced |
| Balance Sheet Strategies and Tactics: Preparing for the Future | Scott Hildenbrand, Head of Depository Fixed Income | Piper Sandler | Hear an update on current themes in the financial services industry. Hildenbrand will discuss the impact that interest rate changes have had on balance sheets, and the strategies banks and credit unions can take to prepare for the future. He will also include market updates and case studies to contextualize the ideas and help management teams prioritize things that add value to their franchise. |
Intermediate |
| CECL Qualitative Adjustments and Model Testing: Evolution of Risk | Susan Weber, Senior Manager, MBA Leah Clair, Senior Manager, CPA |
BerryDunn | Now that CECL implementation is squarely in the rear-view, focus has shifted to expansion of model monitoring and governance activities, and addressing uncertainty introduced by continuously evolving risk. Time spent on model documentation, forecasting, and data reconciliation constrained resources, preventing many institutions from also developing robust model testing and analysis activities. Considering the known supervisory priorities for FY25, institutions are facing increased expectations and scrutiny over their model monitoring and testing activities – such as sensitivity analysis and back testing – and how they respond to, and challenge, scenario results. “Are we appropriately considering stress testing scenario results for impact on model assumptions?” “Is our monitoring and testing approach scaled to the size and complexity of our institution?” “How are we discussing and incorporating identified risks in our qualitative factor adjustments in the model?” Join us as we tackle these burning questions, and more! |
Intermediate |
| Connecting the Dots Between Profitability and Strategy | Benjamin Crowley, Managing Director | The Kafafian Group | We will explore the critical connection between measuring financial institution profitability and executing strategic initiatives across key business units. Understanding profitability is not just about numbers; it's about leveraging those insights to drive strategic decisions that align with the financial institution's overall goals. By accurately measuring profitability at the organization, branch, and product levels, we can identify key areas for improvement and growth. This presentation will delve into methodologies for effective profitability measurement and demonstrate how these insights can be aligned with your strategic plan and turned into actionable strategies for each business unit. Attendees will learn how to align financial metrics with strategic objectives, ensuring that every department contributes to the financial institution's success. By connecting these dots, we can foster a culture of informed decision-making and strategic execution, ultimately enhancing the financial institution's performance and competitive edge. Join me to discover how to transform profitability insights into strategic actions that propel your financial institution forward. |
Advanced |
| Credit Quality: Current Landscape and Future Directions | David Ruffin, Principal | IntelliCredit | With heightened regulatory scrutiny, particularly over CRE exposures, and emerging quantifiable credit stress, now is the time to reassess your risk management strategy. According to the Risk Management Association (RMA) Annual Community Bank Survey, 52% of community bankers indicated that credit risk was a top concern. In this session, we will discuss where the hotspots and high-risk areas are right now and where they are likely headed in the next few quarters. We’ll also review strategies financial institutions should be employing to better understand their risk profiles and prepare to write (and defend their) own credit quality scripts for regulators. |
Intermediate |
| Data Analytics for FIs - Using Data to Detect Fraud | Tom Haldiman, Managing Director Bob Sprague, Managing Director |
Forvis Mazars | Fraud is always a threat to financial institutions, and the data analytics used to detect fraud are becoming more powerful and accessible. Stories from actual fraud investigations will be shared, and the tools and techniques that can be used by financial institutions to detect these schemes will be shared. This will better position participants to fight fraud within their organization. |
Intermediate |
| Financial Risk and Performance Management Trends and Best Practices | Ken Levey, Managing Director Bryan Ridgway, Director Ed Young, Managing Director |
Empyrean Solutions | The one constant in life, in business, and even in financial institutions is change. Today’s financial institution environment is different than any time in the past 15 years. It is forcing your teams to focus on different ways model, analyze and assess risks, profitability and performance. In this session, representatives from Empyrean Solutions will guide the audience through a discussion of industry trends and best practices related to risk management, budgeting, forecasting, profitability and reporting based on the results of a recent, banking market survey conducted by FMS and Empyrean Solutions. |
Intermediate |
| Funding Sources and Stability in a Decreasing Rate Environment | Jim Lutter, Chief Funding & Trading Officer Todd Terrazas, SVP, Bank Funding |
PMA Funding | In a decreasing rate environment, financial institutions face growing challenges to retain and attract deposits as depositors seek higher-yielding alternatives. This session will explore the pressures that financial institutions encounter in maintaining liquidity amidst declining interest rates and will highlight the importance of diversifying funding sources and implementing strategic measures to mitigate the risks associated with deposit outflows and shrinking yields. |
Intermediate |
| Harnessing AI and Data Analytics to Transform Financial Institutions | Phil Wess, Principal | Wolf & Company, P.C. | In an era of digital transformation and evolving customer expectations, financial institutions face both challenges and unprecedented opportunities to innovate and thrive. This session will explore how leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics can redefine operations, improve customer experiences, and create sustainable competitive advantages for community financial institutions. Discover how the strategic adoption of these technologies empowers financial institutions to not only stay relevant but excel in today’s dynamic financial landscape. |
Advanced |
| Hot Off the Ledger: Audit and Accounting Insights and Updates You Need | Allison Minnis, Audit Partner Mandi Simpson, Consulting Partner |
Crowe LLP | Join us for a deep dive into the ever-evolving landscape of financial institution accounting matters, where we’ll unravel the latest hot topics and strategies that are keeping professionals on their toes. With a blend of sharp insights and a dash of humor, this session promises to turn complex accounting standards and regulatory guidance into digestible bites—because who said accounting can’t be fun? Let’s navigate the numbers together and ensure you’re not just keeping up, but staying ahead! This session will cover a discussion of newly issued or proposed accounting standards, emerging topics, and other current events. Topics will include CECL, fintech partnerships, new reporting requirements, accounting for software costs and other hot topics relevant to the financial services industry based on current events. |
Intermediate |
| How to Back-Test Your Models for CECL and ALM | Michael Umscheid, President and CEO | ARCSys Technologies | Back-testing is crucial to the model risk management review process. In this informative session, gain essential tools and techniques for continuous evaluation of your institution's CECL and ALM models. Learn practical methods to assess model accuracy, mitigate risks, and strengthen confidence in your financial modeling outcomes and regulatory compliance strategies. |
Intermediate |
| Key Deposit Assumptions: Are Our Depositor Assumptions a True Reflection | David Koch, Managing Director, Advisory Services | Abrigo | For generations, the overall financial institution foundation has been built on the assumption that non-maturity deposits provide the key to franchise value, stable costs and interest rate risk hedging power. However, this most recent economic cycle and good old Father Time may be challenging our long-held beliefs. As we look into a future where market rates are uncertain and deposit supply is constrained, how should we adjust our internal compass for these critical assumptions? While artificial intelligence (AI) may be the future of analytics, the right questions must be posed and then put to uses with effective strategies for mitigating/managing the findings. Human understanding of your real depositor behaviors, demographics and recent trends is crucial to liquidity, net interest margin, and overall growth objectives. |
Advanced |
| Model Risk Management - A Refresher | Jim Jarrett, Director Financial Services Risk Advisory | Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC | This session provides a refresher of the regulatory requirements over Model Risk Management. While not new, there is an increased focus with the implementation of CECL models and the never ending scrutiny of BSA/AML models. We will revisit the regulatory requirements for Model Risk Management. This will include the expectations for model validations, especially with the inception of CECL by many organizations over the past 12-24 months. Areas to consider, possible weaknesses, pitfalls to avoid. |
Intermediate |
| Navigating Volatility: Using Derivatives to Maintain a Robust Balance Sheet | Jonathan Sundberg, Director | Chatham Financial | In today’s volatile financial markets, effective risk management is crucial for maintaining a resilient balance sheet. This session will explore how depositories use derivatives to manage risk and conserve capital, offering a clear framework for enhancing financial stability. Participants will learn about the most common and effective balance sheet hedging strategies, focusing on simple, proven methods that can be implemented efficiently. We will also cover the practical first steps for implementing a derivatives program at your institution. Whether you're new to derivatives or looking to refine your strategy, this session will provide the knowledge and tools needed to navigate market volatility and strengthen your balance sheet. |
Intermediate |
| Prepare for Continued Regulatory Scrutiny of Liquidity Management | Gavin Montgomery, Director, Advisory Services | ALM First | Even as many financial institutions’ liquidity concerns diminish, financial regulators remain highly focused on robust liquidity management practices. Ensure that your institution is prepared for this continued regulatory scrutiny while effectively meeting its operational needs. In this advanced session, we’ll discuss current industry trends, review elements of proper liquidity management, and explore effective funding strategies. |
Advanced |
| Streamlining FDICIA & SOX Compliance at Your Institution | Lisa Thouin, Managing Director | Mercadien | This session is designed to help compliance leaders of financial institutions master the complexities of FDICIA and SOX compliance. Learn about innovative practices and tools to enhance compliance efficiency, reduce operational costs, and ensure regulatory adherence. Equip your institution with the knowledge and strategies needed to navigate these regulatory landscapes seamlessly. |
Intermediate |
| Supplementing Growth with Optimal Decisions Across Investments and Loans | Moderator: Ryan Henley, Head of Depository Strategies Panelist: Kevin Cavin, Head of Product Strategies Panelist: Frazer Gieselmann, Head of Loan Strategies |
Stifel Financial | In this session, the panel will provide unique insights to supplementing asset growth in an optimal format, focusing on cross sector relative value within investments and loans. The presenters will each share perspectives on asset allocation, credit attribution, color regarding functionality of certain product’s markets, all leading to a better understanding of where and how to access asset growth to supplement organic production. |
Intermediate |
| Telling Your Liquidity Story | Eric Poulin, Director | Darling Consulting Group | After managing through three black swan events, risk managers are faced with continued uncertainty about the path of rates and the resulting impact to balance sheets and liquidity profiles. No matter which path rates eventually take, institutions should be prepared to tell their liquidity story. What is your current liquidity position? What could cause this to change? What would you do about it? The goal of this session is to address current liquidity best practices while leveraging this information to make more informed strategic decisions. |
Intermediate |
| The Next Generation of Incentive Compensation Planning – Profitability Base | Heather Hinchley, Senior Solutions Engineer | Strata Decision Technology | As financial institutions face unprecedented economic and regulatory uncertainty, aligning employee behavior to desired financial outcomes is more important than ever. Well-designed incentive plans have the power to align the individual with the institution's strategy. They can motivate customer-facing employees to generate the kind of growth that is profitable and within the risk guidelines of the institution. But how can financial institutions more effectively manage this important process? Many institutions utilize stand-alone spreadsheets or other home-grown systems that can be error-prone and highly inflexible. It can also be complicated to tie growth goals to the right profitability metrics and to have a consistent way to measure it. Which begs the question: How much time and effort are spent calculating their payouts? And do these incentive plans tie to your plans to help your company achieve its goals? Join us for a presentation on creating powerful integrated plans that benefit both your employees and your institution. |
Intermediate |
| Turn your Lenders into Deposit Gathering Machines! | Mark Swanson, Bank Performance Strategist | Deluxe | Lenders are the biggest "consumers" of your financial institution's deposits. They use up the deposits to make loans. Yet, they also want to give their customers the lowest rate possible to be competitive and get the deals! And if your financial institution does not have excellent deposit strategy - you may be finding yourself funding loans with expensive deposits that will run away for a better deal quicker than squirrel crossing a road. Ready to break free from this cycle? Learn lessons how I got my lenders to become Deposit Gathering Machines! Find out how you can get everyone in the financial institution involved raising the kinds of deposits your regulators beg you to have! |
Advanced |
| What Now? Building Confidence Amidst Uncertainty in 2025 and Beyond | Gary Svec, Managing Director | Performance Trust | In the last few years, we have seen tremendous volatility and uncertainty making it nearly impossible to have and maintain confidence in our budgets. What interest rate scenarios do we use? What if we’re wrong? How do we make long-term decisions with so much uncertainty? In this session, Gary will expose several flaws in current widely used tools that lead to poor decision-making and suggest ways to improve your visibility going forward. We will pinpoint mistakes your competitors may be making and identify new opportunities to help avoid the same pitfalls. Gary is the founding CFO of Performance Trust with over thirty-six years of experience in the financial services industry. Join us for this insightful session. |
Intermediate |
CPE CREDIT HOURS
The Financial Managers Society, Inc. is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be addressed to: The National Registry of CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 700, Nashville, TN 37219-2417. Web site: www.nasba.org.
- Level: Intermediate and Advanced
- Prerequisites: None
- Advance preparation: None
- Field of Study: Multiple
- Up to 11 hours
- Instructional Mode: Group Live
