National Meetings

Photographer encourages bankers to reach for new heights

Dewitt Jones, a former National Geographic photographer and film-maker, closed the ABA’s National Conference for Community Banking on Feb. 28 with an inspirational presentation that urged bankers to pursue their personal and professional visions. He outlined a four-step process: [Continue]

Futurist jars bankers with ideas about tomorrow’s customers

The future is an invitation to think in an entirely new way, commented Mike Walsh, a futurist who made a dramatic presentation Feb 27 at the National Conference for Community Bankers hosted by the American Bankers Association in Honolulu. Walsh encouraged bankers to “Think big, think new, think quick,” as he declared, “The future is now.” [Continue]

ABA leader issues call to action on reg relief bill

Rob Nichols, president and CEO of the American Bankers Association, issued a call to action Monday, urging an audience of more than 1,000 people to contact their U.S. Senators and urge them to support regulatory relief legislation. [Continue]

CBA head urges banks to make most of current political climate

Richard Hunt, president and CEO of the Consumer Bankers Association, told bankers their industry stands to benefit from the current political environment, but warned favorable conditions may not last through this fall’s elections. The Consumer Bankers Association represents the retail banking industry, including large community banks, regionals and the nation’s largest banks. Hunt spoke Jan. 28 at the Acquire or Be Acquired conference in Phoenix. [Continue]

Disruption could open opportunities for banks

Technology is disrupting the banking industry, but that does not have to be a bad thing, according to experts who gathered for a panel presentation Jan. 30 at the Acquire or Be Acquired conference in Phoenix. “Where there is anarchy, there is opportunity,” observed Vincent Hui of Cornerstone Advisors, who led the discussion. [Continue]

With industry conditions improved, regulators more open to deals

A “regulatory thaw” has taken place in the M&A arena, said Mark Kanaly, a partner with the Alston & Bird law firm. He participated in a panel presented at the Acquire or Be Acquired conference in Phoenix on Jan 29. “Banking is doing better,” Kanaly said. “It is easier to go to the regulatory agencies … Read more

M&A expert notes ‘endgame’ underway for community banks

Consolidation among community banks is so robust that a keynote speaker at a major industry conference declared, “We have truly entered the endgame of community banking.” Curtis Carpenter, principal at Sheshunoff & Co. Investment Banking, cited industry M&A trends as he described a vanishing community banking sector. He was speaking Sunday in Phoenix at the … Read more

The Super Conference formula: Culture plus strategy equals success

The “Best Banks in America Super Conference” hosted by The Emmerich Group on Sept. 11-13 in Minneapolis did not follow the conventional industry meeting script. There were no vendor pitches, no exhibit hall, no breakout sessions that sent groups of bankers into separate rooms. Instead, energetic music opened each session; people clapped along like they do during a time-out at an NBA game. [Continue]