Pre-Conference Session: CFO Survival Guide—2013 and Beyond

Matt Pieniazek, President and Mike Guglielmo, Managing Director, Darling Consulting Group, Newburyport, Massachusetts

Will net interest income be insufficient to support operating expenses by the end of 2014? The greatest risk to most Main Street banks is the degree to which margins will decline—a risk increasing every day. Pieniazek and Guglielmo believe most banks have underestimated the real risks associated with this low-rate environment and are not properly prepared for a protracted period of shrinking margins. Hear what opportunities exist to look beyond the present and prepare for the future with strategies that others have missed.

• Learn what it takes to combat margin pressure and avoid the otherwise inevitable
• Obtain guidance on tactical lending strategies and how
  to fend off aggressive competitors
• Arm yourself with performance-enhancing wholesale and retail funding strategies in this low-rate environment
• Gain insight into the latest regulatory hot buttons

Workshop fee is $250. Pre-registration required.

Deborah Evans, CFO Exchange Chairman and Senior Vice President and CFO, Bank of Lancaster, Kilmarnock, Virginia

Basel III in its current proposed state will have a significant impact on how banks manage capital and plan for capital needs. Depending on what stage the Basel III proposals are, this session will provide an update on the status of the proposals, the impact on banks operationally, and look towards capital planning measures required to comply with Basel III. Come for a discussion of the implications of Basel III requirements and the planning opportunities and requirements resulting from the new rules.

Thomas Hoenig’s opinions on financial services issues continue to draw attention from the media and serious consideration from policymakers on Capitol Hill, in the White House and at other bank regulatory agencies. His presentation delves deep into the Basel capital rules—and proposes what Hoenig views as a far more workable, fairer alternative.

In the fourth quarter, U.S. economic growth slowed to just 0.1%, but all the ingredients were in place for a faster recovery in 2013. Income growth was picking up, companies were hiring at a faster rate, housing was recovering and even foreign trade contributed to growth. But the focus in Washington is shifting to finally tackling the budget deficit after years of inaction. Chris will walk us through the components of GDP to identify where the economy is growing. And, he will explain how much fiscal restraint will impair growth and what the Federal Reserve will do to offset fiscal drag.

Emerging “best practices” for leading a financial institution through turbulent and uncertain times require well-developed competency in scenario planning and stress testing. Many aspects of Basel III compliance are directly related to establishment of a stress-testing core competency. But scenario planning is far more than quantified forecasts performed within the finance function. Come for a discussion of scenario planning and capital assignment, including a “10 Step Scenario Planning Process.”

• SEC registrants
• Non-SEC registrants over $500 million
• Non-SEC registrants under $500 million

Many banks have successfully offset deteriorating net interest margins via significant increases in income from mortgage production. This session will draw on the collective knowledge and experiences of fellow bankers attempting to manage the overriding regulatory and production uncertainty in the business while trying to assure appropriate efficiency and risk management practices. Focus will be given to process improvement and compliance assessment.