Conference News

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Jan 201929

2019 Call for Papers Now Open

The call for papers for the 2019 Community Banking in the 21st Century research and policy conference is now open. The deadline to submit a detailed abstract or completed paper is May 31, 2019. Authors of accepted papers will be notified by July 19, 2019. Each of the academic papers chosen to be presented at the conference will also be considered for an award that recognizes the paper that makes the most significant contribution to banking policy. The conference, sponsored by the Federal Reserve, the Conference of State Bank Supervisors and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., will be held Oct. 1-2.

Jan 201914

Save the Date for the 2019 Conference; View 2018 Highlights Reel

The seventh annual Community Banking in the 21st Century research and policy conference has been scheduled for Oct. 1-2, 2019. The conference, sponsored by the Federal Reserve, the Conference of State Bank Supervisors and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., will be held at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and webcast live. A highlight reel of the 2018 conference is now available to view online.

Oct 201830

Conference Committee Announces Paper with Most Significant Contribution to Banking Policy

The conference committee has announced the selection of “The Effects of Competition in Consumer Credit Markets,” by Stefan Gissler, Rodney Ramcharan and Edison Yu, as the paper that made the “most significant contribution to banking policy” at the 2018 Community Banking in the 21 st Century research and policy conference. The conference, sponsored by the Federal Reserve, the Conference of State Bank Supervisors and the FDIC, was held Oct. 3-4, 2018 at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

Oct 201804

Eastern Kentucky University Winning Case Study Students and Faculty Meet Fed, State Regulators

Oct 201803

2018 National Survey of Community Banks Findings Released

As part of the sixth annual Community Banking in the 21st Century research and policy conference held Oct. 3-4, 2018, the Federal Reserve and the Conference of State Bank Supervisors released the findings from the 2018 National Survey of Community Banks.

Oct 201803

Cleveland Fed President Mester Discusses Community Banking and the Community Reinvestment Act

Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland President Loretta Mester gave the opening keynote address at the sixth annual Community Banking in the 21st Century research and policy conference. She spoke about community banking and the efforts that are underway to modernize the Community Reinvestment Act.

Oct 201802

Community Banking in Action 2018: Illinois Commissioner Bryan Schneider

Bryan Schneider, secretary of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, discusses how the benefits of community banking span the length and breadth of the state, from the neighborhood-centric metropolis of Chicago to the small towns of rural Illinois.

Oct 201801

Community Banking in Action 2018: South Dakota Commissioner Bret Afdahl

Bret Afdahl, director of the South Dakota Division of Banking, discusses how community banks serve as the trusted advisers and counselors of small businesses in their respective communities; how they stick with these businesses through thick and thin, contributing to long-term local economic stability in times of transition and change.

Sep 201828

Community Banking in Action 2018: Vermont Commissioner Michael Pieciak

Michael Pieciak, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation, discusses the importance of the partnership between community banks and small businesses, and highlights the great potential that a career in community banking holds for the millennial generation.

Sep 201827

Community Banking in Action 2018: Carrollton Bank and Affinia Healthcare

Tom Hough, president and CEO of Carrollton Bank, Carrollton, Ill., and Alan Freeman, president and CEO of St. Louis-based Affinia Healthcare, share how they worked together to secure the future of Affinia’s mission of serving the health care needs of low-income families in the St. Louis region.

Sep 201826

Community Banking in Action 2018: Pioneer Bank and Trust and Truck Defender Aluminum Bumpers

Dylan Clarkson, president and CEO of Pioneer Bank and Trust in Spearfish, S.D., and Becky and Dean Johnson, founders and owners of the Truck Defender aluminum truck bumper company, discuss the impetus behind the creation of the unique Vale, S.D.-based aluminum bumper business and how the bank worked with them to make it a success.

Sep 201825

FDIC Joins the Fed and CSBS as Conference Sponsor

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) is joining the Federal Reserve and the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) in sponsoring the annual Community Banking in the 21st Century research and policy conference. The sixth annual conference, which brings together community bankers, academics, policymakers and bank supervisors from around the country, will meet Oct. 3-4 at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

Sep 201825

Community Banking in Action 2018: Brattleboro Savings and Loan and the New England Center for Circus Arts

Dan Yates, president and CEO of Brattleboro Savings and Loan in Brattleboro, Vt., and twin sisters Elsie Smith and Serenity Smith-Forchion, former trapeze artists with Cirque du Soleil and founders of the New England Center for Circus Arts, discuss how the bank worked with them to build a trapezium for their world-renowned circus arts school located in Brattleboro.

Jul 201831

Beneficial’s Cuddy to Give Conference Evening Keynote

Jul 201830

Community Bank-Fintech Partners Featured in Closing Panel

Jul 201809

Conference Committee Names 2018 Emerging Scholars

The Community Banking in the 21st Century research and policy conference committee announced the names of those students selected as Emerging Scholars for 2018. Emerging Scholars are Ph.D. students who are considering or working on a dissertation on a banking-related topic. The conference committee congratulates Jiayi Xu, Auburn University; Cao Fang, University of Arkansas, and Xiaonan (Flora) Ma, University of South Carolina. Emerging Scholars are given the opportunity to attend the October 3 – 4, 2018 Community Banking in the 21st Century research and policy conference.

May 201810

Eastern Kentucky University Students Win First Place in CSBS Community Bank Competition

The Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) announced Eastern Kentucky University as the winner of its 2018 Community Bank Case Study Competition. The winning student team members are Lorelei Nguyen, Aaron Schmidgall and Dalton Stanley. Maggie Abney served as faculty advisor and Central Bank & Trust Co., as the team’s community bank partner.

May 201803

Cleveland Fed President Mester to Speak at 2018 Conference

Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland President Loretta Mester will give the opening keynote address for the sixth annual Community Banking in the 21st Century research and policy conference, which will be held Oct. 3-4 at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Federal Reserve Board of Governors Vice Chairman for Supervision Randal Quarles will also give keynote remarks on the second day. The conference, hosted by the Federal Reserve System and the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS), brings together community bankers, academics, policymakers and bank supervisors from across the country to discuss the latest academic research on community banking, as well as important policy issues facing the sector. Other guest speakers will include Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis President James Bullard, Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance and CSBS Chair Charlotte Corley and CSBS President and CEO John Ryan.

Apr 201827

Five Finalists Announced for the 2018 Community Bank Case Study Competition

CSBS has announced that five student teams from universities across the nation have advanced to the final round of the 2018 Community Bank Case Study Competition. The student teams represent the following universities: Eastern Kentucky University, Southeastern Louisiana University, University of Missouri - Kansas City, Ohio State University and York College of Pennsylvania. Their case studies looked at how community banks are using technology to streamline processes and better serve their customers.

Apr 201819

Study Quantifies Compliance Costs for Community Banks

A study released using data compiled in surveys by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) shows that the burden of regulatory compliance for community banks declined in 2016 after increasing in the previous year. Compliance expenses as a share of noninterest expense rose from 5.5 percent in 2014 to 8.1 percent in 2015 before dropping to 7.7 percent in 2016. The study suggested that this pattern of expenses may have been related to implementation of mortgage regulations under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. In 2016, compliance with mortgage-related regulations accounted for about one-third of all regulatory costs.

Apr 201812

Record Number of College Student Teams Enter 2018 Community Bank Case Study Competition

The Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) has announced a record number of college student teams have submitted case studies for the 2018 Community Bank Case Study Competition. This year’s competition focuses on how community banks are using technology. Fifty-one student teams from 45 colleges and universities across the nation met the April 9 deadline. Last year, 33 teams participated. This is the fourth year of the competition, which is open to undergraduate students in all fields of study as an opportunity to gain valuable first-hand knowledge of the banking industry.

Apr 201812

Kansas City Fed Launches National Small Business Lending Survey

In July 2017, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System approved a new voluntary survey of U.S. commercial banks on their small business lending activities. The survey is being managed and administered by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. This report summarizes the results from the first survey period, which covers lending activity in the fourth quarter of 2017. The Small Business Lending Survey is a quarterly collection of quantitative and qualitative information that will be used to understand credit market conditions for bank lending to small businesses. The survey captures detailed, comprehensive information that is not otherwise available about small business lending and how it changes from quarter to quarter. Specifically, quantitative information is collected on commercial and industrial (C&I) loan amounts, interest rates, maturities, and lending terms for term loans and lines of credit with fixed and variable interest rates, and applications received and approved. In addition, qualitative information is collected on changes in credit standards and terms and loan demand, as well as reasons for those changes.

Apr 201809

Community Banking in the 21st Century Emerging Scholars for 2018

Applications for Community Banking in the 21st Century Emerging Scholars program were due Friday, June 8, 2018. The names of the three scholars selected will be announced in July. They will have the opportunity to attend and participate in the 2018 sixth annual Community Banking in the 21st Century conference, which will be held Oct. 3-4 at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. The scholars' travel and lodging expenses will be paid by the program. First introduced as part of the 2015 conference, the Emerging Scholars Program is intended to support Ph.D. students who are considering or working on a dissertation on a banking-related topic.

Mar 201808

Governor Quarles to Speak at 2018 Community Banking Research Conference

Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Randal K. Quarles will deliver one of the keynote addresses during the sixth annual Community Banking in the 21st Century research and policy conference that will be held Oct. 3-4 at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.The conference, hosted by the Federal Reserve System and the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS), brings together community bankers, academics, policymakers and bank supervisors from across the country to discuss the latest academic research on community banking, as well as important policy issues facing the sector.

Feb 201826

Final Teams Announced For 2018 Case Study Competition

The Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) has announced 54 student teams from 47 colleges and universities around the U.S. will participate in its 2018 Community Bank Case Study Competition. Each student team must develop an original case study that evaluates how community banks are using technology within day-to-day operations. Finalists will be announced during the CSBS State-Federal Supervisory Forum in Jacksonville, Florida on May 10, 2018. Additional information on the competition can be found on the case study competition website.

Feb 201802

2018 Call for Papers: Submissions Due June 15

The call for papers for the 2018 Community Banking in the 21st Century research and policy conference is now open. The conference committee is seeking papers that explore all aspects of community banking, including: the role of community banks in the U.S. financial system; advantages and disadvantages of the community bank business model; the effects of government policy on community banks, significant challenges faced by community banks and new opportunities for community banks. The deadline to submit a detailed abstract or completed paper is June 15, 2018. Authors of accepted papers will be notified by August 3, 2018.

Nov 201729

114 teams apply to participate in 2018 CSBS Community Bank Case Study Competition

The Conference of State Bank Supervisors received statements of interest from faculty advisors representing 114 undergraduate student teams for the 2018 Community Bank Case Study Competition. Applications were received from colleges and universities in 26 states.

Nov 201728

2018 conference scheduled for October 3–4!

The 6th annual Community Banking in the 21st Century research and policy conference is scheduled for October 3 – 4, 2018, at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. The conference is jointly sponsored by the Federal Reserve System and the Conference of State Bank Supervisors. The conference brings together researchers, regulators and community bankers to discuss the latest research on community banking.

Nov 201714

Chair Yellen Discusses “Vital Role” of Community Banks in U.S. Financial System

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen gave welcoming remarks during the 5th Annual Community Banking in the 21st Century research and policy conference, presented jointly by the Federal Reserve System and the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS). Yellen discussed the Fed’s recent efforts to ensure that its regulation and supervision of community banks is tailored appropriately to the size, complexity, and role different institutions play in the financial system.

Oct 201705

CSBS Releases 2017 Journal of Community Bank Case Studies

The Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) has released the 2017 Journal of Community Bank Case Studies. The Journal showcases the work of the top undergraduate student teams that participate in the annual CSBS Community Bank Case Study Competition. The competition partners undergraduate student teams with community banks to conduct original case studies focused on a variety of topics. Download the 2017 Journal of Community Bank Case Studies.

Oct 201705

2017 National Survey of Community Banks Findings Released

The Federal Reserve and the Conference of State Bank Supervisors today released the findings from the 2017 National Survey of Community Banks. Survey responses were obtained from 611 community bankers in 37 states, and provide insights into what community bankers are thinking about key issues facing their industry. The survey questions addressed changes in bank lines of business, regulatory compliance, competition and consolidation. The 2017 survey also asked specific questions about small business lending and challenges and opportunities posed by financial technology firms. Download the 2017 National Survey of Community Banks.

Oct 201705

San Francisco Fed President John Williams Discusses “New Normal” For the Economy

San Francisco Fed President John Williams gave the keynote address on the second day of the 2017 Community Banking in the 21st Century research and policy conference, presented jointly by the Federal Reserve System and the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS). President Williams highlighted the Fed’s move toward a more normal monetary policy and discussed the implications of rising interest rates.

Oct 201702

Commissioner Perspectives: Mike Rothman, Minnesota Department of Commerce

Minnesota Department of Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman discusses community banking in Minnesota, highlighting how community banks meet the needs of the state’s diverse economy. Commissioner Rothman details Minnesota community banks’ ability to serve businesses ranging from rural farms to mining operations with links to the global economy.

Oct 201702

Commissioner Commentary: Ed Leary, Utah Department of Financial Institutions

Ed Leary, commissioner, Utah Department of Financial Institutions, discusses how his office interacts with a banker’s advisory group to understand the issues of importance to community bankers in the state of Utah. He shares a story of a Utah banker who makes a much needed car loan to a Utah teacher. Leary uses the story to highlight the deep connections between Utah community bankers and their customers.

Sep 201727

Community Banker Spotlight: Chuck Mausbach, Frandsen Financial Corporation

Chuck Mausbach, president and chief operating officer, Frandsen Financial Corporation, Minneapolis, Minn., discusses the importance of relationship banking and offers his views on why small businesses need a banker that can serve as a “community advocate” for the business.

Sep 201725

Community Banker Spotlight: Lee McCann, Sabine State Bank

Lee McCann, president, chief executive officer and chief operations officer, Sabine State Bank, Many, LA, discusses his bank’s relationship with the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission, and describes how his bank helped develop an economic plan that transformed Toledo Bend, LA, into one of the top bass fishing lakes in the U.S.

Sep 201721

Commissioner Perspectives: Christopher Moya, New Mexico Financial Institutions Division

Acting Director Chris Moya discusses community banking in New Mexico and highlights how “community banks are the important variable in the economy of New Mexico.” Specifically, Moya shares how the State’s network of small banks support the state’s two main economic drivers: agriculture and energy.

Sep 201718

Community Banker Spotlight: Craig Reeves, FNB New Mexico

Craig Reeves, president and chief executive officer, FNB New Mexico, Clayton, N.M., discusses his bank’s long-standing relationship with a local silage harvester and describes how that harvester, PMS and Harvesting, grew into one of the largest silage operations in the U.S.

Sep 201712

Commissioner Commentary: Charles Vice, Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions

The Community Banking in the 21st Century conference “Commissioner Commentary” video series features state banking commissioners discussing how community banks meet the credit needs of the communities they serve. The second video in the 2017 series features Kentucky Banking Commissioner Charles Vice discussing how a community bank was able to meet the needs of its customers and the broader community following widespread tornado damage.

Sep 201705

Commissioner Perspectives: John Ducrest, Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions

Commissioner John Ducrest discusses how New Orleans-based, Gulf Coast Bank and Trust Company, helped lead the post-Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, in 2005. Guy Williams, the bank’s president and CEO, shares his story on how his bank was able to re-open its branch and bring essential financial services back into the parish.

Aug 201731

Conference Launches “Commissioner Commentary” Video Series

The Community Banking in the 21st Century conference committee has launched its “Commissioner Commentary” video series. The series features state banking commissioners discussing how community banks meet the credit needs of the communities they serve. The first video in the 2017 series features Hawaii Banking Commissioner Iris Ikeda discussing how community banks are able to address some of the unique mortgage lending challenges in the state of Hawaii.

Aug 201708

2017 Conference Research Papers Selected

The Community Banking in the 21st Century research and policy conference committee has announced the papers selected for presentation during the 2017 conference. The committee grouped the papers into sessions which focus on supervision, regulation, and bank risk; factors influencing bank behavior and performance; and the real effects of government policies on banks. Papers will be presented on October 4 – 5, 2017 at the annual conference in St. Louis, Mo.

Jul 201717

Conference Committee Names 2017 Emerging Scholars

The Community Banking in the 21st Century research and policy conference committee announced the names of those students selected as Emerging Scholars for 2017. Emerging Scholars are PhD students who are considering or working on a dissertation on a banking-related topic. The conference committee congratulates Jin Cai, University of South Carolina; Padma Sharma, University of California- Irvine; Jacob Walloga, Clemson University; and Dayin Zhang, University of California- Berkeley for being selected as the 2017 Emerging Scholars.

Jun 201723

Bank of the West's Cynthia Blankenship to Deliver 2017 Conference Keynote Address

Cynthia L. Blankenship, vice chairman, chief financial officer and corporate president of Grapevine, Texas-based Bank of the West, will give the keynote address on the first day of the 2017 Community Banking in the 21st Century research and policy conference. Blankenship is past chair of both the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) and the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT).

May 201725

University of Akron Wins 2017 Community Bank Case Study Competition

The University of Akron is the winner of the 2017 Community Bank Case Study Competition. Student members of the winning team are: Michael Moore, Kenan Sprague, Jeff Kelbach and Jacob Ruocchio‐Cole. Dr. Bhanu Balasubramnian served as the team’s faculty advisor and Peoples Bank of Marietta, Marietta, Ohio, was the team’s community bank partner. More information about the 2017 CSBS Community Bank Case Study Competition is available at www.csbs.org/bankcasestudy. Winning Case Study Paper and Winning Case Study Video

May 201718

Community Banking in the 21st Century Emerging Scholars Applications Due

Applications for the Community Banking in the 21st Century Emerging Scholars program are due Friday, June 9, 2017. The Emerging Scholars Program supports PhD students who are considering or working on a dissertation on a banking-related topic. Three selected scholars will be offered the opportunity to attend and participate in the 2017 conference, with their travel and lodging expenses paid by the program. Graduate students who would benefit from attending the conference and interacting with the researchers, regulators and community bankers are encouraged to download the application and apply. Applications can be submitted by email to conference@communitybanking.org.

May 201716

CSBS Announces Five Finalist Teams in the 2017 Bank Case Study Competition

On May 15, the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) announced five student teams as finalists in its nationwide Community Bank Case Study Competition. The college teams are: Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, Iowa State University, Kutztown University (PA), Texas Tech University, and University of Akron (OH).

May 201701

2016 National Survey of Community Banks Cited in the Wall Street Journal

The 2016 Community Banking in the 21st Century research and policy conference's national survey of community banks was cited in an April 24, 2017, Wall Street Journal column, "A Plan to Give Community Banks Relief from Dodd-Frank." The article cites data from the 2016 national survey that estimates compliance costs for community banks at $4.5 billion annually. The national survey is conducted annually by the state banking commissioners.

Apr 201728

National Survey of Community Banks Is Now Live

State banking commissioners from across the U.S. began distributing a link to the 2017 National Survey of Community Banks in mid-April. Results from the survey will be presented during the 2017 Community Banking in the 21st Century research and policy conference, taking place Oct. 4-5 at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Community bankers interested in taking the 2017 national survey should contact their state banking commissioner. The survey will remain open through June 30. Read the results of the 2016 survey (PDF).

Apr 201728

Judging Begins May 1 for 2017 Community Bank Case Study Competition

First-round judging for the 2017 Community Bank Case Study Competition will begin on May 1. A multidisciplinary panel of judges—comprising academics, regulators and community bankers—has been assembled to evaluate submissions from the 33 teams participating in this year's competition. Each student team was asked to develop an original case study that evaluates and provides recommendations for a bank's leadership succession plan. The names of the top three teams will be announced on May 25 during a live webcast that will be video streamed on the case study competition website: www.csbs.org/bankcasestudy.

Apr 201728

Call for Papers: Submissions Due June 16

The Federal Reserve System and CSBS are seeking papers for the 2017 Community Banking in the 21st Century research and policy conference. The conference committee invites submissions that address all aspects of community banking, including but not limited to: the role of community banks in the U.S. financial system; advantages and disadvantages of the community bank business model; the effects of government policy on community banks; significant challenges faced by community banks; and new opportunities for community banks. The conference will take place Oct. 4-5 at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Papers should be submitted by June 16 to conference@communitybanking.org.

Apr 201720

National Survey of Community Banks Now Live

On Monday, April 17, state banking commissioners from across the country began to distribute a link to the 2017 National Survey of Community Banks to community banks in their states. The survey, conducted by the state banking regulatory agencies and CSBS, is designed to give researchers and policymakers an opportunity to hear directly from bankers on a range of important topics. Results from the survey will be compiled and presented during the 2017 Community Banking in the 21st Century research and policy conference. Read the findings from the 2016 survey (PDF)

Mar 201730

Call for Papers: Submissions Due June 16 for the 2017 Conference

The Federal Reserve System and CSBS are seeking papers for the 2017 Community Banking in the 21st Century research and policy conference. The conference committee invites submissions that address all aspects of community banking, including but not limited to: the role of community banks in the U.S. financial system; advantages and disadvantages of the community bank business model; the effects of government policy on community banks; significant challenges faced by community banks; and new opportunities for community banks. The conference will take place Oct. 4-5 at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Papers should be submitted by June 16 to conference@communitybanking.org.

Mar 201730

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco President John Williams

San Francisco Fed President Williams to Speak at 2017 Conference

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco President and CEO John Williams will deliver one of the keynote addresses during the 2017 Community Banking in the 21st Century research and policy conference, taking place Oct. 4-5 at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Opening remarks will be given by St. Louis Fed President James Bullard and Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) Chairman-Elect Albert L. Forkner, State Banking Commissioner, Wyoming Division of Banking.

Feb 201728

2016 National Survey of Community Banks Cited in American Banker

Feb 201728

February 28 Call for Papers

Call for Papers: Submissions Due June 16 for the 2017 Community Banking in the 21st Century Research and Policy Conference

Feb 201728

Final Teams Announced For 2017 Case Study Competition

Feb 201715

Conference of State Bank Supervisors' Journal of Community Banking Case Studies

The Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) today released a journal of this year’s winners from the 2016 Community Bank Case Study Competition. The journal also features select case study competition submissions from the 23 schools that participated.

Feb 201715

Videos, Papers and Presentations from the 2016 Conference Now Available

Video links, research papers and presentations from the 2016 Community Banking in the 21st Century Research and Policy Conference are now available on communitybanking.org. The 2016 conference, which was jointly sponsored by the Federal Reserve System and CSBS, was held Sept. 28 – 29, 2016, at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.