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Balance Sheet & Model Risk Management

June 10-11, 2024  |  Boston, MA

CONFERENCE

Early registration discount until April 7

Coundown Text

Early registration discount until April 7

|

Registration

12:00 PM

Special Pre-Conference Program: Jumpstarting Model Risk Management

1:30-4:30 PM

Solutions Hub Is Open

4:00-8:00 PM

Opening Reception

Meet in the Harbor View Ballroom to connect with fellow conference guests, speakers, and the DCG team enjoying views of the Boston Harbor.

5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Sunday, June 9

Navigating the Investment Maze: Strategies for Community Banks and Credit Unions

In today's dynamic market and interest rate environment, community banks and credit unions confront evolving challenges in investment portfolio management. In this presentation, Chris tackles the pressing question, "What do we do now?" He shares a strategic response and how to craft an investment decision-making process that works no matter how conditions change. Chris will share actionable guidance for navigating current market conditions, spotlighting key opportunities, and pitfalls to avoid. Attendees will walk away with strategies that not only address today’s challenges but also position the investment portfolio for future success.

Speakers:

  • Chris Nelson, Founder and President, Bond Investment Mentor

Monday

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

With a Washington “Twist:” Liquidity, Interest Sensitivity, and Lending

Washington and the regulatory community are keenly focused on the banking industry. This session will provide a look at important balance sheet management issues through these lenses and address questions such as: How are banks coping with new risk management guidance and related metrics of interest? What else is coming and likely on the way? What are resulting opportunities? Lastly, what do the regulatory and economic environments mean for bank M&A?

Speakers:

  • Peter Weinstock, Partner, Hunton Andrews Kurth

Monday

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Basis Points Up for Grabs – Searching for the Optimal Deposit Strategy

The competitive deposit landscape is as challenging as we have ever seen in modern banking history. We are left wondering what is considered core as the mix from low-cost stable deposits to rate sensitive funding continues to change. The historically inverted yield curve adds further pressure to these challenges and our margin.

So, we search for the optimal deposit strategy to fund loan growth and manage funding costs. The equilibrium is difficult to find, but we know that every basis point counts. And there are certainly basis points up for grabs given the impending Fed pivot. Join Managing Directors Joe and Billy as they explore the deposit strategy outlook. They will share an inside look at current Deposits360°® data trends and forecast, case studies and lessons learned from the cycle, and provide a Fed Easing strategy playbook.

Speakers:

  • Joe Kennerson, Managing Director, Darling Consulting Group

  • Billy Guthrie, Managing Director, Darling Consulting Group

Monday

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Commercial Real Estate Market Update

Aaron will discuss the current trends across the major asset classes, and explore where the markets are today, and where they are headed. The presentation will dive into fundamentals, as well as capital markets trends and drivers.

Speakers:

  • Aaron Jodka, Research Director, US Capital Markets, Colliers

Monday

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Peer Group Breakout Sessions

This dynamic discussion is dedicated entirely for you to interact with your peers.

Facilitated by Darling Consulting Group

Monday

10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

Navigating the Investment Maze: Strategies for Community Banks and Credit Unions

In today's dynamic market and interest rate environment, community banks and credit unions confront evolving challenges in investment portfolio management. In this presentation, Chris tackles the pressing question, "What do we do now?" He shares a strategic response and how to craft an investment decision-making process that works no matter how conditions change. Chris will share actionable guidance for navigating current market conditions, spotlighting key opportunities, and pitfalls to avoid. Attendees will walk away with strategies that not only address today’s challenges but also position the investment portfolio for future success.

Speakers:

  • Chris Nelson, Founder and President, Bond Investment Mentor

Monday

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Consumer Credit/Lending for Credit Unions

Stay ahead with the most recent economic trends impacting consumer credit. David will discuss the implications of a slowing labor market, continued consumer spending, and high-interest rates on credit trends. This session will dive into key indicators, market dynamics, and future predictions, providing a comprehensive understanding to drive informed decision-making and consumer credit strategy.

Speakers:

  • David Fieldhouse, Director, Consumer Credit Analytics, Moody's

Monday

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

With a Washington “Twist:” Liquidity, Interest Sensitivity, and Lending

Washington and the regulatory community are keenly focused on the banking industry. This session will provide a look at important balance sheet management issues through these lenses and address questions such as: How are banks coping with new risk management guidance and related metrics of interest? What else is coming and likely on the way? What are resulting opportunities? Lastly, what do the regulatory and economic environments mean for bank M&A?

Speakers:

  • Peter Weinstock, Partner, Hunton Andrews Kurth

Monday

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Hedging Strategies to Manage Uncertainty - Practical Case Studies

Recent events have highlighted the important role that hedging strategies play in managing the uncertainty we encounter in volatile market environments. Using practical examples, this session will provide education and timely commentary on the strategies being used by financial institutions to manage interest rate risks. Dave and Todd will talk about the ways that financial institutions use derivatives to manage growth objectives, help meet customer needs and generate fee income as well as lower funding costs, adjust asset duration, and manage earnings at risk.

Speakers:

  • Dave Sweeney, Chatham Financial Services

  • Todd Cuppia, Chatham Financial Services

Monday

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Strategic Alchemy: Turning Data into Gold with Lending & Deposit Analytics

Navigating the ongoing liquidity challenges in the industry remains elusive with the quest for substantial growth in profitable lending, fueled by core deposit expansion is an anomaly. However, amidst this challenging landscape, certain institutions stand out. What sets these high-performing institutions apart from the rest? In this dynamic conference session, Keith and Justin delve into the analytics and strategies that have propelled some to success and explore how your executive team can leverage data and analytics to identify innovative deposit growth initiatives and identify risks and opportunities within the loan portfolio. Gain crucial insights to enhance core banking activities in a landscape where every basis point counts. Join us for a session that goes beyond gut instincts and historical trends, guiding your institution toward strategic success.

Speaker: 

  • Keith Reagan, Executive Managing Director, Darling Consulting Group

  • Justin Bakst, Executive Director Products & Solutions, Darling Consulting Group

Monday

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

A Unifying View of CECL, Stress Testing, and Capital Planning: Designing Critical Reporting for Executive Management and the Board

Since the Great Recession, the banking industry has benefited from strong capital levels and a benign credit environment. Over the same period, new regulations and best practices have emerged, requiring explicit linkage between macroeconomic events and their expected impact. In practice, many management teams have struggled to form a unifying view that appropriately leverages these new or improved risk management tools. This is especially important today, as credit conditions are the most uncertain they have been in years. Do your existing tools work together to give you the information that you need to succeed? Is that information effectively translated into critical reporting for strategic decision-making?

Join John and Chase as they provide industry observations, trends, and examples of how CECL, stress testing, and capital planning should work together to provide clarity for community financial institutions.

Speakers:

  • John Demeritt, Managing Director, Darling Consulting Group

  • Chase Ogden, Quantitative Consultant, Darling Consulting Group

Monday

2:45 PM - 3:45 PM

Demystifying the World of CLOs

The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank has brought intense regulatory focus on liquidity positions. This is leading to increased asset allocation to cash and securities that comes at a cost to community banks. At the same time, many are reluctant to purchase bonds due to price volatility. Jon will discuss how this creates a need to rethink investment portfolio mix, causing more banks to explore the role of bond classes that have historically been outside their comfort zone. Collateralize Loan Obligations (CLOs) are a leader in that discussion. A lot has changed in this bond space since 2008 and the Great Recession, with increased transparency to the true risks of CLOs and how to manage them. Are you up to speed on this security class that larger banks have enjoyed for years?

Speakers:

  • Jon Virostek, Partner, Checkpoint Capital

Monday

2:45 PM - 3:45 PM

Importance of Alternative Funding in the Current Environment

With the banking industry still grappling with deposit and liquidity pressures from the historic Fed tightening cycle, the importance of deposit management, operating and contingency funding planning have become increasingly apparent. Deposit balances and the US money supply declined notably in 2023, while at the same time US growth and consumer spending remained in positive territory. In 2024, the environment has continued to undergo change making it a requirement for financial institutions to have access to multiple, reliable funding sources in order to manage balance sheet and unforeseen liquidity needs effectively.

In this session, Keri and Ryan will focus on the various alternative funding sources available to financial institutions and the role that they play in optimizing your funding and liquidity needs as well as helping to manage earnings and interest rate risk in this environment.

Speakers:

  • Keri Crooks, Managing Director, Darling Consulting Group

  • Ryan Gilles, Managing Director, Darling Consulting Group

Monday

2:45 PM - 3:45 PM

Recalibrate Your Lending Engines

With prospects for growth dampening, the specter of credit risk rising, and a still elevated cost to fund new volume, ensuring your loan portfolio is firing on all cylinders is as important as ever. Matt and Zach will share their perspectives on how to promote profitable lending initiatives within your institution and avoid the obstacles on the journey regardless of the terrain ahead.


Speaker: 

  • Keith Reagan, Executive Managing Director, Darling Consulting Group

  • Zach Zoia, Managing Director, Darling Consulting Group

Monday

2:45 PM - 3:45 PM

Balance Sheet Management Strategies to Consider and Avoid as this Unique Environment Plays Out

In most cases, 2025 and beyond appears to be a fairly nice recovery in terms of forecasted earnings for the community banking world, particularly if we are presented with a steepening of market yield curves as short rates decline. It is clear that banks and credit unions of all shapes and sizes desperately need time for asset cash flow to roll down the curve and some positive slope to market yield curves.

2024 is already playing out as a year that institutions will need to scratch and claw for every basis point, where sunnier skies are ahead!

This session led by Frank and Steve will offer strategies to help navigate through this period of considerable uncertainty and volatility. Much like 2023, 2024 is poised to present the banking industry with one of its most uncertain and potentially challenging environments of this 21st century. It will place a very real premium on ensuring that clarity drives decision-making…and not “fear.” Strategies will include lending, investments, deposits, the role of wholesale funding and derivatives (hedging and role in driving loan growth), and much more.

Creating the right perspective, looking through the right lens and enabling the right conversation at ALCO, has never been more critical.

Speakers:

  • Frank Farone, Managing Director, Darling Consulting Group

  • Steve Boselli, Managing Director, Darling Consulting Group

Monday

2:45 PM - 3:45 PM

Recalibrate Your Lending Engines

With prospects for growth dampening, the specter of credit risk rising, and a still elevated cost to fund new volume, ensuring your loan portfolio is firing on all cylinders is as important as ever. Matt and Zach will share their perspectives on how to promote profitable lending initiatives within your institution and avoid the obstacles on the journey regardless of the terrain ahead.


Speaker: 

  • Matt Pieniazek, President & CEO, Darling Consulting Group

  • Zach Zoia, Managing Director, Darling Consulting Group

Tuesday

9:45 AM - 10:45 PM

Basis Points Up for Grabs – Searching for the Optimal Deposit Strategy

The competitive deposit landscape is as challenging as we have ever seen in modern banking history. We are left wondering what is considered core as the mix from low-cost stable deposits to rate sensitive funding continues to change. The historically inverted yield curve adds further pressure to these challenges and our margin.
So, we search for the optimal deposit strategy to fund loan growth and manage funding costs. The equilibrium is difficult to find, but we know that every basis point counts. And there are certainly basis points up for grabs given the impending Fed pivot. Join Managing Directors Joe and Billy as they explore the deposit strategy outlook. They will share an inside look at current Deposits360°® data trends and forecast, case studies and lessons learned from the cycle, and provide a Fed Easing strategy playbook.

Speakers:

  • Joe Kennerson, Managing Director, Darling Consulting Group

  • Billy Guthrie, Managing Director, Darling Consulting Group

Tuesday

9:45 AM - 10:45 AM

Consumer Credit/Lending for Credit Unions

Stay ahead with the most recent economic trends impacting consumer credit. David will discuss the implications of a slowing labor market, continued consumer spending, and high-interest rates on credit trends. This session will dive into key indicators, market dynamics, and future predictions, providing a comprehensive understanding to drive informed decision-making and consumer credit strategy.

Speakers:

  • David Fieldhouse, Director, Consumer Credit Analytics, Moody's

Tuesday

9:45 AM - 10:45 AM

Hedging Strategies to Manage Uncertainty - Practical Case Studies

Recent events have highlighted the important role that hedging strategies play in managing the uncertainty we encounter in volatile market environments. Using practical examples, this session will provide education and timely commentary on the strategies being used by financial institutions to manage interest rate risks. Dave and Todd will talk about the ways that financial institutions use derivatives to manage growth objectives, help meet customer needs and generate fee income as well as lower funding costs, adjust asset duration, and manage earnings at risk.

Speakers:

  • Dave Sweeney, Chatham Financial Services

  • Todd Cuppia, Chatham Financial Services

Tuesday

9:45 AM - 10:45 AM

A Unifying View of CECL, Stress Testing, and Capital Planning: Designing Critical Reporting for Executive Management and the Board

Since the Great Recession, the banking industry has benefited from strong capital levels and a benign credit environment. Over the same period, new regulations and best practices have emerged, requiring explicit linkage between macroeconomic events and their expected impact. In practice, many management teams have struggled to form a unifying view that appropriately leverages these new or improved risk management tools. This is especially important today, as credit conditions are the most uncertain they have been in years. Do your existing tools work together to give you the information that you need to succeed? Is that information effectively translated into critical reporting for strategic decision-making?

Join John and Chase as they provide industry observations, trends, and examples of how CECL, stress testing, and capital planning should work together to provide clarity for community financial institutions.

Speakers:

  • John Demeritt, Managing Director, Darling Consulting Group

  • Chase Ogden, Quantitative Consultant, Darling Consulting Group

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Commercial Real Estate Market Update

Aaron will discuss the current trends across the major asset classes, and explore where the markets are today, and where they are headed. The presentation will dive into fundamentals, as well as capital markets trends and drivers.

Speaker: 

  • Aaron Jodka, Research Director, US Capital Markets, Colliers

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Demystifying the World of CLOs

The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank has brought intense regulatory focus on liquidity positions. This is leading to increased asset allocation to cash and securities that comes at a cost to community banks. At the same time, many are reluctant to purchase bonds due to price volatility. Jon will discuss how this creates a need to rethink investment portfolio mix, causing more banks to explore the role of bond classes that have historically been outside their comfort zone. Collateralize Loan Obligations (CLOs) are a leader in that discussion. A lot has changed in this bond space since 2008 and the Great Recession, with increased transparency to the true risks of CLOs and how to manage them. Are you up to speed on this security class that larger banks have enjoyed for years?

Speakers:

  • Jon Virostek, Partner, Checkpoint Capital

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Strategic Alchemy: Turning Data into Gold with Lending & Deposit Analytics

Navigating the ongoing liquidity challenges in the industry remains elusive with the quest for substantial growth in profitable lending, fueled by core deposit expansion is an anomaly. However, amidst this challenging landscape, certain institutions stand out. What sets these high-performing institutions apart from the rest? In this dynamic conference session, Keith and Justin delve into the analytics and strategies that have propelled some to success and explore how your executive team can leverage data and analytics to identify innovative deposit growth initiatives and identify risks and opportunities within the loan portfolio. Gain crucial insights to enhance core banking activities in a landscape where every basis point counts. Join us for a session that goes beyond gut instincts and historical trends, guiding your institution toward strategic success.

Speaker: 

  • Keith Reagan, Executive Managing Director, Darling Consulting Group

  • Justin Bakst, Executive Director Products & Solutions, Darling Consulting Group

Tuesday

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Balance Sheet Management Strategies to Consider and Avoid as this Unique Environment Plays Out

In most cases, 2025 and beyond appears to be a fairly nice recovery in terms of forecasted earnings for the community banking world, particularly if we are presented with a steepening of market yield curves as short rates decline. It is clear that banks and credit unions of all shapes and sizes desperately need time for asset cash flow to roll down the curve and some positive slope to market yield curves.

2024 is already playing out as a year that institutions will need to scratch and claw for every basis point, where sunnier skies are ahead!

This session led by Frank and Steve will offer strategies to help navigate through this period of considerable uncertainty and volatility. Much like 2023, 2024 is poised to present the banking industry with one of its most uncertain and potentially challenging environments of this 21st century. It will place a very real premium on ensuring that clarity drives decision-making…and not “fear.” Strategies will include lending, investments, deposits, the role of wholesale funding and derivatives (hedging and role in driving loan growth), and much more.

Creating the right perspective, looking through the right lens and enabling the right conversation at ALCO, has never been more critical.

Speakers:

  • Frank Farone, Managing Director, Darling Consulting Group

  • Steve Boselli, Managing Director, Darling Consulting Group

Tuesday

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Importance of Alternative Funding in the Current Environment

With the banking industry still grappling with deposit and liquidity pressures from the historic Fed tightening cycle, the importance of deposit management, operating and contingency funding planning have become increasingly apparent. Deposit balances and the US money supply declined notably in 2023, while at the same time US growth and consumer spending remained in positive territory. In 2024, the environment has continued to undergo change making it a requirement for financial institutions to have access to multiple, reliable funding sources in order to manage balance sheet and unforeseen liquidity needs effectively.

In this session, Keri and Ryan will focus on the various alternative funding sources available to financial institutions and the role that they play in optimizing your funding and liquidity needs as well as helping to manage earnings and interest rate risk in this environment.

Speakers:

  • Keri Crooks, Managing Director, Darling Consulting Group

  • Ryan Gilles, Managing Director, Darling Consulting Group

Tuesday

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Ask the Consultants

New this year, don’t miss the opportunity to have your critical questions answered live by a panel of DCG consultants.

In this open-forum general session, hear from DCG consultants representing all practice areas:
• Balance sheet management for banks & credit unions
• Deposit/liquidity/loan analytics
• Quantitative analysis & CECL
• Model risk management / validation

Submit your most pressing questions in advance or ask them in real-time. This is a unique opportunity to address your institution’s specific concerns as well as learn more about what’s top of mind for your peers.

Speakers:

  • DCG Consultants

Tuesday

2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

Balance Sheet Management Sessions

Program Schedule

Starting with a networking reception on the evening of Sunday June 9, the program continues over two days of education, peer exchange, and speakers. All times in ET. Click to download a printable PDF. 

Session Descriptions

Choose from 44 sessions over two days, ranging from our signature core education program to dynamic speakers on balance sheet management, model risk management & validation, and credit union topics. All times in ET.

Sessions at a Glance

Select from sessions ranging from our signature core education program to dynamic speakers on balance sheet management, model risk management & validation, and credit union topics. 

Balance Sheet Management Sessions

  • Commercial Real Estate Market Update

  • Strategic Alchemy: Turning Data into Gold with Lending & Deposit Analytics

  • Basis Points Up for Grabs – Searching for the Optimal Deposit Strategy

  • Hedging Strategies to Manage Uncertainty - Practical Case Studies

  • Navigating the Investment Maze: Strategies for Community Banks and Credit Unions

  • Recalibrate Your Lending Engines

  • Demystifying the World of CLOs

  • With a Washington “Twist:” Liquidity, Interest Sensitivity, and Lending

  • Importance of Alternative Funding in the Current Environment

  • Capital/Credit/CECL "for the Board"

  • A Unifying View of CECL, Stress Testing, and Capital Planning: Designing Critical Reporting for Executive Management and the Board  

  • Consumer Credit/Lending (for Credit Unions)

  • Peer Groups

  • Ask the Consultants

Download Printable CPE Schedule

​Darling Consulting Group, 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 for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.

DCG Webinars: DCG is registered with NASBA as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors.

Continuing Professional Education Information

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