DBA Digest for August 20, 2021
Discounted Early-Bird Registration Ends Today!
Wealth Management Professionals, the Discounted Early-Bird Registration for the 2021 Delaware Trust Conference ends at midnight August 20th! DBA Members can register with an all-access pass for just $925 (regularly $995). Concerned about the changing pandemic rules? Attending this year's conference is more flexible than ever.
Attend in person at the Chase Center on the Riverfront, or via live stream on your computer, tablet, or phone. And all sessions will also be available for on-demand viewing after the conference! Earn up to 18.0 CLE Credits, Including 2.0 Ethics Credits! All the sessions feature the stellar line-up of the nation’s top trust, legal, and wealth management experts for which the Delaware Trust Conference is known.

Follow the link below for agenda and registration information!
2021 FDIC Director's College! Registration Now Open!
Registration is now open for the 2021 FDIC Director's College, September 24 live on the Zoom Webinar Platform, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The FDIC Director's College provides ongoing education on current topics of bank supervision to bank directors, senior officers, corporate secretaries, and board advisors. The course is designed to help directors and trustees, both new and experienced, stay abreast of the ever-changing regulatory environment.

This year's agenda includes: Risk Identification and Assessment; Effectively Identifying and Monitoring Cybersecurity Risks; Conversations with Regulators; Economic Update; and, Guidance for New Directors. Follow the link below to register. Registration is $299.00/per person. We would like to extend a discount of 15% for ten or more registrants and a 10% discount for 5-9 registrants. To take advantage of this group rate, please reach out to Corinne Stayton corinne.stayton@debankers.com .
Business Writing Workshop
September 15th 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Time equals money in the work world, so creating clear documents quickly that can be understood easily is crucial. Join Linda Comerford, Comerford Consulting for this rewarding on-line course via Zoom, September 15th: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Just $199 per person for DBA members! ($249 for non-members)

Workshop Objectives: After attending this course, participants will benefit from an increased ability to:
  • Identify varied audiences and purposes for writing;
  • Polish rough edges of their writing style in paragraphs, sentences, words, and format;
  • Write more effective documents while following a more efficient writing process; and,
  • Apply course concepts to their actual writing samples.
Shore United Bank Helps Support Operation Frederick Douglass
Shore United Bank is pleased to announce their $10,000 sponsorship to help support the Operation Frederick Douglass on the Hill project which is planned to be unveiled Saturday, September 4th. The project, a 24x8 foot mural of Frederick Douglass painted by world-renowned artist Michael Rosato, costs around $50,000 which was the initial fundraising goal.

President and CEO of Shore United Bank, Scott Beatty, Jr. and Tarence Bailey, Sr., the Founder of Operation Frederick Douglass on the Hill met earlier last week regarding the sponsorship.

“Shore United Bank is pleased to take part in such an impactful project that celebrates African Americans and our local history. This mural is a reminder of the importance of unity and diversity, all values this community can feel proud to uphold. We are excited to see this piece of art in its permanent home in the Hill Community and share the passionate ideas of equality that this piece of art displays,” says Mr. Beatty when asked why this project is important to Shore United Bank.
Jenifer Jurden is a Cartoonist from Wilmington who has graciously provided her Planet Jurdy cartoons for the DBA Digest. Jurdy® is her other-worldly "Hero of Happyness" whose cartoons bring levity to humans worldwide.
Doneene Damon Honored as a Diversity Leader in Business
Doneene K. Damon, president of Richards, Layton & Finger, has been named among the Philadelphia Business Journal’s 2021 Diversity Leaders in Business. Shining a light on the breadth of diversity and the wealth of talent in the Greater Philadelphia business community, the Diversity Leaders in Business awards showcase individuals who have made a significant impact through their professional accomplishments, philanthropic contributions, and community leadership. Doneene and her fellow honorees will be celebrated at a live virtual event on Aug. 26 and profiled in a special edition of the Business Journal on Aug. 27.

Doneene’s leadership within Richards Layton, the legal profession, and the community at large sets the standard for community involvement and professional excellence. In addition to serving as Richards Layton’s president, she is co-chair of the firm’s Business Department and chair of the Corporate Trust and Agency Services Group. Doneene focuses her legal practice on the use of Delaware and New York trusts in a wide range of commercial transactions, and represents banks and trust companies in connection with their trust and agency services under Delaware and New York law. 
Santora CPA Group Announces Two Promotions
Santora CPA Group, a Newark-based Certified Public Accounting and Consulting firm, is pleased to announce that:
 
Mandy Calvello (above left), CPA has been promoted to Supervisor. She has been with the firm full- and part-time since 2000. Mandy is a graduate of the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. She is a member of the American Institute and the Delaware Society of Certified Public Accountants.
 
Debi Koch (above right), CPA has been promoted to Tax Manager. She started her accounting career with the firm in September 1999, and after taking a few years off to start a family, she returned in 2008. Debi is a graduate of the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. She is a member of the American Institute and the Delaware Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Troutman Pepper: SEC Responds to Warren’s Letter on Authority to Regulate Crypto
On August 5, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler responded to Senator Elizabeth Warren’s July 7 letter regarding the SEC’s authority to regulate cryptocurrencies, as discussed in our client advisory here.
Gensler expressed his concerns over both centralized and decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms when he said: “I believe these various platforms not only can implicate the securities laws; some platforms can also implicate the commodities laws and the banking laws.”

Moreover, Gensler stated that ”[c]ertain rules related to crypto assets are well-settled. The test to determine whether a crypto asset is a security is clear. The SEC has taken and will continue to take out authorities as far as they go.” He noted that the SEC has yet to lose a token-related case involving fraud or significant harm to investors.
Sign Up Now! Two On-Line Courses:
Fundamentals of Commercial Banking; and,
Analyzing Repayment Sources!
The Delaware Bankers Association & Delaware Financial Education Alliance has partnered with Andy Keusal with Keusal Learning LLC to offer two new online Breaking into Banking videos:

  • Breaking into Banking 101: Fundamentals of Commercial Banking - ten learning modules, over 5 hours in total content

  • Breaking into Banking 201: Analyzing Repayment Sources - nine modules covers topics including how to analyze income statements, balance sheets, collateral, and risk rating.

Each module includes a video lesson and a multiple-choice self-check. Many of the lessons include exercises/case studies for learners to work through that are related to a sample company outlined in the course’s Reference Guide.

Get the full details, including an introductory video at the link below.
We want to hear from you! Please send your news items to
Greg Koseluk at greg.koseluk@debankers.com
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