DBA Digest for August 28, 2026 | | Brought to you this week by..... | | |
Through the
DBA Lens
David Mench
Director, Government Affairs
Peter Retzlaff Appointed Delaware Deputy Bank Commissioner
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Peter Retzlaff has been appointed Deputy Bank Commissioner for the State of Delaware, effective August 24.
Retzlaff brings more than 30 years of experience as a bank examiner to the position. Most recently, he served as Chief Bank Examiner, where he worked closely with the Office’s examination staff and financial institutions.
As Deputy Bank Commissioner, Retzlaff will oversee the Bank and Trust area of the Office while continuing to work with the examination staff. His extensive experience in bank supervision and examination will support the Office’s ongoing efforts to promote the safety, soundness and integrity of Delaware’s banking industry.
| | 2026 FDIC Directors' College - September 9 | |
Registration is now open for full members to attend the 2026 FDIC Director’s College, which will be held in person on Wednesday, September 9 at the Lewes Yacht Club.
The College provides ongoing education on current topics for 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.
The agenda includes:
- Payments Fraud: Current Schemes and Mitigation Strategies
- Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Overview
- Emerging Technology
- Conversation with the Regulators
- Economics and Banking Update
Individual registration is $299, or take advantage of a group rate 15% discount for ten or more registrants by contacting renee.duncan@debankers.com.
September 9 | 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. ET | Lewes
| | 2026 Delaware Trust Conference
Register Today and Save $400 with Early Bird! | | |
Join us October 27-28, 2026, at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington, Delaware, for one of the nation's premier educational and networking events for trust and wealth management professionals. Attend in person or virtually via live stream and gain valuable insights from nationally recognized speakers and industry leaders.
Highlights include:
- Partnership Tax "Hacks" with Paul Lee
- Preventing Trust Breakdowns (Ethics)
- Delaware Trust Act & Legislative Update
- Delaware Court of Chancery Panel
- Federal Tax Update with Sam Donaldson
- Review of Significant Fiduciary Litigation Decisions
- Trust Situs and Conflict of Laws with Professor Robert Sitkoff
- Expanded breakout sessions on emerging issues and industry trends
With more than 450 professionals attending each year, participants can earn up to 16.0 CLE credits, including 2.0 Ethics credits.
Register online today and reserve your spot!
Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities available.
October 27 - 28 | 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. ET | Wilmington
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JPMorganChase announces $24 million to help strengthen shipbuilding in Philadelphia and America’s defense industrial base | |
JPMorganChase announced $24 million to strengthen Philadelphia’s shipbuilding and maritime manufacturing industry—supporting skills training, stronger supply chains and small business growth in a sector critical to America’s defense industrial base.
The announcement includes $18 million in loans and investments and $6 million in philanthropic grants. Near-term focus areas include:
- Driving the expansion of a submarine manufacturing and assembly facility expected to create 450 new permanent jobs;
- Helping expand workforce training and apprenticeship opportunities for potentially thousands of local workers—including welders, electricians and other critical shipbuilding roles—to work at the Navy Yard;
- Supporting up to 100 local maritime small business suppliers; and
- Building a stronger regional collaborative that connects employers, training providers and community partners to meet demand and expand economic opportunity.
“America can compete and lead in shipbuilding again—it starts with more skilled workers and secure supply chains,” said Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO of JPMorganChase. “We need to train people for the jobs shipbuilders urgently need, connect them to good careers and strengthen the suppliers and partners that keep a shipyard running. When we build the workforce and the supply chain together, we create good careers for workers and a stronger, more resilient maritime industry that supports our national security and our economy.”
| ABA Washington Update
August/September | |
In the latest Washington Update, ABA President and CEO Rob Nichols highlights the growing focus on digital assets and tokenized money as regulators implement the GENIUS Act and lawmakers continue debating the CLARITY Act, which would establish a broader regulatory framework for digital assets.
Nichols emphasizes that the ABA supports clear and effective rules for the digital asset marketplace but believes the current version of the CLARITY Act requires additional safeguards. ABA is actively advocating for changes that protect community and regional banks from unintended consequences, particularly the risk of deposits shifting away from traditional banks if crypto companies are permitted to offer yield-like incentives on payment stablecoins.
| The Latest Statistics on the Banking Sector in Our Region | Get insights into the banking sector in our region with our Institutions in the Third District data explorer. Updated with data through 2026 Q2, the tool lets you visualize detailed statistics on all banks, savings associations, and holding companies in eastern and central Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, and Delaware. The explorer includes each institution’s location; number of branches; total assets, deposits, and capital; and more. | | Leadership Delaware seeks applicants for Class of 2027 | | |
Leadership Delaware is looking for the best and brightest Delawareans to apply for the Fellowship Class of 2027!
Just two Candidate Receptions remain for prospective applicants: Thursday, Aug. 27 and Wednesday, Sept. 9. Both start at 6 p.m., at CSC Station in Wilmington. Join us and hear from the staff and previous fellows, learn more about the program, and get your questions answered before submitting your online application.
Ideal candidates are demonstrated leaders in their fields and communities who are ready to expand their impact in the First State. Attendance at a Candidate Reception is required to apply.
Application deadline: Sept. 25. Visit www.leadershipdelaware.org to learn more.
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Elevate Your Bank’s Audit and Compliance Strategies | |
The regulatory environment continues to evolve, making it more important than ever for
compliance, audit and risk professionals to stay informed. Join bankers from across the
country for the 2026 Bank Compliance & Audit Conference, a three-day virtual event
taking place September 1-3.
Designed for compliance officers, auditors, risk managers and bank leaders, this
conference delivers practical guidance on the issues shaping today's banking
environment. Featured sessions will cover AI-powered compliance, AI governance,
digital KYC and customer due diligence, the Federal Reserve's Large Financial
Institution Rating System, global internal audit standards, fair lending, BSA information
sharing, examination readiness, ISO auditing and physical security testing.
Whether you’re looking to strengthen your institution’s compliance program, prepare for
your next examination or better understand emerging risks, you’ll leave with practical
strategies and actionable insights from experienced industry professionals.
September 1 - 3, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Virtual
| Capital Connect 2026: Where Capital Meets Opportunity | |
On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Downtown Wilmington, True Access Capital will host Capital Connect, a regional access-to-capital expo bringing entrepreneurs together with banks, Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), investors, and business advisors to explore financing options, business readiness, and growth strategies.
True Access Capital (TAC) is a federally certified CDFI headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, providing financing and business support to small businesses that may not yet qualify for conventional bank financing. Capital Connect is designed to strengthen that financing continuum by bringing entrepreneurs and the region's capital providers together.
October 7, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET | Wilmington
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Registration is now open for the Delaware Data Science Symposium 2026, hosted by the Data Science Institute (DSI). The event will take place in person at the STAR Tower on Thursday, October 8, 2026, from 8:30AM to 4:30PM.
We invite researchers, practitioners, and students from both academic and non-academic sectors to join us for a day of presentations, networking, and collaboration.
The registration and poster proposal deadline is September 23, 2026. There is no cost to register or participate.
We especially encourage submissions for in-person poster presentations that showcase current research projects or agendas. Poster presenters will also have the opportunity to promote their posters through brief lightning talks, designed to spark connections and potential collaborations. Projects at any stage—including works in progress—are welcome.
October 8 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET | Newark
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