DBA Digest for December 12, 2025

Brought to you this week by:

In the trust world, staying current isn’t optional—but finding time often feels like a heroic quest. That’s where the Foundations of Delaware Trusts on-demand bundles step in, delivering Delaware-grade expertise straight to your laptop, tablet, or whatever device you pretend not to check during meetings.

The Trust Planning Basics bundle is your crash course in “how to look smart in front of clients without rereading a textbook.” It covers the essential building blocks of Delaware trust planning—clear, concise, and blissfully free of legal jargon that requires a translation guide.

Next comes Trust Administration, the bundle for anyone who’s ever wondered why trusts run beautifully on paper and then develop personalities in real life. This series lays out the practical do’s, don’ts, and “definitely don’ts,” helping professionals keep even the most complex structures humming.

For those who secretly enjoy the thrill of a well-timed deduction, the Tax Planning bundle offers a tour through the strategies that make Delaware such a powerhouse for multigenerational wealth. It’s smart, practical, and won’t make your eyes glaze over—no small achievement in tax education.

The BSA/AML bundle tackles the alphabet soup of compliance with refreshing clarity. It turns regulations from “necessary headache” into “manageable task,” and may even inspire an occasional nod of appreciation from your compliance team.

Finally, the Transferring Trust Situs bundle explains how and why trusts migrate to Delaware—legally, happily, and without the usual travel delays. It highlights the advantages, procedures, and key considerations that make situs changes one of Delaware’s most valuable tools.

Together, these on-demand bundles offer consistent, high-quality training that fits any schedule. Whether you’re onboarding new staff, brushing up before a client meeting, or simply reinforcing your Delaware expertise, the Foundations of Delaware Trusts series brings clarity and convenience to the fiduciary world. In short: learn when you want, as much as you want—and finally check “professional development” off your to-do list without leaving your desk. See detailed descriptions of all the Foundations of Delaware Trusts sessions and bundles via the link below.

The Latest Issue of Delaware Banker Now Available

The Fall 2025 issue of Delaware Banker is a must-read for anyone working in banking, wealth management, or Delaware’s trust industry. This edition is packed with standout feature articles — including a deep exploration of the “rich tapestry of Delaware trusts,” a timely breakdown of the growing conversation around debanking, and practical guidance on best practices for trust and wealth-management services. You’ll also find insights from the 2025 Delaware Trust Conference and fresh perspectives on compliance, regulation, and industry innovation.

DBA Project Manager RFP

The Delaware Bankers Association is looking for a project manager to coordinate several streams of important work. We are embarking on an update and upgrade of our systems and strategy to best meet this complex moment and support members as we look ahead. Please consider and share our RFP as you see fit.

Banking Matters Podcast: Keeping the Human in AI Incorporation

In this week’s conversation host Linsey Hugueley chats with Gayle Brooke, Compliance Officer for Independent Bank, about the critical role of human oversight in AI-generated outputs, highlighting the risks of unverified information and the concept of 'work slop'. She advocates for careful review of AI outputs to prevent inefficiencies and errors in the workplace.

 Richards, Layton & Finger Lawyers Admitted to the Delaware Bar

Richards, Layton & Finger is pleased to announce that sixteen of our associates who joined the firm in September have been admitted to the Delaware bar. The lawyers were admitted to practice in the State of Delaware by the Delaware Supreme Court in a ceremony today. The sixteen new associates came to Richards Layton in September from the mid-Atlantic and across the United States.



“We are proud to welcome our new associates to the Delaware bar and congratulate them on this significant milestone,” said Paul Heath, president of Richards Layton. “Their determination and talent strengthen our firm, and I know they will continue our longstanding commitment to excellence, service, and leadership in the Delaware legal community.”

Read the full listing of newly admitted attorneys, their law schools, and their areas of practice via the link below.

Gordon, Fournaris & Mammarella Welcomes Three New Associates and Celebrates Their Admission to the Delaware Bar 

Christina Smith

Sehee Hwang

Llewellyn “Oliver” Robinson

GF&M is pleased to welcome Christina Smith, Sehee Hwang, and Llewellyn “Oliver” Robinson as associates of the firm. Christina and Sehee have joined the Private Wealth Department, where they will assist clients with estate planning, trust and estate administration, and related matters. Oliver has joined the Litigation Department, supporting clients in a broad range of civil and commercial disputes.

The firm also proudly congratulates Christina, Sehee, and Oliver on their admission to the Delaware Bar on December 10, 2025—an important milestone in their professional careers. Christina and Sehee are graduates of the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, and Oliver graduated cum laude from the Temple University Beasley School of Law.

The CFPB’s Funding Crisis: Legal, Operational, and Policy Implications: December 15th Webinar

In a stunning development, Acting CFPB Director Russ Vought informed the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (Judge Amy Berman Jackson) that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) will exhaust its funds by year-end unless Congress provides a direct appropriation. This program will provide critical insights for financial institutions, compliance professionals, in-house counsel, and policymakers navigating the far-reaching implications of the CFPB’s funding crisis - both for near-term compliance and the long-term structure of consumer financial protection. Join us on December 15, 2025: 12:00 p.m. ET.

The Community Foundation Advantage:

Flexible, Practical Solutions for Charitable Clients - December 17th

Learn how the variety of charitable funds and philanthropic expertise available through the community foundation can help you better serve your clients. Through a client focused and collaborative approach, the community foundation team works with you and your clients to explore a range of options available to help them achieve their short and long-term charitable goals and/or leave a meaningful personal or family legacy. Giving through the community foundation can also be an important strategic component of estate, life-event, business transition and financial planning, providing immediate or future tax

benefits.

December 17, 2:00pm-3:30pm, Delaware Historical Society (Wilmington Campus).

1.5 of CLE credits, automatically reported to the Delaware Commission on CLE

Webinar: Big Changes to Small Change: Managing Through the Shrinking Penny Supply - Dec. 18th

Since the production of the penny ended in August, inventories have been shrinking. Banks and their customers have had to rely on the pennies already in circulation to meet demand. These challenges have been exacerbated by the Federal Reserve’s decision to cease supporting penny circulation at most of its locations across the country. Join this session to learn about how your bank can manage penny inventories as long as possible and what to do when the supply runs out. Join us, December 18th, 12 to 1 p.m. This free webinar is available to ABA bank members only. 

EDx Talk: Building a Future-Ready Workforce:

January 6th

As New Castle County continues to grow and diversify its economy, building a future-ready workforce is more critical than ever. Join us for our next EDx Talk, where local and regional leaders will explore innovative, employer-driven strategies to close talent gaps, expand access to high-quality training, and fuel economic momentum. Learn how workforce development is powering success across industries and positioning New Castle County and Delaware as national models for inclusive growth and economic resilience. Join us on Tuesday Jan 6, 2026, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM, Chase Center on the Riverfront.

Registration Now Open — March 23–26 National Community Investment Conference

Registration is now open for the March 23–26 National Community Investment Conference in Phoenix, AZ. The 2026 program, Innovations in Public-Private Partnership, will highlight strategies for advancing economic opportunity through access to credit, investment, and financial services, with a focus on effective partnership models. Attendees will hear about successful approaches for attracting and deploying capital in a variety of sessions tailored to financial institutions, community organizations, and public entities who are striving to meet the needs of the communities they serve.

ABA Bank Marketing School:

April 18-24, 2026 Emory Conference Center Hotel, Atlanta, GA

Power your career growth with the lasting relationships you'll make at ABA Bank Marketing School. You’ll connect with fellow bank marketers and our top-notch faculty comprised of the best minds in bank marketing. You’ll also work with peers in a collaborative group project — a case study to create a marketing plan for a fictional bank.