DBA Digest for July 11, 2025

This week DBA President Karyn Polak and I visited the American Bankers Association in Washington D.C. for a productive round of get-acquainted meetings with ABA President Rob Nichols and his staff. We also met with other key ABA teams including: the State Association Alliance; Congressional Relations; BankPac; Advocacy and Innovation; Office of Member Engagement and Policy; and Economics/Research.

We discussed a wide range of topics, including: 

·    Workforce and professional development, including opportunities to collaborate on events and networks; ABA training resources like toolkits and white papers, and its regular Bank Compensation Survey; the hundreds of ABA committees and working groups on various topics, including advancing women in banking; and synergies with the work DBA is already doing with Delaware academic institutions

·    Advocacy resources, with a special focus on check fraud, elder abuse, and other fraud matters; stablecoin, payments systems, AI and innovation 

·    Telling our industry’s story, and celebrating our histories – enhancing our Community Card with greater detail and data from their economic and quantitative department, supporting the ABA’s Voter Education Program, and highlighting the ABA’s 150 years and the DBA’s 130 years

·    Events like the upcoming ABA Summer Leadership Meeting, where Karyn will be one of the featured new state executives

We were also excited to learn about their state-of-the-art recording studio, available to all bank associations and their members as needed. ABA President Rob Nichols and his team made it very clear that they are here for the DBA, and that the ABA is very willing to provide support and lend resources whenever and wherever we need them. All in all, it was a very productive visit that promises greater things to come. Stay tuned!

Virtual Event! ABA Women Lead Symposium - July 17th!

Don't miss the Women Lead Symposium, July 17, a convenient virtual program

designed to help emerging leaders and seasoned professionals become successful leaders.

This joint effort between the American Bankers Association, the Delaware Bankers Association, and other state bankers associations will help you gain critical leadership skills that will support your bank’s growth goals and advance your career. You’ll learn leading practices and actionable insights to navigate key positions at your bank and foster workforce excellence. You’ll walk away with leadership resources and a strong professional network!

See the full agenda and registration information via the link below!

2025 Foundations of Delaware Trusts - Three New Sessions - Live and On-Demand - Begins August 7th!

The Delaware Financial Education Alliance proudly announces three new virtual video sessions in the Foundations of Delaware Trust series. Each session will be available live and on-demand making it convenient to educate your entire staff. Don't miss these informative seminars. Sessions are just $199 each for DBA members or $499 for all three!

August 7 - Estate/Wealth Transfer Planning Techniques - Why the Grantor Created the Trust

Instructors: Matthew P. D'Emilio, Managing Member, McCollom D'Emilio Smith Uebler LLC; Tara S. Hersh, Associate, McCollum D'Emilo Smith Uebler LLC

August 14 -How to Communicate with Trust Beneficiaries - The When, Why and How of It All

Instructors: Cindy Brown, Director of Special Situs Trusts, Wealth Management, Mechanics Bank; Bobbi Lynn Kent, Chief Fiduciary Officer & Chief Administrative Officer | Senior Vice President, The Northern Trust Company of Delaware.

August 21 - Trust Modification

Instructors: Michael M. Gordon, Director, Gordon, Fournaris & Mammarella, P.A.; Elizabeth M. Luk, Head of Delaware Trust, BNY Wealth, BNY Mellon Trust of Delaware.

Delaware Trust Conference

Discounted Early-Bird Registration Now Open! Members Save $400 Through August 1st!

Discounted Early-Bird Registration continues for the 2025 Delaware Trust Conference. Members can save $400 when registering by August 1st. The 2025 Delaware Trust Conference will be live at The Chase Center on the Riverfront, AND live-streaming, on October 28 & 29, AND on-demand through November for credit! Earn up to 17.0 CLE, including 2.0 Ethics Credits! 

Sponsorships and Exhibitor Space Available!

Join these prestigious sponsors and exhibitors:

Platinum Sponsor

The Bryn Mawr Trust Company of Delaware (a WSFS Company)

Diamond Sponsors

Brown Brothers Harriman

Gordon, Fournaris & Mammarella, P.A.

McCollom D'Emilio Smith Uebler LLC

Richards Layton & Finger, P.A.

Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor LLP

Gold Sponsor

Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnel LLP

Silver Sponsors

Greenleaf Trust Delaware

Morris James LLP

Pinion

Santora CPA Group

U.S. Trust Company of Delaware

Bronze Sponsor

Duane Morris LLP

Exhibitors

Campbell University Trust and Wealth Management Program

Delaware Community Foundation

Fiduciary Education Foundation

JTC Trust Company (Delaware) Limited

Koplin Consulting

Pinion

Don't Miss These Upcoming OnCourse Learning Webinars!

BSA/AML Training for Staff - July 15th

2025 brings many new issues for the BSA team. Beneficial ownership rules continue to drop out in increments. We have heightened security on OFAC matches in our system because of the world’s political climate. We continue to deal with new areas such as marijuana and convertible virtual currency.

Audience: This session is ideal for BSA officers, BSA staff, management, operations, training, and compliance.

Small Bank CRA Workshop - July 21st

On October 24, 2023, the agencies issued a final rule that revised their regulations implementing the CRA. However, the Final Rule never took effect due to litigation challenging the rule. The agencies now plan to issue a proposal to rescind the 2023 CRA Final Rule, and seek public comment on reinstating the CRA framework that existed prior to the 2023 Final Rule. What does that mean for compliant programs for Small Banks under CRA?

Audience: This workshop is ideal for anyone with hands-on responsibilities for the Community Reinvestment Act or Fair Lending and/or compliance in those areas, as well as those handling marketing and advertising or lending. This can include the marketing team, loan officers, compliance officers, and auditors.



Learn more and browse all the webinars via the link below.

Community Bank Delaware Announces Jessica Johnson as AVP & Rehoboth Branch Manager

Community Bank Delaware is pleased to welcome Jessica Johnson as Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager of the Bank’s Rehoboth location.

Prior to joining the Bank, Ms. Johnson successfully launched and managed the 26^th Street Branch for The Bank of Delmarva. She also held the role of Solution Center Manager at LinkBank, gaining valuable experience in customer service, team leadership, and operational efficiency.

“Jessica is a true leader, dedicated to both her staff and customers,” said Staci Niblett, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Community Bank Delaware. “Jessica and I worked together previously, and I knew she would be a great addition to the team. Her commitment and drive stand out.”

New Castle Co. Chamber of Commerce: State of the County - July 15

Register for the 3rd Annual State of the County on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at Clayton Hall Conference Center to hear from business leaders investing in, and reimagining, the future of our growing county.

This event will bring together community leaders and residents, from diverse backgrounds, to celebrate and build awareness about the remarkable growth of our county. From the latest developments in infrastructure and transportation to groundbreaking innovation projects, you'll have the opportunity to gain firsthand insights into the exciting initiatives and projects shaping our county's future. 

DBA Members receive 20% off registration using the special PARTNER promo code!

Evercore Wealth Management publishes Independent Thinking, vol. 53

We cover a wide range of topics in this edition, ranging from the role of the U.S. dollar as the global reserve currency, to moving assets abroad, to building a team of advisors. All reflect our commitment to helping our clients and their families navigate changing market conditions with confidence.

About Evercore Wealth Management and Evercore Trust Company: Evercore Wealth Management serves high-net-worth families, endowments and foundations, delivering customized strategic wealth planning, investment management, and trust and custody services. Evercore Wealth Management is a registered investment advisor with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), with offices in New York, Minneapolis, Palm Beach, San Francisco and Tampa. Registration with the SEC does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The firm manages $13.6 billion in client assets, as of March 31, 2025.

Quarterly Market Insights - July 2025

U.S. Markets - Markets rose in the second quarter as investors witnessed the new U.S. trade policy's impacts unfold, while tensions continued in the Middle East.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 10.57 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 17.75 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 4.98 percent.

For June, international matters took the spotlight, with continued tariff talk between the U.S. and China, and conflict in the Middle East resulting in a ceasefire. Solid corporate earnings, a still-strong labor market, and a recovery in artificial intelligence-related stocks provided some underlying strength to the rally, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq hitting all-time highs.

Community Bank Sentiment Index Near All-Time High

Community bankers’ optimism on the future economy is holding steady, according to the 2025 second quarter results of the Community Bank Sentiment Index (CBSI).The CBSI dipped slightly to 126 from its peak value of 129 in the previous quarter, driven by a less optimistic outlook for a lighter regulatory environment and moderated expectations for higher expected profitability. However, the overall index remains well above the neutral level of 100 and is among the highest three readings recorded since its inception in 2019.

“Even though the economic outlook still remains clouded by uncertainties arising from tariff talks, immigration reforms, and fiscal and monetary policy decisions, overall community banker sentiment remains mostly optimistic and similar to the last two quarterly surveys,” said CSBS Chief Economist Tom Siems.

Updated: Get Data on National and Local U.S. Debt Trends

Average U.S. consumer debt declined, yet delinquencies are up across various loan types compared with last year. The data show that 17 percent of all borrowers have severely delinquent debt.

When it comes to credit card debt, 13 percent of U.S. borrowers have severely delinquent debt. In the Vineland, NJ, metro area, that number is 19 percent.

These are just two examples of stats you can find in the updated Consumer Credit Explorer (CCE). The go-to resource now includes data up to Q1 2025.

With the refreshed CCE you can compare quarterly data on auto, student, and home loan debt at the national, state, and local level.

Ballard Spahr Submits Amicus Brief on Behalf of Banking Trade Groups in Important SCOTUS Arbitration Case

On behalf of the American Bankers Association (ABA) and the Consumer Bankers Association (CBA), Ballard Spahr has submitted an amicus brief to the United States Supreme Court in Coinbase, Inc., et al. v. Kramer, et al., No. 24-1230. The amicus brief was filed in support of a petition for a writ of certiorari filed by Coinbase which asks the Court to clarify the scope of Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) preemption when California plaintiffs seek public injunctive relief under the “McGill rule” but only a fraction of the general public (typically customers of the defendant) would benefit from the issuance of any such relief.

S&P Q3 Global Webinar: Outlook for U.S. Commercial Bank Performance and Fintech: Finding Optimism Through The Volatility

July 22nd - 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

US banks’ net interest margins are poised to expand as funding costs move lower, while earning assets mature and are replaced with higher-yielding loans and securities. Heightened tariff-related anxiety will weigh on loan growth and credit quality and could threaten earnings growth in 2025, but the worst case fears in the investment community appear to have subsided and banks still expect to benefit from deregulation.

During this webinar, the S&P Global Market Intelligence Research team will present their proprietary projections for commercial bank performance and lead us in a discussion about how banks can capitalize on the current opportunities to accelerate their technology adoption.

Potter Anderson Attorney Alyssa Gerace Frank

Elected Chair of DSBA’s Commercial Law Section

Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP is pleased to announce that Alyssa Gerace Frank has been elected chair of the Delaware State Bar Association (DSBA) Commercial Law Section for 2025–2026.

The section promotes the professional development and interests of its members and provides a common meeting ground for attorneys who practice in the area of commercial law. 

Frank previously served two years as the DSBA Commercial Law Section’s vice chair and was the section’s secretary prior to that.