DBA Digest for July 25, 2025

(l. to r.) Renée Duncan, Yanina Sgroppo Emerick, Margaret Cregan, and Corinne Stayton at the DBA booth at the Delaware State Fair.

The Delaware Bankers Association sponsored a booth during the Kid’s Day at the Delaware State Fair, July 22, 2025. DBA Director of Events, Corinne Stayton, Member Support Manager & Accounting Assistant, Renée Duncan and Margaret Cregan, Chief Administrative Officer were joined by County Bank’s Senior Vice President, Yanina Sgroppo Emerick, and gave out hundreds of Great Investo and Penny Comic books, Kids Savers Kits, and other sponsor giveaway items to the fairgoers. Thanks to all our members who contributed items: County Bank; Fulton Bank; Artisans’ Bank; Shore United Bank; Sallie Mae; and PNC! Fun was had by all! 

The Delaware State Fair celebrates young Delawareans at the Annual Kid’s Fair held on Kids Day by offering entertainment and educational (and fun) exhibits to young fairgoers and youth groups. 

DBA Member Forum - July 28, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Lewes Library, Lewes, DE

Meet new DBA President & CEO, Karyn Polak, along with the rest of the DBA Team! Share what's on the top of your mind for you and your institution. Tell us what you value most from the DBA and what you need from the DBA in the months ahead! Join us at the Lewes Library, 111 Adams Ave., Lewes, DE, 19958. RSVP to Renee Duncan via the link below.

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

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

One Week Left to Save on Discounted Early-Bird Registration! Members Save $400! Ends August 1st!

There's only one week left to save on discounted Early-Bird Registration 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

Connolly Gallagher LLP

Gordon, Fournaris & Mammarella, P.A.

McCollom D'Emilio Smith Uebler LLC

Richards Layton & Finger, P.A.

Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor LLP

Gold Sponsors

BMO Delaware Trust Company

Brockstedt Mandalas Federico LLC

The Glenmede Trust Company of Delaware

Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnel LLP

The Northern Trust Company of Delaware

Wilmington Trust

Silver Sponsors

BNY Wealth

CIBC Delaware Trust Company

Commonwealth Trust Company

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

FideliTrade

Fiduciary Education Foundation

JTC Trust Company (Delaware) Limited

Koplin Consulting

National Care Advisors

Pinion

TEAM

Federal Bank Regulatory Agencies Seek Further Comment on Interagency Effort to Reduce Regulatory Burden

The federal bank regulatory agencies announced their fourth notice requesting public comment to reduce regulatory burden. The Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act requires the agencies to review their regulations at least once every 10 years to identify outdated, unnecessary, or unduly burdensome regulatory requirements for their supervised institutions.

To facilitate this review, the agencies divided their regulations into 12 categories and are now soliciting comments on their regulations for the three remaining categories: Banking Operations, Capital, and the Community Reinvestment Act. The public has 90 days from publication in the Federal Register to comment on the relevant regulations.

Delaware Paid Leave Hours & Wage Report Target Date Reminder

The Delaware Department of Labor’s (DOL) Division of Paid Leave would like to remind Delaware employers that the due date to submit quarterly Hours & Wage reports is approaching. Delaware employers enrolled in Delaware Paid Leave should submit their Hours & Wage report by Wednesday, July 30.

Typically, Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) contributions and Hours & Wage reports will be due on the same day — 30 days after the end of each quarter, followed by a six-day grace period. At the request of our partners in the payroll industry—and because the program is still new to many—the target date for the first quarterly payment, as well as the second quarterly report and contribution is July 30, with no interest and no penalties to the employer.

ABA Webinar: Stablecoins & the GENIUS Act: What Every Bank Needs to Know Now - August 5, 1-2 p.m. ET

The regulatory future of payment stablecoins is no longer speculative—the GENIUS Act has passed, and a new avenue for payments is on the horizon. In this timely and actionable webinar, ABA’s Brooke Ybarra will unpack the GENIUS Act’s most critical provisions, including issuer requirements, prudential standards, and oversight mechanisms. You’ll gain a clear understanding of how this legislation impacts banking—and what it means for your institution. From real-time payments to emerging competitive threats, discover how stablecoins are poised to transform financial services.

Digital Imperatives: Cash Flow Tools, GenAI & Real-Time Payments— American Banker Complimentary Virtual summit - August 13 

Small business banking is on the brink of a major transformation. Join us on August 13 for Digital Imperatives: Cash Flow Tools, GenAI & Real-Time Payments—a complimentary, half-day virtual summit designed for banking professionals who want to stay ahead of the curve.

This can't-miss event will feature three expert-led sessions exploring how banks can stay ahead by leveraging digital tools that drive efficiency, insights, and speed:

• How Real-Time Payments Can Boost the Speed of Business for SMBs
• How SMBs Can Use GenAI to Unlock Business Opportunities
• Cash-Flow Management Tools Optimize Business Effectiveness

Richards, Layton & Finger and Four Directors Earn High Marks in Private Wealth Law 

Richards, Layton & Finger’s trusts and estates practice and directors have been recognized in the 2025 edition of Chambers HNW, the international guide to the world’s leading high-net-worth advisors. The firm directors recognized for excellence are F. Peter Conaty Jr., Beth Gansen Knight, and W. Donald Sparks II, named in Private Wealth Law, and Chad M. Shandler, listed in Private Wealth Disputes.



Chambers HNW reported that “Richards, Layton & Finger is the gold standard firm in the space, has a great reputation, and does excellent work.” Richards Layton’s trusts and estates team represents financial institutions, corporate fiduciaries, and high-net-worth individuals in sophisticated estate planning, trust and estate administration, tax issues, and fiduciary matters. The firm’s fiduciary litigation attorneys have won significant cases in court involving private wealth disputes.

McCollom D’Emilio Smith Uebler Honored by Chambers High Net Worth Guide 

In its 2025 guide, Chambers High Net Worth ranked McCollom D’Emilio Smith Uebler LLC (MDSU) in the Band 2 category for Private Wealth Law and Private Wealth Law Disputes in Delaware. Named in the guide since 2022 for Private Wealth Law, this is the first year MDSU was ranked for Private Wealth Law Disputes. “McCollom D'Emilio Smith Uebler are consistently really improving and increasing the quality of their practice.” says a source. “McCollom D'Emilio Smith Uebler has a big group with some knowledgeable practitioners.” added another. 



MDSU members Matthew D’Emilio, Daniel Hayward, William Lunger, Kimberly Gill McKinnon, and Jennifer Smith were also recognized in the Chambers High Net Worth 2025 rankings for Private Wealth Law in Delaware. MDSU member Thomas Uebler was recognized by the guide for Private Wealth Law Disputes in Delaware.  

Gordon, Fournaris & Mammarella, P.A. Ranked Band 1 by 2025 Chambers High Net Worth Guide

Peter Gordon

Michael Gordon

William Kelleher

Gordon, Fournaris & Mammarella, P.A. (GF&M) has once again been ranked as Band 1 in Private Wealth Law: Delaware for the 2025 edition of Chambers High Net Worth (HNW) Guide, which is the guide’s highest ranking. GF&M was also ranked as Band 2 for the first time in Private Wealth Disputes: Delaware. Chambers sources say “Gordon, Fournaris & Mammarella are excellent, and on the cutting edge with sophistication with planning clients”.

Three of GF&M’s directors were individually ranked in the Chambers HNW Guide for 2025. Both Peter Gordon and Michael Gordon are ranked Band 1 in Private Wealth Law: Delaware. William Kelleher is ranked Band 1 in Private Wealth Disputes: Delaware.

Morris Nichols Recognized in Chambers HNW 2025 for Delaware Private Wealth

For the tenth consecutive year, Morris Nichols has been ranked in the 2025 edition of Chambers High Net Worth, the international guide to the world’s leading high-net-worth advisors. The firm was ranked Band 1 in both Delaware Private Wealth Disputes and Private Wealth Law.

Attorneys Todd Flubacher, Matt Clark, and Zach Haupt are distinguished as leaders in their field. Todd is recognized in Band 1 for both Private Wealth Law and Private Wealth Disputes. Matt is ranked Band 1 for Private Wealth Disputes. Zach is recognized in Band 2 for Private Wealth Law. Chambers sources espouse, “Morris Nichols are incredibly thoughtful and provide helpful advice. They contemplate various perspectives and risks before tailoring their advice. Their expertise in the field is unmatched.”

BLS Shareholder Karly Laughlin, CPA, AEP Recognized on Forbes’ Best-In-State CPAs List

Belfint, Lyons & Shuman, P.A. (BLS), a Top 300 certified public accounting and consulting firm headquartered in Delaware, celebrates Karly Laughlin, CPA, AEP®, for being named to Forbes’ inaugural list of America’s Best-In-State CPAs.

This exclusive list, curated by Forbes editorial staff, identifies top CPAs actively practicing in public accounting based on a combination of peer nominations and endorsements from professional associations. Honorees were evaluated on key criteria including technical expertise, innovation, professional influence, community involvement, and overall impact on the field.

Elizabeth Schlecker Elected Chair of DSBA’s Labor and Employment Section

Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP is pleased to announce that firm attorney Elizabeth R. Schlecker has been elected chair of the Delaware State Bar Association (DSBA) Labor and Employment Section for 2025–2026.

The DSBA’s Labor & Employment Law Section provides information, support and guidance to practitioners of labor and employment law from both the employee/union perspective and the management/employer perspective, with a particular focus on providing regular updates on developments in labor and employment law.

A member of the DSBA since 2022, Schlecker previously served as secretary of the Labor and Employment Section.

Don't Miss This Upcoming OnCourse Learning Webinar!

Alert! CFPB Continues to Void Guidance Issued Since Dodd-Frank - July 28th

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is withdrawing all guidance documents to afford staff an opportunity to review and consider: (1) Whether the guidance is statutorily prescribed. (2) Whether the interpretation therein is consistent with the relevant statute or regulation. (3) Whether it imposes or decreases compliance burdens. Deposit guidance and advisories have been retracted! While some guidance might be reissued in the future, the Bureau does not intend to prioritize the enforcement of such guidance against parties that do not conform to the guidance during the pendency of any withdrawal.

During this webinar, we will focus on the withdrawal of deposit and operational guidance and its impact on your institution. There are nearly 60 policies, advisories, and other guidance retracted. You will receive a complete listing of all these retractions.

Audience: This session is ideal for deposit operations, deposit compliance, management, and training.

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

Grand Opening of the DEBCC Headquarters & Business Incubator

We are thrilled to invite you to the Grand Opening of the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce Headquarters + Business Incubator! Join us as we celebrate this exciting new chapter with our official ribbon cutting ceremony.

Tuesday, August 26, 2025, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. 321 E 11th Street, 3rd Floor, Wilmington, DE 19801.

ABA Agricultural Bankers Conference - November 12-14,  St. Louis, MO

Ongoing challenges in the agricultural sector, coupled with economic uncertainty, loom large over your loan portfolio. Do more than just weather the storm — get the tools and actionable insights you need to grow your ag banking business despite tough conditions. Don’t miss the nation’s premier conference for ag lenders — now condensed into 3 jam-packed days to reduce travel costs and time away from your business! Early-bird savings end Sept. 19! Register now and save $300!