DBA Digest for June 6, 2025

Brought to you this week by...

What’s Now, What’s Next?

Through the President’s Lens

Karyn Polak, DBA President, CEO, and Treasurer

Warm and welcoming. Eager to share. Anxious about the uncertainties and shifting winds. Excited to offer and activate new ideas. Longtime stalwarts and newcomers alike connecting with purpose. 

Those are just some of the ways in which I’d summarize my conversations over the past six weeks since we announced that I would be the next President, CEO, and Treasurer of the DBA. Over that time, I had the opportunity to meet with multitudes at some larger events like our very own Annual Dinner celebrating our 130^th anniversary and Sarah Long’s retirement, our Wilmington Women Connect event, the Common Wealth Awards, the Philadelphia Fed’s Economic Mobility Summit, our DBA Legislative Luncheon, and others. Our DBA team met several times, in different settings, in order to get to know each other and share Delaware and DBA highlights and insights. I spent time in each of our three counties; did deep dives on internal governance, legislative and policy matters at the state and federal levels; and discussed a veritable wealth of possibilities on existing challenges and potential innovations. Thanks to our inimitable David Mench, I met many members of the Delaware legislature, their staff and lobbyists, as well as key members of the Governor’s administration. I also met at length with our current and our former board chairs and one-on-one with three other board members, two associate members, two prospective members, a couple peer bank association CEOs, and several of our partners in the community. If I haven’t already, I’ll be reaching out to you soon!

This is what it’s all about, this is why I’m here. In the weeks ahead, I will find a more creative way to regularly update you on our connections and feedback, and I will use this space to give you a quick snippet of where we’ve been and where we’re headed. Please reach out anytime – let me know if you’ve read this note, if you’ve read this DBA Digest – and most importantly let us know how we can help you. 

The Delaware Council on Banking Announces New Funding Opportunity

The Delaware Community Investment Venture Fund (DCIVF), which is administered by the Delaware Council on Banking, provides funding opportunities for banking organizations, credit unions, and Community Development Financial Institutions doing business in Delaware to better serve the needs of low- to moderate-income census tracts within the state. Applications must be completed and submitted to the Delaware Council on Banking on or before 5:00 p.m. on June 16, 2025.

Banks, credit unions, and CDFIs properly registered and authorized to conduct business in the State of Delaware may apply for one or more grants to support proposed programs that: 

1. invest in the development of financial product or financial product underwriting innovations that will enhance access to capital, funding, and other financial services for businesses in low- to moderate-income tracts in Delaware;
2. deploy, test, and evaluate these innovations for providing capital and funding to businesses in low- to moderate-income tracts in Delaware; and
3. promote and make these innovations available to a variety of banking organizations, Community Development Financial Institutions, and credit unions for use in enhancing access to capital, funding, and other financial services for businesses in low- to moderate-income tracts in Delaware.

If you have any questions, please email DCIVF@delaware.gov. 

From the ABA Journal

So-called ‘First Amendment auditors’ target bank employees with provocative filming. Here are tips on responding.

Imagine this scenario: Someone arrives at your branch and begins walking up and down on the sidewalk in front of it. His iPhone is out and he’s video recording every customer and employee who comes in or out — and he stays there for hours.

Perhaps one or two of your bankers go out to talk to him — ask some questions and gently try to get the individual to stop recording. He responds with suspicious questions: “So, what kind of vault do you have? What are the procedures for how you access it?”

He won’t leave, and the suspicious questions trigger threat instincts. Police are called, and then that interaction is filmed.

The iPhone wielder is quite likely a self-proclaimed “First Amendment auditor,” and the goal is to test the limits of laws permitting filming from public places like sidewalks. For some auditors, the true goal is to goad police into arresting them — and thus “fail” their “audit.”

Bank of America Private Bank Market Minute

After three months of losses, the S&P 500 rose 6.2% in May in its best month since November 2023 and its best May since 1990. The Nasdaq Composite and Dow Jones Industrial Average also managed monthly gains of 9.6% and 3.9% respectively. Sector-wise, Technology (10.8%) and Communication Services (9.6%) led in May as the Magnificent 71 (13.3%) logged its best month since May 2023. The S&P 500 is now flat for the year after gaining 18.6% from its April 8 low through last Friday’s close. The gap between U.S. and international Equity Indexes remains, however, with MSCI EAFE Index (developed markets) and MSCI EM (emerging markets) Index up 15.0% and 7.6% year-to-date, (YTD) respectively. In U.S. economic news, the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index rose 0.1% in April and 2.1% over the year. Excluding food and energy, its core counterpart rose 0.1% over the month and 2.5% year-over-year (YoY), the latter being the coolest reading since March 2021. Personal income growth remained strong in April, up 0.8%, while real consumer spending increased by just 0.1%. U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by 0.2% in Q1 2025 per the Bureau of Economic Analysis’ second estimate, slightly stronger than the first estimate of -0.3%.

Monthly Market Insights - June 2025

A Powerful Start - The month started out on an upswing, thanks to solid quarterly corporate reports from mega-cap tech companies. The S&P 500 ended a 9-day winning streak on May 5, its longest in 20 years. Stocks largely looked past a cautionary Fed statement following its two-day May meeting.



Erased Year-to-Date Losses - In early May, the U.S. and China agreed to dial back some tariffs, sparking a powerful rally. Soft inflation data also helped push stock prices higher. By the end of the week, the S&P 500 had erased its year-to-date losses.

Trade Progress - Stocks came under slight pressure after credit rating agency Moody's downgraded the United States. But markets reversed course after Memorial Day weekend, rallying on news that the European Union had agreed to speed up trade talks with the U.S.

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 Delaware Trust Conference - October 28 & 29 - Sponsorships Now Available!

Sponsorships and exhibitor spaces are now available for the 2025 Delaware Trust Conference, to be held October 28th and 29th at the Chase Center on the Riverfront and Live Stream. Join Platinum Sponsor, The Bryn Mawr Trust Company of Delaware (a WSFS Company); and Diamond Sponsor, Gordon, Fournaris & Mammarella, P.A., at this prestigious event. Full agenda and early-bird registration information is coming soon!

2025 Teach Children to Save Day Poster Winners!

Aubree Andrews, a fourth grader at Crystal Run Elementary School, was chosen as the winner of the 2025 Teach Children to Save Day Poster Contest. Students throughout the State were encouraged to create a poster on the importance of saving as part of the annual Teach Children to Save Day event. Over 100 entries were received. Aubree received $100 as the first-place winner. Two runners-up, Sawyer Jadick, a fourth grader at Newark Charter School, and Gracie Boehmer, also from Crystal Run Elementary, both received $50 prizes. Congratulations to all the winners! See Aubree's poster above.

Don't Miss These Upcoming OnCourse Learning Webinars!

Commercial Lending Training Program - June 11th

How sound is your commercial lending training program and how do you manage it? This unique training program will equip your lenders with the comprehensive credit skills they need to analyze a commercial lending request and prepare a highly effective credit write-up. The program emphasizes the competencies needed to identify, interpret, and analyze risk.

Audience: Credit administration staff, entry- and mid-level credit officers, entry-and mid-level commercial loan officers, loan review officers, retail bankers and relationship managers, commercial lending departments, and retail branch staff.

2025 Call Report: Common Exam Issues - June 13th

Leading into 2025, each of the regulatory agencies either had already toughened their examination escalation procedures or was in the process of doing so. The examination and review of a financial institution often results in comments regarding the Call Report.

Audience: From Call Report beginner, to auditor, to seasoned reporter, any level attendee will benefit from best practice discussions.



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

Chambers USA Recognizes 35 Richards, Layton & Finger Attorneys for Excellence

Thirty-five Richards, Layton & Finger attorneys have been recognized for preeminence in their fields by Chambers USA, one of the world’s most respected legal directories. “A first-choice firm with strong lawyers who bring a wealth of experience to any matter” (Chambers USA, 2025), Richards Layton has more attorneys listed in Chambers, and more ranked in Band 1, than any other Delaware firm.

Reporting that Richards Layton is “extremely capable of handling the most complex and sophisticated matters” (Chambers USA, 2025), Chambers has also recognized six of the firm’s practice areas for excellence. And with the firm’s Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Chancery, Corporate/M&A & Alternative Entities, Intellectual Property, and Real Estate practices all receiving the guide’s highest Band 1 ranking, Richards Layton has more practices listed in Band 1 than any other Delaware firm.

32 Young Conaway Attorneys in 6 Practice Areas Are Recognized as “Leaders in their Field," 2025 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business

Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP is pleased to announce that 32 of the firm’s attorneys in 6 practice areas (4 Band 1 recognitions) are listed as “Leaders in their Field” in the 2025 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. 

Chambers USA ranks leading law firms and lawyers in a wide range of practice areas. Their research is in-depth and client focused and the guide is read by industry-leading companies and organizations throughout the United States and worldwide. 

Chambers USA 2025 Ranks Morris Nichols Band 1 in Four Delaware Practice Areas; 29 Attorneys Recognized as Leading Delaware Lawyers

Morris Nichols maintains its strong standing as a leading Delaware law firm in the 2025 edition of Chambers USA, earning Band 1 rankings for the 17th consecutive year in four core practice areas: Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Chancery, Corporate M&A & Alternative Entities, and Intellectual Property.

An annual guide to US law firms, Chambers USA conducts extensive research, including interviews with clients and market commentators. In the editorial released today, Chambers sources highlight the firm’s strong reputation, underscoring Morris Nichols’ blend of exceptional client service, deep technical knowledge of Delaware law, and business acumen.

Chambers USA 2025 Names 24 Potter Anderson Attorneys and 6 Practices Among the Best in Delaware

The 2025 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business ranked 24 Potter Anderson attorneys as practice area leaders in Delaware. Among those attorneys, Joy A. Barrist, Jennifer Gimler Brady, David E. Moore, Mark A. Morton, Matthew J. O’Toole, Kevin R. Shannon, Michael B. Tumas, and Peter J. Walsh, Jr. were ranked in the highest (Band 1) tier.

In addition, Chambers USA ranked six Potter Anderson practices in Delaware, including Chancery, Corporate/M&A & Alternative Entities, and Labor & Employment, which were included in Band 1. The firm’s other ranked practices are Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Intellectual Property, and Real Estate.