DBA Digest for October 2, 2026 | | Brought to you this week by.... | | |
Through the
DBA Lens
Corinne Stayton
Director of Events
Trustober is Here!
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October is here, and that means one thing: Trustober has arrived.
As anticipation builds for the 21st Annual Delaware Trust Conference, we're counting down to one of the premier events in the wealth management and trust industry. Throughout the month, we'll be highlighting conference sessions, speakers, sponsors, and networking opportunities that make this event a must-attend gathering for trust and estate professionals.
Whether you're joining us in person or online, Trustober is your chance to preview the insights, innovations, and conversations that will shape this year's conference. From cutting-edge trust legislation and tax developments to fiduciary best practices and industry trends, there's plenty to look forward to.
Follow along all month as we celebrate Trustober and prepare to welcome attendees from across the country to Delaware's signature trust and wealth management event.
The countdown is on. See you at the Delaware Trust Conference!
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We're Hiring: Finance Manager | |
The Delaware Bankers Association (DBA) is seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Finance Manager to join our team.
This newly created role will provide internal financial oversight for both organizations, serving as the key liaison between leadership and external accounting partners. The Finance Manager will oversee cost allocation, budgeting, financial reporting, payroll and benefits coordination, audit support, and financial controls while helping ensure the long-term financial health and transparency of the organizations.
We are looking for candidates with experience in financial administration, accounting coordination, nonprofit or small organization finance, and management reporting. Strong organizational skills, sound financial judgment, and the ability to collaborate across multiple stakeholders are essential.
Please submit a cover letter and resume with the subject line "Finance Manager" to iwalden@forestzafran.org and copy Margaret.Cregan@debankers.com.
Learn more about this opportunity and help support the organizations that represent and strengthen Delaware's banking community.
| | Get Ready for Cybersecurity Awareness Month! | |
In recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October, Delaware Bankers is partnering with federal and industry leaders to equip your institution with actionable defenses against evolving threats.
Attendees will gain practical insights into cyber risk management, governance responsibilities, emerging litigation trends, and the rapidly changing financial crime landscape. Featured speakers include experts from Artisans' Bank, Cozen O'Connor, CODISCOVR, the FBI, the Delaware State Police, and the Delaware Department of Justice.
Join us on October 9 to strengthen your institution's defenses, stay ahead of emerging risks, and hear directly from the professionals working on the front lines of cybersecurity and financial crime prevention.
October 9 | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m | Virtual
| | 2026 Delaware Trust Conference | | |
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
| | Santora CPA Group Announces Two More Promotions | | Santora CPA Group, a Newark-based Certified Public Accounting and Consulting firm, is pleased to announce the following two promotions: | | | | |
Jonathan D. Hartbarger, CPA, has been promoted to Tax Supervisor. He joined the firm in September 2023. Jonathan is a graduate of Old Dominion University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Financial Management. He is a member of the American Institute and Delaware Society of Certified Public Accountants.
In her announcement to the team, Theresa Jones, CPA said, “Jonathan is one of our strongest preparers, and over the years, he has developed tremendous tax expertise. We rely on him to complete many of our most complex returns, and he has become an invaluable member of our tax team.”
| | | | | Brandon T. Heggan, CPA, has been promoted to Manager. He joined SCG in August 2018 after interning during the summer of 2017. Brandon is a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Delaware with Bachelor of Science Degrees in Accounting and Finance. He was awarded the 2019 Elijah Watt Sells Award from the AICPA for exceptional performance while taking the Uniform CPA Examination. He is a member of the American Institute and Delaware Society of Certified Public Accountants. | | | In his announcement to the team, Israel Mercado, CPA said, “Since joining our firm in 2018, Brandon has demonstrated strong leadership and technical expertise when it comes to his work in the A&A and Consulting areas. Beyond SCG, Brandon has been an outstanding representative of the firm, contributing to our college recruiting efforts and serving on the Delaware Contractors Association’s Young Executives Committee.” | | Richards Layton Director Kyle Lachmund Confirmed to the Delaware Court of Chancery | | |
Richards, Layton & Finger is pleased to announce that Kyle H. Lachmund, a director in the firm’s Corporate & Chancery Litigation practice, has been confirmed by the Delaware State Senate to serve on the Delaware Court of Chancery. Kyle, who was nominated by Governor Matt Meyer on September 18, is expected to take the bench in October.
The Court of Chancery is Delaware’s specialized business court and one of the country’s most closely watched forums for corporate law. Kyle’s appointment continues a long line of Richards, Layton & Finger lawyers who have gone on to serve on the Delaware bench, a track record that reflects the firm’s standing at the center of the state’s corporate law bar.
“Richards, Layton & Finger has a proud tradition of lawyers who have been called to serve on the Delaware bench, and Kyle carries that tradition forward with distinction,” said Paul Heath, director and president of the firm. “We could not be prouder to see him take this next step.”
Since joining Richards Layton in 2021, Kyle’s work has focused on stockholder litigation, corporate governance disputes, and commercial cases in Delaware’s state courts, primarily the Court of Chancery. He has worked as both co-counsel with national law firms and as sole counsel representing a wide variety of clients, including Fortune 500 companies, technology start-ups, private equity and venture capital firms, as well as directors, officers, and executives of companies of all kinds.
“Kyle has spent his career representing clients in the Court of Chancery, first at a national firm and then here in Delaware, and he understands as well as anyone why companies and investors around the world rely on the expertise of the court,” said Raymond J. DiCamillo, chair of the firm’s Corporate Department. “Kyle’s confirmation is outstanding news for the Delaware corporate franchise and for everyone who depends on the stability and expertise of Delaware courts.”
Kyle brings to the bench a perspective shaped at both a leading national firm and at the center of Delaware’s corporate bar. Before joining Richards Layton, he practiced at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, where he represented public companies and their boards in high-profile M&A and governance disputes. At Richards Layton, he has built his Delaware practice representing clients in high-stakes corporate disputes in the Court of Chancery and beyond. He began his career as a law clerk on the Court of Chancery for Vice Chancellor J. Travis Laster.
| | ABA Launches "Record Your Story" Initiative to Amplify the Voice of Banking Communities | |
The American Bankers Association (ABA) is inviting bankers, customers, small business owners, and community members to share their personal experiences through its new"Record Your Story" initiative, part of the ABA's Secure American Opportunity grassroots advocacy platform. The effort is designed to collect real-world stories that demonstrate how banking policies impact individuals, businesses, and local communities across the country.
Through an easy-to-use online video submission platform, participants can record and submit personal stories highlighting the important role banks play in supporting economic growth, expanding access to credit, protecting consumers from fraud, supporting small businesses, and strengthening local communities. Rather than focusing solely on statistics and policy discussions, the initiative seeks to put a human face on the issues affecting the banking industry and the customers it serves every day.
| 3rd Annual UD Trust Management Golf Classic | | |
The University of Delaware Trust Management Golf Classic is a networking and charity event hosted by the University of Delaware and the Trust Management Minor program. Current students, alumni, and industry professionals join together for a day of golf, friendly competition, and dinner. In addition to a fun-filled day, industry professionals will have the opportunity to get updates on the TMM program and meet prospective future employees while supporting UD's Trust Management Minor students.
October 5 | 10:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. ET | Pennsylvania
| CAFE Fall Finovation Showcase | |
Join the Center for Accelerating Financial Equity (CAFE) and Best Egg for an exciting morning of fintech innovation, new research, and meaningful connections.
CAFE will launch its sixth Fintech Accelerator cohort, featuring eight innovative companies presenting solutions for the future of banking that help improve low- to moderate- income (LMI) people's lives.
The Finovation Showcase will bring together fintech founders, financial services leaders, investors, academics, and ecosystem partners, including the Delaware Bankers Association (DBA), for:
1. Presentations from eight emerging fintech companies
2. Public launch of Best Egg’s Financial Confidence Report
3. A panel discussion featuring industry leaders
4. Meaningful connection, new ideas and opportunities for partnership
Come discover new solutions, explore timely consumer insights, and connect with the people shaping what is next in financial services.
October 6 | 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET | Newark
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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
| | Ask the Fed: Wind and Solar Update | |
Following up on the August Ask the Fed® Oil and Gas session, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas continues its analysis of energy trends and the U.S. energy infrastructure with a focus on the evolving landscape for renewable power generation. The renewable energy sector is now navigating the practical realities of operating under revised federal incentives while also racing to meet surging electricity demand. Grid interconnection considerations, permitting timelines, and financing costs are increasingly determining which projects move forward as artificial intelligence-driven power needs reshape demand forecasts.
In this 75-minute session, Cameron Barrett, Senior Business Economist, will examine the latest trends in U.S. utility-scale and residential solar development. Kunal Patel, Senior Business Economist, will discuss evolving dynamics in onshore and offshore wind markets. Matt Adams, Examiner, will explore trends in syndicated lending for renewable energy projects and the sector’s significant growth. SungJe Byun, Senior Research Economist, will address key risk management considerations for banks engaged in renewable energy lending.
As always, we are interested in your questions. You can submit your questions in advance of each session using the following link: Ask the Fed® Wind and Solar Update Question Submission or by email at questions@askthefed.org. Questions received in advance will receive priority.
October 14 | 2:00 p.m. ET - 3:15 p.m. ET | Virtual
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2026 ABA Agricultural Bankers Conference
November 4-6, 2026 | Minneapolis, MN
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Today’s agricultural lending environment is full of risks — and opportunities. The 2026 Agricultural Bankers Conference will help position your loan portfolio to maximize growth now and seed profitability for the next ag cycle.
This year’s conference program will help you strategize at a higher level to navigate federal policies, national hot-topic issues, talent development and emerging technologies that will affect you and the future-focused decisions you need to make.
Join ag bankers from across the country in Minneapolis for the leading national conversation shaping the future of ag lending! Our event is condensed into 3 jam-packed days to reduce travel costs and time away from your business.
November 4-6, 2026 | Minneapolis, MN
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