DBA Digest for October 3, 2025

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On Tuesday, the DBA had the opportunity to host the CAFÉ Fintech and DBA Showcase event at the University of Delaware’s Center for Accelerating Financial Equity (CAFE). For those not familiar with this University of Delaware based organization, it is located on the U of D Star Campus and is a nonprofit organization which advances financial health and wellness for low to moderate income people through fintech innovation, and partnerships.

This fun and informative program included presentations from six fintech startup companies. Business models among these companies ranged from AI powered financial coaching platforms which connect users to a supportive community for shared accountability in financial services, to credit risk intermediaries who support small businesses. All the companies, while small, were established and working with financial services providers and looking to grow.

Following the fintech presentations an informative and engaging panel discussion took place. Senior bankers, Baron Schlachter President of Comenity Bank and Justin Dunn SVP, Chief Community Impact Officer for WSFS joined the panel. Additionally, the panel included Fonta Gilliam fintech founder, Wealthi and Martha Underwood fintech founder, Prismm. This conversation was particularly interesting as we heard both the Fintech perspective on working with financial partners and the bank’s view of how to make these partnerships work and grow.

Important takeaways for those in attendance included:

• The bank charter is the lifeblood of the fintech.
• How a bank plans to use the fintech product is important to a thriving partnership
• It was recommended Fintech’s work with other trusted vendors to gain credibility and access to financial services companies.
• A primary challenge of these partnerships is risk, and some risk should be built into the partnership to allow for advancement.
• Fintech’s have a focus on compliance and regulatory issues, but they rely on the financial services partner’s expertise.
• Customer protection is key to a successful partnership which requires detailed third party risk management.

The event concluded with a tour of the University of Delaware Fintech Hub which itself is worth the visit. A special thanks to our members who attended and participated in this great event. Additionally, thank you to Kristen Castell, Managing Director CAFE, for her partnership in making this an informative and fun event.

Welcome to Trustober!

October is now "Trustober!" That most wonderful time of the year for wealth management professionals. That's because it's the month for the 20th annual Delaware Trust Conference, the premiere event for Trust Professionals. The 2025 Delaware Trust Conference features the top experts in the field with the latest information on how you can maximize the Delaware Trust advantage for your clients.

The Delaware Trust Conference is an ideal opportunity to network while obtaining up to 17.5 continuing education credit for: Trust Professionals, Portfolio Managers, Financial Advisors, Attorneys, CPAs, CTFAs, Wealth & Asset Management Services Executives, Executive Trust Officers, Investment Officers, Investment Managers, and Trust Department Managers.  

The 2025 Delaware Trust Conference will be live at The Chase Center on the Riverfront, AND live-streamed, October 28 and 29. The sessions will also be available on-demand through November! So register today and make your Trustober the best ever!

Delaware Trust Conference Kickoff Reception – October 27 – Delaware Contemporary Art Museum

The 2025 Delaware Trust Conference will kick off with a reception Monday night, October 27 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Delaware Contemporary Art Museum in Wilmington, DE. Tickets to this exclusive reception event are just $150 — please join us.

Note the reception is open to speakers and panelists to attend at no cost. Platinum and Diamond Sponsors receive two complimentary registrations to the reception with their sponsorships. Register today; space is limited.

Philadelphia Fed: Help Wanted? The Potential of Infrastructure Jobs

Infrastructure workers fix pipes, install powerlines, build roads, and with increased spending on infrastructure in recent years, there’s a need for workers with the skills to do those jobs. A new report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia looks into infrastructure occupations in the Third District states of Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Findings include:

• Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania tend to have an older population compared with the rest of the nation. While this trend could lead to infrastructure workforce shortages in the future, it could also create opportunities.
• More than 80 percent of infrastructure jobs in these three states are considered "opportunity occupations” — jobs that pay above an area’s median wage and don’t require a four-year college degree.
• Many infrastructure jobs, regardless of their pay level, share similar skills, suggesting that these sectors could provide opportunities for workers without a four-year degree and others to move up the economic ladder.

UD Seeks Instructor for Trust Management Minor

Have you ever thought about sharing your trust knowledge through teaching? The University of Delaware is seeking a full-time Continuing-track Instructor of Trust Management and Business Law to lead their Trust Management Minor program. The program, created through a joint initiative between the University of Delaware, trust practitioners, trust companies, and the Delaware Bankers Association, is a unique program offering undergraduate students the opportunity to learn the skills necessary for a career in the trust industry through a combination of classroom work, case competitions, mentorships, and internships. 

Click the link below for more information and to apply. Please share this opportunity with your networks too — you never know who might be interested!

Lerner College Launches Co-Op Program

Lerner College of Business and Economics at the University of Delaware is offering the Lerner Co-op Program, an exclusive 9-12 month paid internship/co-op opportunity. The program bridges the gap between academic learning and practical work experience, while providing Delaware employers with access to talented Lerner business students. Students will bring expertise in areas such as financial analysis, data-driven decision making, global business strategy, consumer behavior, brand management, customer experience, event planning, hospitality, professional selling and more. Interested employers can fill out an employer interest form or email program coordinator, Brandon White.

Pathways to Housing Affordability: 

Developing Coordinated Strategies to Increase Housing Inventory - October 8th

Please join us for the Developing Coordinated Strategies to Increase Housing Inventory event. This session is hosted in partnership with the Delaware State Housing Authority, New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, and Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. The final session of the Pathways to Housing Affordability series will explore community-focused solutions to achieve affordable housing development. Attendees will examine how intentional planning can create communities that meet the needs of the people who live and work there.

Pathways to Housing Affordability Series

Part 3: Developing Coordinated Strategies to Increase Housing Inventory

When: October 8, 2025, 9:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. 

Where: Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia (a virtual option is available but includes the 9:45 a.m.–1:00 p.m. sessions only)

J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge -

October 9th - Philadelphia Museum of Art

The J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge is the world’s largest corporate running event. Powered by fitness, friendly competition and fun, teams of all speeds and abilities complete a 3.5-mile race while spending quality time together outside of work. Join us for the 4^th running of the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge Philadelphia on Thursday, October 9, 6:45 p.m.

An extra train will operate from Churchman’s Crossing Station to Suburban Station, and will depart Churchman’s Crossing at 4:35 p.m., Wilmington at 4:50 p.m., and Claymont at 5 p.m. The train will arrive at Suburban Station at 5:27 p.m.

Developing Delaware: Conversation, Collaboration, Innovation, October 9th

Delaware is small but diverse. As you travel around our three counties, you discover there is a lot to be learned from the success of our neighbors. We all benefit in the end if we engage in conversation and collaboration to generate job creation and economic growth. The innovations created from these partnerships will help businesses thrive in Delaware.

Developing Delaware is an opportunity to share the good things that are happening, compare Delaware to the successes around the region, hear innovative ideas, and create new business partnerships. And it is our hope that we walk away with inspiration and ideas—maybe even a to do list—on how to continue moving the First State forward. Join us Thursday, October 9, 2025 @ 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM, at Delaware Technical Community College- Terry Campus, 100 Campus Drive, Dover, DE 19904

2025 INSPIRING WOMEN IN STEM

CONFERENCE - WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22

The Inspiring Women in STEM (IWSTEM) Conference is the leading professional development and networking event in Delaware designed to encourage, support, and inspire women in all aspects of STEM in their professional lives – including industry and government scientists and engineers, academic researchers, STEM educators, college students, and entrepreneurs. The 12th annual Inspiring Women in STEM Conference will be held at Deerfield Golf Club in Newark, DE on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. 

NCC Chamber of Commerce Policy Makers with Senator Chris Coons - October 27

Join the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce for a discussion with Senator Chris Coons at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, October 27, 2025, at Eastside Charter School. To provide their members the opportunity to meet and engage in dialogue about the issues that matter to them, the Chamber hosts a series of events featuring key elected officials from all levels of government.

Webinar: The CFPB's Most Ambitious Regulatory Agenda Ever - November 4

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has recently released its Spring Semiannual Regulatory Agenda - the first under the Trump Administration - and it’s raising eyebrows across the consumer financial services industry. What does this mean for your business? Which proposals are most likely to move forward? And which may stall out? Join us as we break it all down. November 4, 2025, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM ET

Meet Our Heroes - Wednesday, November 5

Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids (HFHK) invites you to our second “Meet Our Heroes” event this fall, celebrating the transformative power of garden education in Delaware’s schools and communities. Join us Wednesday, November 5, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Food Bank of Delaware, 102 Delaware Veterans Blvd in Milford. Guests will have the opportunity to meet HFHK staff, board members, garden coordinators,educators, and like-minded corporate partners—all united in promoting healthier eating habits, hands-on science learning, and sustainability for future generations. The event will highlight how school garden education creates lasting benefits for families and communities across Delaware. Light refreshments and hors d'oeuvres will be served.

NCC Chamber of Commerce Women’s Leadership Conference - November 20th

The Women's Leadership Conference is back! RISE to meet the moment, to support one another, and to build a better future for all. This conference is for women ready to climb higher. It's an unparalleled opportunity to connect with over 500 accomplished women from all levels of the business world. Learn more and register at the link below.