DBA Digest for September 26, 2025

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Months of preparation culminated another successful Women Connect Networking Event. It was a beautiful summer like day at the newly renovated Biden Environmental Center within Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes, DE. The program kicked off with a five-minute meditation session, introduced by Theresa Hughes, Pinion Individual Trustee and Women Connect Bronze sponsor. Jen Walls, Program Director of Nally Ventures Leadership led an interactive, engaging keynote providing insights on the four Keirsey Temperaments and how self-awareness is the foundation of Leadership. Attendees took a condensed self-assessment identifying their primary temperament and later had the opportunity to break out in small group discussions based off their primary temperament color. The session was fun and engaging. Lynn Watson, Vice President and Senior Trust Officer with Brown Brothers Harriman Trust Company of Delaware, closed the program with a panel discussion on Networking for Introverts. The panelists included Dr. Kathy Kennedy –Ratajack, Assistant Vice President, Academic Affairs, Wilmington University, Jereme Heisey, Senior Trust Advisor, Northern Trust Company of Delaware, and Jordan Battee, Wealth Advisor Associate Assistant, Truist Bank. Each speaker represented a different generational perspective and shared insights into how they network effectively and communicate with others.

Fifty members and non-members attended the event, with half of them being first time attendees. The event was sponsored by Wilmington Trust, Gold sponsor, and Bronze sponsors, Delaware Community Foundation, Pinion, and Wilmington University. Greater Good Events, by Children’s Beach House catered the event, a non-profit focused on improving the lives of children, youth, families and communities by helping them identify, understand, and utilize their own strengths, talents, and resources. Every dollar spent on breakfast and lunch fueled their mission.

The Women Connect Network serves as a catalyst to engage, empower, and connect women in the financial services industry. Women Connect brings together women from various specialties to support ongoing professional development, collaborate with other dynamic professionals, and engage in their communities. Michelle Ward, Wilmington University, is the current Chair, and Samantha Finfer, Pinion, is serving as Co-Chair. The next Women Connect event will be held in New Castle County in Spring 2026.

CAFE Fintech & DBA SHOWCASE!

Next Tuesday, September 30th

All DBA members are invited to the Center for Accelerating Financial Equity (CAFE) to meet the fintech companies in the fourth cohort of the flagship CAFE Fintech Accelerator Program, Tuesday, September 30th, 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Fintech Innovation Hub, STAR Campus, University of Delaware. The morning opens with welcome remarks from Karyn Polak (DBA President) and Kristen Castell (CAFE Managing Director), followed by pitches from six CAFE cohort companies (listed above). Following the pitches and a short networking session, the event continues with a moderated panel featuring fintech leaders and Delaware bankers, reflecting on challenges, opportunities, and what the future of collaboration looks like for the industry. A networking lunch will close out the program, offering space for deeper discussion and further relationship-building.

The CAFE Accelerator is rooted in a bank–fintech collaboration philosophy: participating companies are designed to partner with and support banks, not compete with them. CAFE’s cohort of companies have extraordinary financial technology products that help financial institutions to advance financial health & wellness for low- to moderate-income communities.

In Person, Live Stream, and On Demand...
Don't Miss the 2025 Delaware Trust Conference

Can such a great conference get any more convenient? The 20th annual edition of the 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 Credits, including 2.0 Ethics Credits. The conference is renowned for presenting the top names in trust management to enlighten attendees on the unique advantages of Delaware trusts and how to best implement those products, as well as hot topics in trust law, administration, and operations generally. Register today.

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.

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.

Delaware Certificate of Multiliteracy Program
Seeks Volunteers

The Delaware Certificate of Multiliteracy is an award that recognizes and

honors high school students who have attained a high level of proficiency in one or more languages in addition to English. The Delaware Certificate of Multiliteracy offers a meaningful way to document and showcase their language abilities and enhance their career prospects.

The Delaware Department of Education is establishing a short-term Certificate of Multiliteracy Advisory Committee. This statewide advisory committee will consist of 12-13 people who will make recommendations to streamline the policies, practices, and processes related to the Delaware Certificate of Multiliteracy to ensure that they are equitable, accessible, and meaningful for learners and the broader community - particularly Delaware's business community. 

Committee members will commit approximately 10 hours of dedicated time to the mission of the Committee. These hours include one 6-hour meeting in person on Wednesday, December 3, in Dover, from 9:00 am-3:00 pm, one 3-hour virtual meeting on Thursday, February 19, from 9:00 am-12:00 pm, and approximately one additional hour afterwards to review, finalize, and approve recommendations via an online format.  

Given the importance of the financial service industry to the state and the significance of the industry as employers in the state, the program would greatly value someone from the industry participating on the committee. If you are interested and willing to participate, apply by September 30th here: Delaware Certificate of Multiliteracy Advisory Committee Application.  

McCollom D’Emilio Smith Uebler Promotes
Three New Partners 

Kathleen Murphy

Jeremy Riley

Adam Waskie

McCollom D’Emilio Smith Uebler LLC (MDSU) announced the promotion of three new partners, Kathleen Murphy, Jeremy Riley, and Adam Waskie, effective October 1, 2025.  

Ms. Murphy’s practice centers on corporate and fiduciary litigation in Delaware and Pennsylvania. She counsels both individual and corporate trustees in all corporate, business and trust litigation matters. After joining MDSU’s litigation group in 2021, Ms. Murphy was promoted to counsel in 2023. 

Mr. Riley primarily practices in the areas of trust and estate planning and administration; business and tax planning and transactions. He also has extensive experience in corporate litigation. Mr. Riley joined MDSU in 2018 and was promoted to counsel in 2023. 

Mr. Waskie joined the MDSU litigation group in 2022 as an associate. His practice is focused on corporate, fiduciary, and complex commercial litigation in the Delaware Court of Chancery and the Delaware Superior Court’s Complex Commercial Litigation Division. 

Insuring Your Business Against Cyber Liability

According to one study, 43% of data breaches involve small businesses. Another study found that the average cost of a data breach incident for a company with fewer than 500 employees is $2.98 million. Business owners are required to protect their customers’ personal information. In all 50 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, The Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia, businesses are required to notify individuals of security breaches involving personally identifiable information.

Cyber liability insurance is fairly new, so expect a wide divergence of coverage and costs. It may be purchased separately or as a rider to your current business insurance policy. Be prepared to comparison shop to get a better understanding of coverage and costs.

ABA Fraud Prevention Programs Launch October 1st

ABA’s scam prevention campaign, #BanksNeverAskThat, and our check fraud campaign, #PracticeSafeChecks are returning this fall — with new materials including social media posts and videos, check safety tips and resources for small business customers, digital graphics and more. Registration is free for all banks regardless of ABA membership status. All of the assets for both campaigns will be available in one toolkit. Registration is restricted to banks and state association members only and is free for all banks regardless of ABA membership status. You do not have to be an ABA member to participate, but you must have an aba.com account to register for #BanksNeverAskThat and #PracticesSafeChecks campaigns. 

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

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.