DBA Digest for September 5, 2025

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A natural symphony of the Brandywine River’s bubbling and bouncing water created soothing and rhythmic background music for the DBA/DFEA Team & Board Social that was held in Wilmington last week in DBA President Karyn Polak’s picturesque backyard. The DBA Team and Board met for a casual evening to unwind and connect outside of regular Board meetings. This special happy hour was an opportunity for some relaxed conversations and strengthening of professional relationships. The Host with the Most was Labradoodle, Brooklyn; his friendly disposition and outgoing nature awarded him the title of the DBA’s very own Mascot!  Brooklyn made his rounds, networking with everyone.

Speaking of networking, DBA/DFEA has some upcoming member networking opportunities that you don’t want to miss.   Please join us on Friday, September 19, in Lewes, DE, at the Biden Environmental Training Center on Cape Henlopen State Park for a Women Connect event. The program will include sessions on Strengthening Your Leadership and Networking for Introverts. Attendees will explore their natural leadership and communication styles through self-assessments, group discussions, and strategies to build stronger relationships. Leave with new connections and an organic matching of peer-to-peer mentoring. Then, on October 28 and October 29, the 2025 Delaware Trust Conference will be held at The Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington, Delaware. The twentieth annual Delaware Trust Conference will feature a stellar line-up of the nation’s top trust, legal, and wealth management experts. Exhibit and sponsorship opportunities are still available. These events aim to help attendees expand their professional networks, learn from others in their field, and gain exposure to new opportunities. 

Please remember the DBA Board and Team are here for you. We are excited to serve you this year and beyond! 

DBA Members Honored in Delaware's Top Workplaces 2025!

Eight DBA Members and Associate Members have been honored in the 2025 News Journal Best Workplace Awards. In the large company category (400 or more employees) Discover, Capital One Financial Corporation and WSFS Bank ranked in the top ten (4th, 5th, 9th, respectively). In the mid-size category (100 to 399 employees), Morris James LLP ranked second. In the small company category (less than 100 employees), Connolly Gallagher (3rd); Santora CPA Group (8th);  Belfint, Lyons, & Shuman, P.A. (10th); and Brockstedt Mandalas Federico LLC (16th) were recognized. Congratulations to all the honorees!

Our Next Women Connect Event:

September 19 - Lewes, DE

Don't miss your last chance to enjoy summer at the next Women Connect Networking Event on Friday, September 19 in Lewes, DE at the Biden Environmental Training Center on Cape Henlopen State Park. 



The program will include sessions on Strengthening your Leadership and Networking for Introverts. Attendees will explore their natural leadership and communication styles through self-assessments, group discussions, and strategies to build stronger relationships. Leave with new connections and an organic matching of peer to peer mentoring. Children’s Beach House and Greater Good Events will be catering the event, a statewide nonprofit dedicated to helping children with communication challenges from under-resourced homes reach their full potential, every dollar raised through their catering initiative goes back to support their programs.

Join us the night before on Thursday, September 18 for additional networking opportunities and plan a stay at the beach. For more information on accommodations please email Corinne.Stayton@debankers.com. 

First Citizens Community Bank Opens Dover Office - September 18th

Join First Citizens Community Bank as they celebrate the Grand Opening of their new Dover Office at 1099 N. DuPont Highway. All are invited to tour the new space and meet the team. A light lunch will be served. No RSVP needed!

Join Us, Tuesday, September 30th

CAFE Fintech & DBA SHOWCASE

The Center for Accelerating Financial Equity (CAFE) is excited to invite DBA members 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. 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.

2025 Delaware Trust Conference

Great Speakers! Great Topics! Register Today!

Be there for the 20th annual edition of the Delaware Trust Conference. 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. 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. Register today.

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

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. 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. For all others, tickets to this exclusive reception event are just $150. Sign up today. Space is limited. 

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.

Webinar: Recent Consumer Financial Services Developments at the Federal Trade Commission - September 9

The Federal Trade Commission continues to play a pivotal role in shaping consumer protection policy and enforcement across a broad range of industries. Please join us for a timely and informative webinar featuring Malini Mithal, Associate Director of the FTC’s Division of Financial Practices, who will provide insights into recent non-antitrust initiatives and actions by the FTC under the current administration.

Whether you are in-house counsel, a compliance officer, or part of a fintech legal team, this program will offer valuable guidance on how the FTC’s latest moves may affect your business. September 9, 2025, 12:00 - 1:00 PM ET

Securing the Future: Fraud Trends, Lessons, and Insights - October 9

Save the date for the 14th Annual Financial Institutions and Law Enforcement Cybersecurity Conference, Securing the Future: Fraud Trends, Lessons, and Insights. This daylong, virtual event will take place on October 9, 2025.



At this event, representatives of federal and state agencies as well as information security experts from the Third District and beyond will share the most up-to-date knowledge on fighting fraud. Join us to hear about trends, lessons learned, insights, and tangible prevention strategies to defend your institution against threats.

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.

This event 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, Delaware Technical Community College- Terry Campus, 100 Campus Drive, Dover, DE 19904

West End Neighborhood House Fire Truck Pull - October 18th

On Saturday, October 18, teams of six will compete to pull a 35,000-pound fire truck down the street (aka parking lot behind Frawley Stadium), with the fastest team winning bragging rights and prizes! Registration is $25 per individual or $175 for a full team of eight and sponsorship opportunities are now open, with local businesses already lining up to join the fun.

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.