DBA Digest for September 4, 2026 | | |
Through the
DBA Lens
Karyn Polak
President, CEO, & Treasurer
Ask the Fed’s Agricultural Economic Update
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More than 1,500 people.
That’s how many colleagues from our industry listened in to the latest Ask the Fed session, this one held in our very own Office of the State Bank Commissioner in Dover earlier this week. It was a fascinating conversation on the topic of the other key industry in our state (besides financial services, of course): agriculture. Not only did Lisa Collison, our State Bank Commissioner, host the event, but Delaware’s Secretary of Agriculture and one of his colleagues were present in person as well.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City has launched a new center on this subject: the Center for Agriculture and the Economy, led by Nate Kauffman, its Executive Director. Mr. Kauffman was the guest speaker for this Ask the Fed session, moderated by Jim Fuchs, VP of Supervision at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, which has been offering these valuable sessions on agriculture, commercial real estate, energy and more since 2008. Member banks and bank associations can access every one of those sessions going all the way back to the beginning, at www.askthefed.org. I encourage you to check it out.
We are well aware that poultry (or “broilers”, as it’s referred to in the ag industry) is by far our primary commodity grown in Delaware – 77% -- and that corn and soybeans (primarily for feed) is a far distant second. That’s in contrast to the 9% broiler market share of commodities overall for the United States. And given that US consumption of broilers since 2019 has steadily risen, now far exceeding every other meat and dairy protein source, Mr. Kauffman noted that the 12%+ increase during that period represents an important opportunity for even more demand.
We learned, however, that the U.S. farm economy continues to be uneven, with some segments that are extremely strong – including at the moment, livestock operations and overall real estate values – whereas others are considerably weaker. The up to 90% likelihood of a very severe El Niño season will only add to industry volatility. Cost pressures generally, especially fertilizer and fuel price increases and the significant increase in livestock costs, has been a key factor in limiting production overall. Moreover, the weighted state price index for Delaware agriculture commodities has continued to ramp down over the last several years and into the first eight months of this year.
For our ag lender member institutions, Mr. Kauffman noted that there is growing stress on credit conditions: Fed surveys indicate that farm loan demand is increasing while loan repayment rates and capital spending are down – although repayment rates are still relatively strong even as banks are extending more credit. Given the rise in real estate values, about half of all farms in the US still carry a relatively low debt-to-asset leverage ratio. Interestingly, real estate represents about 85% of the total value of assets in the sector. What’s the flashing yellow signal? A continued increase in debt coupled with a material reduction in real estate values could lead to a liquidity crisis, that could then lead to an insolvency crisis.
Before I prompt too much stress from our readers, and most importantly because I’m no economist, I won’t attempt to synthesize the myriad other insights we gained from the session. I encourage you to reach out if you’d like to discuss the event further, or better yet, go listen to the recording (link noted above).
| | August Legislative Update Now Available Online! | |
With Delaware's September 15 Primary Election approaching, several legislative and statewide races could shape future banking policy. DBA continues to encourage members to stay informed and engaged, particularly as many races may effectively be decided in the primary.
Key Dates
- Early Voting: September 2-13, 2026
- Delaware Primary Election: September 15, 2026
- General Election: November 3, 2026
On the federal front, banking regulators are pursuing significant changes, including:
- Updated OCC and FDIC supervisory standards aimed at providing greater clarity around enforcement and examination findings.
- Proposed modernization of Regulation O (insider lending rules).
- Regulatory relief proposals related to the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA).
- Continued debate in Congress surrounding stablecoin legislation and digital asset regulation.
Cybersecurity remains a top priority, with new federal initiatives targeting cybercrime, strengthening operational resilience, and preparing the financial sector for emerging quantum computing risks. Save the date for the next Delaware Bankers Association Cyber Forum on October 9. In recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, this program will provide timely insights on the evolving cybersecurity landscape. Registration and program details will be announced soon.
DBA will continue monitoring developments and advocating on behalf of Delaware's banking industry.
| 2026 FDIC Directors' College - September 9
Next Week! Register Today | |
Registration is still open for full members to attend the 2026 FDIC Director’s College, which will be held in person on Wednesday, September 9 at the Lewes Yacht Club.
The College provides ongoing education on current topics for bank directors, senior officers, corporate secretaries, and board advisors. The course is designed to help directors and trustees, both new and experienced, stay abreast of the ever-changing regulatory environment.
The agenda includes:
- Payments Fraud: Current Schemes and Mitigation Strategies
- Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Overview
- Emerging Technology
- Conversation with the Regulators
- Economics and Banking Update
Individual registration is $299, or take advantage of a group rate 15% discount for ten or more registrants by contacting renee.duncan@debankers.com.
September 9 | 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. ET | Lewes
| From Broken Promises to Possibility: How The WRK Group is Rewriting the Story of Riverside | |
How do you transform a neighborhood defined by decades of poverty into a community of opportunity and hope? WRK Group CEO Logan Herring shares how a $600 million revitalization effort in Wilmington’s Riverside neighborhood is breaking intergenerational cycles of poverty by centering residents as designers and leaders while redefining success as dignity, self-sufficiency, and lasting community transformation.
The WRK Group, comprised of three aligned organizations and over 200 employees (more than 50 full-time), shares a collective mission to empower the community to reach its full potential by eliminating the barriers of structural racism and revolutionizing teen engagement.
Join the Delaware Bankers on September 28 for an exclusive tour of The Warehouse, a transformative youth development center and key initiative of REACH Riverside and the WRK Group. Discover how this innovative space is empowering Wilmington teens through technology, arts, wellness, mentorship, and career-focused opportunities while supporting the revitalization of the Riverside community. Don't miss this inspiring opportunity to see the impact firsthand.
September 28 | 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. ET | Wilmington
| | 2026 Delaware Trust Conference
Register Today and Save $400 with Early Bird! | | |
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
| | Brockstedt Mandalas Federico Attorney
Nicholas Tyler Earns LL.M. in Taxation | | |
Nicholas Tyler, Esq. has earned his Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. His degree was officially conferred on September 1, 2026.
An LL.M. in Taxation is one of the most advanced credentials an attorney can earn, providing specialized training beyond a standard J.D. Nick can provide additional sophisticated guidance on the tax implications of trust administration, business succession, entity formation, and wealth transfer, and strengthens the Brockstedt Mandalas Federico’s ability to advise on complex tax matters, giving clients deeper in-house expertise.
Over the past two years, Nick balanced his studies with his ongoing work serving clients on estate and trust planning, business planning, and financial and trust institution matters.
Congratulations to Nick on this outstanding achievement!
| | Request for professional participation at
Capstone Classes | The Director of the University of Delaware Trust Management Minor program, Dawn Sulphin, is seeking trust and banking professionals to attend its Capstone Case Study Presentations during the semester to give feedback to students as well as to observe its students in action. Presentations are held at the Lerner business school on alternate Mondays from September 14 through November 16 and culminate in a Capstone Competition and reception on Friday, December 4th. For more information and to participate, please contact Dawn at sutphind@udel.edu. | | Discover the century-long legal advantage that fuels Delaware’s growth | | |
The U.S. economy runs on Delaware precedent.
Thanks to the gold-standard reputation of the state’s legal system, rulings by Delaware’s Chancery Court often reverberate far beyond the state’s borders, and can even change how business is done around the world.
That longstanding expertise in complex corporate legal matters is a big reason why millions of entities have made their legal homes in Delaware, confident their cases will be handled with agility, efficiency, predictability, and objectivity.
Built and refined over the course of two centuries, Delaware’s corporate law industry has helped fuel the state’s prosperity – and the nation’s economic ambitions – for generations.
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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
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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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