DBA Digest for October 13, 2023

Sarah Long Appointed to ABA Board

ABA members attending the association’s Annual Convention in Nashville this week elected new officers and directors to serve on ABA’s board for the 2023-2024 association year. Julieann Thurlow, president and CEO of Reading Cooperative Bank in Reading, Massachusetts, was elected chair. Delaware Bankers Association President, CEO and Treasurer, Sarah A. Long, was appointed to the board of the American Bankers Association as the ABA-State Bankers Association Alliance Chair.

“I congratulate our newly elected officers and board members who will play such a critical role in our advocacy over the next year,” said Rob Nichols, ABA president and CEO. “Their depth of knowledge and experience representing financial institutions of all sizes, charters and business models from across the country will help ensure our industry can continue serving bank customers and the broader economy going forward.”

DBA Members Honored in Delaware's Top Workplaces 2023!

Seven DBA Members and Associate Members have been honored in the 2023 News Journal Best Workplace Awards. In the large company category (400 or more employees) Capital One Financial Corporation and Discover Financial Services ranked in the top ten (2nd and 4th, respectively). In the mid-size category (100 to 399 employees), Morris James LLP ranked third. In the small company category (less than 100 employees), Connolly Gallagher (4th); Santora CPA Group (8th); Commonweatlh Trust Company (8th); and, Belfint, Lyons, & Shuman, P.A. (17th); were recognized. Congratulations to all the honorees!

STARTS TUESDAY

2023 Delaware Trust Conference

In-Person! Live-Stream! On-Demand!

The 2023 Delaware Trust Conference begins this Tuesday, October 17th. For your convenience the Conference will be live at The Chase Center on the Riverfront, AND live-streaming, on October 17 & 18, AND on-demand through November! See the agenda via the link below and register today!

Climb Aboard the Kalmar Nyckel for a Special Monday Evening Reception October 16th!

There's are still a few spots left for the 2023 Delaware Trust Conference kick-off reception on Delaware's tall ship, the Kalmar Nyckel. Be there, Monday, October 16, 4 to 6 p.m. Tickets to this exclusive reception event are just $150. Platinum and Diamond Sponsors receive two free registrations to the reception with their sponsorships. Space is limited! Contact Corinne Stayton to reserve your spot today!

Women Connect - November 2nd - 9:00 to 4:30

University & Whist Club, Wilmington

Don't miss the next Women Connect event, Thursday, November 2, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the University & Whist Club in Wilmington. Topics include: “The Return to Work” Post-Pandemic Challenges and Silver Linings; The 6 Pillars of Self Care, Building Self Care into Your Life; and Emotional Intelligence. There will also be plenty of networking opportunities. Only $149 for the full-day pass ($99 for a half-day pass). Register today for this exciting day of Engagement, Empowerment, and Networking!

Business Writing Workshop

November 1, 2023, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Time equals money in the work world, so creating clear documents quickly that can be understood easily is crucial. Join Linda Comerford, Comerford Consulting for this rewarding on-line course via Zoom, Just $199 per person for DBA members! ($249 for non-members)

Workshop Objectives: After attending this course, participants will benefit from an increased ability to:

• Identify varied audiences and purposes for writing;
• Polish rough edges of their writing style in paragraphs, sentences, words, and format;
• Write more effective documents while following a more efficient writing process; and,
• Apply course concepts to their actual writing samples.

Taking the Grr out of Grammar

November 8, 2023, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm

Surveys show that 80% of those in the business world tend to say, “Grr!” a lot when editing a document. Join Linda Comerford, Comerford Consulting for this valuable on-line course. Just $99 per person for DBA members! ($149 for non-members)

Workshop Objectives:  This half-day course helps participants do the following when writing and editing:  

• Analyze why correct documents are so important;
• Identify the errors that tarnish a writer’s image;
• Learn practical, current grammar and punctuation rules;
• Practice correcting grammar glitches and punctuation pitfalls; and,
• Demonstrate understanding of the rules through a pre- and post-quiz.

Artisans’ Bank Promotes Colin Price to Senior Vice President Chief Retail Banking Officer

Artisans’ Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of Colin Price, Vice President Commercial Lending to Senior Vice President Chief Retail Banking Officer.

In his new position, Price is responsible for leading and directing all aspects of the Bank’s community-based retail banking operations while working with Management and their teams to establish goals and implement strategies to achieve growth, profitability, operational efficiency, compliance, and best-in-class customer experience.

“Retail branch banking is central to Artisans’ Bank’s mission and commitment to the communities we serve,” said Beth Albano, President and CEO of Artisans’ Bank. “We are thrilled Colin continues to represent Artisans’. His 21 years of knowledge and experience in retail and commercial banking complement our branch leadership and associates well. I’m certain that together Colin and his team will continue to provide exceptional service and financial solutions to our valued customers.”

ABA Cyber Webinar: 2023 Banking Industry Cyber Trends and Claims - October 24, 2023 - 2 - 3 pm

In this session, ABA Insurance Services cyber insurance experts, Lisa Micciche and Sarah Cleves will discuss recent cyber trends—addressing topics such as cyber insurance pricing, service provider exposure, C-suite liability, and BIPA—and cyber claims, from frequently reported claims to large dollar and unusual claims. Hosted by American Bankers Association (ABA), agents and bankers are invited to attend this webinar.

Opportunity LIVES Here Symposium - Nov. 1

Inspired by the philosophy that “prosperity is something everyone can realize,” State Senator Darius Brown launched this initiative in partnership with the Riverfront Development Corporation of Delaware and the Delaware River and Bay Authority. Opportunity LIVES Here promises to transform the Three Rivers area – defined by the confluence of the Brandywine, Christina, and Delaware Rivers – into an economically, culturally, and thriving community. The agenda includes; Building an Economic Ecosystem, Investing in Our Neighborhoods, Access to Capital, and When Opportunity Presents Itself.

Opportunity LIVES Here Symposium, Wednesday, November 1, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Chase Center on the Riverfront, Wilmington.

Path to Prosperity - November 1st - Bridgeville, DE

You are invited to the Atlantic “Path to Prosperity” regional economic development series in Bridgeville, DE.  The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Small Business Administration (SBA), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have partnered to provide individuals, small businesses, including agriculture enterprises (farmers and ranchers), and urban/rural communities, useful information, tools, resources, and an opportunity to engage in dynamic discussions intended to create economic progress. The no-cost series features experts in the lending industry, Federal Government, and community partners and stakeholders.

The event is scheduled for November 1, 2023, from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm, at the Bridgeville Public Library, located at 600 South Cannon Street, Bridgeville, DE 19933.  All participants must register to attend either “In Person” or “Virtually”. To register for the event, please click the link below.

12th Annual Financial Institutions and Law Enforcement Cybersecurity Conference

October 12, 2023 | 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia invites you to attend “Emerging Threats and Technology” on Thursday, October 12, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Increase your understanding of security threats and new developments in the tech world through a day of virtual learning and discussion. 

At the 12th Annual Financial Institutions and Law Enforcement Cybersecurity Conference, you’ll learn the latest information to help keep your institution safe from cyberthreats. Session topics include: trends in fraud; crime and law enforcement issues for banks; identifying risks when outsourcing to third party vendors; free tools from the federal government to remediate commonly found vulnerabilities; and, artificial intelligence.

Morris Nichols Welcomes Six Attorneys

Morris Nichols is delighted to welcome six attorneys to the firm. They all bring prior experience from judicial clerkships and private litigation practice. These attorneys span four of the firm’s core practice areas, including Alternative Entity Counseling, Commercial Transactions, Bankruptcy & Restructuring, and Corporate & Commercial Litigation.

“We are thrilled to announce the addition of these skilled attorneys and extend a warm welcome to our newest team members,” said IP litigation partner and recruiting committee chair Michael Flynn.

Santora CPA Group Announces Promotion

Santora CPA Group, a Newark-based Certified Public Accounting and Consulting firm, is pleased to announce that Samantha G. Finfer has been promoted to Trust Administrator. She joined SCG's Trust Services Team in June 2021 after interning during her senior year. She graduated cum laude from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance and a minor in Trust Management.

In her announcement to the team, Theresa Hughes said: "Samantha joined us full-time in June of 2021 and has excelled in learning the trust administration business. She is an asset to our team and to the firm. Congratulations Samantha on your promotion and accomplishments over the last two years."

Richards Layton and Cyrulnik Fattaruso Team Secures Post-Trial Entire Fairness Victory

Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. along with co-counsel Cyrulnik Fattaruso LLP achieved a significant victory in the Delaware Court of Chancery today for clients IDT Corporation, Howard Jonas, and the Patrick Henry Trust, with the Court rejecting class action claims asserted by a former stockholder of Straight Path Communications Inc. seeking approximately $1.2 billion in damages. In an 82-page post-trial memorandum opinion, the Court held, following over six years of litigation and an 11-day trial, that the plaintiffs “suffered no damages.”  

The trial team was led by Jason Cyrulnik, Paul Fattaruso, and Matthew Henken of Cyrulnik Fattaruso, and Rudolf Koch, Kevin M. Gallagher, Daniel E. Kaprow, and John M. O’Toole of Richards, Layton.

Wilmington University Scholarship Gala 2023

We are thrilled to announce the return of our Green and White Scholarship Gala. You are invited to join us at our New Castle Campus on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 7 p.m. to midnight. The Green and White Scholarship Gala features themed party rooms filled with the region’s best food, cocktails, and entertainment, transforming the University into an exciting party atmosphere for an evening of fun. All proceeds from this event support the Wilmington University Scholarship Fund.