The Community Development Bankers Association (CDBA) was honored to host over 98 representatives of 48 CDFI banks at our largest Peer Forum yet. The CDBA Peer Forum is one of the CDFI banking industry's most important opportunities for networking, sharing best practices and supporting peer learning. This year's event, held June 6-June 7 at the law offices of Covington & Burling in Washington, D.C., encapsulated everything community development bankers love about the Peer Forum.

Distinguished Speakers

The Peer Forum gives community development bankers a unique opportunity to hear directly from top regulators and agency officials. This year we welcomed featured speakers Sheila Bair, Former Chairman of the FDIC, Craig Phillips, Acting Undersecretary, US Department of the Treasury, Annie Donovan, Director, CDFI Fund, US Department of the Treasury, and Congressman French Hill (R-AR), and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) both members of the House Financial Services Committee.

View the presentation materials from this year's Peer Forum.

Sharing Best Practices

Our panels demonstrate the diversity, impact and innovation of the community development banking sector. Peer Forum panels are comprised of community development bankers and industry experts who share the keys to their success with the goal of improving the sector as a whole. This year's panels discussed aligning bank culture with social mission, building impact systems and strategies for expanding small business lending.

Peer Networking and Discussions

Networking among members is the most valuable and enjoyable aspect of the Peer Forum. This year's Peer Forum featured lively networking events, including new breakout sessions designed to spark ideas and cultivate teamwork. We also maintained our established tradition of a Peer Forum dinner.

Board of Directors Election

CDBA held a board election in which members elected one new director, Demetris Giannoulias, CEO & Chairman of Spring Bank in Bronx, NY. The 2018 Officers of the CDBA Board of Directors are: Chair, Bob Jones, United Bank; Vice Chair, Kat Taylor, Beneficial State Bank; Treasurer, Huey Townsend, Guaranty Bank & Trust; Secretary, Bob Cooper, OneUnited Bank.