The 2016 Peer Forum

The Community Development Bankers Association (CDBA) was honored to host over 80 representatives of 46 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 1-2 at the law offices of Arnold & Porter 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 CDFI Fund Director Annie Donovan, Deputy Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau David Silberman and Deputy Secretary for Rural Development at U.S. Department of Agriculture Lisa Mensah.

Vew the presentation materials from this year's Peer Forum here.

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.

Remembering Bob McGill

This year’s Peer Forum included a dedication to CDBA Founding Chairman and Director Emeritus Bob McGill of Neighborhood National Bank, who passed away May 10, 2016. His immense contributions to the community development banking sector and his dedication to serving his community were an inspiration to us all.

Board of Directors Election

CDBA also held a board election in which members elected a new director, Kent Curtis of First Southwest Bank. In addition, several directors were reelected, among them CDBA Chairman Brian Argrett of City First Bank of DC, CDBA Vice-Chairman Bob Jones of United Bank, Dom Mjartan of Southern Bancorp and Becky Humphries of Neighborhood National Bank.