The 2017 Peer Forum

The Community Development Bankers Association (CDBA) was honored to host over 85 representatives of 57 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 May 31-June 1 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 Mark Calabria, Chief Economist, White House Office of the Vice President, Craig Phillips, Counselor to the Secretary, US Department of the Treasury, Annie Donovan, Director, CDFI Fund, US Department of Treasury, Congressman John Delaney, Member of the House Financial Services Committee and Richard Cordray, Director, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

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.

Board of Directors Election

CDBA  held a board election in which members elected 4 new directors, Andy Anderson, President & CEO, Bank of Anguilla, Ken Hale, President & CEO, Bank of Montgomery (BOM), Robert James II, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Carver State Bank, and Tom Ogaard, President & CEO, Native American Bank. Several directors were also relected, among them Max Yates, BankPlus, and Huey Townsend, Guaranty Bank & Trust and Bill Dana, Central Bank of Kansas City was appointed Emeritus Chairman. The 2017 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.