The 17th Annual Community Bankers Symposium: Back to the New Basics invited community banking executives to come and learn from senior policymakers and industry experts about the challenges and opportunities impacting banking, with a special focus on current industry developments, strategic planning, commercial real estate and other important bank supervisory issues.

Hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), and the Conference of State Bank Supervisors, the event took place in person at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. A remote option was available for those unable to attend onsite. The event was not open to media.

This year, we welcomed keynote speaker MRV Associates Managing Principal Mayra Rodríguez Valladares, who unpacked the events that have impacted the financial industry this year and looked forward to 2024. Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President and CEO Austan Goolsbee delivered remarks on the economy. Additionally, Conference of State Bank Supervisors EVP of Strategic Engagement Margaret Liu discussed public policy in these uncertain times. Jennifer Docherty, cofounder and CEO of Bank on Women, Inc., conducted a fireside chat with Bruce Lee of Heartland Financial USA explored the business sense of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Banking Consultant Michael Woody delivered a common-sense approach to the criticality of strategic planning, while OCC commercial credit lead expert Joe Hoge, addressed the state of commercial real estate in the current environment.

As always, the event featured a regulatory panel that addressed salient topics and offered attendees the opportunity to engage speakers on the current banking environment and other supervisory topics and updates.