The Federal Reserve is being very cautious as to when it will start to lower short-term interest rates at a time where economic growth continues to outperform, unemployment is low, and the consumer continues to benefit from wage growth. However, the Fed's targeted inflation has not been met, although, it is improving. Also impacting the economy is 2024 being an election year. This session will discuss and review these crucial data points and where the 2024 and 2025 U.S. economy is headed.

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It's easy to be overwhelmed by the challenge of turning data from an afterthought into a core facet of your banking operations that drives value. Organizations can become paralyzed because they don't know where to begin, but the right data strategy can change the mindset of a bank from using data for incremental growth to using it as a transformational element in a bank's success. Learn how to unlock the value of your bank's data and develop and implement a clear data strategy that allows for flexibility and change. This session will discuss how to position your data as a strategic corporate asset and how to develop a data governance program to manage, monitor and protect your data.

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Current expected credit losses (CECL) models generally represent high risk compared to lending institutions' other models. Not only is the process of running the CECL estimate heavily data focused and involves many departments of the bank, volatility of the estimate over time has been present and oftentimes unexpected. This session will discuss how a comprehensive model validation will help you uncover the model mechanics behind the black box and the major triggers that create volatility. With this knowledge, stress-testing major assumptions can provide management teams with insight into future trends of the CECL estimate based on varying economic and operating environments.

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This session will review the most recent tax law changes that impact you and your financial institution. 

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Cybersecurity attacks continue to increase in sophistication and impact. Unsurprisingly, financial institutions remain one of the industries most targeted by cybercriminals. This session will discuss attack trends and how attackers are gaining access to financial institution networks. Technology change continues to increase pace as well. As financial institutions continue digital transformation efforts or explore utilizing generative AI tools, the attack surface for the institution often changes. You'll learn about key themes you need to consider and how cybersecurity programs must continue evolving to keep pace with the changes in your business and technology environment. 

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Local FDIC examiners and the FDIC Chicago regional accountant will share current perspectives from the agency on a variety of financial reporting topics and policy developments. You'll hear the latest findings on the allowance for credit losses, including commonly seen CECL models, credit quality observations, determining when a loan should be considered uncollectible, accounting for loan modifications, as well as insights about investment securities, fair value accounting, implications of the Wisconsin state income tax law change, and more!

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Now, more than ever, asset/liability management committees (ALCOs) are tasked with the difficult role of creating strategic perspective. Amid the fastest Fed tightening cycle in modern banking history, a steeply inverted yield curve and margins being squeezed, strategic focus has never been more critical. This session focuses on navigating this period of uncertainty and will highlight key considerations for lending, investments, deposits, wholesale and hedging initiatives to help shape a strategic ALCO meeting.

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This session will help you develop an understanding of current ethical challenges and strategies within the accounting profession. There will be a focus on learning from real-world ethical violations, including the attitudes of others related to ethics, as well as the laws, rules and regulations CPAs must follow and the consequences of not doing so. The benefits of ethical leadership will also be discussed.

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