Wednesday, December 9

A Message from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
Esther George
President and CEO
Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City

8:30 - 9:15 a.m.

Esther George, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, is the region’s representative on the FOMC in Washington. In this role, she participates in monetary policy deliberations and leads a workforce of nearly 2,000 based in offices in Kansas City, Omaha, Denver, and Oklahoma City. She brings a perspective based on three decades of experience as a banking supervisor and leader in the Federal Reserve System. George will share her insight and thoughts on the banking industry and payments system.

Connect With Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City

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Balance Sheet Strategies for a Challenging 2021
Joe Kennerson
Managing Director
Darling Consulting Group

9:25 - 10:25 a.m.

Our industry is facing some of the greatest challenges in our lifetimes. That is not hyperbole. Margins are nearing all-time lows and likely headed lower in 2021 as cash levels are accumulating at a record pace. Loan demand is weakening while credit concern is lingering over us like a dark cloud. How we plan for and respond to these challenges will shape the future of our balance sheet, our earnings and, ultimately, our destiny.

We are facing tough decisions, but they are decisions we must face head-on today. Joe Kennerson will look to every corner of the balance sheet for strategy ideas to stave off margin pressure while closely managing our risk profile. He will start with your core business: lending and deposits and share case studies accumulated from hundreds of quarterly ALCO meetings and support from data analytics. The ultimate goal will be to provide your ALCO with a framework to develop and execute balance sheet strategies. The time is now.

Connect With Joe

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A Conversation with the Missouri Commissioner of Finance
Rob Barrett
Commissioner
Missouri Division of Finance

10:40 - 11:15 a.m.

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Beyond the Pandemic & After the Elections: Issues, Challenges and Strategies to Grow Your Business Over the Next Two Years
Gene Marks
Author and Columnist

11:25 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

If you’re running a business, then no doubt 2020 has turned into a very challenging year for you. You’re faced with many obstacles that are not only impacting your current cash flow but your longer term strategies for growth. What decisions should you be making now? What are smart leaders around the country doing to navigate their companies, their employees and their partners toward growth and profitability over the next two years? Join nationally recognized journalist, certified public accountant and business owner Gene Marks for a fast-paced, entertaining and data-filled presentation where he will share with you the thoughts, lessons and actions his audience of more than half a million business owners, managers and leaders are taking to survive 2020 and thrive in the years to come. He will discuss government, state, local grant and lending programs; take a deep dive into the best workplace practices and legislation; and analyze how the next president’s economic policies will affect businesses throughout the next two years.

Connect With Gene

Thursday, December 10

New Year, New Congress, New Strategies
James Ballentine
Executive Vice President of Congressinal Relations and Political Affairs
American Bankers Association

8:20 - 9 a.m.

2020 was unlike any year in the history of our country. As a new Congress begins, James Ballentine will discuss policy changes, the election and the impact it will have on the banking industry in the upcoming year.

Connect With James

Connect With ABA

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COVID-19 from the Frontline: Perspective from an Infectious Disease Specialist
Dana Hawkinson, M.D.
University of Kansas Health System

9:40 - 10: a.m.

The number of COVID-19 cases continues to grow as we enter the final months of 2020. According to the latest coronavirus report (November 1) from the White House Coronavirus Task Force, Missouri is in a red zone – it has seen an increase in new COVID-19 cases and an increase in test positivity. Will this continue? Can our health systems handle the surge of cases? Dana Hawkinson, M.D., medical director of antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention, has experienced this virus as a frontline caregiver. Hawkinson will explain how winter will likely affect the spread of the virus spread and what needs to happen now to blunt the surge, as well as treatment protocols and vaccines. He also relays what to expect as our reality of “normal” in the coming year. 

Connect With University of Kansas Health System

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Better than Before: How to Make Digital More Personal & Meaningful than the Branch…By Leveraging Your People in the Branch

Lee Wetherington
Director of Strategic Insight
Jack Henry & Associates

10:50 - 11: a.m.

Here’s what we know. Digital is no longer optional, self-service is not sufficient, and the unpredictable is becoming more probable. As overlapping disruptions exaggerate both upside potential and downside risk, what should you do? How have consumer and small-business behavior changed? Are these changes permanent, and what do they mean for the future of digital, payments, lending and branches? And how can you achieve the strategic agility necessary to navigate the next abnormal? Join Lee Wetherington for a clear-eyed look ahead and a review of the strategies that best position banks to gain from the disorder that disruption brings, lower efficiency ratios significantly and convert digital cost-centers into full-service revenue engines.

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Friday, December 11

FHLB Des Moines: The Value of Membership
Kris Williams
President and CEO
Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines

8:20 - 8:50 a.m.

Kris Williams became the new president and CEO of Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines in January 2020. In the time since she joined, much has changed for banks around the country, forcing leaders to think differently about their strategy for 2021. Join Kris as she discusses the importance of staying flexible and resilient during these uncertain times and the value of an FHLBank membership as the economic environment evolves and needs change.

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Transaction – Acquisitions and Mergers – Overview and Market Factors
Bob Wray, Esq., Managing Director
The Capital Corporation

9:05 - 10:05 a.m.

Bob Wray provides a high-level overview of how a bank sale transaction works and a brief discussion of the current and historical bank market. He also will take a deep dive into issues affecting the banking industry today and primary issues involved in a bank transaction agreement.  

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5 Components of Extraordinary Teams
Lee Rubin
Lee Rubin Speaks

10:15 - 11:15 a.m.

Leading teams in 2020 has been challenging! However, adversity and change presents a tremendous opportunity to strengthen the bonds that keep your teams connected. While most leaders focus exclusively on generating results, elite organizations invest in building relationships. During this presentation, Lee Rubin discusses the “stuff” that transforms a collection of talented individuals into extraordinary, machine-like teams. He shares insights, humor and practical takeaways to help leaders take their respective teams to a higher level.

Connect With Lee

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2021 Economy: Return to Gridlock
Chris Kuehl, Managing Director
Armada Corporate Intelligence

11:25 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Next year looks like a return to the gridlock pattern we have seen many times before and for much of the business and investment community that is just fine. The divided government will ensure a level of balance and reduces the possibility of major shifts in activity. The key issue for the coming year will be the pandemic and after that the focus will be on spurring a full rebound from the recession.

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