Commercial Banking Bootcamp
Developed in partnership with the University of Richmond Robins School of Business, Commercial Banking Bootcamp is an intensive, hands-on training program designed specifically for junior to mid-level business bankers, loan officers, credit analysts and others looking to take the next step in a career of commercial banking.
Through a combination of classroom learning, virtual training and group assignments, attendees will gain practical skills in credit analysis, loan structuring and relationship management as well as foster an understanding of regulatory expectations and economic conditions impacting community banks. The program will culminate with a capstone group project where attendees will present to a “loan committee” their recommendation on a loan proposal.
The 2026 Commercial Banking Bootcamp will include five days of in-person learning, split between two sessions and one 90-minute virtual sessions between session 1 and session 2.
2026 Session Outline
Session one – September 29 – October 1, 2026
Agenda – subject to change
Tuesday, September 29
9:30 am – Registration
10:00 am – Session Begins
12:00 noon – Lunch
5:00 pm – Session Concludes
Wednesday, September 30
8:30 am – Continental Breakfast
9:00 am – Session Begins
12:00 noon – Lunch
4:30 pm – Session Concludes
Thursday, October 1
8:00 am – Continental Breakfast
8:30 am – Session Begins
12:30 pm – Session Concludes with Boxed Lunches
September 29
I. Fundamentals of Commercial Banking
- Types of Commercial Loans (C&I, SBA, CRE, Ag Lending Basics)
- Fundamentals of Good Loan Policy
- Making or Not Making Exceptions
II. Credit & Risk Analysis
- Industry Risk Assessment & Types of Risks in Commercial Banking
- Financial Statement Analysis (Ratios, Trends, Red Flags)
- Cash Flow and Debt Service Coverage
- Credit Scoring & Risk Rating Systems
- Strategies for Mitigating Risk
September 30
I. Loan Structuring & Underwriting (Part 1)
- Understanding Credit Worthiness
- Linking Credit Analysis to Proposed Loan Products to Business Needs
- Loan Structure and Pricing Strategies
- Collateral Valuation and Loan-to-Value (LTV) Best Practices
- Covenants and Credit Enhancements
- Creating & Defending a Credit Memo
- Loan Approval Process Case Study
October 1
I. Loan Structuring & Underwriting (Part 2) & Capstone Project Review
- Loan Classification, Ratings and Provisions
- Committee Presentations Tips
- Review Capstone Project, Including Team Assignments
Session will adjourn by lunchtime. Box lunches will be provided to go.
90 Minute virtual session
Date: TBD
Time: 9:00 – 10:30 am
Topic: Regulatory Considerations in Building & Maintaining a Loan File
Topics include:
- KYC Compliance
- Beneficial Ownership
- Flood
- …and more!
session two – October 20 - 21, 2026
Agenda – subject to change
Tuesday, October 20
8:30 am – Continental Breakfast
9:00 am – Session Begins
12:00 noon – Lunch
5:00 pm – Session Concludes
Wednesday, October 21
8:30 am – Continental Breakfast
9:00 am – Session Begins
12:00 noon – Session Concludes with Boxed Lunches
October 20
I. Developing a Consultative Sales Approach & Finalizing Group Capstone Project
- Define Client/Prospect Selection and Prioritization Criteria
- Think Like a Client: Understand the Lender perspective vs. Owner Perspective
- Negotiation and Communication Tactics
- Managing/Handling Problem Loans, Workouts, etc
- Finalize Capstone Project
October 21
I. Capstone Simulation Presentations
- Capstone Project: Presenting a Commercial Loan Deal to a Loan Committee of Senior/Executive Level Bankers
Session will adjourn by lunchtime. Box lunches will be provided to go.
Meet the Instructors
Cary Chandler is a Credit Officer at SouthState Bank who provides credit approval and loan structuring guidance to the Commercial portfolio in the Commonwealth of Virginia to Large Specialized Not-For-Profit banking teams covering the footprint of SouthState Bank. Upon graduating from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Finance, he joined BB&T where he spent 18 years in Commercial Lending, including Business Banking and Commercial Lending Relationship Manager roles in Washington, DC and Portfolio Management, Credit Administration and Credit Leadership roles in Atlanta, Georgia and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Returning “home” to Richmond in 2017, he joined SouthState Bank in 2019. Cary achieved the designation of Credit Risk Certified by the RMA in 2012.
Richard Coughlan serves as Faculty Director of Executive Education and Associate Professor of Management at the University of Richmond, where he teaches courses on negotiations, decision-making, and organizational behavior. A recipient of the University’s Distinguished Educator Award, he is also a facilitator and strategic advisor for dozens of corporate clients including CapTech, CarMax, Capital One, Dominion Energy, and Markel. A graduate of the University of Virginia, Richard arrived at Richmond after completing both an MBA and a Ph.D. in judgment and decision-making at the University of Arizona. Prior to graduate school, he spent nearly five years in the hotel industry, culminating with a position on the management team at The Pebble Beach Resorts in California.
Commercial Banking Bootcamp Tuition
Tuition for the 2026 Commercial Banking School session is $1,895 for VBA members and $2,495 for non-members.
Cancellation policy
All cancellations will be charged a $25.00 administrative fee. Cancellations received after September 23, 2026 will be charged a $75.00 administrative fee plus any additional fees associated with the training. Substitutions are allowed prior to the beginning of course.
MBA/VBA Policies
By registering for this event, you are agreeing to the MBA/VBA Event Policies and the Privacy Policy.
Special Needs & Americans with Disabilities Notice
Please share any specific needs that should be considered as we plan for the event (i.e. hearing impaired, sight impaired, etc.). Please contact Michele Dunn with any details.
Hotel Information
Session One
The association has reserved a block of rooms at the Drury Plaza at the rate of $132/night, plus applicable taxes and fees. Click here to make your reservation by the cut-off date, August 27, 2026.
Session Two
The association has reserved a block of rooms at the Drury Plaza at the rate of $132/night, plus applicable taxes and fees. Click here to make your reservation by the cut-off date, September 17, 2026.
Drury Plaza Hotel Richmond
11049 W Broad St
Glen Allen, VA 23060
The rate includes a hot breakfast, evening food and drinks at 5:30 pm, parking and Wi-Fi.
Sponsorship
Contact Amy Binns for information.