Bank School Class of 2026
Bank School Class Schedule & Descriptions
2025 Bank School Curriculum - Second Year
Bank Financial Management II – Brad Schwartz
The Bank Financial Management II course will build off the basics you learned in Bank Financial Management I and will cover how to understand balance sheet management, how interest rate risk can impact a bank, and the regulatory requirements for managing interest rate risk. The course will also provide a primer on managing the financial components of a bank using the BankExec simulation.
Bank Strategic Planning – Jeff Marsico
This course walks participants through the common processes and practices used in creating, implementing and managing a strategic plan for a financial institution. Topics to be covered include: identifying strategic goals, analyzing the banking industry, and understanding the role of risk management in strategic decision-making.
Credit Portfolio Management – Gary Higgins
This course will explore the function and impact of key risk management controls necessary to support commercial lending and credit risk management activities of commercial banks. Topics will include the historical causes of bank failures, the credit related risks assumed by commercial banks, and the function of key risk controls relative to asset quality and bank profitability. Approaches and techniques to examine the key risk management controls will be explored with specific focus on managing the loan portfolio and the commercial loan decisioning process.
Effective Negotiations – Richard Coughlan
This course equips bankers with a practical process to use in influencing others and negotiating agreements, both inside and outside the bank. Students will use examples from their own banks in identifying interests, developing workable options, and conducting real life negotiations.
Performance Management – Kerry Sauley
Being regarded as a good manager can take you a long way in any organization. Conversely, being viewed as a weak manager can be limiting to a career. This course will provide the practical tools and methods needed to effectively lead and supervise others to maximum performance.
Technology, Payments & Cybersecurity – Jimmy Sawyers
Technology now touches every aspect of banking. To lead a bank effectively and confidently into the future, it is critical that one can leverage and manage technology in a rapidly changing environment, separating hype from reality and aligning the bank’s technology plans with its strategic goals. This class will help students learn the strategic application of technology in a banking environment, how the payments system is evolving, and the importance of risk management and cybersecurity, in specific banking areas and enterprise wide.
Bank School Convocation
The Virtual Bank School Convocation will take place on Wednesday, July 16th from 3:00 – 3:30 p.m. During this Zoom meeting, VBA staff will walk through all of the Bank School logistics and answer any questions you may have. You will also hear from the third-year class officers about two of the social activities and how you can support a local non-profit.
Zoom Information for the 2025 Bank School Convocation
Join the Bank School Convocation here.
- Meeting ID: 827 9798 4827
- Passcode: 977061
You can view the recording of the Bank School Convocation here.
Passcode: 40PH28d@
Second Year Class Materials
Please note the password for all class materials is “BankSchool2025″
Download a Bank School Notes Page Template Here.
Bank Financial Management II – Brad Schwartz
The handout below will be printed for class.
Bank Strategic Planning – Jeff Marsico
The handout below will be printed for class.
Bank Strategic Planning Peer Group
Credit Portfolio Management – Gary Higgins
Credit Portfolio Management Outline
Fictional Materials Loss Case Study + Report Page
Sea Harvest Case Study + Report Page
Spreads FY01 to FY03 Sea Harvest Case Study
Effective Negotiations – Richard Coughlan
Effective Negotiations w/ note space
Performance Management – Kerry Sauley
Performance Management Outline
Challenge the Boss or Stand Down Case Study
Technology, Payments & Cybersecurity – Jimmy Sawyers
Bank School Newsletters
Home Study Assignments
Please note the password for all home study materials is “BankSchool2025″
Along with attendance at all classes during the Bank School summer session, completion of eight home study problems (4 after the first year and 4 after the second year) with a passing grade is required to graduate from the Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management.
Instructions & Bank School Honor Code
It is very important that you submit your home study assignments correctly as some instructors will deduct points for formatting. Please be sure to read the instructors directions carefully and if instructions aren’t included follow the outline on the Bank School Home Study Instruction Sheet & Bank School Honor Code.
honor code
The Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management students are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the highest standards of honesty and integrity in the classroom, outside of the classroom and on the home study problems. Home Study problems are individual assignments meaning you are to work on the assignment ALONE and are not to discuss the questions, potential answers, strategy, research or data resources with another Bank School student. Also, please do not send your completed paper to another student as an example. Any evidence of shared work will be considered an honor code violation.
The Honor Code is:
On my honor, I pledge that I have neither given nor received assistance on this assignment and that all work is my own.
Violations of the Honer Code include:
- Plagiarism – An act or instance of using or closely imitating the language and thoughts of another without authorization and the representation of that author’s work as one’s own, as by not crediting the original author.
- Cheating – Receiving, giving and attempting to receive or give unauthorized assistance, such as materials, information, notes or sources, on home study problems.
You may seek assistance from a subject matter expert in your bank as part of your research BEFORE you start to write your papers. The subject matter expert cannot be another Bank School student.
Submission
Submit your home study problems by sending to: homestudy@vabankers.org. The file should be saved as a PDF and titled with last name, first initial – instructor’s last name (ex. Dunn, M – Higgins). A COMPLETE SUBMISSION includes your cover sheet (accessed below), full paper, and completed evaluation (linked below).
Home Study Evaluation: Please complete the home study evaluation so we can provide feedback to the instructor. You can access the evaluation here. Please submit the evaluation with your assignment and cover sheet.
Home Study Assignments & Pre-Assignment Zoom Recordings
Click here to join home study general info call on Tuesday, August 19 at 3:00!
Meeting ID: 895 5909 5894
Passcode: 819296
Recording: Click here!
Passcode: !y^94L.%
Brad Schwartz – Due October 1
Bank Financial Management II I Brad Schwartz
Click here to join the home study call with Brad Schwartz on Tuesday, September 9 at 4:00!
Meeting ID: 899 4608 3649
Passcode: 271957
Click here to watch the recording!
Passcode: 0j^$5@@y
Gary Higgins – Due November 3
Credit Portfolio Management I Gary Higgins
Click here to join the home study call with Gary Higgins on Monday, October 6 at 2:00!
Meeting ID: 884 4281 3150
Passcode: 751613
Jimmy Sawyers – Due February 2
Technology, Payments, & Cybersecurity I Jimmy Sawyers
Richard Coughlan – Due March 2
Important Parking Information
Please review the parking information carefully and contact Kristen Reid with any questions!
Parking at Darden: With other groups in house and the new hotel, parking is limited at Darden. With that we have developed the following plan for students during the week of Bank School.
- Sunday, July 20: All 1st and 3rd year students will park in the parking garage at Darden. There is no fee for parking on Sunday.
- Monday, July 21 – Friday, July 25: All students will park at John Paul Jones Arena in the South Lot. The John Paul Jones Arena is located at 295 Massie Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903. The South Lot is located on the corner of Massie and Copeley Roads (see here for a map indicating where you park). Directions to JPJ can be found here. Shuttle buses will run each morning and each afternoon between the South Lot and Darden. Please note – you may have a few minutes wait as buses transport people, but they will be running a continuous loop. The shuttle times are being finalized and will be added to your curriculum schedule by early next week.
Social Event Parking: For the social events that are being held at the Omni, the garage will be open and you will be able to park there for no charge if you are not staying at the Omni. For those of you who haven’t been to Charlottesville before, the Omni is in walking distance from the Residence Inn so if you are staying there, you are welcome to park there and walk across the street. Please be very careful as Ridge McIntire is VERY busy!
Class Officer Contact Information
President
Jennifer Huffman
Atlantic Union Bank
Vice President
Blake Shaw
Benchmark Community Bank
Secretary
Marisa Hughes
New Peoples Bank
Treasurer
Jacob Avellanet
C&F Bank
Bank School Photo Contest
Social Schedule
Sunday, July 20 - Welcome Reception
Network with your classmates and VBA staff, register for the third year class charity event, pick up your name badge, and enjoy some networking. Drinks and light refreshments will be provided!
Monday, July 21 - Class Night
Join other members of the second year class, your VBA staff liaison, Marie Basil, and second year class faculty at Rockfish Brewery, Downtown Mall. Please note that food and beverage costs are on your own.
Tuesday, July 22 - Third Year Class Charity Event
Join the third year class as they raise money for Service Dogs of Virginia in memory of Bank School Class of 2025 Allan Sullivan and Bank School faculty member Brad Schwartz’s daughter, Riley Tallent, both of whom we’ve sadly lost during the Class of 2025’s time at Bank School. We will be taking a class picture so be sure to wear your class t-shirt that you will receive at Bank School.
Date: Tuesday, July 22
Time: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery
Cost: $40 (includes two drink tickets)
Don’t Delay…Purchase Your Ticket Today!: While you will be able to purchase your ticket at Bank School, why wait? Click here to purchase your ticket today and lock in your support for Service Dogs of Virginia.
In-Kind Donations: Check out suggested supplies and access the Amazon Wish List here. The third-year class will have a table set up at the Welcome Reception to gather any in-kind donations which they will bring over to Service Dogs of Virginia during Bank School.
About Service Dogs of Virginia: Service Dogs of Virginia is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that places highly trained dogs to perform a multitude of tasks that allow greater personal freedom and independence. While it costs approximately $40,000 over a two-year period to raise, train and place a successful service dog, Service Dogs of Virginia is able to provide service dogs at no cost to those in need because of the generous support of individuals, businesses and foundations.
Thursday, July 24 - Third Year Class Party
It’s a Mardi to Remember! It is time to celebrate the Class of 2025 and all the hard work they have put in over the past three years! Join students from all three classes, VBA staff, faculty and Fellows and help them wrap up their Bank School experience. The party will take place at the Omni Hotel in the Jefferson Ballroom and the theme this year is Mardi Gras so be sure to pack a mask and some beads and be ready to celebrate!
Class Photos
Bank School Evaluation
Please complete the post-bank school evaluation here!
VBA Staff Contact Information
Class Liaisons
- 1st Year Class Liaison: Michele Dunn (804) 347-4169
- 2nd Year Class Liaison: Marie Basil (804) 678-9672
- 3rd Year Class Liaison & BankExec: Gabby Bond (757) 561-3072
- Bank School Support: Monica McDearmon (804) 363-9347
- Bank School Support: Ann DeVilbiss (410) 758-1462
Bank School Management & Oversight
- Kristen Reid (804) 467-6193
- Bruce Whitehurst (804) 241-3223
Stay Engaged with the VBA
Charlottesville Guide & Information
We hope that you enjoy your time in Charlottesville during Bank School week! Please see below for information on things to do during the week.
- General Charlottesville Information
- Outdoor Recreation & Trails
- Events
- Restaurants (Note: It is Restaurant Week while we are in Charlottesville – reservations are recommended).
- Downtown Mall
- Wineries, Craft Beverages & Breweries