Bank School Class of 2027
Bank School Class Schedule & Descriptions
2025 Bank School Curriculum - First Year
First Year Orientation
In this introductory course to your Bank School experience, you will learn about the school and your responsibilities over the next three years. Additionally, you will receive and have the opportunity to review your DiSC profile and develop a base understanding of the different communication styles as defined by DiSC. Through a series of interactive activities, you will learn how to work with a variety of different personality types making you a more effective communicator, both professionally and personally.
Bank Financial Management I
During the Bank Financial Management I course, you will develop a basic understanding of a bank’s financial statements and ratios as well as the key factors driving a bank’s financial performance including profitability, investments, capital, and liquidity management. (Pre-requisite: Recent college level accounting course, a position in an accounting function or successful completion of VBA’s Bank School Accounting Primer.)
Commercial Banking
This course will explore the key elements of successful commercial lending activities and the impact of a commercial loan portfolio on commercial banks. Topics will include financial leverage and the loan transaction, the commercial lending process with specific focus on risk mitigation, credit analysis considerations with detailed focus on financial statements, key ratios, and cash flow to support quality loan decisions. Borrower debt levels, the economic impacts to loan portfolios, and business life cycles impacts will be explored relative to financial performance and profitability of the commercial loan portfolio.
Economic Environment
Taught in a highly interactive fashion, this course features a discussion of the influence that monetary and fiscal authorities have on national income, employment, inflation and balance of payments. The course also reviews current economic conditions, and recent Federal Reserve Policy announcements.
Ethical Decision Making
This course will provide bankers with a values-based process for making decisions and shaping the bank’s culture. In these interactive sessions, we will explore trust, accountability, and other elements associated with ethical and unethical behavior in the banking industry.
Organizational Behavior
This course explores human behavior in the workplace. During the week, the class will discuss how employee attitudes, levels of motivation and personalities impact daily interaction as well as the drivers of employee satisfaction.
Strategic Marketing and Communication
During this course, you will explore the world of communication and marketing from the perspective of brand, strategy, crisis, and action. Designed to equip you with a marketing perspective, this course will broaden the way you see corporation challenges and opportunities. Prepare to think big and leave equipped with new solutions for your organization.
Bank School Convocation
The Virtual Bank School Convocation will take place on Wednesday, July 16th from 2:00 – 2:45 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: 891 4196 5740
- Passcode: 084422
You can view the recording of the Bank School Convocation here.
Passcode: C7=D6&PV
First Year Class Materials
Please note the password for all class materials is “BankSchool2025″
Download a Bank School Notes Page Template Here.
bank financial management I
2025 Bank Financial Management I
The handouts will be printed for you and provided during class.
Day 1 Handout - Self Quiz Financials
Day 2 Handout - Liquidity in Action
Pre-Work
Please complete the reading and assignment below and bring to the first day of class.
Bank Financial Management I Pre-Session Reading
Bank Financial Management I Pre-Class Assignment
commercial banking
Commercial Banking Class Outline
Sea Harvest Inc. Case Overview
Economic Environment
GDPNow – Subscribe to GDPNow here.
- After you enter your name/email, scroll down to the Data and Analysis dropdown. ONLY subscribe to GDPNow (Weekly) email.
ethical decision making
You can print the pdf workbook below and bring with you to class to write in or you can access an editable Word version of the workbook here to access from your laptop during class.
Ethical Decision Making Workbook
Organizational Behavior
Pre-Work
Please complete the assignment below and bring to the first day of class.
Personality Scales and Equity Sensitivity Handout
strategic marketing
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 2:00!
Meeting ID: 882 5281 0638
Passcode: 882463
Recording: Home Study General Info Call
Dr. Ed Seifried – Due October 1
Economic Environment Home Study Assignment
Click here to join the call with Dr. Ed on Tuesday, September 2 at 2:00!
Meeting ID: 815 0573 2077
Passcode: 535384
Richard Coughlan – Due November 3
Ethical Decision Making Home Study Assignment
Gary Higgins – Due February 2
Commercial Banking Home Study Assignment
Erin Black – Due March 2
Strategic Marketing Home Study Assignment
Strategic Marketing - Sample Home Study Rubric
Important Parking Information
Parking Information: We have a number of things to share with you regarding parking while you are at Bank School. Please review this carefully and reach out to 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 walking distance from the Residence Inn so if you are staying there and want to park there and cross the street, you are free to do so. Please be very careful as Ridge McIntire is VERY busy!
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 first year class, your VBA staff liaison, Michele Dunn, and first year class faculty at Starr Hill Brewery at the Dairy Market. With numerous dining options, the Dairy Market is the perfect location to enjoy dinner with some of your classmates! Also, be sure to check out the newest addition - Sun Pins Duck Pin Bowling & Darts for a night of fun! 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 classmate 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 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 Photo
GroupMe QR Code
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
- Attend an upcoming MBA/VBA event – check our event calendar here.
- Join the VBA Emerging Bank Leaders.
- Attend this fall’s State Legislative Meetings – held in each region across the state!
- Learn more about the VBA’s financial literacy programs.
- Subscribe to VBA publications.
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