Mid-Atlantic School of Banking Class of 2026

Internal Links Kristen Reid Marie Basil

Bank School Class Schedule & Descriptions

Asset/Liability Management

This course introduces students to the risk to the bank’s income statement and balance sheet when interest rates change. The concepts of rate sensitive assets and rate sensitive liabilities will be studied. In addition, the course investigates the possibility of earning losses that can result from interest rate changes. Finally, students will study policies and procedures that may be able to reduce the danger of earnings losses in a volatile interest rate environment.

BankExec Simulation

BankExec was developed to provide bankers with an understanding of financial management challenges in banks. Except for senior management, few individuals in a bank have the opportunity to be exposed to the wide range of operating decisions that will be presented in this exercise. As a participant, you will be a member of a management team responsible for the operation of a $500 million bank. During the simulation, students will develop and implement policies in the areas of loans, securities investment, deposits, funding sources and capital. Students will face competition from other financial institutions operating in the same community and will be subject to a changing economic environment. A major purpose of the exercise is to develop an understanding of the complexities of managing banks in a dynamic economy and of the need for an integrated, consistent set of policies to maintain the growth, profitability and survival of the banking institution.

The simulation operates on the basis of quarterly decisions and reports. Students will receive reports at the end of each calendar quarter that describe the financial results of their bank and conditions in the economy. Virginia bank executives will be on hand to assist participants in making these important financial decisions.
Upon completion of the BankExec program, the students will make presentations demonstrating what they have learned from their participation in the program.

Banking Hot Topic (Topic varies each year) 

Each year, the third-year class has a class, taught by a UVA professor and the VBA’s Darden liaison, Elena Loutskina, PhD on a relevant, current hot topic in the banking industry. Past sessions have included:
• Frontiers of Fintech
• Current State of the Banking Industry through the Lense of SVB

The class for 2026 will be announced soon!

CAMELS Ratings

During this session, students will be introduced to and use the CAMELS Rating System to assess the safety and soundness of a case study bank. Additionally, students will outline the common risk trends most prevalent today in the financial services industry and participate in a conversation comparing common performance metrics for community banks in Virginia, the 5th District and the nation.

Team Dynamics

This session will walk through the stages of team development and highlight where teams can be derailed by differences in communication styles.

Bank School Convocation 

The Virtual Bank School Convocation will take place via Zoom. 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 your officers about two of the social activities and how you can support local non-profits, one in VA and one in MD.

Zoom Information for the 2026 Bank School Convocation

Coming soon!

Third Year Class Materials

Please note the password for all class materials is “MASB2026″

Download a Bank School Notes Page Template Here​.

BankExec Information

Final Presentation
BankExec Resources

BankExec Team Formation Call – June 23

Click here to join the BankExec Team Formation Call on Tuesday, June 23 at 2:00pm. 

Passcode:

Bank School Newsletters

Newsletters will begin weekly the week of June 22.

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. More information to come on parking and shuttles to/from Darden.

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 and Home 2 Suites so if you are staying there, you are welcome to park there and walk. Please be very careful!

Class Officer Contact Information

Class Co – President
Joanna Barbee
Shore United Bank

Class Co-President
Jennifer Huffman
Atlantic Union Bank

Vice President
Blake Shaw
Benchmark Community Bank

Secretary
Marisa Farmer
New Peoples Bank

Treasurer
Jacob Avellanet
C&F Bank

Bank School Photo Contest

Social Schedule

Sunday, August 2 – 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, August 3 - Kickball

Join your classmates for a kickball battle of the classes! Dinner will be provided.

Tuesday, August 4 – Third Year Class Charity Event

Thursday, August 6 – Third Year Class Party

VBA Staff Contact Information

Class Liaisons
  • 1st Year Class Liaison: Monica McDearmon (804) 363-9347
  • 2nd Year Class Liaison: Michele Dunn (804) 347-4169
  • 3rd Year Class Liaison & BankExec: ​Marie Basil (804) 678-9672
  • Bank School Support: Rebecca Hough
Bank School Management & Oversight

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.