From May-August 2025, 40 students participated in the VBA Internship Program with 10 banks across the state. Through this program, interns were exposed to the industry through a variety of projects, online coursework, departmental rotations through their banks, community engagement and in-person and virtual training from the VBA. Interns who completed a set of requirements were eligible to receive the VBA Summer Internship Program Certificate of Completion.

In April, the VBA held a virtual Mentor Orientation for bankers who would be serving as intern supervisors throughout the program. Mentors learned about the importance of creating an educational experience for their interns by setting clear learning objectives. 

Interns began the program in May at the Intern Orientation, where they learned about the VBA, the banking industry, and how to maximize their summer internship opportunity. Interns heard from members of the VBA Emerging Bank Leaders, who shared their stories about their careers in banking. The interns participated in a session on business etiquette and other HR best practices with Krystal Harris, First National Bank, and Amy Mitchem, Chesapeake Bank, and a session on check fraud with Marydith Newman, U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  

At the Mid-Summer Meet Up in July, interns had an opportunity to interact with the Emerging Bank Leaders Steering Committee and had meaningful discussions on the different capstone topics that were researched throughout the summer. VBA Board member Thomas Ransom, Trust Bank, joined Bruce Whitehurst for a leadership lessons learned fireside chat, and Jamie Covey, United Bank, shared presentation skills to help the interns prepare for their capstone projects. Interns and EBL members also participated in a session on Fintech & Innovation: Strategic Priorities for the Future of Banking with D.J. Seeterlin, Chesapeake Bank. The interns finished the day with a presentation on resumes and interview skills with Colleen Lee and Lili Mori, C&F Bank.

Throughout the summer, interns also participated in virtual meetings on a variety of banking topics (see below for a full list of topics and presenters). Participating interns also had the opportunity to attend the Fed Field Trip at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and a shadow day at the Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management in July.

Details about next year’s program will be announced in early 2026. 

Noted & Quoted: Internship Program Edition

Congratulations to the Following Students for Earning the VBA Internship Program Certificate of Completion

Student

Bank

Devin Fitzpatrick Justin Moravek Davis Clark Alexander Riley Tyler Rooney Brandon Shapleigh Stanton Dodson Patrick Llewellyn Brianna McGee Jack Ziegler Kai Behrens Matthew Caldwell Jack Cheney James Cuthbertson Vishesh Lal Ethan Le Van Adam John Messaoudi Luke Buroker Benjamin Carswell Jenaya Cox Alexander Krsmanovic Jonathan Lee Hayden Offenbacher Gracie Seeterlin Ty Dickson Ben Freilich Jacob Hillyard Elliott Redcay Marina Lynch Dallas Wheeler Paul Camargo Lucas Sabbadin Saad Shahzad Nathaniel Smoker Kaylee Sanders Nautica Bracey Jaden Freeman Shivani Rastogi Kyle Schrecengost Dwight Schultz

Bank of Clarke Bank of Clarke Burke & Herbert Bank Burke & Herbert Bank Burke & Herbert Bank Burke & Herbert Bank C&F Bank C&F Bank C&F Bank C&F Bank Chain Bridge Bank Chain Bridge Bank Chain Bridge Bank Chain Bridge Bank Chain Bridge Bank Chain Bridge Bank Chain Bridge Bank Chesapeake Bank Chesapeake Bank Chesapeake Bank Chesapeake Bank Chesapeake Bank Chesapeake Bank Chesapeake Bank First Bank, Virginia First Bank, Virginia First Bank, Virginia First Bank, Virginia First National Bank First National Bank Pendleton Community Bank Pendleton Community Bank Pendleton Community Bank Pendleton Community Bank Southern Bank and Trust Company TowneBank TowneBank TowneBank TowneBank TowneBank

Virtual Meeting Details & Speakers

Enneagram Workshop
Laura Shibut, StartUp Virginia

CRA 101
Nathalia Artus, Atlantic Union Bank

AI in Banking
Paul Carney, Carter Bank

What are Virginia Millennial and Gen Z Consumers Seeking?​
Emily Riecke, Rivel Banking Research

Banking on Culture: Unlocking Workplace Success

• Candace Davenport, First Bank, Virginia (moderator)
• Thomas Claiborne, Chesapeake Bank
• Meredith Elliott, TowneBank
• Stephanie Webb, Benchmark Community Bank

Capstone Project Discussions & Mini-Presentations

Pictures from the Program