From May-August 2024, 40 students participated in the VBA Internship Program with 15 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 Jakeeta Plumley, Primis Bank, and Carla Moore, VBA, and a session on Fintech & Innovation: Strategic Priorities for the Future of Banking with D.J. Seeterlin, Chesapeake Bank. 

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. Tim Duffee, SouthState 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 check fraud with Marydith Newman, U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The interns finished the day with a presentation on resumes and interview skills with Jeff Collier 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 a shadow day at the Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management in July.

Details about next year’s program will be announced in early 2025. 

Noted & Quoted: Internship Program Edition

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

Student

Bank

Jeremy Burns Joldin Nantanda Nevin Ludwick Brian Moran Caroline Neale Caleb Hunt Holland Brown Diego Diaz-Zamora Ethan Marting Libby Salopek Mia Fitzgerald Zemichael Gebreyohannes Bemnet Bekele Hannah Moss Andrew Piercy Justin Sumiel Karen Gomez Mason Begin Sophie Gibson Mark Reitz Beau Thwing Avon Ngo Hunter Barnhart Alleyne Bendeck Caleb Dunevant Kenyon Knapp Piercen Young Alondra Arellano-Covarrubias Finan Grmay Jackson Liskey Patrick Purdy Nathan Hayes Herbert Stutz Andrew Kerry Chetu Barot Paige Dollar Sydney Vick Matthew Prince Jason Hull Jason Lowden

Bank of Clarke Bank of Clarke Bank of Clarke Blue Ridge Bank Blue Ridge Bank Blue Ridge Bank Blue Ridge Bank Blue Ridge Bank Burke & Herbert 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 Citizens Bank & Trust Company First Bank, Virginia First Bank, Virginia First Bank, Virginia First National First National First National First National Oak View National Bank Pendleton Community Bank Pendleton Community Bank ServisFirst Bank Southern Bank and Trust Company The Bank of Southside Virginia TowneBank TowneBank TowneBank TowneBank TowneBank Village Bank Virginia Bankers Association

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?​
Dailey Betz, Rivel Banking Research

A Conversation on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Banking Industry

• Moderator: Candace Davenport, First Bank, Virginia
• Paula Milsted, Chesapeake Bank
• Shani Gist, Atlantic Union Bank
• Chandler Owdom, VBA

Capstone Project Discussions & Mini-Presentations

Pictures from the Program