VBA Event & Program Recaps

VBA, the American Bankers Association and the Maryland Bankers Association partnered to host the fifth-annual virtual Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit for bankers on September 12, 2024. More than four hundred people nationwide registered to attend. This event was an important part of continuing a meaningful dialogue on fostering positive change in the industry. The value-packed program helped bankers master the leading practices for mitigating the systemic barriers that disadvantage marginalized groups in the industry and gave actionable steps to implement change.

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.

More than 530 bankers and industry partners joined us at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Florida, for the first annual 2024 MBA|VBA Joint Convention. Attendees enjoyed business sessions as well as social and networking events during their time in Amelia Island.

The 2024 Directors’ Symposium, co-sponsored by the Virginia Association of Community Banks (VACB), provided bank board members with current data, thought-provoking industry trends and networking opportunities with other directors and regulators. The annual Symposium is designed to benefit both new directors and seasoned veterans on the Board.

Nearly 260 bankers and industry partners joined us in Williamsburg from March 11-13 for the VBA Connect|Protect Experience. This event brought together banking professionals in the areas of marketing, human resources, retail banking, training, security, enterprise risk management, compliance, and operations and technology. This year’s event featured 35 total sessions, including five general sessions and five rounds of concurrent breakout sessions, during which attendees uncovered new ideas, trends, and developments in banking.

On January 11, nearly 550 bankers and members of the business community joined us for the VBA/VA Chamber Financial Forecast at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. For the thirteenth year, the VBA and VA Chamber of Commerce partnered to bring together hundreds of members of the business community to learn what lies ahead for the state and national economy.

The inaugural VBA Associate Member Appreciation Day was held October 12th at the VBA office in Glen Allen and created a terrific opportunity for our members to visit our office, learn more about all that the VBA offers and have the chance to meet & mingle with our staff. We were excited to host nearly 30 of our Associate Members from thirteen different companies as they joined us for good food and conversation and enjoyed the opportunity to get to know our organization and people a little better.

Dates will be available soon for our 2024 event!

On November 30, bankers from across the Commonwealth joined us for the eleventh annual Women in Banking Conference. This conference was designed for all women involved in banking and provided engaging and thought-provoking sessions on finding success in the industry.

Nearly 110 bankers and industry partners joined us in October for the 2023 Lending & Credit Conference. This event provided educational and networking opportunities through a combination of general sessions and peer group discussions.