FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: press@swgsb.org
The SW Graduate School of Banking Foundation invites senior banking professionals to annual program
Dallas, TX (SMU) March 30, 2023 – The SW Graduate School of Banking Foundation (SWGSB) at the
Cox School of Business, Southern Methodist University (SMU Cox) is holding the nation's preeminent
educational opportunity for bank directors and their spouses, August 24-27 in Victoria, British Columbia.
Some of the nation's leading banking experts will present and facilitate sessions, with an eye toward new
regulatory expectations and D&O insurance provisions.
For 55 years, the Assemblies for Bank Directors has led the nation in bank director education. The
Assemblies have kept bank boards abreast of industry developments and added to senior management's
efforts to strategically manage their institutions. Regulatory authorities require a broad range of banking
knowledge, and the Assemblies' sessions complement senior bankers' robust understanding of their
changing industry.
Assemblies participants can pursue the Certified Director's Designation when also attending the Certified
Community Bank Director's Program at SMU (CCBD). The program presents a comprehensive
curriculum addressing all areas of bank directorship – from duties and responsibilities to the foundations
of bank finance.
Speakers at August's 156th Assembly include Allan Schott, a former high-ranking attorney for the
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Treasury Department and Federal Reserve, who will
speak on preventing money laundering and terrorist financing: Julie L. Stackhouse, senior vice
president of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, who will be the keynote speaker on Friday, August
25; and Edmond J. Seifried, Ph.D., who has educated generations of community bankers. He will
offer his perspective on the economy from his time as a community bank director.
Other experts leading sessions through the weekend include Matt Earl, principal and managing
partner, Reynolds Williams Group; Nancy E. Sheppard, founder and CEO, Women2Boards; Jamie
Sumner, partner, Velligan-Blaxall Consultants, LLC; and Robert Wright, executive vice president,
director of risk management and corporate secretary. Citizens Bank & Trust.
Staff and faculty from the SW Graduate School of Banking Foundation and SMU Cox will lend their
expertise throughout the event. Speakers include William T. Chittenden, chief academic
officer, SWGSB: Shane Goodwin, Ph.D., associate dean and professor of practice, SMU Cox:
Merrill Reynolds, founding partner, Reynolds Williams Group and Certified Community Bank
Director’s Program managing director; and Jeffrey R. Schmid, president and CEO at SWGSB.
"Recent industry failures and regulatory actions are prompting community bank directors nationwide to
elevate their board education efforts," said Jeffrey R. Schmid, president and CEO of the SWGSB
Foundation. "Our participants are grateful to have kept abreast of these issues and know that to do
otherwise is perilous and short-sighted. We look forward to providing the latest strategies and
approaches on governance, strategic planning and best practices - all based on current challenges and
expectations."
The event will take place at Victoria's historic Fairmont Empress Hotel. Known as Castle on the Coast, the
venerable property has undergone $60 million in renovations and offers an English experience in
Canada's most English town, complete with afternoon tea. The four-star, four-diamond hotel offers
exceptional service and unbeatable views of the coast.
Book by July 24 for guaranteed group rates and room availability.
For Assembly registration and other information, please write, call, or e-mail: SWGSB. SMU Box 214,
Dallas, Texas, 75275; (214) 768-2991; info@swgsb.org. The SWGSB website is www.swgsb.org.
Registrations can also be made directly online at www.swgsb.org/directors.
About the Certified Community Bank Director's Program at SMU
Addressing all areas of bank directors flip - from duties and responsibilities to the essentials of
bank finance - the Certified Community Bank Director's (CCBD) Program at SMU
(swgsb.org/directors) is administered by the SW Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) Foundation. This industry-recognized credentialing and designation is designed to educate,
inform and Inspire community bank directors to be strategic thinkers and servant leaders. The
next Level 1 program will be held at SMU May 31-June 2, 2023. For more information, including
certification requirements, or to register for the next event, contact staff at (214) 768-2991 or
info@swgsb.org.
About the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking Foundation at the Cox School of Business
Established in 1957 at SMU in Dallas, the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking (www.swgsb.org) is
a top banking educational institution and partner of SMU’s renowned Cox School of Business. The
professional school serves bank officers, community bank directors, regulators and other leaders in the
financial services industry. SWGSB’s rigorous Executive Education emphasizes financial management,
leadership development and strategic planning. Annually, the SWGSB Foundation conducts the
prestigious Assemblies for Bank Directors, a series of seminars and workshops held throughout the
United States, Canada and off-shore for bank board members and senior officers. The Foundation
recently re-launched its national Certified Community Bank Directors’ Program. SWGSB is currently
accepting applications for its summer 2023 programs. For more information, contact (214) 768-2991 or
info@swgsb.org.
About SMU Cox
The Cox School of Business (https://www.smu.edu/Cox), which celebrated 100 years of business
education at SMU in 2020, is committed to influencing the way the world conducts business via prolific
research that provokes innovation, change and global thought leadership. SMU Cox School of Business
offers a full range of business education programs including BBA, Full-Time MBA, Professional MBA
(part-time), Executive MBA, Online MBA, Direct MBA and Master of Science degree programs, as well as
Executive Education. Consistently ranked among the world’s leading business schools, SMU Cox
maintains an active, worldwide alumni network. The Cox School is accredited by the Association to
Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).