Welcome to the 2025 CDBA Peer Forum website! Thank you for attending the largest annual gathering of CDFI, MDI, and other mission-focused bank representatives.
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Advocacy Day and Pre-Conference Cocktail Reception: Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025 Peer Forum Conference: Wednesday, June 4th, 2025 and Thursday, June 5th, 2025 Meeting Location: National Housing Center (NHC) Auditorium at: 1201 15th St NW, 1st floor, Washington, DC 20005 Attire: Business casual for all Peer Forum activities
Hotel Information: The National Housing Center is located in downtown, Washington D.C., within walking distance of a variety of hotels offering rooms at a wide range of price points. We invite you to explore some of the options in our “Hotel Options List.” Please note that CDBA has not arranged a room block at any individual hotels for this event.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding Advocacy Day, please email Joey Zeldin at zeldinj@pcgloanfund.org.
Schedule:
June 3: Advocacy Day & Pre-Conference Cocktail Reception at 5:30 pm ET
June 4: Sessions from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm ET
Cocktail reception at 6:00 pm ET followed by dinner at 7:30 pm ET at Zaytinya
Jeannine Jacokes is the chief executive of the Community Development Bankers Association (CDBA) and the Executive Director of Partners for the Common Good.
Tuesday June 3, 2025 8:00am - 5:00pm EDT Capitol Hill
As economic and policy shifts accelerate at both national and global levels, how can community development financial institutions remain nimble and effective? This opening plenary brings together top voices in economic policy and journalism to unpack the most pressing trends shaping the financial services sector. Together, they’ll explore what lies ahead—and what it means for mission-driven finance.
Financial institutions are increasingly caught in the crossfire of today’s polarized political environment—facing pressure from all sides on issues ranging from ESG investing to DEI commitments. This session will examine how banks and policy advocates are navigating reputational, regulatory, and operational risks in an era of heightened cultural scrutiny. The discussion will explore legal, political, and communications strategies to stay mission-aligned while under the microscope.
The FDIC encouraged the development of the Mission Driven Bank Fund, and the anchors, Microsoft and Truist, agreed to lead the charge. Elizabeth Park Capital Management, an industry leader in bank stock investing, partnered with Calvert Impact Capital, a leader in impact investing... Read More →
At IntraFi Network, we provide solutions that deliver the flexibility that financial institutions, their customers, and their communities need to thrive in today’s market. We are a trusted partner to nearly 3,000 of the nation’s banks, other financial institutions and most minority... Read More →
Effective advocacy doesn’t just happen—it starts in your own backyard before moving on Capitol Hill. This session will focus on building strong local and state advocacy strategies that amplify your institution’s impact and help build long-term relationships with policymakers. The conversation will explore tactics for engaging elected officials, aligning messaging with community needs, and mobilizing local stakeholders to support mission-driven banks.
Mission-driven banking require mission-aligned teams—but recruiting and retaining talent in today’s labor market is no small feat. This session will explore how community development banks are cultivating internal cultures that attract purpose-driven professionals and support long-term staff engagement. The panel will discuss practical strategies for hiring, leadership development, and aligning HR practices with community-focused values.
Across the country, lenders are deploying innovative strategies to expand access to affordable credit and financial services. This session will highlight how mission-focused banks are using data, technology, and community partnerships to serve overlooked and underserved markets. The workshop will explore scalable approaches to inclusive lending and the measurable impact on financial health.
FICO (NYSE: FICO) is a leading analytics software company, helping businesses in 90+ countries make better decisions that drive higher levels of growth, profitability and customer satisfaction.FICO’s groundbreaking use of Big Data and mathematical algorithms to predict consumer... Read More →
Join us for a candid conversation with U.S. Treasury Deputy Secretary Michael Faulkender on the federal government’s evolving role in community finance. This fireside chat will explore Treasury’s priorities related to economic growth, access to capital, and the regulatory landscape impacting mission-driven banks. Gain insight into how current policy decisions may shape the future of community development and what opportunities lie ahead for CDFIs and MDIs.
Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, United States Treasury
Dr. Michael Faulkender serves as the 16th Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Treasury. In this role, Dr. Faulkender serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the Department, and oversees the formulation and implementation of Treasury policies and programs. Previously, he served as the Dean’s... Read More →
Congressman French Hill will deliver a keynote address on the evolving financial services landscape and the role of mission-driven banks in advancing economic opportunity. As Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, Congressman Hill brings a unique perspective on innovation, regulation, and economic opportunity. Attendees will gain insight into the legislative priorities shaping the future of community development finance.
Chairman of House Financial Services Committee, House of Representatives
Congressman French Hill has represented Arkansas’s Second Congressional District since January 2015. He currently serves as Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee in the 119th Congress. In the 118th Congress, Chairman Hill served as the Committee’s Vice Chairman and... Read More →
FICO (NYSE: FICO) is a leading analytics software company, helping businesses in 90+ countries make better decisions that drive higher levels of growth, profitability and customer satisfaction.FICO’s groundbreaking use of Big Data and mathematical algorithms to predict consumer... Read More →
The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) can be a powerful tool for strengthening and growing your CDFI bank—if you know how to use it strategically. This session will explore how banks can align CRA obligations with their mission, attract investments, and deepen community impact, including through innovative tools like the ACT Deposit Program.
At IntraFi Network, we provide solutions that deliver the flexibility that financial institutions, their customers, and their communities need to thrive in today’s market. We are a trusted partner to nearly 3,000 of the nation’s banks, other financial institutions and most minority... Read More →
Financial counseling is a powerful tool for improving household financial stability—but how do we measure its effectiveness at scale? This session will explore data-driven approaches to evaluating financial counseling programs, from tracking client outcomes to integrating counseling with banking products and services. With CDFI certification requirements narrowing the focus for development services, it’s more important than ever to demonstrate the impact of financial counseling.
As the CDFI Fund continues to evolve, staying ahead of programmatic and policy changes is essential for strategic planning and compliance. This session will unpack recent trends in CDFI Fund programs—highlighting shifts in funding priorities, application criteria, and performance expectations. The discussion will provide timely insights to help CDFIs position themselves for success in an increasingly competitive funding environment.
SWC is a leading Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) consulting firm for banks. Our clients are community banks that serve historically underserved and economically distressed communities with a variety of unmet financial needs. In order to meet these challenges, we... Read More →
How do you communicate the powerful work your bank does in a way that resonates with both policymakers, partners and the public? This session will explore how to identify compelling impact stories, center the voices of borrowers and communities, and create narratives that highlight the unique role CDFI banks play in driving equitable development. Hear from marketing and communications leaders inside and outside the industry about techniques that work—and how to avoid common pitfalls.
Nonprofit affiliates can be powerful vehicles for driving community impact, and will play a central role in many ECIP institutions’ Treasury disposition—but setting one up requires careful legal, financial, and strategic planning. This session will walk through key considerations for structuring a nonprofit affiliate that aligns with your bank’s mission while maintaining compliance and sustainability.
As technology becomes more deeply embedded in banking operations, robust cybersecurity measures are no longer optional—they’re mission-critical. Despite best intentions, many institutions remain vulnerable to increasingly sophisticated threats. This session, part of the Programs Track, will help your organization identify key risk areas and stay ahead of regulatory developments shaping the cybersecurity landscape. The discussion will feature insights on practical strategies to safeguard systems, data, and customer trust.
Baker Tilly US, LLP (Baker Tilly) is a leading advisory, tax and assurance firm whose specialized professionals guide clients through an ever-changing business world, helping them win now and anticipate tomorrow. Headquartered in Chicago, Baker Tilly, and its affiliated entities... Read More →
