Management

Evolution of ALCO

ALCO is a continually evolving process with changes in technology, the economy, and the financial industry all contributing to its dynamic nature. We’ll share up-to-date peer data from banks across the country and case studies using real-world examples from community banks to show how a proactive ALCO process can not only help to meet or exceed examiners’ expectations but also can help management develop strategies to improve or protect profitability while managing risk.  (60 minutes)

Funding in a Shifting Landscape: Leveraging Political Subdivision Deposits

Political subdivisions—local governments, municipalities, school districts, and other public entities—represent a unique, often underutilized source of stable deposits. We’ll explore how community banks can strategically engage with political subdivisions to diversify funding, mitigate risks, and enhance balance sheet flexibility. We’ll highlight both opportunities and pitfalls and offer real-world examples and practical takeaways that can be applied immediately in your bank. (30 minutes)

Lead Where You Stand: Driving Change

Change is inevitable, but with the right approach, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Discover how to effectively guide your team through transitions, whether you're rolling out new processes or implementing new software. Learn proven strategies for leading change and explore the powerful CLARC model. No matter your role, you’ll gain the tools to unlock progress and inspire lasting impact. (45 minutes)

Fun For All

The MBA Advantage: Insider Knowledge to Boost Your Career

Your bank is a member of the MBA, but do you know all the ways in which that membership benefits YOU? Kick off Member Appreciation Week with MBA staff as we show you the many ways that MBA helps you to be a better banker and grow your career. We’ll have some fun, give away some MBA swag and get you geared up for the week ahead! (45 minutes)

The Financial Mindset Fix: How to Leverage Your Psychology of Money

What if the key to unlocking financial success is your mindset?  Licensed psychotherapist and author Joyce Marter unpacks the powerful connection between mental health and financial wealth. She’ll guide us through the emotional undercurrents of money anxiety, financial trauma, subconscious biases, and the boundaries we often fail to set—both at work and at home – and will inspire you with proven strategies and innovative tools from psychology. (60 minutes)

Favorite Things Party

Oprah did it and now it’s our turn. We’ll have a great time revealing some of our absolute favorite products that we just can’t live without out and will invite the audience to share their own. Get ready to fill up your shopping list with amazing quality products and maybe even win some yourself! (45 minutes)

Stump the Info Booth Ladies

Love the Great Minnesota Get-Together? Don’t miss this lively session featuring the legendary Info Booth Ladies! With years of experience answering every imaginable question at the Fair, they’re ready to share their funniest stories, insider tips, and unforgettable encounters. Come prepared with your quirkiest, most curious questions—from the bizarre to the historical—and see if you can stump the experts. (30 minutes)

Cookie Decorating

Ready to take your sugar cookies from homemade to "how did you do that?"? Join us for a fun, hands-on webinar where you'll learn all the essential tips and tricks for decorating cookies that look like they came straight from a professional bakery. We'll cover everything you need to know to get that smooth, flawless, store-bought finish! (60 minutes)

Charcuterie Board

Ready to move past the basic cracker and cheese plate? Join us for a fun, hands-on webinar where we'll teach you simple techniques to turn a simple platter into a stunning, edible masterpiece. Learn the art of arrangement so your charcuterie board is almost too beautiful to eat (almost!). Impress your guests at your next gathering! (60 minutes)

Listening Devices and Facial Recognition Software

Always-listening devices (like Alexa and Siri) and facial recognition are changing our connected world. While they offer huge leaps in convenience and security, they come with significant privacy risks. Join us to gain crucial insights into the social and technical forces at play and learn strategies for balancing innovation with protecting your privacy. (60 minutes)

Fun 'n Games

It’s Friday afternoon! Take some time this afternoon to recharge your batteries by playing fun trivia and other games with bankers from across the state. All you need is your computer camera and microphone; we’ll take care of the rest. Lots of Amazon gift cards will be given away, don’t miss out on the fun and prizes (60 minutes)

Technology

Power up with Microsoft 365 Tools

Discover the full potential of Microsoft 365 in this live, scenario-based seminar. Learn to leverage its secure, AI-powered cloud platform to confidently run your entire operation from anywhere. We’ll show you how to master hybrid work and keep your business safe, productive, and future proof. (60 minutes)

A Day in the Life with Copilot: Banking Reimagined

Microsoft 365 Copilot is a valuable tool and is already built into your Microsoft applications. Pat demonstrates how Microsoft 365 Copilot can transform daily workflows for bankers. From drafting loan memos to summarizing reports and creating client-ready presentations, attendees will see practical examples of Copilot in action. (60 minutes)

Passwordless Authentication

Yes, even the knights of Monty Python had to answer security questions to cross the Bridge of Death. Whether it be security questions, passwords, multi-factor authentication, and now passwordless authentication, it seems like we are destined to be thrown into the Gorge of Eternal Peril. Join this Monty Python themed session, and we will look at the movement from password authentication into the realm of multi-factor and passwordless authentication. Come ready to figure out how to cross the bridge in search of the “Passwordless Grail”! (45 minutes)

Lending

I Like My Lawyer

Commercial real estate lending is often complicated and complex. We'll walk through the stages of a commercial real estate finance transaction, explain the key components of a CRE loan agreement, and share practical advice for collaborating with your lawyer and keeping your borrower informed throughout the process. A must attend for all new and not so new lenders! (60 minutes)

Foreclosure 101

Foreclosing on real estate can be complicated, but it is easier when you understand the basic procedures and options for enforcing your mortgage. We will walk through the foreclosure process, from deciding whether to foreclose by advertisement and action (and why you may choose one or the other), to post-sale and redemption period issues all utilizing helpful examples so you can approach your next foreclosure situation with confidence. (60 minutes)

HR

What Got You Here Won’t Get you There

In an incredibly competitive environment, we can’t just rely on “the way we’ve always done it.” In fact, a lot of what we’ve always believed about employees just isn’t true any longer. If you want to attract and retain the best talent, now and in the future, you need to understand how your people think and what they really want. Join in an insightful discussion of the generational differences in what today’s employees want and need from their work. (60 minutes)

Documentation and Performance Management

In this presentation, supervisors will learn the best practices for employment documentation, focusing on the what, why, and how. We'll emphasize that the quality of a record is as important as its existence. Excellent documentation protects your team and the organization, while flawed records can unfortunately work against you. (30 minutes)

Marketing

The Silent Competition Is Winning: Are You Even in the Game?

You may not see them, but your silent competitors are pulling your customers away one account, one service, and one interaction at a time. We’ll challenge traditional assumptions about your customer engagement and loyalty and provide actionable steps to be more proactive and engaging. Plus, explore how your current processes and approach to customers could be quietly costing you growth. (60 minutes)

Retail

Winning the Deposit Battle

In today’s competitive and rate-sensitive environment, deposits remain the lifeblood of financial institutions—but managing them effectively requires more than intuition. Rob brings together the key elements of deposit analytics to help you price smarter, grow stronger, and plan with confidence! (60 minutes)

Operations

What Got You Here Won’t Get you There

In an incredibly competitive environment, we can’t just rely on “the way we’ve always done it.” In fact, a lot of what we’ve always believed about employees just isn’t true any longer. If you want to attract and retain the best talent, now and in the future, you need to understand how your people think and what they really want. Join in an insightful discussion of the generational differences in what today’s employees want and need from their work. (60 minutes)

Passwordless Authentication

Yes, even the knights of Monty Python had to answer security questions to cross the Bridge of Death. Whether it be security questions, passwords, multi-factor authentication, and now passwordless authentication, it seems like we are destined to be thrown into the Gorge of Eternal Peril. Join this Monty Python themed session, and we will look at the movement from password authentication into the realm of multi-factor and passwordless authentication. Come ready to figure out how to cross the bridge in search of the “Passwordless Grail”! (45 minutes)

Compliance

What to do After a Data Breach and How to Prevent it

Data breaches are a matter of when, not if. We will address the legal responsibilities banks face when a data breach occurs, including regulatory obligations and notification requirements. You’ll learn practical, preventative steps that all bank employees can take to reduce risk and support bank readiness. (30 minutes)

The Evolving World of Stablecoins

This session introduces stablecoins—a rapidly growing class of digital assets designed to maintain stable value relative to a reference asset (such as the US dollar)—and explores their types, use cases, legal considerations, and implications for banks. With stablecoins influencing payments, settlement, and regulation, Minnesota bankers will walk away with a practical understanding of risks and opportunities, and the evolving regulatory perimeter in the US and abroad. (45 minutes)

General

The Evolving World of Stablecoins

This session introduces stablecoins—a rapidly growing class of digital assets designed to maintain stable value relative to a reference asset (such as the US dollar)—and explores their types, use cases, legal considerations, and implications for banks. With stablecoins influencing payments, settlement, and regulation, Minnesota bankers will walk away with a practical understanding of risks and opportunities, and the evolving regulatory perimeter in the US and abroad. (45 minutes)

We Have Fraud: What to Do (or Not Do) Next

Discovering your organization has been the victim of fraud evokes a wide range of emotions. However, responding emotionally isn’t the best way to react to a suspected fraud and can even lead to your organization incurring liability to a fraudster. Learn the dos and don’ts of how best to respond to known or suspected fraud or wrongdoing. We’ll discuss how to set the stage for a successful outcome, including who to get involved, when to involve them, and frequently overlooked actions that can significantly impact your organization’s ability to recover its losses. (60 minutes)

A Day in the Life with Copilot: Banking Reimagined

Microsoft 365 Copilot is a valuable tool and is already built into your Microsoft applications. Pat demonstrates how Microsoft 365 Copilot can transform daily workflows for bankers. From drafting loan memos to summarizing reports and creating client-ready presentations, attendees will see practical examples of Copilot in action. (60 minutes)

What I Learned About Banking While Waterskiing

Discover how lessons from waterskiing mirror the challenges and opportunities in banking. This lighthearted session uses engaging analogies to explore teamwork, skill development, continuous improvement, and employee support. Learn how shared values and goals can enhance your bank’s culture and drive success, all while having a bit of fun. (60 minutes)

P.L.A.N. for Greater Success in 2026

How successful were you in 2025? Did you achieve your goals by design, or by default? Or perhaps you didn't achieve your goals. Your annual personal and professional goals are important to you, but a goal without a plan is just a wish. Stop wishing you will succeed and start creating a better P.L.A.N. for success! Joe Micallef will help you design an insightful monthly activity plan that will give you greater clarity, more confidence and consistently better results. (60 minutes)

Don’t Be An Employee …. Be A Teammate

How well do the members of your organization or team work together? Are you a smooth, well-oiled machine or a fractured collection of in-it-for-yourself individuals? In a straight forward no-excuses style, Kevin discusses eight traits that can turn any group into a cohesive, high-performing team. (30 minutes)