NDBA E-News

We Need Your Photos for Community Impact Showcase at Convention

Every day, North Dakota banks make a positive IMPACT on their communities ... 

• Sponsoring teams or events
• Giving funds to great causes
• Donating time to charities
• Volunteering to serve
• Collecting food items or coats for those in need
• and so much more!

NDBA would like to recognize this commitment during the NDBA/SDBA Annual Convention June 15-17 in Bismarck.

Please send us photos showing your banks’ involvement in your communities before June 1, with a brief description to lisa@ndba.com. We are excited to showcase how North Dakota banks are giving back.
 

There's Still Time to Register for Dakota School of Banking!

Take this opportunity to lead your bank into a new era in the banking industry!

Learn more about DSB | Click here

First Year Application:
Click here for a pdf form or click here for online application.

First Year Application:
Click here for online application.

The Dakota School of Banking provides bankers with:

• A comprehensive understanding of the connections between banking functions
• Increased knowledge and technical skills immediately applicable to daily responsibilities
• Ideas to increase personal productivity and improve bank performance and profits
• The opportunity to manage a successful financial institution through the BankExec simulation
• A network of peers to call on throughout one’s career

Registration Now Open:
2026 NDBA/SDBA Annual Convention 

It’s time! ✨ Registration is officially open for the 2026 NDBA/SDBA Annual Convention, June 15–17 in Bismarck.

This year’s theme - Stronger Together - celebrates the power of connection, community, and the vital role bankers play across our region. Expect inspiring speakers, timely sessions, and plenty of opportunities to learn, connect, and have some fun along the way.

Explore the full schedule, speakers, and activities in the registration materials and secure your spot today!

🔴 Convention Brochure: [click here]
⚪ Register Online: [click here]
🔵 Convention Website: [click here]

Leading with Confidence: FDIC Directors’ College

Date: May 19, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM CT
Location: Radisson Hotel, Bismarck ND

Register Now | click here

Join fellow bank directors, officers, and senior leaders for the FDIC Directors’ College on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Bismarck. Presented in partnership with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the North Dakota Bankers Association, and the Independent Community Bankers of North Dakota, this one-day seminar delivers timely regulatory insight and practical guidance directly from FDIC subject matter experts.

Sessions will cover key areas of board oversight, including governance, cybersecurity, consumer protection, accounting issues, fraud prevention, and third-party risk. The program runs 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel Bismarck and includes breakfast and lunch.

A valuable opportunity to strengthen board effectiveness and stay current on regulatory expectations.

UMACHA Presents North Dakota Fraud Forum in May

🔗 Details & Registration

Fraud continues to evolve — and staying ahead requires collaboration, insight, and shared experience. This in-person information-sharing event, presented by UMACHA, on Tuesday, May 19th, brings together local law enforcement, guest speakers, and your industry peers for an interactive discussion focused on fraud awareness, prevention, and response.

Attendees will gain practical insights into current financial crimes impacting institutions across South Dakota, along with actionable strategies to strengthen fraud mitigation efforts. The exact agenda will be announced closer to the event, so be sure to check back for the latest updates.

Key Takeaways — You’ll Learn How To:

• Identify current fraud trends and challenges affecting financial institutions
• Apply practical prevention and response strategies through peer and expert insights
• Engage effectively with law enforcement during fraud investigations
• Leverage tools and resources from UMACHA, FRPA, and Nacha to enhance your institution’s defenses
   

Lead With Impact: Register for the ABA Women Lead Symposium July 30!

Empower your leadership journey and elevate your career at the Women Lead Symposium, a virtual half-day event hosted by the American Bankers Association (ABA) designed for women in banking at every stage of their career. Whether you're an emerging leader or a seasoned professional, this event gives you the tools, perspectives, and connections to drive meaningful growth — for yourself and your bank.

🗓️ Date: July 30, 2026
💻 Format: Virtual half-day symposium
✅ Cost: $169 (group rates available)

Who Should Attend?

This event is designed for dedicated leaders across all areas of banking — from HR and operations to compliance, marketing, and executive leadership roles. Participants from the 2025 symposium included over 700 bankers representing diverse job functions and banks from 43 states.

How to Participate

Secure your spot today and bring leadership excellence back to your bank — registration includes access to recorded sessions so you can learn at your own pace.

👉 REGISTER NOW and take the lead in shaping your leadership journey!

Nominate a Banker Today!

Every day, amazing people, working in North Dakota’s banks are making a difference—whether they’re on the front lines or in leadership roles. 

These banking heroes show up with passion, push through challenges, support their teams, and make a real difference in people’s lives and in their communities. They deserve to be celebrated!

If you know a banker who stands out and lives these values, give them the spotlight—nominate them to be featured in NDBA’s Bankers You Should Know Bulletin series.

Fill out the online nomination form. You will be notified if your nominee is chosen and in which Bulletin issue they will appear. 

"Next to excellence is the appreciation of it."

Working to Keep You Informed!
Learn To Live Mental Health Program

As part of your NDBBT benefits, you have access to the Learn to Live Mental Health Program, provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota. This confidential, no-cost resource offers practical tools and expert guidance to support your mental and emotional well-being. 🔑 Access Code: BLUEND

April Webinar Schedule

When Substance Use Becomes a Concern

📅 Tuesday, April 14 | 11:00–11:30 a.m. CST
🌐 Webinar Link

💡 What You’ll Learn:

• Understand how substance use impacts individuals and families
• Explore your relationship with substances
• Learn how to take supportive, actionable steps for yourself or others

The Price of Silence: How to Talk about Mental Health

📅 Friday, April 17 | 10:00–10:30 a.m. CST
🌐 Webinar Link

💡 What You’ll Learn:

• Identify why it’s hard to talk about mental health
• Learn strategies for opening up and seeking help
• Discover ways to support others who may be struggling

Promoting More Helpful Self-Talk

📅 Wednesday, April 22 | 2:00–2:30 p.m. CST
🌐 Webinar Link

💡 What You’ll Learn:

• Understand how self-talk shapes emotions and confidence
• Identify negative core beliefs driving your thinking
• Apply advanced strategies to build more positive, empowering thoughts

Upcoming Events

Hacker Hour: Internal Penetration Testing — Inside an Attacker’s Playbook

Date: April 29
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 PM CT
Cost: Free

What really happens after an attacker gets inside your network — and how would you know?

In this session, we'll explore what real attackers do once they gain initial access and whether your current internal penetration testing would actually reveal those actions. Using real-world penetration testing scenarios, we'll discuss how attackers pivot through networks, abuse credentials, and bypass common security controls — and what internal penetration testing uncovers that vulnerability scans often miss.

Register Now | click here

The Hacker Hour webinar series provides an interactive and engaging cybersecurity training experience - completely free of charge. We encourage attendees to actively participate in the conversation, ask questions, share ideas, and suggest topics. Additionally, we offer a range of products and services to help alleviate any stress or concerns related to specific cybersecurity issues your organization may be facing.