Community Bank Directors Conference

Topics & speakers were:

• Director Priorities for 2009 - Cass Bettinger, Cass Bettinger & Associates
  
• Financial Trends in Community Banks - Bob Walters, The Bank Advisory Group
  
• Audit Committee Challenges & Issues - Dan Trigg, McGladrey & Pullen, LLP
  
• Regulatory Perspectives from a Former Regulator - Sam Golden, Alvarez & Marsal
• Economic Perspectives - Brian Wesbury, First Trust Advisors
• Capital Issues - David Baris & Charles Thayer, American Association of Bank Directors
• Balance Sheet Strategies for Difficult Times - George Darling, Darling Consulting
• Strategic Planning & Acquisitions in Troubled Times - Peter Weinstock, Hunton & Williams, LLP
• Lessons From Regulatory Exams - Matt Schriner, RSM McGladrey, Inc.
• Credit Issues - Merrill Reynolds, Reynolds Williams Group

General comments from participants are listed below.

"Best line up of speakers and relevant content of director conferences to date. Best two days of relevant material that I have experienced. Annual director conference is the best possible director education in the industry. Please continue."

"This is my first year as an outside director of a community bank. I felt that I received great value from the presentations. The educational opportunity presents an opportunity for me to challenge the bank's mgmt to adapt to the external "dynamic" changes they are experiencing today. Great job!"

"All great speakers."

"Great presentation. Excellent"

"Very good conference"

"All presentations were excellent. I would hope there will be another conference next year. After attending these meetings, I always feel more comfortable in a board meeting session - more especially, I hope, in these uncertain economic times. As an outside director, I can never have too much information."

"Good conference with timely info always organized well"

"This conference is a very thought provoking conference that deal with real issues and practical advice. Keep it going."

"My first time with this group. Would repeat for sure."

"My first meeting - very informative and I learned a lot"

"My first time - great event. Do again next year."

"Great program!! See you next year."

"Please continue. We have been to others, but this is by far the best with the most meat."

"I think this conference is always a great learning time, especially in this new banking climate. Very important to outside directors."

"I appreciate the quality of the conference program and the quality of the speakers. A little fast paced for outside directors."

"This is my second conference. It's a great working seminar. It definitely makes me a better outside director. I would like to see all of our directors at the seminar in the future."

"This was my first time in attendance. I feel the information and speakers were very relevant to my bank and what is happening in the industry."

"Excellent conference - but as an outside director I would suggest that much of the material and the "speed" at which it is presented is difficult to fully understand and appreciate."

"A little too much history and background. A number of speakers went over the same material. Have an overview session and then have each speaker address his area of expertise and not traverse ground already covered."

"Use of many abbreviations/acronyms made it difficult at times"