Our quarterly conference calls and webinars are an additional source of education for financial institution managers and directors seeking guidance and a deeper understanding of today’s important issues. There are no costs for these webinars.
Quarterly Conference Calls (Bank Strategies) Webinars
Review of economic conditions, Fed policy outlook, and current investment strategy recommendations. The focus is on building an investment strategy for the next quarter, highlighting the current risk/reward in various investment options, relative value comparisons, yield curve analysis, portfolio trends, and bond analysis.
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
10:30 a.m. CST
Topics
Actual topics to be determined at a later date. General topics will include:
- Economic Update and Fed Policy Outlook
- Industry Trends and Regulatory Hot Button Issues
- Current Investment Strategy Recommendations
- Sector Specific Investment Recommendations
- Risk/Reward and Relative Value Comparisons
After completing this webinar, you will be able to:
- Discuss Current Economic Conditions and the Outlook for Monetary Policy
- Answer Questions About Various Investment Options
- Discuss the Investment Strategy Given the Current Economic and Interest Rate Environment
- Measure and Assess Relative Value Between and Among Bonds
Participants
Who should participate: Financial institutions’ CEOs, CFOs, investment officers, board members, and those who are directly or indirectly responsible for financial management functions will benefit from this webinar. There is no cost for this webinar.
Course Format
Group live program.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of finance and banking is recommended.
Knowledge Level
The level of learning for this seminar is intermediate.
Advanced Preparation
None.
CPE Credits
1.5 hours of Finance CPE Credits will be earned for your participation in this group internet-based webinar.
The Baker Group is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.
Refunds/Suggestions
Because this webinar is presented without charge to participants, there are no refund or cancellation policies. We do, however, welcome any constructive suggestions you might have concerning the webinar. Your comments should be directed to Skoshi Heron at 1.888.990.0010.
Thursday, April 4, 2024
10:30 a.m. CDT
Topics
Actual topics to be determined at a later date. General topics will include:
- Economic Update and Fed Policy Outlook
- Industry Trends and Regulatory Hot Button Issues
- Current Investment Strategy Recommendations
- Sector Specific Investment Recommendations
- Risk/Reward and Relative Value Comparisons
Participants
Who should participate: Financial institutions’ CEOs, CFOs, investment officers, board members, and those who are directly or indirectly responsible for financial management functions will benefit from this webinar. There is no cost for this webinar.
Course Format
Group live program.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of finance and banking is recommended.
Knowledge Level
The level of learning for this seminar is intermediate.
Advanced Preparation
None.
CPE Credits
1 hour of Finance CPE Credits will be earned for your participation in this group internet-based webinar.
The Baker Group is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.NASBARegistry.org.
Refunds/Suggestions
Because this webinar is presented without charge to participants, there are no refund or cancellation policies. We do, however, welcome any constructive suggestions you might have concerning the webinar. Your comments should be directed to Skoshi Heron at 1.888.990.0010.
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
10:30 a.m. CDT
Topics
- Economic Update and Fed Policy Outlook
- Bank Portfolio Trends and Peer Analysis
- Current Investment Strategy Recommendations
- Sector Specific Investment Recommendations
- Risk/Reward and Relative Value Comparisons
Participants
Who should participate: Financial institutions’ CEOs, CFOs, investment officers, board members, and those who are directly or indirectly responsible for financial management functions will benefit from this webinar. There is no cost for this webinar.
Course Format
Group live program.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of finance and banking is recommended.
Knowledge Level
The level of learning for this seminar is intermediate.
Advanced Preparation
None.
CPE Credits
1 hour of Finance CPE Credits will be earned for your participation in this group internet-based webinar.
The Baker Group is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.
Refunds/Suggestions
Because this webinar is presented without charge to participants, there are no refund or cancellation policies. We do, however, welcome any constructive suggestions you might have concerning the webinar. Your comments should be directed to Skoshi Heron at 1.888.990.0010.
Save the Date
More information to come.
Bank Loan Trading Webinar
This webinar offers education to improve our clients understanding of the loan trading space and its potential impact on their balance sheet, including an introduction to Baker Loan Solutions. Current market trends will be provided for both buyers and sellers along with any new potential opportunities, such as FinTechs.
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
10:30 a.m. CDT
Over the past four years banks have seen some of the strongest and weakest liquidity levels since 2002. As we all know, our balance sheets are not built to change direction on a dime, so, volatility of this level is extremely difficult to manage. To further complicate things, loan demand hasn’t exactly helped overall IRR positions. Many institutions saw strong demand for long-term fixed mortgages when interest rates were at their lowest. Now those same institutions see mostly shorter-term loan demand when they would rather lock in some of the current market’s yield. Then we need to factor in today’s ever-rising cost of funds, putting more pressure on liquidity and margins. All this combined is more than enough to challenge even the most experienced management teams.
However, what if you’re not using all the tools available to improve and stabilize your liquidity and performance? What if your loan portfolio could be managed with the same flexibility that many of you manage your investment portfolios? This is where loan trading and participations come into the strategic planning conversation. Many institutions consistently tweak their investment portfolios to improve alignment with the rest of the balance sheet, whether they are lengthening, shortening, or simply looking to increase yields. Loan trading can offer many of the same benefits, whether you are looking to improve performance, improve diversification, or even reduce IRR and liquidity pressures. When done correctly, the selling bank can retain the customer relationship while the buying bank gets the loans it wants without servicing requirements.
After attending this webinar, you will be able to:
- Understand how loan trading and participations can help improve performance and hedge risks within your balance sheet
- Realize that loan participations are a potentially limitless source of liquidity when loans are priced to secondary market levels
- Comprehend common loan trading questions such as policy needs, monthly servicing and remittance reports, and more
- Have a better understanding of opportunities in the current loan trading market
- Better grasp how FinTech relationships can benefit your loan originations
There is no cost for this webinar.
Refunds/Suggestions
Because this webinar is presented without charge to participants, there are no refund or cancellation policies. We do, however, welcome any constructive suggestions you might have concerning the webinar. Your comments should be directed to Skoshi Heron at 1.888.990.0010.
Quarterly IRR Management Webinars
Review of the latest topics related to asset/liability management and interest rate risk. Focus is on IRR trends in the banking industry, updated regulatory guidance, modeling recommendations, and Interest Rate Risk Monitor® updates.
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
10:30 a.m. CDT
Community banks have experienced a heightened level of focus on their interest rate risk and ALM practices due to aggressive hikes in interest rates and liquidity concerns. This webinar will discuss trending topics in the ALM space, refining key assumptions, stress testing, and how to get the most out of your quarterly reports.
Topics
- Common regulatory requests and how to prepare for you next exam
- Interest Rate Risk Monitor (IRRM®) peer data trends over the last 12 months
- What to focus on in the current rate environment – stress testing suggestions
- Assumption reviews and the importance of developing key assumptions
Participants
Who should participate: Banks’ CEOs, CFOs, investment officers, board members, and those who are directly or indirectly responsible for financial management functions will benefit from this webinar. There is no cost for this webinar.
Course Format
Group live program.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of finance and banking is recommended.
Knowledge Level
The level of learning for this seminar is intermediate.
Advanced Preparation
None.
CPE Credits
1 hour of Finance CPE Credits will be earned for your participation in this group internet-based webinar.
The Baker Group is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.NASBARegistry.org.
Refunds/Suggestions
Because this webinar is presented without charge to participants, there are no refund or cancellation policies. We do, however, welcome any constructive suggestions you might have concerning the webinar. Your comments should be directed to Skoshi Heron at 1.888.990.0010.
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
10:30 a.m. CDT
Community banks have experienced a heightened level of focus on their interest rate risk and ALM practices due to aggressive hikes in interest rates and liquidity concerns. This webinar will discuss trending topics in the ALM space, refining key assumptions, stress testing, and how to get the most out of your quarterly reports.
Topics
- Common regulatory requests and how to prepare for you next exam
- Interest Rate Risk Monitor (IRRM®) peer data trends
- What to focus on in the current rate environment – Loan CPRs, what is their impact in a falling rate environment?
- Importance of Deposit assumptions and how to develop them to be institution specific
Participants
Who should participate: Banks’ CEOs, CFOs, investment officers, board members, and those who are directly or indirectly responsible for financial management functions will benefit from this webinar. There is no cost for this webinar.
Course Format
Group live program.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of finance and banking is recommended.
Knowledge Level
The level of learning for this seminar is intermediate.
Advanced Preparation
None.
CPE Credits
1 hour of Finance CPE Credits will be earned for your participation in this group internet-based webinar.
The Baker Group is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.NASBARegistry.org.
Refunds/Suggestions
Because this webinar is presented without charge to participants, there are no refund or cancellation policies. We do, however, welcome any constructive suggestions you might have concerning the webinar. Your comments should be directed to Skoshi Heron at 1.888.990.0010.
Save the Date
More information to come.
Save the Date
More information to come.
Quarterly Bank Trends Webinars
Review of the most recent balance sheet and earnings trends in the banking industry. Focus is on changes in asset and liability mixes, loan demand, deposit growth, earnings metrics, delinquencies, and cost of funds among other data.
4th Quarter Bank
Trends Webinar
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
10:30 a.m. CST
Community bank balance sheets have experienced unprecedented changes and volatility since the pandemic as trillions of dollars of stimulus flooded the system during a time of historically low interest rates. The Fed has aggressively hiked interest rates and that has had an impact on margins, liquidity, and overall bank performance. This webinar will examine the most recent community banking trends using the latest call report data so you can see how your recent balance sheet changes compares to others.
Topics
The following data and trends will be discussed:
- Balance Sheet Changes Including Loan Growth, Deposit Growth, and Liquidity Levels
- Bank Performance Ratios Including Net Interest Margins, Earning Asset Yield, Cost of Funds, and Return on Assets
- Liquidity Ratios Including Loan-to-Deposit Ratios and Liquid Asset Ratios
- Capital Ratios Including Both Regulatory and Book Equity Capital Ratios
- Asset Quality Ratios
After completing this webinar, you will be able to:
- Identify Key Balance Sheet Trends that Relate to Interest Rate Risk
- Answer Questions About Regulatory Requirements for Interest Rate Risk Reporting
- Discuss the Investment Strategy Given the Current Economic and Interest Rate Environment
- Explain the Relationship Between Price Risk and Cash Flow Volatility in Bond Portfolios
- Measure and Assess Relative Value Between and Among Bonds
Participants
Who should participate: Financial institutions’ CEOs, CFOs, investment officers, board members, and those who are directly or indirectly responsible for financial management functions will benefit from this webinar. There is no cost for this webinar.
Course Format
Group live program.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of finance and banking is recommended.
Knowledge Level
The level of learning for this seminar is intermediate.
Advanced Preparation
None.
CPE Credits
1 hour of Finance CPE Credits will be earned for your participation in this group internet-based webinar.
The Baker Group is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.
Refunds/Suggestions
Because this webinar is presented without charge to participants, there are no refund or cancellation policies. We do, however, welcome any constructive suggestions you might have concerning the webinar. Your comments should be directed to Skoshi Heron at 1.888.990.0010.
1st Quarter Bank
Trends Webinar
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
10:30 a.m. CDT
Community bank balance sheets have experienced unprecedented changes and volatility since the pandemic as trillions of dollars of stimulus flooded the system during a time of historically low interest rates. The Fed has aggressively hiked interest rates and that has had an impact on margins, liquidity, and overall bank performance. This webinar will examine the most recent community banking trends using the latest call report data so you can see how your recent balance sheet changes compares to others.
Topics
The following data and trends will be discussed:
- Balance Sheet Changes Including Loan Growth, Deposit Growth, and Liquidity Levels
- Bank Performance Ratios Including Net Interest Margins, Earning Asset Yield, Cost of Funds, and Return on Assets
- Liquidity Ratios Including Loan-to-Deposit Ratios and Liquid Asset Ratios
- Capital Ratios Including Both Regulatory and Book Equity Capital Ratios
- Asset Quality Ratios
After completing this webinar, you will be able to:
- Identify Key Balance Sheet Trends that Relate to Interest Rate Risk
- Answer Questions About Regulatory Requirements for Interest Rate Risk Reporting
- Discuss the Investment Strategy Given the Current Economic and Interest Rate Environment
- Explain the Relationship Between Price Risk and Cash Flow Volatility in Bond Portfolios
- Measure and Assess Relative Value Between and Among Bonds
Participants
Who should participate: Financial institutions’ CEOs, CFOs, investment officers, board members, and those who are directly or indirectly responsible for financial management functions will benefit from this webinar. There is no cost for this webinar.
Course Format
Group live program.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of finance and banking is recommended.
Knowledge Level
The level of learning for this seminar is intermediate.
Advanced Preparation
None.
CPE Credits
1 hour of Finance CPE Credits will be earned for your participation in this group internet-based webinar.
The Baker Group is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.NASBARegistry.org.
Refunds/Suggestions
Because this webinar is presented without charge to participants, there are no refund or cancellation policies. We do, however, welcome any constructive suggestions you might have concerning the webinar. Your comments should be directed to Skoshi Heron at 1.888.990.0010.
2nd Quarter Bank
Trends Webinar
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
10:30 a.m. CDT
Community bank balance sheets have experienced unprecedented changes and volatility since the pandemic as trillions of dollars of stimulus flooded the system during a time of historically low interest rates. The Fed has aggressively hiked interest rates and that has had an impact on margins, liquidity, and overall bank performance. This webinar will examine the most recent community banking trends using the latest call report data so you can see how your recent balance sheet changes compares to others.
Topics
The following data and trends will be discussed:
- Balance Sheet Changes Including Loan Growth, Deposit Growth, and Liquidity Levels
- Bank Performance Ratios Including Net Interest Margins, Earning Asset Yield, Cost of Funds, and Return on Assets
- Liquidity Ratios Including Loan-to-Deposit Ratios and Liquid Asset Ratios
- Asset Quality Ratios
After completing this webinar, you will be able to:
- Identify Key Balance Sheet Trends that Relate to Interest Rate Risk
- Answer Questions About Regulatory Requirements for Interest Rate Risk Reporting
- Discuss the Investment Strategy Given the Current Economic and Interest Rate Environment
- Explain the Relationship Between Price Risk and Cash Flow Volatility in Bond Portfolios
- Measure and Assess Relative Value Between and Among Bonds
Participants
Who should participate: Financial institutions’ CEOs, CFOs, investment officers, board members, and those who are directly or indirectly responsible for financial management functions will benefit from this webinar. There is no cost for this webinar.
Course Format
Group live program.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of finance and banking is recommended.
Knowledge Level
The level of learning for this seminar is intermediate.
Advanced Preparation
None.
CPE Credits
1 hour of Finance CPE Credits will be earned for your participation in this group internet-based webinar.
The Baker Group is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.NASBARegistry.org.
Refunds/Suggestions
Because this webinar is presented without charge to participants, there are no refund or cancellation policies. We do, however, welcome any constructive suggestions you might have concerning the webinar. Your comments should be directed to Skoshi Heron at 1.888.990.0010.
Save the Date
More information to come.
ALM Education Series
The Baker Group pioneered asset/liability management (ALM) more than forty years ago with its development of the first computer based ALM program designed specifically for community banks. The Baker Group ALM Education Series gives attendees the knowledge to better understand the “who, what, why, and how” of ALM and the ALCO process.
Bond Education Series
Education is the foundation of performance for investment portfolio managers. The Baker Group Bond Education Series gives new portfolio managers and beginners to fixed income investing the knowledge to better understand the various types of securities available and how to analyze them effectively. The series also teaches attendees how to use this knowledge to confidently build and manage a high-performance investment portfolio within the framework of the entire balance sheet.
May 14, 16, 21, and 23, 2024
10:30 a.m. CDT
The Baker Group pioneered asset/liability management (ALM) in 1979 with the development of the first computer based ALM program designed specifically for community banks. For the past four decades we have educated financial institutions in the effective use of ALM strategies to manage risk and maximize performance.
The upcoming Baker Group ALM Education Series provides attendees the knowledge to better understand the “who, what, why, and how” of ALM and the ALCO process. We invite you to join us in the following sessions:
Session Topics
Session 1: Tuesday, May 14, 2024
- Current Asset Liability Management Trends
- Introduction to Economics and Interest Rates
- Regulatory Expectations of ALM
Session 2: Thursday, May 16, 2024
- The Basics of Interest Rate Risk
- Interest Rate Risk Modeling
- Key Assumption Development and Documentation
Session 3: Tuesday, May 21, 2024
- Review and Key Takeaways of IRRM Summary Pages
- Review and Key Takeaways of IRRM Assumption Pages
- General Bond Portfolio Strategies
Session 4: Thursday, May 23, 2024
- Introduction to Liquidity Risk Management
- Being Ready for Your Next Examination
Participants
Who should participate: This webinar is designed for presidents, CEOs, CFOs, and members of the ALCO committee. Directors and anyone else involved in the asset/liability management process will also benefit from this Baker ALM webinar. There is no cost for this webinar.
Course Format
Group live program.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of finance and banking is recommended.
Knowledge Level
The level of learning for this seminar is intermediate.
Advanced Preparation
None.
CPE Credits
1.5 hours of Finance CPE Credits per session will be earned for your participation in this group internet-based webinar.
The Baker Group is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.NASBARegistry.org.
Refunds/Suggestions
Because this webinar is presented without charge to participants, there are no refund or cancellation policies. We do, however, welcome any constructive suggestions you might have concerning the webinar. Your comments should be directed to Skoshi Heron at 1.888.990.0010.
September 10, 12, 17, and 19, 2024
10:30 a.m. CDT
Education is the foundation of performance for investment portfolio managers. This is the reason The Baker Group has presented hundreds of seminars and conferences across the country over the last forty-five years. We continue to bring that history of educational experience to a bond webinar designed specifically for new portfolio managers and those who need to learn the fundamentals of fixed income investing.
The upcoming Virtual Bond Education Series will give attendees the knowledge to better understand the various types of securities available, how to analyze them effectively, and how to use that knowledge to build and manage a high-performance investment portfolio within the framework of the entire balance sheet. We invite you to join us in the following sessions:
Session Topics
Session 1: Tuesday, September 10, 2024
- Introduction to Bonds, Bond Types and the Role of the Portfolio
- Introduction to Bond Analytics
- Characteristics of High Performing Portfolios
- Introduction to Agencies and Callable Agencies
Session 2: Thursday, September 12, 2024
- Municipal Bond Fundamentals
- Developing a Thorough Municipal Credit Analysis Process
- How to Effectively Analyze Municipal Offerings
Session 3: Tuesday, September 17, 2024
- Introduction to MBS, CMO and CMBS
- Managing Prepayment and Extension Risk
- How to Effectively Analyze MBS/CMO Offerings
Session 4: Thursday, September 19, 2024
- Introduction to Institutional Investment Portfolio Management
- How to Develop a Written Investment Strategy
- Integrating Portfolio Management with ALM
- Regulatory Expectations for the Investment Portfolio
Participants
Who should participate: This webinar is designed for presidents, CEOs, CFOs, and those new to their roles in managing or working with the investment portfolio. Directors and new members of the investment and asset/liability management committees will also benefit from this Baker Bond webinar. There is no cost for this webinar.
Course Format
Group live program.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of finance and banking is recommended.
Knowledge Level
The level of learning for this seminar is intermediate.
Advanced Preparation
None.
CPE Credits
1.5 hours of Finance CPE Credits per session will be earned for your participation in this group internet-based webinar.
The Baker Group is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.NASBARegistry.org.
Refunds/Suggestions
Because this webinar is presented without charge to participants, there are no refund or cancellation policies. We do, however, welcome any constructive suggestions you might have concerning the webinar. Your comments should be directed to Skoshi Heron at 1.888.990.0010.
1601 NW Expressway, 21st Floor
Oklahoma City, OK 73118
Phone: 405.415.7200
Toll-Free: 800.937.2257
Fax: 405.415.7392
Check the background of this firm and your investment professional on FINRA’s Brokercheck.