Carolina Law’s Center for Banking and Finance Hosts Successful 2024 Banking Institute, Awards $100,000 in Scholarships

The UNC School of Law’s Center for Banking and Finance hosted the 2024 Banking Institute on March 27-28 at the Ritz-Carlton in Charlotte, North Carolina. The annual event, approved for 8.25 hours of general Continuing Legal Education by the North Carolina State Bar, attracted 157 attendees. Since its inception in 1997, the Banking Institute brings together industry professionals, legal experts, government regulators, and students to discuss the most pressing issues in the banking and finance sector.

This year’s institute focused on the challenges and opportunities presented by the rapidly evolving financial landscape. The two-day event featured a diverse range of panels and keynote addresses that tackled topics such as mitigating reputational and strategic risks in the wake of the Silicon Valley Bank collapse, enhancing regulation to prevent future crises, the evolution of bank payments, and managing technological transformations in financial services.

This year’s lineup of speakers included prominent figures from major financial institutions, regulatory bodies, and leading law firms. Among the notable participants were double Tar Heel Matt Martin  ’04, chief counsel and corporate secretary at First Citizens Bank; Greg Baer, president and CEO of the Bank Policy Institute,; and Mitria Spotser, vice president and federal policy director at the Center for Responsible Lending.

Professor Lissa Broome, director of the Center for Banking and Finance, praised the Fireside Chats, which featured Volume 28 editors engaging with principal speakers. These included Joshua Almond ‘24 (editor-in-chief) interviewing Matt Martin, Kacie England ’24 for the Clifford Lecture on Consumer Law,  and Lauren Pless ’24  managing editor) discussing key issues with Greg Baer during the Beischer Address, named for George and Susan Beischer, who helped endow the Center for Banking and Finance.  The annual Clifford lecture was established by the UNC School of Law and friends in memory of Professor Donald Clifford, a faculty member at Carolina Law from 1964 to 2004, who specialized in commercial and consumer law. Spotser and England engaged in  a thought-provoking conversation exploring the future of affirmative lending programs and potential alternatives to achieve financial fairness following the Supreme Court’s decision in the Students for Fair Admissions case.

Another well-received program component was the Exploring the Banking Institute journal segments, which featured discussions between journal staff writers and editors about each of the 13 student notes published in Volume 28.

The institute not only provided a platform for the next generation of banking lawyers but also recognized their achievements. The center presented $100,000 in scholarships to 10 exceptional 2L students who will work on Volume 29 of the NC Banking Institute Journal.

• The Professor Lissa Broome Center for Banking and Finance Scholarship: Mady Clahane (incoming editor-in-chief)
• The Marion A. Cowell Scholarship: Matt Singleton (incoming articles and notes Editor)
• Mascia Family Banking Institute Scholarships (five total): Spencer Arrowood (incoming publication editor), Seth Berger, Will Crawford, and Jake Stanley (incoming articles and notes editors), and Macy Cope (incoming institute editor)
• NC Banking Institute Sponsor Scholarships (three total): Aparna Konde (incoming executive editor), Noah Lipshie (incoming managing editor), and Dhanya Madugalle (incoming articles and notes editor)

Broome credited the success of the event to the tremendous help from the students, as well as Jacqueline Ward of the Office of Continuing Legal Education and Jennifer De La Rosa from the Center, who both went above and beyond to ensure a successful program.

The 2024 Banking Institute was also made possible by the generous support of its sponsors, which included a wide range of prominent banks, law firms, and financial institutions. Their commitment to advancing the study and practice of banking and finance law is a testament to the importance of the Center for Banking and Finance’s mission.

As a precursor to the Banking Institute, the Center for Banking and Finance also hosted the ABCs of Banking Law, a one-day introduction to banking law that attracted over 40 participants. This event, along with Volume 28 of the North Carolina Banking Institute Journal, highlights the center’s dedication to providing comprehensive education and resources for those interested in the field.

As the financial services industry continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, events like the Banking Institute serve as essential forums for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and professional development. The UNC School of Law’s Center for Banking and Finance remains at the forefront of this dynamic field, empowering the next generation of banking lawyers and shaping the future of the industry.