Curriculum | Commercial Lending School - Advanced

Information Session Available

Join us on January 23 at 2:00 p.m. ET for a free information session to learn what you can expect from ABA's 2025 Commercial Lending Schools.

2025 Schedule

All times in ET.

Sun, Apr 27
Mon, Apr 28
Tue, Apr 29
Wed, Apr 30
Thu, May 1
Fri, May 2

Sun, Apr 27

12:00 PM – 1:15 PM	School Registration
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM	Roundtable Networking Event
2:15 PM – 2:30 PM	Break
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM	Orientation
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM	Banking, the Economy & Credit Outlook Is this economy going to ever fully recover from the great recession? When does the government exit from its monetary stimulus strategy? What extraordinary reshaping of the financial services industry is still to come? Get answers to questions like these, and predictions of what’s ahead from a noted economist.
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM	Reception Come one, come all to our welcome reception!> Ring in your 2025 CLS experience with fellow students in both school levels. Not only will you get a chance to put faces to names, you’ll also enjoy delightful bevs and bites. (Plus, it’s at the hotel so just saunter downstairs after getting settled in your room.)

Mon, Apr 28

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM	Credit Risk Management Tools and Techniques Credit risk management is key to making profitable and prudent loans, which in turn, is driven by a bank’s credit culture. Banks with value-driven credit cultures enjoy good asset quality and higher than average shareholder value. This session explains how to implement and maintain a values-driven credit culture in practical, logical steps. Speaker: Dev Strischek
10:00 AM – 10:15 AM	Break
10:15 AM – 12:00 PM	Credit Risk Management Tools and Technique (Cont'd) Credit risk management is key to making profitable and prudent loans, which in turn, is driven by a bank’s credit culture. Banks with value-driven credit cultures enjoy good asset quality and higher than average shareholder value. This session explains how to implement and maintain a values-driven credit culture in practical, logical steps. Speaker: Dev Strischek
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM	Lunch
1:00 PM – 1:50 PM	CRE Risk Management This session examines the components of an effective risk management system for CRE loans. Learn how to better identify and deal with CRE concentrations, strategies for developing industry data and references, and following the various regulations for appraisals and environmental due diligence. Prior to this session, participants are encouraged to download and review the August 2013 Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) Commercial Real Estate Lending Handbook. Speaker: Richard Hamm
1:50 PM – 2:00 PM	Break
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM	CRE Risk Management (Cont'd) This session examines the components of an effective risk management system for CRE loans. Learn how to better identify and deal with CRE concentrations, strategies for developing industry data and references, and following the various regulations for appraisals and environmental due diligence. Prior to this session, participants are encouraged to download and review the August 2013 Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) Commercial Real Estate Lending Handbook. Speaker: Richard Hamm
3:00 PM – 3:15 PM	Break
3:15 PM 4:45 PM	Avoiding Lender Liability Issues Consumer-based lender liability claims against banks are becoming more common. In this session, learn to think like a lawyer to spot potential red flags, which could lead to a lender liability lawsuit. Learn the best defenses to defeat and avoid legal pitfalls via current case law and legislation. Speaker: Tricia DeLeon

Tue, Apr 29

8:00 AM – 10:45 AM	Credit Risk Management: Case Studies and Report Out/Review In this session, participate in a case study that teaches you to apply the techniques and tools learned in the Credit Risk Management course to solve credit risk problems. Speaker: Dev Strischek
10:45 AM – 11:00 AM	Break
11:00 AM – 12:10 PM	Global Debt & Contingent Liability Analysis This course is aimed at helping managers ensure that analysts and lenders are accurate and consistent in calculating global cash flow (GCF). A manager’s guide for monitoring the accuracy of the GCF is also included. Speaker: Dev Strischek
12:10 PM – 1:00 PM	Lunch
1:00 PM – 2:15 PM	Strategic Loan Pricing It is more important than ever to take a strategic approach to loan pricing. This session will cover two big issues that influence pricing, and more. See a demonstration of how to measure loan profitability and calculate the required rate on a loan, and have time to discuss various models used in your bank. Speaker: Richard Hamm
2:15 PM – 3:15 PM	Break
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM	Problem Loan Management This session focuses on how to avoid problem loans, recognize early warning signals and their causes, and the major factors to consider in managing problem loans. Engage in case studies that will assist you in identifying these issues, and managing troubled assets. Speaker: Kevin Nickodem
Time to be announced	Best Practices Discussion

Wed, Apr 30

8:00 AM – 9:45 AM	CRE Construction Lending Unlike other commercial and consumer loan types, construction loans and their value are created by the disbursement of loan proceeds over time—and when the project is complete. This session navigates the entire process from front-end due diligence and loan documentation, to best practices for the administration of the disbursement of loan proceeds. Speaker: Joseph Javitz
9:45 AM – 10:00 AM	Break
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM	Portfolio Stress Testing Strongly encouraged by bank regulators, stress testing is a forward-looking quantitative assessment of potential economic events that could adversely affect the quality of a loan portfolio, earnings performance and capital adequacy. In this session, learn more about stress testing, and how it has evolved into an integral part of a bank’s credit risk management framework. Speaker: Rob Newberry
12:00 AM – 1:00 PM	Lunch
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM	A Conversation with Federal Regulators – Emerging Issues for Lending Portfolios The session is a panel discussion with representatives of the Federal Reserve, the FDIC, and OCC. Each panelist has a strong credit background, knowledge in regulatory lending emerging issues, and current or recent bank examination experience.
2:00 PM – 2:15 PM	Break
2:15 PM – 3:45 PM	Electives Profitability: Bank Financial Analysis and Asset/Liability Management Understanding the components of a balance sheet, and how they drive the income statement, is critical to understanding how commercial lending affects bank performance. Management reporting, including Asset-Liability Management (ALCO) and profitability reporting, are used internally to manage risks, measure progress and drive decision-making. In this course, learn to identify profit drivers that result in positive financial performance and how to develop a strategy that focuses on strategic objectives that drive long-term success. Instructor: Jeff Marsico Deep Dive into C&I Lending This elective applies key Commercial & Industrial (C&I) Lending concepts through real-world business cases in small group settings. Students focus on identifying cash flow and liquidity challenges to enhance their credit analysis and deliver greater value to clients. The course also covers working capital analysis to assess funding needs, the application of UCA cash flow methods for loan evaluations, and the principles of source and use of funds. Participants will gain access to resources, including a cash flow early warning checklist, a 5-minute cash flow statement analysis, and an Excel template for evaluating the monetary implications of inefficiencies in the cash conversion cycle. Instructor: Michael Wear Stay tuned, more electives coming soon!
3:45 PM – 4:00 PM	Break
4:00 PM – 5:30	Electives Profitability: Bank Financial Analysis and Asset/Liability Management Understanding the components of a balance sheet, and how they drive the income statement, is critical to understanding how commercial lending affects bank performance. Management reporting, including Asset-Liability Management (ALCO) and profitability reporting, are used internally to manage risks, measure progress and drive decision-making. In this course, learn to identify profit drivers that result in positive financial performance and how to develop a strategy that focuses on strategic objectives that drive long-term success. Instructor: Jeff Marsico An Intermediate Guide to Hotel Underwriting and Financing This course provides a comprehensive primer on hotel underwriting, designed to give participants enough information to be effective in the field. Participants will explore the unique requirements, tools and techniques necessary to identify and understand the credit risks involved in originating a loan for a hotel. This course also covers best practices for documenting the loan, including essential information from the franchisor, franchisee and borrower. The course assumes participants have some background in CRE underwriting but may not be familiar with hotel-specific requirements. It will introduce industry jargon and concepts that may be new to some participants, while not ignoring the basics entirely. By the end of the course, participants will be able to engage in high-level conversations with potential loan clients, understand best practices when structuring the request, and bridge the gap between initial discussions and detailed underwriting. Instructor: John Blanton Current Industry Updates - More information coming soon Deep Dive into C&I Lending This elective applies key Commercial & Industrial (C&I) Lending concepts through real-world business cases in small group settings. Students focus on identifying cash flow and liquidity challenges to enhance their credit analysis and deliver greater value to clients. The course also covers working capital analysis to assess funding needs, the application of UCA cash flow methods for loan evaluations, and the principles of source and use of funds. Participants will gain access to resources, including a cash flow early warning checklist, a 5-minute cash flow statement analysis, and an Excel template for evaluating the monetary implications of inefficiencies in the cash conversion cycle. Instructor: Michael Wear Navigating Commercial Real Estate Lending This elective course is designed for professionals in the commercial lending industry who want to deepen their understanding of current trends and best practices in commercial real estate (CRE) lending. The course will cover hot topics in the market, key appraisal considerations, and the intricacies of perfecting liens. Through an interactive Q&A format, participants will have the opportunity to engage with industry experts and network with peers, fostering a collaborative learning environment. Instructor: Joseph Javitz *Stay tuned, more electives coming soon!*

Thu, May 1

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM	Appraisals and Evaluations In this session, delve into regulatory requirements and expectations for real estate loan policies, appraiser independence, appraisals and evaluations, reviews and more. Learn through facilitated discussion and reviewing pertinent case studies. Speaker: Suzy Gardner
9:30 AM – 9:45 AM	Break
9:45 AM – 11:45 AM	CRE Valuation Management This session focuses on a common sense approach when considering whether an appraisal provides a credible value conclusion. Learn through facilitated discussion and reviewing pertinent case studies. Speaker: Suzy Gardner
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM	Lunch
12:45 PM – 2:15 PM	Introduction to Bankruptcy Bankruptcy law is a complex and ever-changing subject. Lenders and credit analysts need to be aware of how the Bankruptcy Code works and how to protect and preserve their rights under the law. This content will be an overview that will help lenders manage bankruptcy procedures and improve lending. Discussions will include Chapter 7s, Chapter 13s, Chapter 11s and Chapter 12s. Speaker: Brandon Tomjack
2:15 PM – 2:30 PM	Break
2:30 PM – 4:30 PM	Fraud: Methods, Detection and Prevention The session covers the different types of financial crime and fraud schemes typically encountered by financial institutions, particularly those methodologies that utilize lending products. Learn to spot red flags, and report them. Discuss schemes involving bank insiders, with a focus on potential signs of collusion between bank clients and lenders. Speakers: Michael Bacon and James Hitchcock
4:35 PM	Class Photo
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM	Tacos and Karaoke Get ready for an exciting evening filled with delicious tacos and epic karaoke performances. Whether you're a taco enthusiast or a karaoke superstar, this event is the perfect opportunity to mingle with students from both schools, have fun, and showcase your hidden talents.

Fri, May 2

8:00 AM – 9:15 AM	Developing Leadership Practices This course focuses on developing leadership skills through the Situational Leadership Framework, guiding participants in adapting their leadership style to different contexts. Integrating key concepts from Transformational, Transactional, Servant, and Authentic Leadership theories, participants will learn to identify situational variables and apply the most effective leadership behaviors to individual and team settings. Speaker: Dr. David Notgrass
9:15 AM – 9:30 AM	Break
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM	Developing Leadership Practices This course focuses on developing leadership skills through the Situational Leadership Framework, guiding participants in adapting their leadership style to different contexts. Integrating key concepts from Transformational, Transactional, Servant, and Authentic Leadership theories, participants will learn to identify situational variables and apply the most effective leadership behaviors to individual and team settings. Speaker: Dr. David Notgrass
11:30 AM	School Concludes Please do not make travel plans to depart before the session ends at 11:30 AM. If you elect to depart early, we cannot grant a program certificate.

This program is subject to change. Please bookmark this page to check for continuing updates. Read ABA Conference and School Policies to help answer additional questions.