May 21, 2019 - LIBOR Replacement Panel Event
Michael Sheptin, Principal, Ernst & Young, LLP, led our panel of experts discussing issues about LIBOR replacement. Some of these issues included: preparations for your firm, Secured Overnight Funding Rate (SOFR) and it's challenges, secured rate vs. an unsecured rate, legal issues related to the transition, valuation and pricing risks and risks concerning model development, validation and model risks, to name a few.
Panelists included:
- Brandon Loveridge, CFA, Managing Director, Treasury, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
- Robert Krebs, Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, LIBOR Transition Program at Northern Trust
- Mark Eichelberger, SVP and Head of Capital and Resolution Planning, Northern Trust

May 15, 2019 - ABC Mixer
The Chicago Chapter's Young Professionals (YP) Committee held its annual ABC Mixer (Attorneys, Bankers, CPAs & Consultants) networking event on May 15th at Madison Tavern. YP Chair / Chapter VP Ross Succoso and YP Chair Mark Boksa were the co-hosts for an evening of great conversation and networking by the Chicago area RMA members and non-members who attended. This is one of the Chapter's longest running networking events and a great way to meet informally with both members of the Chapter's Board members as well as professionals in the Chicago area. We hope to see you there next year!
April 2-3, 2019 - Financial Statement Analysis
This class was designed to teach the analytical process and decision-making techniques that the participants need in order to make sound credit decisions through the application of financial statement analysis. After completing this two-day course, the participants established a foundation in the following Analysis: Business and Industry Risk, Management, Financial Statement; as well as Financial drivers, forecasting and loan structuring.
In addition to creating a framework for applying financial statement analysis, participants also contemplated the specifics of business risk analysis and loan structuring. Covenants, collateral, and terms and conditions of lending were also covered.
February 7, 2019 - Asset-Based Lending for Non Asset-Basesd Lenders
The RMA Chicago Chapter hosted this class which provided participants with a basic understanding of asset-based lending (ABL) concepts and techniques. Participants learned about ABL borrowers, collateral and field examinations, and loan structures, including reporting and monitoring techniques. Participants read and discussed case studies that illustrated many of the issues involved in ABL.
January 10, 2019 - Economic Outlook
The RMA Chicago Chapter held their annual Economic Update event with Senior Economic Advisor Bill Strauss from the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank. Bill provided a detailed update to the audience of almost 60 people on the current state of the economy. His presentation included a discussion on the job market, housing, manufacturing and many other key indicators that provide insight as to what the current status is of our economy. After his presentation, Bill answered several questions that were posed by members of the audience. This was an informative event for everyone in attendance, and we hope to see even more people there for next year's event with Bill.