RKL's Credit Union Seminar

RiverCrest Golf Club and Preserve
100 Rivercrest Drive, Phoenixville, PA 19460

Thursday, October 30, 2025 
8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Fee to attend: $175

Unlock actionable insights to help your credit union thrive at the RKL Credit Union Seminar. Guided by RKL’s leading experts and industry thought leaders, this event is designed to help you capitalize on opportunities and confidently manage risks in today’s ever-changing landscape. Explore key topics such as accounting updates, regulatory changes, compliance challenges, evolving supervisory committee roles and resilience strategies—everything your credit union needs to stay ahead. 

Plus, don’t miss the extended keynote by the renowned Lee Wetherington, delivering powerful takeaways you can put into action. Join us and position your credit union for success!

Agenda:

8 - 8:50 a.m. – Registration, networking and hot breakfast buffet

8:50 - 9 a.m. – RKL welcome, Barry Pelagatti, Partner, RKL

9 - 10:30 a.m. – The Regulatory Upheaval: The Cost of Mistaking Dysregulation for Deregulation, presented by Lee Wetherington, Senior Director of Corporate Strategy, Jack Henry (1.5 Business Law CPE credits)

If you’ve been having a hard time keeping up with the flurry of regulatory rollbacks, updates, and changes coming out of Washington, DC over the past few months, you are not alone. Almost every day brings a fresh announcement about possible changes to the financial services regulatory environment. Is the CFPB dead? What about its rules on financial data exchange (1033) and small-business data collection (1071)? Will the CFPB, FDIC and NCUA be merged with the OCC? How will that work, and what does it all mean? Join us for a high-energy session where we’ll help you make sense of the mayhem and wade through the downstream effects of regulatory changes on financial institutions and fintechs. Attendees of this session will be able to:

• Gain clarity on recent regulatory rollbacks, updates, and proposed changes impacting financial institutions, including the roles of the CFPB, FDIC, NCUA, and OCC.

• Explore the downstream effects of evolving regulations on credit unions, financial institutions, and fintechs, including compliance challenges and operational risks.

• Learn actionable strategies for navigating regulatory upheaval, mitigating risks, and adapting to potential shifts in oversight and enforcement frameworks.

10:30 - 10:55 a.m. - Accounting and Auditing Update for Credit Unions, presented by Kimberly Karwath, Partner, RKL (0.5 Specialized Knowledge CPE Credits)

This session will deliver an update on the most significant accounting and auditing topics affecting the industry today. We will examine recently issued standards and exposure drafts, highlighting key changes and their implications. Additionally, we will address current accounting and auditing challenges driven by the evolving landscape in 2025. The session will also cover the National Credit Union Administration's (NCUA) supervisory priorities, providing insights into regulatory focus areas. Attendees of this session will be able to:

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of recently issued accounting and auditing standards and exposure drafts, and learn how they impact financial reporting and influence future audits.

• Recognize current accounting and auditing issues driven by the evolving environment in 2025, including best practices and common pitfalls observed in year three of post-CECL implementation.

• Examine the National Credit Union Administration's supervisory priorities to enhance organizational preparedness.

10:55 - 11:10 a.m. - Break

11:10 a.m. - 12 p.m. – Credit Union Mergers and Acquisitions Update, presented by Jeffrey Cardone, Partner and Attorney, Luse Gorman, PC (1 Business Management & Organization CPE credit)

What are your strategies regarding credit union mergers? Is it worth exploring an acquisition of a bank? Does your credit union have the appropriate capital levels and/or charter to execute its strategic growth plan going forward? Join Jeff Cardone, Partner and Attorney at Luse Gorman, PC, for a revealing look at the M&A landscape, regulatory and corporate governance environment, and what possible M&A opportunities are out there for credit unions. Attendees of this session will be able to:

• Understand and apply the process for executing a credit union merger and bank acquisition across all phases of the transaction.

• Evaluate key considerations for credit union mergers and bank acquisitions, including deal structures, field of membership and impermissible asset issues, and the role of strong board-level corporate governance.

• Analyze the priorities of the NCUA and state regulators regarding credit union mergers and bank acquisitions, focusing on key deal metrics.

• Assess charter options and determine whether pre-approval for issuing subordinated debt is a strategic step for your credit union.

12 - 1 p.m. – Lunch

1 - 1:50 p.m. –  Risk, Regulation, and Resilience: How Credit Unions Can Stay Ahead in a Tech-Driven World, presented by Michael McAllister, Partner, RKL (1 Information Technology CPE credit)

In an era of rapid technological evolution, credit unions face unprecedented challenges and opportunities. From navigating complex regulatory landscapes to mitigating emerging risks, staying resilient is critical to maintaining member trust and operational stability. This session will explore how credit unions can proactively address cybersecurity threats, comply with evolving regulations, and leverage technology to enhance resilience and future-proof their organizations. Attendees will gain actionable insights to balance innovation with risk management while safeguarding their institutions in a tech-driven world. Attendees of this session will be able to:

• Identify key risks associated with evolving technologies, including cybersecurity threats, data breaches, and operational vulnerabilities, and learn strategies to mitigate them effectively.

• Gain insights into current and upcoming regulations impacting credit unions, including compliance requirements.

• Learn how to build organizational resilience by integrating risk management frameworks, investing in robust technology infrastructure, and fostering a culture of adaptability and innovation.

1:50 - 2:40 p.m. –  Boosting Efficiency and Member Service: Automating the Credit Union Back Office, presented by Lindsay Heist, Workforce Strategies and HRIS Practice Leader, RKL Virtual, and Victoria Pritchard, Technology and Innovation Practice Leader, RKL Virtual (1 Computer Software & Application CPE credit)

Modernizing the back office is essential for credit unions looking to boost efficiency, reduce manual work and improve member service. This session will focus on practical strategies to streamline finance, payroll and HR by implementing technology that enhances automation, connectivity, and visibility. Leave with practical, low-barrier ideas for starting or accelerating back-office innovation using technology. Attendees of this session will be able to:

• Identify key areas in the credit union back office that benefit from automation.
• Evaluate tools and platforms that enhance accounting, payroll and HR.
• Understand how to build a technology roadmap that supports goals.
• Recognize pitfalls and adopt strategies to avoid them.

2:40 - 3:30 p.m. –  The Evolving Role of the Supervisory Committee in the Credit Union Industry: Navigating NCUA Expectations and Supervisory Priorities, presented by Juliya Kofman Greenfield, Principal, RKL, and Barry Pelagatti, Partner, RKL (1 Business Management & Organization CPE credit)

This course provides an overview of the increasing expectations of the Supervisory Committee within a credit union, as prescribed in the NCUA Supervisory Committee Handbook, as institutions expanded their permitted activities and oversight responsibilities become more critical. Participants will obtain an understanding of the expectations related to assessing risks, evaluating internal controls and compliance, and the expected interactions with the supervisory committee. The session will also discuss 2025 supervisory priorities, best practices for reporting structures to maintain audit independence and integrity, and provide real-life examples of recent compliance violations. Attendees of this session will be able to:

• Understand an internal auditor's key functions and responsibilities in a credit union setting.

• Learn strategies for evaluating the internal auditors’ maintenance of compliance with regulatory requirements.

• Explore best practices for reporting and interacting with the management and the internal audit department to ensure effective governance.

3:30 p.m. – Closing remarks

Questions? Email info@rklcpa.com