Executive Letter: Staying Ahead Together — New Member Resources on Emerging Industry Issues
By Rose Oswald Poels
Staying ahead of the curve is a constant priority for our industry — and it’s one the Association takes seriously. WBA is committed to evolving alongside you, offering timely programming that addresses the most pressing issues facing Wisconsin’s banks. Your input drives our work, and our latest offerings reflect both your concerns and your need for accessible, relevant resources.
On April 21st, WBA hosted Fraud Trends & Prevention Strategies, a free webinar presented by Paul Benda, Executive Vice President for Risk, Fraud, and Cybersecurity at the American Bankers Association. From the alarming rise in check fraud to the growing impact of artificial intelligence and deepfakes, Benda provided valuable insights and practical approaches to an increasingly complex threat landscape. His real-life example of the ease in which deep fake recordings can be created with the help of AI was chilling.
Not only did Benda trace the history and predict the trajectory of fraud, he shared how banks can stay one step ahead of bad actors by taking advantage of available resources and working cooperatively with other financial institutions. In addition to covering relevant data and best practices, Benda described advocacy efforts to mitigate fraud. In Wisconsin WBA saw several wins on that front in the last session and will continue to push for legislative change to protect customers.
Member feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. If you missed it — or would like your team to review the material — the recording and slides are available for members for the next 30 days. Please email wbaeducation@wisbank.com to request those resources.
Recognizing that fraud remains a top concern, WBA is expanding on this topic with a new WBA Fraud Summit, scheduled for June 3, 2025, in Wisconsin Dells. This in-person event will bring together industry experts and banking professionals to explore trends, share ideas, and identify strategies to strengthen fraud defenses. We hope members of your team will plan to attend. Click here to learn more and register.
Additionally, we are pleased to offer another no-cost educational webinar: Crypto in 2025: What You Need to Know, presented virtually on Thursday, May 8 from 10:00–11:00 a.m. CT. Brian Laverdure, ICBA’s SVP of Digital Assets and Innovation Policy, will provide a clear-eyed perspective of the regulatory outlook, the evolution of stablecoins, and emerging risks associated with crypto-related illicit finance. Click here for more details.
As always, I appreciate your engagement with WBA programs and services. Our education team is focused on delivering programming that meets your needs and supports your bank’s continued success.
