The Building Blocks of Funds Transfer Pricing (FTP)
(September 16, 2008 at 2:00 PM EDT, 1:00 PM CDT, 12:00 PM MDT, 11:00 AM PDT)
Funds transfer pricing is a critical measuring prerequisite for understanding sources of Net Interest Margin (NIM) contribution, desegmenting NIM risks, establishing loan & deposit pricing discipline and determining product and customer profitability. This 100-minute webinar will examine the basics of the “best practice” matched-term transfer pricing methodology, providing a simple and practical unraveling of its complexities, mysteries and strategic value.

Pricing Loans & Deposits for Growth and Profit
(September 25, 2008 at 2:00 PM EDT, 1:00 PM CDT, 12:00 PM MDT, 11:00 AM PDT)
Challenged by constantly increasing pricing complexities and competitive pressures, financial service organizations are suffering plummeting net interest margins. Understanding pricing strategy and significance are critical to gaining a competitive advantage. Explore pricing strategies and learn about price elasticity. Using matched-term funds transfer pricing as a rational starting point for sound pricing, discover how to establish risk-adjusted loan and deposit pricing customized to your institution and tailored to your customers.

How to Apply Investment Basics in the Current Crisis Market
(October 7, 2008 at 2:00 PM EDT, 1:00 PM CDT, 12:00 PM MDT, 11:00 AM PDT)
Get hands on guidance for building an effective portfolio in the current economic environment during this convenient online program. In 100-minutes, you’ll examine a variety of bank portfolios and learn how to create a conservative investment portfolio that positively interacts with your institution’s balance sheet and income statement.

Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Stress Testing
(October 8, 2008 at 2:00 PM EDT, 1:00 PM CDT, 12:00 PM MDT, 11:00 AM PDT)
This quick and convenient webinar will teach you how to conduct CRE Stress Testing in just 100 minutes. You’ll learn what data is needed, how to determine subjection assumptions, what output and results are required, and how to utilize the results in funding the ALLL.

Internal Fraud and Embezzlement: Lessons from the Trenches
(October 9, 2008 at 2:00 PM EDT, 1:00 PM CDT, 12:00 PM MDT, 11:00 AM PDT)
Internal fraud and embezzlement are some of the unique risks that financial institutions face in today’s world. And it’s a problem that may be bigger than you think. Internal fraud can wreak havoc on a financial institution’s financial performance, damage its reputation and undermine business objectives.

Loan Impairments
(October 20, 2008 at 2:00 PM EDT, 1:00 PM CDT, 12:00 PM MDT, 11:00 AM PDT)
Covering accounting and regulatory reporting requirements related to loan impairments and OREO, this webinar offers practical examples that will help you better document and support your analysis. You’ll gain a better understanding of the concept of impairment and learn how to evaluate loans and OREO for impairment and how to correlate loan impairments and ORE with documentation for the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses.

Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities: An Emerging Asset Class for Community Banks
(October 22, 2008 at 2:00 PM EDT, 1:00 PM CDT, 12:00 PM MDT, 11:00 AM PDT)
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities (CMBS) have long been a popular investment choice of large banks and institutional investors and many community banks are missing out on the action. Despite the recent turmoil in the credit markets, the outlook for CMBS is still positive as it continues to make inroads into community bank portfolios.

Vendor Management & Oversight
(October 28, 2008 at 2:00 PM EDT, 1:00 PM CDT, 12:00 PM MDT, 11:00 AM PDT)
Vendor Management is an emerging need for many companies, and as such is also an area of increased focus by auditors and regulatory agencies. Recently, management has been tasked not only with the identification of internal controls and the safeguarding of information within their own institution, but also with the job of obtaining assurances that the same quality of care is maintained by any third party relationships.

Derivatives and Hedging Basics
(November 6, 2008 at 2:00 PM EST, 1:00 PM CST, 12:00 PM MST, 11:00 AM PST)
Focusing on the complexities of accounting for derivatives, including fair value determination, and achieving hedge accounting under FAS 133, this 100 minute webinar will help you avoid the common pitfalls of derivative accounting. Attend for an overview of the basic principles of derivatives and hedge accounting and common strategies used. Participants will learn to recognize and distinguish between fair value and cash flow hedges, and understand the basics and challenges of hedge accounting.

Capital Planning for Community Financial Institutions
(November 12, 2008 at 2:00 PM EST, 1:00 PM CST, 12:00 PM MST, 11:00 AM PST)
All financial institutions need a capital plan to support growth. You need enough capital, but not too much. From a regulatory standpoint, you can't have too much. From a shareholders' standpoint, you don't want more than is needed to satisfy the regulators and support growth. It is important to make the right capital decisions to meet growth strategies and boost the bottom line.

Liquidity Contingency Planning – Are You Prepared?
(November 13, 2008 at 2:00 PM EST, 1:00 PM CST, 12:00 PM MST, 11:00 AM PST)
The current credit crunch that started in 2007 has been a sobering experience for many liquidity managers in the finance industry: times are changing and we need to be prepared.

Remote Deposit Capture Risk Assessment, Controls and Policy
(November 17, 2008 at 2:00 PM EST, 1:00 PM CST, 12:00 PM MST, 11:00 AM PST)
Remote deposit capture (RDC) is a valuable tool that can lower operating costs, bring in a new source of revenue and attract and retain clients to your institution. Whether your bank currently has or is planning to deploy Remote Deposit Capture for your customer base, don’t miss this convenient webinar chock-full of RDC best practices. Attend for valuable tips, tools and techniques designed to help you successfully deploy and manage RDC, as well as provide adequate controls and policies, and mitigate appropriate risks associated with Remote Deposit/Merchant Capture.

New Developments in Compliance Risk Management Planning: Best Practices for Community Financial Institutions
(November 19, 2008 at 2:00 PM EST, 1:00 PM CST, 12:00 PM MST, 11:00 AM PST)
Financial institutions are facing additional challenges in today’s market in light of heightened competition, the fluctuating regulatory environment and monumental technological innovations. Attend this convenient 100-minute webinar to examine new developments in compliance risk management planning and gain best practices specific to community financial institutions.

Performance-Based Budgeting (August 7, 2008)
Traditional budgets contribute very little toward the achievement of strategic goals. In fact, some budgets hinder the organization's ability to reach their goals. It is critical that banks and credit unions move toward Performance Based Budgeting to ensure their budgeting process is an integral part of the strategic planning process. This Webinar will address the short-comings of traditional budgets and explore the advantages of implementing Performance Based Budgeting.

Introduction to the Liability Side of the Balance Sheet: Deposits and Capital (May 28, 2008)
This session is the perfect orientation for the new employee who is also new to the financial industry. Listen in for an overview of a financial institution's deposits options and a recap of terminology and other concepts that are specific to this industry. Registration to this webinar includes access to an Introductory Bonus Session (valued at $99). Offered as part of the Understanding the Financial Service Industry: A Series for Newcomers webinar series, you can choose to attend a single session, or register for all three and save.

7th Annual ALCO Strategies (May 15, 2008)
This popular program is designed to be practical and relevant to the needs of your ALCO in the current economic environment and offers practical solution for both asset and liability management. Conveniently offered online, this program includes a discussion on ALM models and practical approaches for meeting regulatory measurement requirements at a reasonable cost. Strategies for developing a strong ALCO tradition within your bank will also be explored. Finally, this webinar will provide relevant information that participants can take back to their banks or ALCOs that will lead to better decision-making.

Economic Value: EVE Basics and Its Use Today (April 29, 2008)
Value does matter! It’s now more relevant than ever as many bankers and investors have incurred the financial wrath of inappropriate use of balance sheet valuation analysis. Attend this 100- minute webinar to review the must-master basics of Economic Value. Highlighting the management/regulatory analysis application in today's financial market conditions, this online session will give you the knowledge you need to address EVE issues and opportunities.

Introduction to the Asset Side of the Balance Sheet: Investments and Loans (April 23, 2008)
This session is the perfect orientation for the new employee who is also new to the financial industry. Listen in for an overview of a financial institution's investment and loan options and a recap of terminology and other concepts that are specific to this industry. Registration to this webinar includes access to an Introductory Bonus Session (valued at $99). Offered as part of the Understanding the Financial Service Industry: A Series for Newcomers webinar series, you can choose to attend a single session, or register for all three and save.

SERIES: Understanding the Financial Service Industry: A Series for Newcomers
(3 webinars, from March 26, 2008 through May 28, 2008)
This three part series is the perfect orientation for the new employee who is also new to the financial industry. Listen in for an overview of a financial institution's organizational structure and balance sheet composition, a review of pricing decisions and profitability goals, and a recap of terminology and other concepts that are specific to this industry. Registration to the series includes access to an Introductory Bonus Session (valued at $99). Choose to attend a single session, or register for all three and save.

Introduction to Accounting and Finance at a Bank, Thrift or Credit Union (March 26, 2008)
This session is the perfect orientation for the new employee who is also new to the financial industry. Listen in for an overview of a financial institution's organizational structure and balance sheet composition, a review of pricing decisions and profitability goals, and a recap of terminology and other concepts that are specific to this industry. Registration to this webinar includes access to an Introductory Bonus Session (valued at $99). Offered as part of the Understanding the Financial Service Industry: A Series for Newcomers webinar series, you can choose to attend a single session, or register for all three and save.

Turbocharge Your ALCO: Practices and Processes that Work (March 19, 2008)
Financial institutions that do not make ALCO a priority in 2008 may be in for difficult times. This 100-minute webinar will provide insights into what differentiates excellent ALCOs from the rest of the pack. Learn the seven simple steps to take immediately to turbo-charge your ALCO and increase profits.

An Introduction to Banks, Thrifts and Credit Unions (February 28, 2008)
This introductory webinar is the perfect orientation for the new employee who is also new to the financial industry. Offering a concise overview of the banking industry, the program reviews the basics and provides the foundation needed to better understand the nuances within the financial services industry.

Developing Realistic ALM Policies and Limits (February 26, 2008)
A recent study showed that there is often inconsistency between ALM policy limits and what is being reported in ALCO. In addition, not all policy limits make sense in all situations and the ability to set optimal standards for risk measurements is as much of an art as it is a science.

FAS 157 Implementation Issues (February 19, 2008)
Find out what is needed to properly implement FAS 157 at your institution during this 100-minute webinar. Participate to gain an understanding of the balance sheet items impacted by FAS 157 and to discover how to apply the fair value standard. You’ll learn new definitions for fair value as well as the new framework prescribed for valuing assets and liabilities under the existing GAAP. You’ll also examine the impact of third party provider pricing on hierarchy levels and review the significant new documentation and disclosures required.

Beating the Competition with Inspired Strategic Planning (December 19, 2007)
To beat the competition you need to differentiate yourself and invest your resources into creating and sustaining a true competitive advantage. Inspired strategy that drives us to beat our competition must extend well beyond merely understanding our financial institution’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Winning strategy must be integrated into a comprehensive framework of plans, budgets, measurement, analysis, accountability and rewards, constant communication and periodic redirection. Gain the tools needed to do just that during this 100-minute webinar.

How to Make the Most of Your FMS Membership
(December 4, 2007)
Are you taking advantage of all of the resources, tools and exciting opportunities your FMS membership offers? Whether you are a new or long-time FMS member, this information-packed webinar will help you make the most of your membership. Join us for this free online session and discover where to find the resources you need and how to maximize your many membership benefits. Find out how to connect with others in the industry and learn about the many ways FMS can help you.

Using Contract Management to Reduce Expenses: Thinking Inside the Box (November 28, 2007)
Learn what professional contract management is and how to apply contract management techniques, specifically for financial institutions, to reduce expenses and negotiate better contracts during this convenient online session.

A Strategic and Practical Approach to RAROC (Capital Optimization & Risk-Adjusted Return on Capital) (November 13, 2007)
Capital is much more than a regulatory necessity. It is the critical link between risk assumption and return generation for financial institutions. Attend this convenient 100-minute Webinar to discover how optimizing capital within a framework of strategic risk measurement and management leads to superior long-term performance.

Retail Product Cost Analysis/Activity Based Costing for Financial Institutions (October 24, 2007)
Attend this convenient Webinar for a “quick start” approach for estimating the costs and profitability of retail loans and deposits. You’ll discover how to develop benchmarks to gauge the earnings of your retail deposit and loan products and how to use them for a competitive advantage and gain insight for strengthening overall earning and ROA.

More Yield, Less Risk…Better Sleep!: A Common-Sense Approach to Managing Your Bond Portfolio (October 11, 2007)
Offering financial institutions a common-sense approach to managing their bond portfolio, this convenient online webinar includes a copy of the FMS publication of the same name.

SERIES: Accounting Basics for Community Financial Institutions
(3 webinars, from September 13, 2007 through September 27, 2007)
Perfect for the financial manager who is new to the financial industry, this three-part series will examine the unique accounting standards specific to community financial institutions.

Debits & Credits: The Foundation of Accounting (September 6, 2007)
Examining the very basic concepts and terminology of accounting, this convenient online program is a great training opportunity for new staff with little or no accounting background. You’ll examine debits and credits and review accounting system concepts.

SERIES: ALM Basics Series
(4 webinars, from September 5, 2007 through September 26, 2007)
Find out what you need to know to fully understand asset/liability management and its relationship to the management of interest rate risk in this convenient webinar series. A top-rated course for two years in a row, this four-part program is designed to give you the understanding, analytical framework and confidence to address ALM at your institutions.

How to Develop an Efficient Audit Program (August 2, 2007)
Designing an effective audit program for any functional area can be complicated. Learn how to develop one from the comfort of your desk during this quick and convenient webinar. In 100 minutes, you’ll find out how to create a program that is comprehensive enough to guide the auditor through the testing of an adequate number of areas, the documentation of the findings and conclusions based on quantitative data, and the presentation and recommendations based on the findings. To do this, your audit program must include the Internal Control Questionnaire (ICQ), Interviews and observations (IO's), narratives and flowcharts, and the audit steps.

How to Develop a Successful HSA Program (June 12, 2007)
If your institution is not offering an HSA program, you may be losing out on new business and outreach opportunities. Not only are Health Savings Account Programs an excellent source of new deposits, but they are also a way for your institution to reach out and help community businesses control growing health care costs. Find out why you should consider offering an HSA program during this convenient 100-minute webinar.

Making Sense of Subchapter S: Is It Right for Your Bank and Its Shareholders? (June 6, 2007)
Find out how recent changes in tax and corporate law now make it possible for virtually any bank to become S eligible regardless of the number and type of shareholders. From the comfort of your desk, you’ll investigate the advantages Subchapter S offers community financial institutions and find out exactly what is involved in making a Subchapter S election. You’ll also examine the impact Subchapter S status will have on your bank and its shareholders.

The ALM/IRR Process and Model Audits (May 24, 2007)
This convenient online program will clearly present the responsibilities of each member within a financial institution as they relate to ALM/IRR measurement, monitoring, and management. This live online seminar is your guide to the proper conduct of an ALM/IRR audit. All registrants will receive a copy of a suggested audit scope for use with RFPs and will discuss the steps to follow when requested to conduct a Model Audit as well.

Form 1099: Best Practices for IRS Compliance (May 9, 2007)
Is your financial institution in compliance with all of the IRS rules relating to Form 1099 reporting? Are you aware of all of the new reporting requirements passed in the past year? If you are responsible for your financial institution’s tax reporting, you know that the rules relating to situations encountered by the banking industry can be complex and confusing. Find out how these rules effect your reporting requirements and ensure that your institution stays in compliance with IRS rules.

SERIES: Growing Core Deposits
(3 webinars, from May 3, 2007 through May 17, 2007)
Learn how to increase core deposits during this three-part webinar series. Participants will examine the fundamental drivers of core deposit behavior and value, develop common sense guidelines for managing core deposits, and review a set of specific strategies that translate core deposits into an engine of superior earnings performance. You’ll also learn new techniques for quantifying core deposit behaviors, raising checking-type core deposits, and segmenting depositors by category to gain more control over repricing.

SERIES: FAS 109 for Community Financial Institutions
(4 webinars, from April 4, 2007 through April 25, 2007)
Developed specifically for community financial institutions, this four-part series will address FAS 109 as it has grown in complexity with the recent issuance of FIN 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. Due to the heightened awareness of the adequacy of internal controls, management is now held to a much higher degree of accountability in the application of FAS 109 than ever before. A solid understanding of FAS 109 is imperative to understanding, and controlling, the effective income tax rate and you’ll walk away with that and more after the completion of this program.

Third Party Vendor Management (March 21, 2007)
Attend this convenient online seminar to gain the information needed to create a vendor management strategy that focuses on identifying and mitigating the risks associated with external access to data and external processes that may compromise the integrity of results. You’ll also discover best practices in written agreements and monitoring contract compliance.

SERIES: Best Practices in Internal Controls for Publicly Held Financial Institutions
(2 webinars, from March 13, 2007 through March 15, 2007)
This convenient online series will explore the lessons learned from accelerated filers and offer methods for reducing inefficient spending and waste in your own on-going compliance programs. In addition to identifying best practices from accelerated filers, this two-part series will review successful ways to control your institution’s compliance costs.

SERIES: Dynamic Liquidity Forecasting
(2 webinars, from February 21, 2007 through February 28, 2007)
Liquidity is more than a ratio -- it is a key success ALM factor. Learn how improved liquidity analysis can improve margins, increase earnings, and sharpen risk measurement. Discover a practical approach for liquidity forecasting and identify weaknesses of traditional measures and reports. Review methods for reporting liquidity and making strategic decisions. Understand the increased regulatory expectations and how to meet them.

How to Make the Marriage of Finance and Marketing/Sales Work (February 14, 2007)
Learn how to conquer the frustration inherent in balancing marketing results with financial performance. Attendees of this convenient online session will discover methods to team up these two areas so everyone can focus on profitability and understand break-even points and ROI. You’ll learn how to integrate the results of your profitability measurement system and marketing customer information system, create profitable marketing campaigns and offer the most profitable combination of products!

SERIES: Implementing an Effective Program for Fraud Prevention
(3 webinars, from January 17, 2007 through January 31, 2007)
Examining the effective tools that business line management, internal auditors and CFO/CEO’s can implement into their risk management program, this in-depth series is designed to help financial executives prevent and detect fraud at their community financial institution. According to the 2006 ACFE Report to the National on Occupational Fraud & Abuse, occupational fraud and abuse imposes enormous costs on organizations and schemes can be very difficult to detect. Discover why an effective fraud program is your best defense in preventing and detecting criminal conduct in your organization.

SERIES: Best Practices in Executive and Incentive Compensation
(3 webinars, from November 14, 2006 through November 28, 2006)
Conveniently offered online, this three-part series will focus on current issues in executive compensation. Designed to provide bank, thrift and credit union CFOs with education, information and practical tools to help them manage and/or reduce costs related to benefits and compensation, this webinar also includes insight on dealing with current pension issues. Attend to review market trends, learn how to best employ market data, establish compensation packages, and examine incentive compensation and performance-based pay.

SERIES: BSA Excellence: Officer Training
(2 webinars, from October 4, 2006 through October 11, 2006)
Attaining excellence in Bank Secrecy Act compliance is on ongoing effort. Exploring the elements of an effective compliance program, this series covers requirements, training, testing and more. You will obtain resources and tools during the session that will help ensure your ability to achieve BSA excellence.

Top 10 IT Risks for Community Financial Institutions (September 27, 2006)
Driven largely by exploding identity theft concerns, information security is a hot topic for all financial institutions. In this convenient online session you will discover the Top 10 reasons why security breaches occur at community financial institutions.

Valuing Core Deposits for M&A Transactions (May 24, 2006)
Core Deposit Intangible (CDI) values are a key component of an M&A transaction's final profitability and recent FASB requirements for acquisitions take a more mark to market view. Explore this new framework and examine the key implications for accounting entries and profitability.

SERIES: Loan Review
(3 webinars, from April 4, 2006 through April 18, 2006)
This previously recorded three-part online series, specifically designed for personal from community financial institutions, offers a comprehensive look at Loan Review. Participants will assess the adequacy of and adherence to internal credit policies and loan administration procedures in relation to compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Program participants will learn how to evaluate the activities of lending personnel and will walk away with the tools needed to provide senior management, and the Board of Directors, with an objective, independent and timely assessment of the overall quality of the loan portfolio.

SERIES: Branch Profitability: Measurement, Analysis & Reporting
(2 webinars, from February 16, 2006 through February 23, 2006)
Branching continues to be a top initiative for most growth oriented financial institutions as shown by the record number of new branches opened each year. Yet, traditional financial reporting is founded on an accounting structure designed for measuring and evaluating the profitability of the institution as a whole.

SERIES: Swaps 101: Using Interest Rate Swaps to Reduce Risk and Increase Profitability
(2 webinars, from February 13, 2006 through February 27, 2006)
The use of derivatives by community financial institutions has grown dramatically over the last few years. Discover the reasons behind this growth and examine just how derivatives work. Participants in this previously recorded series will walk through six basic examples of how derivatives can successfully be used to reduce risk and enhance revenue. Covering strategies, setup, management and ongoing accounting, this online seminar will review proper control and reporting. You’ll discover ways to keep the accounting simple while avoiding the pitfalls of FAS 133.

SERIES: Best Practices in Record Retention
(2 webinars, from January 17, 2006 through January 19, 2006)
With increasing regulation on customer privacy and new, strict policies on corporate governance and record retention, financial institutions face the challenging exercise of maintaining the vastly different records created by bank processes and procedures. This previously recorded series explores the need for a comprehensive record retention plan while demonstrating best practices for designing such a program.