On October 31, Tucker Ellis LLP and Elizabeth Park Capital Management co-hosted the Sixth Annual Banking Forum at the Cleveland office of Tucker Ellis. Held on Halloween, the “M&A Spooktacular” began with opening remarks to the 65 attendees from Pat Oliver and a welcome from event co-chairs Glenn Morrical and Fred Cummings, President of Elizabeth Park Capital Management.

The forum featured three panel discussions:

• The Current Pace of M&A Activity: Panelists, including moderator Fred Cummings, discussed topics including the outlook by geographic region, sellers’ price expectations, and factors motivating banks to sell;
• Preparing to Be a Successful Acquirer: Panelists, including Glenn Morrical, discussed issues including ways for acquirers to improve the appeal of their stock as acquisition currency, how to minimize regulatory concerns for transaction approval, and how to prepare for “social issues”; and
• Building the Best Boards for High-Performing Banks: Panelists, including moderator Jayne Juvan, discussed best governance practices for bank and holding company boards for enhancing performance, including diversity and inclusion, board tenure and refreshment, director education and evaluations, and risk oversight.

Pictured above, left to right: Glenn Morrical, Pat Oliver, Jayne Juvan