Ben Plotkin Provides Expert Banking Environment Viewpoint
at Chapter’s March Dinner Meeting
Effective Use of Social Media Presented at March Mini-Session
Ben A. Plotkin, Executive Vice President of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods and Vice Chairman of Stifel Financial Corporation was the
featured speaker at the Chapter’s March Dinner Meeting. Ben has more than 30 years investment banking experience and has
provided strategic advice to financial institutions with particular emphasis on the community bank market segment. Ben has
also been a frequent speaker at previous Chapter dinner meetings over the years. The afternoon mini-session featured a very
informative and timely presentation on the effective use of social networking. The event was held at the Stony Hill Inn in
Hackensack, N.J. on Wednesday, March 18, 2015. In addition to the educational sessions, Members and guests relaxed during the
cocktail hour before enjoying a full course dinner including entrees of sirloin of beef or baked salmon.
Ben Plotkin provided a snapshot of the U.S. banking industry. He noted that the number of U.S. banks in existence has been
cut in half over the past 25 years from more than 15,000 FDIC insured institutions to roughly 6,500. He stressed the
dominance of money center banks, especially during the 2000 – 20014 time horizon, by pointing out that 91% of U.S. banks
each hold less than $1 billion in deposits. Ben discussed the trends in merger and acquisition activity and noted that
despite lackluster activity, he expects the secular trend to continue.
Ben Plotkin, Executive VP, KBW presented
NY/NJ Capital Markets Environment for Community Banks at the March Dinner Meeting.
Ben Plotkin explains the effects of margin compression during the March Dinner Meeting presentation.
Ben presented a similar snapshot of the New York City banking market and noted similar dominance by money center banks
in the competition for deposits. He showed how community banks effectively own less than 3% of the deposit market.
Ben expects little or no increase in short term interest rates over the near term consistent with the outlook shared by
many experts in the industry. Consequently, huge competition for deposit share will continue to be experienced. He noted,
however, that some large institutions will suffer an extended stay in the regulatory “penalty box” which will create an
opportunity for other institutions to compete for capital.
Making Business Connections via Social and Traditional Networking was the topic of the afternoon mini-session.
The program was presented by Don Meyer, Chief Marketing Officer and Rachael Bell, Digital Communications Manager
of the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants. The session suggested methods that Members should utilize
to create and maintain an effective presence on business social media networks with particular emphasis on LinkedIn
and Connect. Attendees learned the must “haves” and the “have nots” when formulating a LinkedIn profile as well as
effective strategies to market one’s skills before and after attending a business event.
Topics and Speakers
NY/NJ Capital Markets Environment
for Community Banks
Making Business Connections via Social and Traditional Networking
Chapter Vice President Brian McCourt introduced dinner speaker Ben Plotkin.
Don Meyer, Chief Marketing Officer at the NJSCPA presented a social networking mini-session.
Don Meyer stesses the importance of having an effective social media presence.
Rachael Bell, Digital Communications Manager at the NJSCPA, explains methods for improving Members' LinkedIn profile at the afternoon mini-session.