Building the Future (and Earning a Few C Bucks Along the Way)

Ever wonder what really happens at the CFTEA Leaders Conference? Think laughter, lightbulb moments, and just enough friendly competition to make those C Bucks fly. (CFTEA’s official conference currency and a direct cause of some spirited bidding wars).

One of this year’s standout sessions came from Meghan Crider, President of Educational Programs at Virginia National Bank (VNB). Her session, Leveraging CFTEA Credits for Recruitment and Employee Development, flipped the usual hiring story on its head.

VNB looked at the long running challenge every bank faces, finding top talent, and decided to stop searching and start building. Through a creative partnership with CFTEA, VNB designed a program that does more than just teach how to cash checks. It helps develop credit analysts, commercial lenders, and future leaders ready to take on the banking world.

The program leads directly to a Certificate in Commercial Banking, with the option to earn a bachelor’s degree with a major in banking through CFTEA’s partnership with St. Joseph’s College without college debt.

Is it for everyone? No. But for those high potential students ready to grow into tomorrow’s leaders, it is a plan that works.

Now that is taking CFTEA to a whole new level.

Want to be part of the next round of fun, learning, and lively discussion? Mark your calendars for September 30 and October 1, 2026, in Concord, New Hampshire. Bring your curiosity and your C Bucks game face.