CFTEA

News

A cute cartoon style robot reaches out from a laptop screen and shakes hands with a person reaching from another laptop. A gold circle with simple circuit lines sits behind them. The scene shows friendly teamwork between people and technology in a warm and playful way. Bank Training and Professional Development.

New Course Alert: AI Security Essentials

Curious about AI and how to use it with confidence at work? CFTEA has a new course designed to help you feel prepared, informed, and safe as AI tools continue to grow in the workplace. And it is only $20. ABA’s AI Security Essentials gives you a clear and practical understanding of how AI works and how to use it responsibly at your organization. You will learn: ✅ What generative AI is and how it fits into daily work ✅

Read More...
Cartoon illustration of CFTEA Executive Director Andrew Lederer dressed as a cheerful chef wearing a white chef hat, green shirt, and white apron. He is smiling and holding a bag of potato chips in one hand and a plate stacked with more chip bags in the other. The background is dark blue with gold accents. Text on the left reads “CFTEA Snacks” and “Bite-Sized News.” The image promotes short, easy to digest CFTEA updates. Bank Training. Professional Development.

Peer Coaching Without Authority is here!

CFTEA has been hard at work developing real courses with actual subject matter experts, not just another AI-generated overview that sounds like Siri reading a Wikipedia article. Cue the drum roll… Because your people are already amazing, and this course is the perfect chance to help them shine even brighter—without waiting until they have a fancy title on their desk. Why it matters: Think The Office, but in the best way. Peer coaching helps avoid those “conference room meeting, NOW!”

Read More...
A professional outdoor portrait of CFTEA Executive Director, Andrew Lederer. He is seated on a wooden bench near a calm lake with trees in the background. Andrew is smiling and wearing a brown suit jacket, white dress shirt, and black tie. The setting is peaceful with soft natural light and early autumn foliage behind him.

Why Opportunity Changes Everything by Andrew Lederer

“Ever have one of those moments at work where something lands in your inbox and you pause? Not one of those “reply all” disasters. Something good. Something that makes you sit up a little straighter because you know it matters. That was me when the chance came to step into this role at CFTEA. CFTEA was a turning point in my own career. The courses, the support, the confidence building. It played a real part in who I became professionally.

Read More...
Cartoon illustration of CFTEA Executive Director Andrew Lederer sitting cross-legged on a cushion in a peaceful room. He is meditating with eyes closed and hands resting on his knees. He has brown hair and a beard, wears a white dress shirt and dark pants, and his shoes and socks are neatly placed beside him. The room has warm sunlight, a bookshelf with plants and books, and a calm, cozy atmosphere. The text “cftea.org” appears at the bottom.

Why CFTEA Will Not Flood Your Inbox

Ever feel like the world is coming at you from every direction? Emails, deadlines, projects, and about seven “urgent” reminders before lunch? Some training organizations seem to think the answer is more emails. Several a day. Every day. But not CFTEA. We believe peace of mind matters. That is why our newsletters come out every two weeks, just enough to keep you informed, not enough to make you hide under your desk. CFTEA is here to help you grow at

Read More...
Professional headshot of Michelle Dole from Claremont Savings Bank. She has long brown hair, glasses, and is smiling. Text above the image reads, “Board Leadership Launchpad Program” and “Michelle Dole – Claremont Savings Bank.” A yellow banner at the bottom displays the website cftea.org. Bank Training

Gaining Perspective Through the CFTEA Board Leadership Launchpad Program by Michelle Dole

“As someone with prior experience serving on a banking board and participating in a few small nonprofit boards, I initially questioned how much I would benefit from the CFTEA Board Leadership Launchpad Program. However, even within the first module, I’ve already gained valuable insights that have positively impacted my current board involvement. Being deeply engaged in nonprofit leadership both personally and professionally, I’ve come to appreciate the program’s emphasis on the diversity of board structures and governance models. One of

Read More...
Graphic with text that reads: Finding Success with CFTEA. Below, a quote says, “The Certified Modern Banking Representative suite of courses was the perfect path to jumpstart my banking career.” – Stephen. The CFTEA logo appears at the top with a gold key icon, and the website cftea.org is shown at the bottom. The left side has a vertical gold bar and the background is white. CFT Bank Training

Ready to Stand Out in Retail Banking?

If you are ready to take charge of your career and move from just another employee to the one everyone looks to, the Certified Modern Banking Representative program is your launchpad. With just four courses (and yes, one of them is free) you will build the knowledge, confidence, and skills to shine in your organization and in the community you serve. Think of it as your roadmap to becoming the go to person customers trust and leaders notice. You will

Read More...
Graphic with white background and bold navy blue text that reads, “Sorry, I can not help with that.” A gold bar runs along the bottom with the website cftea.org in white text. Bank Training and Professional Development.

“Sorry, I can’t help with that.”

If you have ever heard those five words from an automated system, you know the feeling. You are 30 minutes deep in a phone tree pressing zero like it is a video game, just trying to reach a real person. Or maybe you sent a question and by the time you finally got an answer, your hair had gone a little more gray. That is not CFTEA. When you reach out, you get real people who actually care. Tammy, Andrew,

Read More...
Cartoon illustration of CFTEA Executive Director Andrew Lederer standing with arms crossed and a thoughtful expression. Small drones labeled AI surround him. Text on the left reads: Let’s Talk AI: What It Means for L and D (and You). The CFTEA website, cftea.org, appears at the bottom. Bank Training

So… About That AI Conversation (and the Car Wash Incident)

Ever wonder what really happens at a CFTEA Leaders Conference? Spoiler alert, it is never quiet and this year was no exception. Last year’s evaluations were loud and clear: “We want to talk about AI!” And talk we did. From headlines to policies, from “is it saving time?” to “is it taking over the world?”, the discussion was so good that we may have borrowed some time from the next session. (Sorry, Pete!) Meanwhile, C Bucks (our official conference engagement

Read More...
Headshot of Claire Bundy, a Human Resources Coordinator at TowneBank. She has long blonde hair and is smiling at the camera. She is wearing a blue shirt, a black blazer, and a necklace. Text at the top reads Board Leadership Launchpad Program and Claire Bundy – TowneBank. A yellow banner at the bottom shows the website cftea.org. CFT Bank Training Nonprofit Board Support

Growing as a Leader: Claire Bundy Reflects on the CFTEA Board Leadership Launchpad Program

“My name is Claire Bundy, and I serve as a Human Resources Coordinator at TowneBank. In my role I support the HR department with employee relations, talent development, and organizational initiatives that contribute to a positive workplace culture. I am grateful to have been selected to participate in the CFTEA Board Leadership Launchpad Program. I believe this opportunity will not only deepen my understanding of how an effective board operates but also help me grow as a leader. I look

Read More...

Honoring a Legacy of Leadership and Light: Mary Swift

Each year, the CFTEA Spotlight Award recognizes board leaders who make an outstanding contribution to CFTEA and their community. This year, that recognition carries deep meaning. The 2025 CFTEA Spotlight Award and Leaving a Legacy Award were presented posthumously to Mary Swift, former CFTEA Board Member, who passed away this past summer. Mary was a true beacon of inspiration. Her positivity, warmth, and tireless dedication left a mark on everyone she worked with. She was scheduled to co-present with CFTEA

Read More...
Signup for our newsletter and be the first to know about new courses and discounts:
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.