The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) announced on January 31 that it will host a national conference on "The Future of Community Banking" on February 16, 2012. The conference will provide a forum for community bank stakeholders to explore the unique role community banks play in the country’s economy and the challenges and opportunities this segment of the banking industry faces.

Conference panels will examine:

• The evolution and characteristics of community banks;
   
• Current challenges and opportunities for community banks;
   
• The perspectives of community bank customers; and
   
• Lessons learned from past financial crises and successful strategies for the community bank of the future.

Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and FDIC Director Thomas J. Curry are scheduled to deliver the keynote addresses at the conference. FDIC Acting Chairman Martin J. Gruenberg will also make remarks. Attendance at the conference is by invitation and will be open to credentialed members of the media. Reporters must RSVP in advance to attend the conference.

For more information, click here.