AFC Meeting Participants will

• discuss current trends in the U.S. Freight market
• review the economic outlook for 2024
• discuss how institutional investors are valuing and thinking about freight stocks
• receive an overview of the current banking landscape in Arkansas
• discuss banking interest rates, customer criteria, underwriting practices, financial covenants
• discuss the relationship between the economic conditions and banking dynamics
• receive insight on banking trends and their ramifications to the transportation industry

Participants will earn 2.0 CPE credits.
In order to be awarded the full credit hours, you must be present, register your attendance and departure on provided attendance sheets at registration desk.
Fields of Study: Economics
Prerequisites: No prerequisites required
Advanced Preparation: None
Program Level: Basic
Delivery Method: Group Live

Session 1:
Economic Update
(CPE Economics - 1 credit)
Presented by Stephens
Grant Smith, Equity Research Associate

This session will cover current trends in the U.S. freight market and the outlook for 2024 as well as the factors influencing an eventual market recovery. Lastly, Grant Smith will also discuss how institutional investors are valuing and thinking about freight stocks at this time.

Session 2:
Update on Trends and a Report Card on the Arkansas Banking Industry 
Presented by Arkansas State Bank Department
Susannah Marshall, Commissioner

Commissioner Susannah Marshall will present an overview of the current banking landscape in Arkansas, delving into interest rates, customer evaluation criteria, underwriting practices, and the role of financial covenants. Additionally, she will explore the relationship between the current economic conditions and these banking dynamics, shedding light on the nuanced interactions that impact financial institutions. Marshall will also analyze the potential ramifications of these banking trends on the trucking industry, elucidating how the broader economic context may influence financing, lending, and operational aspects within the transportation sector.

Susannah Marshall was appointed by Governor Asa Hutchinson to be the 22nd Commissioner of the Arkansas State Bank Department. Ms. Marshall’s appointment began October 1, 2020. On June 30, 2023, Governor Sanders reappointed Ms. Marshall to a four-year term as Bank Commissioner. On August 11, 2023, Governor Sanders appointed Ms. Marshall to additionally serve as Arkansas Securities Commissioner. Ms. Marshall will serve as the 19th Arkansas Securities Commissioner.

Ms. Marshall has served the department since 1995. She began her Bank Department career as a Commercial Bank Examiner in 1995, and in 2003 was promoted to Financial Analyst. In 2005, Ms. Marshall was promoted to Financial Analyst Supervisor, a position she held until her appointment as Deputy Bank Commissioner in 2007. Ms. Marshall served as Deputy Bank Commissioner for 13 years until her appointment to Bank Commissioner in 2020.

As Bank Commissioner, Ms. Marshall is responsible for the regulation, supervision and examination of Arkansas state-chartered banks, bank holding companies, a trust company and Arkansas Capital Corporation. As of December 31, 2023, the agency supervised 73 state-chartered commercial banks with total assets over $161 billion.

Arkansas Trucking Association is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org