FSCNY's 21st Annual Conference and Exposition was held on Wednesday, May 29, 2013, at the Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge.

With a theme of "Opportunity + Innovation = Success,"  this year's conference explored the role of innovation in the offering of financial services in today's marketplace. In addition, it presented existing and emerging opportunities for check cashers to expand their products and services to customers.

Senator Eric Adams (New York-District 20) addressed the audience with Opening Remarks, at which time he stressed the important role of financial service centers in our communities. The conference also featured a dynamic speaker lineup that included Joseph Coleman (RiteCheck), William McCracken (Synergistics Research Corp.), Peter Ohser (MoneyGram), Frank Kaplan (NetSpend), and Robin Miles (Pay-O-Matic).

In addition, there were educational workshops for all levels of employees, including owners and management, compliance officers, and tellers. The FSCNY/Moneygram International Scholarship Luncheon - a highlight at every conference - presented scholarships to accomplished high school seniors from New York's five boroughs.

Lastly, the Exhibit Hall featured 20+ vendors that were showcasing the latest products and services, providing a great opportunity to network and meet with vendors and other check cashers from the region.

Full Schedule of Events from 2013 Conference & Exposition

Senator Eric Adams (New York-District 20) presents Opening Remarks

FSCNY President Ira Krell welcomes the audience and delivers President's Remarks

FiSCA Chairman Joseph Doyle presents FiSCA's National Report

The General Sessions feature two panels of industry leaders who discuss innovation and growth of the financial services industry

Current and past FSCNY presidents present the Industry Service Award to Richard Smith

The 2013 FSCNY/MoneyGram International scholarship first place winners with the Scholarship Committee

 The Exhibit Hall and breaks between events provide opportunities to network and catch up with colleagues

On May 24, 2012, the Financial Service Centers of New York (FSCNY) held its 20th Annual Conference and Exposition at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge in Brooklyn, New York. More than 300 industry professionals and 30 exhibitors were in attendance to network, share perspectives, and discuss issues of importance to the industry.

Highlights of the conference included Assemblyman Karim Camara (NY-District 43) delivering the opening address, two general session presentations, a scholarship luncheon, workshops on a variety of topics, and the presentation of the Industry Service Award to Assemblyman N. Nick Perry (NY-District 58).

The discussion during General Session I focused on present-day check cashing and the role of check cashers in the digital age. It included input from G. Michael Flores, President and CEO of Bretton Woods, Inc., and Elizabeth Rowe, President of Banking Research Associates, both of whom provided invaluable insight on the changing trends in payments and how they affect the check cashing industry.

General Session II featured a presentation on the need for small dollar credit alternatives in the region. Representatives from the check cashing industry, government, third parties, and the research community were present to discuss the industry’s efforts and other ongoing initiatives in New York.

Attendees also had the opportunity to learn more about the check cashing business during the educational workshops that were presented by industry experts. These sessions concentrated on various operational, marketing, and compliance topics, with information tailored to owners/managers as well as non-management level employees.

During the FSCNY/MoneyGram International Scholarship Luncheon, six outstanding high school seniors received grants as winners of the annual scholarship program. The recipients, who represent schools from the five boroughs and surrounding counties, were recognized for their high academic achievement, school leadership, and involvement in their community. Each recipient was selflessly dedicated to improving the community and completed at least 50 hours of volunteer service each year of high school.

Now in its 17th year, the scholarship program has awarded $595,000 in scholarships to 268 students throughout the state. Many of the scholarship recipients return to their communities and improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers.

In addition to the many informative sessions and discussions, the conference included displays of more than 30 vendors showcasing their latest products and services. This information was instrumental in keeping conference attendees up-to-date on the latest happenings in the industry. It also provided them with an opportunity to take advantage of one-on-one face time with vendors and to network with peers.

The 20th Annual Conference and Exposition was one of FSCNY’s most successful conferences to date, providing its attendees with networking opportunities and information designed to help improve their businesses.

Assemblyman Karim Camara (New York-District 43) addressing the crowd during General Session I

General Session I panel members discussing the role of check cashers in the digital age

General Session I panel and audience members

General Session II panel members discussing the need for small dollar credit alternatives in the region

Assemblyman Nick Perry (New York-District 58), recipient of the Industry Service Award, with Jason Carballo, FSCNY President

Gerry Goldman accepting the General Counsel Emeritus Award for his 27 years of devoted service to New York State’s check cashing industry

Members gathered during the cocktail party
(L to R): Sanford Herman, Jason Carballo, Scott Stringer, Edward D'Alessio, and Juan Melendez

Conference attendees and sponsors at the exhibit

FSCNY/MoneyGram International Scholarship recipients with Juan Melendez of MoneyGram (L) and Sanford Herman, Chairman of the scholarship program (R)

May 11, 2010

• 2010 Program

• Auction Items - Benefit for FSCNY Scholarship  

• Compliance
• Risk Management
• Employment Law
• Igniting Commitment: Engaging Employees for Breakthrough Performance
• Grafico on Marketing

• Compliance for Tellers
• Customer Service for Tellers

Jason Carballo

JASON CARBALLO
FSCNY President

On July 23, 2009 New York Governor David Paterson met with FSCNY board members for a luncheon fundraiser at the Union League Club of New York in Manhattan. There, board members and senior staff were able to discuss their top priorities with the Governor, including:

• Legislation that would allow licensed check cashing operators to offer consumer empowerment loans, or small dollar loans, as an ancillary product to their existing portfolio
• The Banking Department’s “Program Bill” which, if enacted, would mothball the state’s existing check cashing regulations and allow “big box retailers” to move into this market segment
• Permanent enactment of the Banco Bill which establishes distance restrictions for any licensed check cashing operation
• The continuing problem of bank discontinuance and the threat this problem poses to the thousands of New Yorkers who rely upon financial service centers for their access to the financial system.

After the meeting, Gerry Goldman, FSCNY’s General Counsel, said: “The meeting was a home run for us. We spent more than an hour with the Governor and had his undivided attention. The board members were able to discuss these issues and others that are very important to the membership. He clearly understands our point of view and, I think, will be sympathetic to them when related issues are sent to him from the Legislature and the Banking Department. I think it is safe to say that FSCNY has further enhanced its communications with the Governor’s office. We now have to spend the coming months and next year moving our agenda through the Legislature.”

May 12, 2009        

We hope you were able to join us!                

Dear Financial Service Provider:                                         

The Seventeenth Annual Conference and Vendors Show, sponsored by
the Financial Service Centers of New York, Inc., was held on Tuesday,
May 12, 2009 at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge. The day
was devoted to a General Membership meeting, vendor exhibits, seminars, featured speakers and an awards luncheon.

The highlights of the Show were as follows:

• Superintendent Richard H. Nieman, New York State Banking Department, was invited to speak along with several members from the Legislature;

• A General Membership meeting with nominations and reports  providing an update on industry and association matters, i.e. bank discontinuance, General Counsel update, Albany update and committee reports;

• The presentation of awards to the winners of the FSCNY/MoneyGram Scholarship Program; (press release)

• More than forty (40) vendors showcasing their latest products and services;

• This year there was a change in the program, namely there were several workshops in addition to Compliance.  Some were geared to owners/managers and some were geared to employees.

• Meeting and socializing with your peers at a cocktail reception in the Vendor display area.

Click for the detailed program.

We hope you were able to join us at the Show.  

Sincerely,

Jason Carballo

JASON CARBALLO
FSCNY President

Each year, the FSCNY Board of Directors travels to Albany to meet with members of the New York State Legislature. The goal of the "Albany Blitz" is to give influential lawmakers the opportunity to learn more about our industry and the issues that are affecting our businesses.

The 2009 annual Blitz took place on April 28th. Dick Smith, FSCNY’s lobbyist in Albany, lead members through a day-long schedule of legislative meetings with some of New York’s most important Members of the State Senate and Assembly. Click for photos of the 2009 Albany Blitz.

FSCNY initiated this annual event several years ago to help raise the industry’s visibility with state legislators while also starting the process of forming direct relationships with them.

"In addition to discussing the broad range of topics that affect our industry, this trip also gives association members the opportunity to network directly with key decision makers. It has proven to be an invaluable part of our overall government relations program," said FSCNY President Jason Carballo.

All FSCNY members are invited to participate in the annual Albany Blitz. For more information on attending next year's event, please call FSCNY at (212) 268-1911.

(left to right) State Assembly Banking Committee Chairman Darryl Towns, FSCNY General Counsel Gerald Goldman, State Senate Banking Committee Chairman Brian Foley, FSCNY President Jason and Carballo and FSCNY board member Joseph Coleman at a reception in Albany prior to the annual FSCNY Capital Blitz.

Assemblyman Towns addresses members of the FSCNY board while FSCNY General Counsel Goldman and Senator Farley look on.  

(left to right) FSCNY General Counsel Goldman, Senator Diane Savino, Senator Jeff Klein, FSCNY President Jason Carballo and Senator Craig Johnson at the FSCNY reception in Albany.