Stop chasing business. Start creating relationships that naturally lead to growth.
Growing a portfolio today takes more than knowing your products. It takes the confidence and skills to build trusted relationships, create meaningful conversations, and develop a consistent approach to business development.
This two-day, hands-on program is designed for financial professionals who want to grow their customer base without feeling pushy or “salesy.” Participants will learn how to identify opportunities, strengthen referral relationships, network with purpose, and turn everyday conversations into long-term business growth.
Through practical exercises, real-world strategies, and follow-up reinforcement, participants will develop a repeatable approach to relationship-based selling that builds trust, increases referrals, and creates lasting results.
Date: October 22-23, 2026
Time: 9:00am-3:30pm EST
What You’ll Gain:
Participants will learn how to:
- Build a referral-based approach to growing relationships
- Prospect confidently without feeling like a salesperson
- Create networking strategies that lead to meaningful connections
- Recognize opportunities to deepen existing customer relationships
- Cross-sell through understanding needs and providing solutions
- Develop consistent habits that support long-term growth
Why Attend?
Many financial professionals want to grow their business but struggle with where to start, how to follow up, or how to have business development conversations that feel natural.
This program provides practical tools and strategies you can immediately apply to build stronger relationships, expand your network, and create sustainable growth.
Who Should Attend?
This program is designed for:
- Relationship managers and lenders
- Branch managers and assistant branch managers
- Universal bankers and frontline professionals
- Business development professionals
- Anyone responsible for growing customer relationships
What We’ll Cover:
Module 1: The Modern Banking Pipeline
- Understanding today’s referral-driven landscape
- Identifying high-value referral sources
- Evaluating your current pipeline for relationship potential
Module 2: Authentic Prospecting
- How to prospect without feeling “salesy”
- The psychology of trust and credibility
- Turning casual conversations into opportunities
Module 3: Networking that Converts
- Building your personal network intentionally
- Tools for follow-up and consistency
- Creating value before asking for business
Module 4: Cross-Selling the Right Way
- Recognizing cross-sell opportunities
- Integrating solutions across product lines
- Communicating benefits through storytelling
Module 5: The Flywheel of Growth
- How small wins build momentum
- Leveraging satisfied clients and partners for future growth
- Navigating difficult conversations and handling client objections while preserving relationships
- Setting up systems for continuous referral flow
Quarterly Virtual Reinforcement
- Review of progress and key wins
- Peer collaboration and problem solving
- Continuous refinement of strategy
Registration is per-participant and includes the two-day live program plus quarterly virtual reinforcement sessions.
Location: Link to Lodging Information
Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport
1 Bradley International Airport
Windsor Locks, Connecticut, 06096, USA
Hotel is connected to airport by a walking bridge, no need for outside travel.
Breakfast served from 8:30am-9:00am, snacks and lunch also provided. If you are attending and have any food sensitivities, please email Emily@CFTeducation.org so we can be sure to accommodate your needs.
Related Topics
Instructor
Skip Willcox, AMP, CMB

Skip Willcox has spent over 20 years in the mortgage and banking industries. He is recognized as a thought leader and business development expert throughout the country. Through experience, networking... read more.
