Hunt Business Team Advances to National Finals in CSBS Case Competition
The Big Picture
A team of ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Banking Academy students has advanced to the final round of the 2026 CSBS Community Bank Case Study Competition, earning a spot as one of five finalist teams nationwide.
The competition challenges students to analyze real-world issues facing community banks and present recommendations grounded in banking strategy, financial analysis and economic conditions.
Why It Matters
This year’s case study focuses on interest rate risk, lending decisions, inflation since 2020 and capital strategy — requiring students to connect classroom knowledge with applied banking analysis.
For Hunt Business, advancing to the finals reflects the strength of the Banking Academy’s applied learning model and the value of close industry partnership.
The Team
ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½’s finalist team includes four undergraduate Banking Academy students:
- Luis Carcamo Jimenez
- Valeria Flores
- Andrea M. Granados Cota
- Viviana Zambrano
- Team advisor: Prithu Vatsa, Ph.D.
Industry Partnership
The team worked closely with WestStar professionals throughout the case study process.
WestStar provided industry context, answered student questions and helped the team strengthen its analysis and recommendations through direct engagement with banking leaders.
WestStar professionals who supported the team included:
Yvonne Dorado
Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer
Liliana Miranda, CPA
Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial Banking Officer
John Morales
Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer
Claudia Rodriguez, CIA, CFE, CERP
Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer
Lee Rodriguez
Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer
Socorro Rodriguez, CPA
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Michelle York
Vice President, Credit Risk Officer
What’s Next
Winners will be announced during the 2026 CSBS Community Bank Case Study Competition livestream.
WestStar will host a private watch party at WestStar Tower in Downtown El ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ as Banking Academy students, Hunt Business leadership and industry partners gather to await the results.
Last Updated on May 11, 2026 at 1:45 PM | Originally published May 11, 2026
Posted by Hunt Creative
