Agenda

Saturday, January 30

5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Welcoming Reception & Registration
While winter grips much of the country, we’ve found early evening in Arizona to be a welcome change for many joining us. Catch up with old friends and make new connections as we welcome all registered participants to the kick-off reception.

Day One | Sunday, January 31

Exploring Your Growth Options
While many recognize the consolidating nature of the financial sector, it’s not only the number of banks that has changed; the competitive dynamics of our industry have changed too. On the first day of the Acquire or Be Acquired Conference, we surface a number of key issues, concerns and concepts for 2021 and beyond.

7:30 AM – 8:45 AM
Registration & Breakfast

8:45 AM – 9:00 AM
Calling All Optimists
Al Dominick, CEO, Bank Director
The world has changed since we last convened in the Arizona desert. As the economic, environmental and technological events of the past twelve months made abundantly clear, staying relevant and competitive pose a real challenge for many. Nonetheless, opportunities for leaders across the industry exist. To welcome participants, those in person and those joining via BankDirector.com, we share some positives for 2021.

9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
The State of the Industry
This session takes a 30,000-foot perspective on the current operating environment.

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
When Shareholder Value and Technology Collide
Steve Williams, President & Partner, Cornerstone Advisors, Inc.
Bank executives are beginning to view Big Tech and fintech disruptors as a more significant long-term threat than other financial institutions and this strategic threat has become more significant after the events of 2020. Hear insights about the impact that tech-driven competition will have on growth strategies and our ability to create sustainable shareholder value. The next decade is likely to decide which banks make it through this strategic shift.

10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Refreshment Break

10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
The Resurgence of MOEs
Bill Burgess, Managing Director, Co-Head of Financial Services Investment Banking, Piper Sandler Companies
David Sandler, Managing Director, Co-Head of Financial Services Investment Banking, Piper Sandler Companies
Given the current challenges that most banks face in this low-interest rate and low growth environment, the importance of size and scale has never been more critical. The industry witnessed a wave of low-premium bank mergers pre-COVID, and we expect a resurgence in 2021 Q2 onward. In this panel discussion, we discuss why we expect “Merger-of-Equals” to become more prevalent and how you can prepare for and take full advantage of this strategic opportunity.

11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
The Drive to Build Scale
Josh Glover, Chief Revenue Officer, nCino
As bankers carefully consider capital and balance sheet management, we look at how banks might better leverage cost savings and the drive for scale to realize technology benefits and new growth opportunities.

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Private vs. Public M&A Considerations
Matt Veneri, Head of Investment Banking, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC
Moderated by: Jack Milligan, Editor-at-Large, Bank Director
In many financial mergers, the primary assets to preserve are the people. But the nature of being a public company necessitates different considerations than those that are private. In this session, we juxtapose issues that might accelerate, or unfortunately inhibit, getting a deal done.

12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
Lunch

1:15 PM – 2:00 PM
Breakout Sessions (select one)

Breakout I: How to Successfully Gear Up for a Deal
Mike Daniels, President & CEO, Nicolet National Bank
Kirk Hovde, Managing Principal & Head of Investment Banking, Hovde Group, LLC
The most successful acquirers are typically the best prepared acquirers. This session provides real-world advice on a best-in-practice approach to M&A and how to successfully prepare and execute an acquisition from start to finish.

Breakout II: The Bankers Perspective: Negotiating Technology Contracts Before & During Your Next Deal
Ryan Rackley, Partner, Cornerstone Advisors, Inc.
Negotiating accretive value savings within technology contracts starts well before the transaction and can also be accomplished during the M&A event itself. Practical application of negotiation techniques during and even leading into an M&A event will be discussed. This session covers how to make progress in a chaotic business environment, negotiating best practices, key negotiation value drivers and a scenario walk through of a merger of equals technology stack negotiation.

Breakout III: Seeing Across the Abyss: How to Get Your Bank to the Other Side
Beth Whitaker, Partner, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
In response to the pandemic, financial institutions should take steps to see that robust strategies are in place. Topics to be covered include credit administration, risk mitigation, regulatory expectations, loan underwriting, portfolio management, Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (ALLL) and critical elements of problem loan management. The presenters also reflect on capital, accounting, liquidity, stress testing, earnings, people and examination considerations that every bank must keep top-of-mind.

2:15 PM – 3:00 PM
Breakout Sessions (select one)

Breakout I: What You & Your Board Need to Know for 2021
This breakout continues the “Need to Know” series that has consistently been a popular highlight at this conference for the last several years. Gain practical insight on what CEOs and directors need to know to succeed in 2021 and beyond.

Breakout II: Beyond the Exchange Ratio: Developing a Successful Peer Merger
With predictions of continued depressed interest rates and intense competition for loans, the case for strategic mergers of community banks as a way to drive efficiency and gain scale has never been stronger. However, the financial terms are only the beginning in such a transaction. This session addresses the common stumbling blocks in peer mergers and the best indicators of successful transactions.

Breakout III: The Evolving Landscape of International Payments and Foriegn Exchange for Regional and Community Banks
This session covers the changing landscape of cross-border payments: from opaque correspondent bank models with back-office cost centers, to revenue generating front-office programs that look to be more transparent and competitive, and bringing their foriegn exchange (FX) in-house. Technology disruptors and non-bank providers are helping financial institutions explore these transformations.

Breakout IV: Looking Ahead: M&A Opportunities Post COVID-19
Robert Flowers, Partner, Stinson LLP
Adam Maier, Partner, Stinson LLP
Despite clear challenges, well-positioned banks will have significant opportunities on the M&A front in 2021. This presentation includes real-world advice focusing on how purchasers can be well-prepared to be acquisitive in 2021 and the heightened awareness that must be exhibited in this new world, particularly from the due diligence and regulatory approval aspects of the process.

3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Refreshment Break

3:30 PM – 4:10 PM
Breakout Sessions (select one)

Breakout I: Sharing in the Dream: How to Create and Capture Wealth for Executives in an M&A Event
Anthony Eppert, Partner, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
Brian Marek, Partner, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
There are many alternatives to consider when designing compensatory arrangements (including severance, change-in-control, bonus and equity awards agreements). To that end, this session covers: how to identify the right key employees; things to consider before a change-in-control transaction is imminent; the shareholders’ perspective, including the impact of equity on dilution; the attractiveness to the buyer of certain pay structures; and designing plans that maximize the amounts paid to executives.

Breakout II: Valuation Lessons Learned From Credit Union & Bank Transactions
In recent years, credit unions (CUs) have been increasingly active as acquirers in whole bank and branch transactions. This session focuses on the top considerations for CUs when assessing and valuing bank and branch franchises in the current environment. For bankers, this session should enhance your knowledge regarding how CUs identify potential targets, assess potential opportunities and risks of a bank or branch acquisition and ultimately determine a valuation range for target banks and branches.

Breakout III: What Role Does Your Compliance Partner Play in Your Bank’s Digital Transformation Strategy?
Growing sustainable customer relationships requires your bank to focus on a comprehensive, digitally enabled experience. A trusted compliance partner can provide industry thought leadership, guidance and technology to enable your organization’s digital transformation strategy. Attend this session to learn how a proven compliance partner can help you advance your organization.

4:30 PM – 5:15 PM
Breakout Sessions (select one)

Breakout I: Maximizing the SBA Opportunity During Challenging Times
Brian Carlson, President & CEO, SBA Complete, Inc.
SBA loan volume has stayed near record highs in recent years; with the current state of the world we’re seeing tremendous need for capital by Main Street across the country. Learn how adding, growing and scaling an SBA lending division to your institution can increase fee income, build your lending portfolio while minimizing risk and attract new customers.

Breakout II: What Yogi-isms Teach Us About Transactions Between Banks and Credit Unions
Justin Gingerich, Partner, Howard & Howard
Joseph Silvia, Partner, Howard & Howard
While the thought of linking up with a credit union to do a deal is anathema to banks, these deals are happening and credit unions have emerged as competitive buyers. In many cases, strategic transactions with credit unions can make economic and business sense. This presentation addresses the various business and regulatory aspects of these transactions, as well as the potential challenges and benefits.

Breakout III: Leveraging Data to Drive Financial Value
Steven Poynot, Chief Information Officer & EVP, Howard Bank
Kimberly Snyder, CEO & Founder, KlariVis
Banks undergo mergers and acquisitions for various reasons; however, at its core, an M&A transaction is largely about realizing the economic benefits generated with the consolidation. This session features a discussion of the data challenges presented with a merger or acquisition. Discover strategies to mitigate the challenges, thereby unleashing the power of your data to drive financial value to the combined entity.

5:15 PM – 6:30 PM
Networking Peer & Guest Reception

Day Two | Monday, February 1

7:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Breakfast

9:00 AM – 9:15 AM
The Big Picture of Banking
Jack Milligan, Editor-at-Large, Bank Director
As we open our second full day of the conference, Bank Director’s Editor-at-Large covers the most interesting banking concepts we have surfaced in recent years and discusses upcoming trends and issues.

9:15 AM – 9:45 AM
Understanding the Value of Your Bank
Curtis Carpenter, Senior Managing Director, Hovde Group, LLC
Has the value of your bank changed in the past year? How do the pandemic, zero interest rate environment and fluctuating banks stock prices combine to affect the value of your community bank? Is the answer different for rural and urban banks? Explore the answers to these and other questions in this fast-paced, data-driven segment.

9:45 AM – 10:15 AM
RankingBanking Panel
Scott Dueser, Chairman, President & CEO, First Financial Bankshares, Inc.
George Gleason, Chairman & CEO, Bank of the Ozarks, Inc.
Moderated by: Emily McCormick, Vice President of Research, Bank Director
Based on the latest iteration of Bank Director’s RankingBanking study, we provide a sneak peek at the results of the long-term performers that weathered – and even outperformed through – the financial crisis. Now, hear directly from some of the banks that topped our list.

10:15 AM – 10:45 AM
Refreshment Break

10:45 AM – 11:30 AM
Breakout Sessions (select one)

Breakout I: The Future of Banking – The Four C’s
Bill Gleason, Head of PNC FIG Advisory Group, The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.
Post-COVID, there is expected to be a wave of consolidation in the regional and community bank segments. PNC shares perspectives on banks operating in a mostly digital world and navigating their evolving roles in (1) competition, (2) collaboration, (3) conversion and (4) consolidation to shape the future of banking.

Breakout II: Maximizing M&A Value Proposition
This session delves into the ways leveraging a modern digital framework can yield benefits today – and in the future. Additionally, banks that make an investment in modernizing their architecture now stand to see greater value realization in their next transaction via less costly and more seamless integrations – as both buyers and sellers.

Breakout III: Balancing Act: Utilizing Swaps to Protect and Enhance the Margin
Mark Cvrkel, EVP, Chief Financial Officer, Kish Bank
Bob Newman, Managing Director, Chatham Financial
With the recent return to rock-bottom interest rates, banks with access to derivatives are better equipped to make every basis point count. During this session a banking executive will join us to share how his financial institution takes advantage of swaps to manage rate sensitivity, reduce funding costs and win competitive commercial loan business.

11:30 AM – 12:45 PM
Lunch

12:45 PM – 1:30 PM
Breakout Sessions (select one)

Breakout I: Understanding (and Winning) the Small Business Lending Game in 2021
Jorge Sun, CEO & Co-Founder, LendingFront
Small business borrowers are reassessing relationships with their banks and forcing them to adapt both their processes and products to better meet their needs. To preserve these relationships, banks must ensure that capital continues flowing while simultaneously managing risk. This session covers how community banks can easily assess the creditworthiness of different types of small businesses and solve “the data challenge” associated with small business lending.

1:45 PM – 2:15 PM
How Much Risk Can You Accept?
Moderated by: Jack Milligan, Editor-at-Large, Bank Director
Disruption poses opportunities but also presents challenges as new prospects come with potential hurdles. While leadership teams must first acknowledge and then address current disruptions, this session explores upsides and their associated risks.

2:15 PM – 2:45 PM
What Is My Bank’s Regulatory Strategy?
C. Robert Monroe, Partner, Stinson LLP
Moderated by: Jack Milligan, Editor-at-Large, Bank Director
Given the recent election, hear what these leading attorneys believe should be your bank’s regulatory strategy as you look toward the next four years.

2:45 PM – 3:15 PM
Refreshment Break

3:15 PM – 3:30 PM
M&A Survey Results
Emily McCormick, Vice President of Research, Bank Director
Peer insight takes many forms; at Acquire or Be Acquired, we share the results of our annual M&A research efforts in such a way that participants learn what their contemporaries envision for 2021 as part of a fast-paced, fifteen-minute general session.

3:30 PM – 4:00 PM
General Session
Scott Studwell, Managing Director, Head of Equity Capital Markets and Head of US Depositories, Stephens, Inc.

4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Learning from the Past & Looking Towards the Future
As CEOs and their boards wrestle with competitive pressures and explore new paths to remain relevant, we look to the recent past to better prepare for the immediate future.

4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Networking Peer & Guest Reception

Day Three | Tuesday, February 2

7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Breakfast

9:00 AM – 9:15 AM
The Ability to Change Is Your Best Competitive Advantage
Al Dominick, CEO, Bank Director
To open day three, we bring five examples of companies in the United States affecting change. These are not financial services providers; however, their ability to evolve and meet emerging customer needs should inspire those looking for their next strategic opportunity.

9:15 AM – 9:45 AM
2020: The Year the World Changed – What’s Next for Industry Consolidation?
In the last year the world changed drastically. How will the industry change? Will consolidation accelerate? If so, how will deals happen?

9:45 AM – 10:15 AM
Looking Ahead: Life After PPP
Moderated by: Al Dominick, CEO, Bank Director

10:15 AM – 10:45 AM
Bank Director’s Annual L. William Seidman Panel
Moderated by: Al Dominick, CEO, Bank Director
Former FDIC chairman and Bank Director’s publisher, the late L. William Seidman, advocated for a strong and healthy U.S. banking market. In his memory, we annually convene a panel of bank CEOs to explore a number of timely and relevant issues. This year’s session focuses on what these CEOs are thinking about the next four years given regulatory expectations, economic indicators and the future of banking after November’s Presidential Election.

12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
L. William Seidman Annual Acquire or Be Acquired Golf Tournament
Sponsored by: FHLBank Atlanta
Enjoy the afternoon playing golf with your peers. While the tournament is FREE to registered conference attendees, space is limited. Reserve your spot today!

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Closing Peer & Guest Reception
Sponsored by: FHLBank Atlanta