JW Marriott Nashville
September 11 – 12, 2023

Pre-Conference Events | Sunday | September 10

9:30 AM – 4:40 PM
Bank Director Certification Workshop

The Bank Director Certification Workshop is a comprehensive training program designed for those new to a bank’s board, or individuals wanting to serve on a bank’s board. This one-day workshop provides participants with a thorough grounding in corporate governance and important industry issues that greatly enhance the performance of individual directors. To view the 2023 workshop agenda, Click Here. To learn more about our Bank Director Certification Program, click here.

8:30 AM – 4:45 PM
Bank Compensation Workshop
Sponsored by: Blanchard Consulting Group and Chartwell Partners
The Bank Compensation Workshop provides an up-to-the minute, hands-on, interactive overview for compensation committee members and Chief Human Resources Officers. The objectives of the pre-conference workshop are to equip participants to perform effectively and sustainably in their roles, to provide confidence in the execution of their duties and to give all attendees context in order to maximize their overall conference experience. View Agenda.

4:45 PM – 5:45 PM
Bank Board Training Forum Welcoming Reception & Registration
We welcome all registered participants of today’s events, as well as those arriving in Nashville for tomorrow’s Forum to a networking reception at the JW Marriott Nashville.

Day One | Monday | September 11

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Breakfast & Registration
Sponsored by: Finance. Risk. Unified.

8:00 AM – 8:05 AM
Day One Welcome
Michelle King, President, Bank Director
Laura Schield, Chief Operating Officer, Bank Director
Bank Director welcomes all attendees to this year’s Bank Board Training Forum in our home city of Nashville, TN.

8:05 AM – 8:35 AM
The State of Our Industry
Curtis Carpenter
, Senior Managing Director, Hovde Group, LLC
In this session, hear the current state of the banking industry and the underlying factors driving change and creating opportunities.

8:35 AM – 9:05 AM
Growth Opportunities For Your Bank
Dan Flaherty
, Managing Director, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC
Eve Rogers
, Audit Partner, Crowe LLP
Moderated by: Michelle King, President, Bank Director
This session focuses on the ways a bank can grow today – from M&A to organic growth – and all of the many ways that each can increase the profitability of your business.

9:05 AM – 9:35 AM
Governance – Responsibilities of Management and the Board
Brian Leibfried
, Head of Client Insights, Performance Trust Capital Partners, LLC
Sydney Menefee
, Partner, Crowe LLP
Leslie Schreiner
, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, FHLBank Atlanta
Moderated by: Emily McCormick, Vice President of Editorial & Research, Bank Director
Culture, composition and governance practices – all of these are critical elements for boards. In this session, we explore ways bank boards can fulfill their oversight role, support management, and maintain the bank’s vision, mission and values.

9:35 AM – 9:55 AM
Refreshment Break

9:55 AM – 10:45 AM
Exclusive CEO, Chairman & Lead Director Peer Exchange: Session 1
During the peer exchange sessions, CEOs, chairmen and lead directors candidly discuss a variety of topics in a private, off-the-record setting. By the end of the conference, each registered attendee will have had the opportunity to participate in all five of the topic exchanges listed below:

Growth Opportunities
Advisor 1: Rick Maroney, Senior Managing Director, Hovde Group, LLC
Advisor 2: Dan Flaherty, Managing Director, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC
Examples of topics discussed include:

  • Are you considering a merger or an acquisition? How has the pandemic and current economic environment affected your consideration?
  • What is your view on bank valuations in your market, and how is that likely to impact your behavior as a potential buyer or seller?
  • Have you discussed a possible acquisition with your primary regulator? If so, what was their reaction?
  • How is your bank viewing big bank competitors in your area, and what impact do they have on your bank? How is your bank positioning itself to respond/prepare?
  • How is your bank dealing with other competitors – even non-bank competitors – and how has this impacted your strategy for growth?

Compensation & Talent
Advisor 1: Laura Hay, Lead Consultant, Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC
Advisor 2: Flynt Gallagher, President, Newcleus Compensation Advisors
Examples of topics discussed include:

  • What are the top compensation-type issues you have faced this year?
  • Has the work environment for your staff changed in the past year, and do you anticipate remote working by any of your bank’s staff in the future?
  • How is that affecting your bank’s culture?
  • How often do you benchmark board pay?
  • What are your talent challenges, and what are you doing to deal with these challenges?
  • How are directors at your bank compensated? What compensation components do you use, and how are they paid?

Legal & Governance
Advisor 1: Kevin Toomey, Partner, Arnold & Porter
Advisor 2: Mark Kanaly, Partner, Alston & Bird LLP
Examples of topics discussed include:

  • Rank the top three regulatory compliance challenges facing your bank. How are management and the board addressing these challenges?
  • How does the board incorporate regulatory compliance into the institution’s business model?
  • How does the board monitor management’s progress in responding to regulatory changes?
  • Who has the ultimate responsibility for strategy at your bank? What is the role of management in setting strategy? What is the role of the board in setting strategy?
  • What communication occurs between the board and all stakeholders with regard to the ongoing performance of the bank and its strategic direction?

Audit & Risk
Advisor 1: Cory Kronheim, Partner, Crowe LLP
Advisor 2: Mark Boettcher, Partner, Baker Tilly US, LLP
Examples of topics discussed include:

  • What are the hardest ris2ks your bank currently faces?
  • How does the board assess this risk – and where does management need to be engaged?
  • What role should the audit committee/risk committee play in setting the risk appetite for the institution?
  • What role should risk governance play in strategic planning?
  • What staffing and resources are devoted to regulatory compliance?

Innovation & Technology
Advisor 1: John Behringer, Partner, Risk Consulting, RSM US LLP
Advisor 2: Anne Arvia, Principal, Cornerstone Advisors, Inc.
Examples of topics discussed include:

  • What is your bank doing to improve the overall customer experience through technology?
  • Has your bank hired a Chief Information Security Officer? If so, who does that person report to, and how frequently do they interact with the board?
  • Who do you primarily rely upon to stay informed about technology trends related to the financial services industry?
  • Do you feel that your board has a sufficient level of expertise regarding technology?
  • Who is responsible for innovation at your bank? Does your bank have a culture of innovation?

9:55 AM – 10:25 AM
Breakout Sessions (select one)
While CEOs, Chairmen and Lead Directors attend Peer Exchange Sessions, members of the board and senior executives select from one of four breakout sessions to attend. Breakout sessions are designed to allow participants to attend committee-focused sessions based on their role on the board and/or their position at the financial institution.

Breakout 1: Bank Director 101: Compensation Primer
Mike Blanchard, CEO, Blanchard Consulting Group
Matt Brei
, President, Blanchard Consulting Group
The Bank Director 101 sessions are for the newer directors in our audience. These sessions focus on the basics that all directors must know as they participate in board meetings. This session is focused on the topic of compensation – and the many facets that a good director needs to understand.

Breakout 2: Finance Data + Risk Quantification = One Version of the Truth
Chris Henkel
, President, Finance. Risk. Unified.
Aaron Taylor
, CEO, Finance. Risk. Unified.
It’s a common refrain: “Today’s economic complexities and headwinds have never been so extreme.” If you’re stuck in react mode and want to get back into strategy mode, let us show you the tools and strategies of bringing together finance and risk out of their typical silos and into a real-time view to help you go beyond simply managing major risk events to actually optimizing them.

Breakout 3: Winning the War for Talent: Strategies for Boards
Alan Kaplan
, Founder & CEO, Kaplan Partners
The battle for top banking talent continues, driven by the country’s workforce demographics and substandard talent management practices at many banking institutions. To win the battle for talent – and new customers – bank boards must support their leadership teams in the quest to enhance their human capital strategies. Learn about evolving best practices and how high performing banks are winning the war for talent.

Breakout 4: AI is a Technology, Not a Strategy
Slaven Bilac
, President & CEO, Agent IQ
This session explores the popularity of AI and how it can have very positive applications in the banking industry when deployed as part of your institution’s strategy. We also share warning signs when trendy tech loses sight of brand reputation and customer experience.

10:35 AM – 11:05 AM
Breakout Sessions (select one)
Breakout sessions continue for members of the board and senior executives attending the Forum. Breakout sessions are designed to allow participants to attend committee-focused sessions based on their role on the board and/or their position at the financial institution.

Breakout 1: Bank Director 101: Audit Primer
Kristin McDonner
, Partner, Crowe LLP
The Bank Director 101 sessions are for the newer directors in our audience. These sessions focus on the basics that all directors must know as they participate in board meetings. This session is focused on the topic of audit – and the many facets that a good director needs to understand.

Breakout 2: How to Ensure Strong and Effective Executive Pay Governance
David Seitz, Managing Director, Pearl Meyer
Executive pay continues to be a hot topic, and strong and effective executive pay governance is critical. You need to manage the risk while ensuring that your pay practices align with your business strategy, performance and culture. Good pay governance requires strong communication amongst the board, management and pay advisors. In this session, we highlight best practices for executive pay governance.

Breakout 3: Banking as a Service Regulatory and Compliance Update
James Stevens
, Partner, Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP
This session discusses the compliance burdens, vendor risk management and corporate governance issues that accompany banking as a service. We also share key takeaways from the BaaS Insights Report for financial institutions that want to offer BaaS.

Breakout 4: Creating a Customer-Focused Sales Culture
Mike Esterday
, CEO & Partner, Integrity Solutions, LLC
Donna Horrigan
, VP Client Development at Integrity Solutions, LLC
Too many bank employees have a poor view of selling, which has a direct impact on new customer acquisition, existing customer accounts and the bank’s reputation. This session explores how shifting mindsets about sales and service and targeting the right skills build the kind of customer-centric culture today’s customers are demanding from the banks they choose to do business with.

10:55 AM – 11:45 AM
Exclusive CEO, Chairman & Lead Director Peer Exchange: Session 2
CEOs, chairmen and lead directors attend the second round of peer exchange sessions facilitated by industry leaders. By the end of the conference, each peer group will have had the opportunity to participate in all five of the topic exchanges listed below:

  • Innovation & Technology
  • Organic Growth and M&A Issues
  • Compensation & Talent Issues
  • Legal & Governance Issues
  • Audit & Risk Issues

11:15 AM – 11:45 AM
Breakout Sessions (select one)
Members of the board and senior executives select from a third round of breakout sessions. These sessions are designed to allow participants to attend committee-focused sessions based on their role on the board and/or their position at the financial institution.

Breakout 1: Bank Director 101: Risk Primer
Bill Franks
, Product Specialist & Counsel, TruStage Compliance Solutions
The Bank Director 101 sessions are for the newer directors in our audience. These sessions focus on the basics that all directors must know as they participate in board meetings. This session is focused on the topic of risks – and the many areas of risk that a good director needs to understand.

Breakout 2: The Audit Committee Agenda
Brandy Buckler
, Partner, FORVIS
Ashley Ensley
, Partner, FORVIS
This session reviews the latest information on best practices related to the audit oversight function.

Breakout 3: The Key To Getting It Right the First Time – Lessons in Nonqualified Retention Plans
Todd Carpenter
, Senior Vice President, NFP
We are experiencing a dramatic workforce transformation. As fast as the industry and regulations are changing, it is impossible for decision makers to keep up on their own. Join this session to discuss some of the top issues – and consequences – banks have encountered when it comes to incentive plans.

Breakout 4: A Director’s Role in Strategy Oversight
Robert Bondy
, Partner, Financial Institutions Practice Leader, Plante Moran
Brian Franey, Partner, Financial Services Industry Group Leader, Plante Moran
The events that occurred over the last 9-12 months necessitated a rapid shift in focus for bank leaders from institutions of all sizes and within every market. With strategy at the forefront of discussions, directors will play a critical role in the evaluation and commitment. As you assess your role, ask yourself, “how are you objectively evaluating management’s strategy?” From obtaining best practices and input from experts to talent retention and monitoring of performance, a well-defined strategy can differentiate an institution. Join this session for insights on how to balance the need to commit to a strategy with the flexibility to make adjustments in a quickly changing market.

11:45 AM – 12:45 PM
Networking Lunch
Sponsored by: ChaseCompGroup, LLC

12:00 PM – 12:30 PM
Building a Team for Future Growth
Mika Mose
r, CEO, At C Level, LLC
Frank Sorrentino, Chair & CEO, ConnectOne Bank
Moderated by: Michelle King, President, Bank Director
We all know talent that is hard to find. So, what does it take to grow your team internally? What attributes should leaders be focused on? And how does this talent align with your bank’s overall strategy? Join us during this panel discussion as we hear from three industry leaders on what they have done to not only build their team to meet today’s goals – but what they are doing to build their team for long-term, future growth.

12:45 PM – 1:35 PM
Exclusive CEO, Chairman & Lead Director Peer Exchange: Session 3
CEOs, chairmen and lead directors attend the third round of peer exchange sessions facilitated by industry leaders. By the end of the conference, each peer group will have had the opportunity to participate in all five of the topic exchanges listed below:

  • Audit & Risk Issues
  • Innovation & Technology – Challenges & Opportunities
  • Organic Growth and M&A Issues
  • Compensation & Talent Issues
  • Legal & Governance Issues

12:45 PM – 1:15 PM
Breakout Sessions (select one)
Members of the board and senior executives select from an additional round of breakout sessions. These sessions are designed to allow participants to attend committee-focused sessions based on their role on the board and/or their position at the financial institution.

Breakout 1: Bank Director 101: M&A Primer
Brian Palmer
, President, Olsen Palmer LLC
The Bank Director 101 sessions are for the newer directors in our audience. These sessions focus on the basics that all directors must know as they participate in board meetings. This session is focused on the topic of mergers & acquisitions – and the many facets that a good director needs to understand.

Breakout 2: Who is Using Your Liquidity and Capital, and Are You Getting Paid for It?
Scott Earwood
, Director of Community Solutions, White Clay
Mac Thompson
, President & Founder, White Clay
Liquidity and capital are becoming scarce resources in our evolving economy. This session provides insights to optimize how your bank invests liquidity and capital with your clients to maximize shareholder return.

Breakout 3: Building a Cannabis Line of Business in an Emerging Market
Stacy Litke, VP, Banking Programs, Green Check Verified
Traci Smith, Treasury Sales Director, Cogent Bank
In this session, we offer an inside look at Florida-based Cogent Bank’s cannabis program and the steps they have taken to adapt to the U.S.’s largest and most lucrative medical-only cannabis market. We also discuss the foundations of a future-proofed, best-in-class program while exploring customer acquisition, meeting examiner expectations and balancing growth with compliance.

Breakout 4: Executive Pay Programs: Retention and Motivation in a Down Market
Dan Kaufman
, Partner, Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC
This session discusses tools for how to address retention concerns and motivate performance in the midst of a challenging environment following the banking crisis.

1:25 PM – 1:55 PM
Breakout Sessions (select one)
Members of the board and senior executives select from an additional round of breakout sessions. These sessions are designed to allow participants to attend committee-focused sessions based on their role on the board and/or their position at the financial institution.

Breakout 1: Bank Director 101: Technology Primer
Peter Brady, National Financial Services Leader, RSM US LLP
The Bank Director 101 sessions are for the newer directors in our audience. These sessions focus on the basics that all directors must know as they participate in board meetings. This session is focused on the topic of technology – and the many facets that a good director needs to understand.

Breakout 2: How Banks Should Make the Decision to Buy or Sell
Peter Weinstock, Partner, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
Beth Whitaker
, Partner, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
Decisions made even before bankers engage with the other side foretell the likelihood for success. Economic factors such as AOCI, credit and interest rate marks on loans, deposit decay, core deposit intangibles and other variables have to be considered from the different viewpoints of sellers and buyers. This session discusses various strategies for the boards of both sellers and buyers in order to play the negotiating game in the most effective manner.

Breakout 3: Section 1071: Understanding the Final Rule and Compliance Impacts
Bill Franks, Product Specialist & Counsel, TruStage Compliance Solutions
Kendall Van Ameyde
, Product Specialist & Counsel, TruStage Compliance Solutions
In this session, we discuss the CFPB’s final rule on Section 1071, including impacts to financial institutions and their customers and what financial institutions can do to ensure compliance as they prepare for upcoming effective dates.

Breakout 4: IncentiveCompensation Post-SVB
Bryan Lemke, Associate Partner, McLagan
This session focuses on lessons learned from the failures in 2023. What was similar? And more importantly, what was different in 2023 from the Great Recession. Come and hear practical advice for how to manage incentive compensation going forward.

1:45 PM – 2:35 PM
Exclusive CEO, Chairman & Lead Director Peer Exchange: Session 4
CEOs, chairmen and lead directors attend the fourth round of peer exchange sessions facilitated by industry leaders. By the end of the conference, each peer group will have had the opportunity to participate in all five of the topic exchanges listed below:

  • Legal & Governance Issues
  • Audit & Risk Issues
  • Innovation & Technology – Challenges & Opportunities
  • Organic Growth and M&A Issues
  • Compensation & Talent Issues

2:05 PM – 2:35 PM
Breakout Sessions (select one)
Members of the board and senior executives select from an additional round of breakout sessions. These sessions are designed to allow participants to attend committee-focused sessions based on their role on the board and/or their position at the financial institution.

Breakout 1: Bank Director 101: Governance Primer
The Bank Director 101 sessions are the newer directors in our audience. These sessions focus on the basics that all directors must know as they participate in board meetings. This session is focused on the best practices of board oversight and succession.

Breakout 2: Bank Valuations in a Post-SVB Environment
Andrew Gibbs
, Senior Vice President, Mercer Capital
With the failure of Silicon Valley Bank in March 2023, valuations of publicly-traded bank stocks entered a period of heightened volatility. We separate the market noise from factors that may affect community bank valuations – both public and private – over the next few years.

Breakout 3: Checking all the Boxes: More Community Banks Making Solar Tax Credit Investments
Joshua Miller
, CEO, The KeyState Companies
Eric Newell, EVP, Chief Financial Officer, Equity Bank
While financing renewable energy has long been seen as mainly the domain of larger banks and corporations, solar tax equity investments can offer community banks an attractive inroad into renewable energy. The investment can help a bank meet its ESG goals, offers a compelling return profile and GAAP earnings impact and, in some cases, can qualify for CRA.

Breakout 4: What Compensation Committees Need to Know to Design Effective Incentive Plans in the Current Economic Environment
Shaun Bisman
, Principal, Compensation Advisory Partners
Mike Bonner, Principal, Compensation Advisory Partners
In this session, we cover the strategies effective compensation committees employ to ensure incentive plans support the bank’s strategic objectives and culture, are competitive in the current talent environment and create alignment between executives and shareholder value. We also discuss the committee’s role in annual and long-term incentive plan design, best practices for assessing performance and ongoing monitoring of incentive plans.

2:35 PM – 2:55 PM
Refreshment Break
After the refreshment break, participants of the Bank Board Training Forum come back together for general sessions.

2:55 PM – 3:25 PM
Effects of the 2023 Banking Crisis on Compensation Committee Oversight
Laura Hay
, Lead Consultant, Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC
Daniel Rodda
, Partner, Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC
The 2023 bank failures and current environment creates new challenges for compensation committees. Regulators and legislators are heightening their expectations for committee oversight and governance, while the challenging environment continues to put stress on incentive plans. This session provides guidance on developing appropriate frameworks to incorporate lessons learned from the 2023 crisis within the compensation committee.

3:25 PM – 3:55 PM
Point/Counterpoint Debate
Gayle Appelbaum
, Partner, McLagan
Eric Corrigan, Senior Managing Director, Commerce Street Capital, LLC
Craig Sanders, Partner, Moss Adams LLP
Moderated by: Laura Schield, Chief Operating Officer, Bank Director
This session is not like any you have ever seen before – our most outspoken and opinionated speakers join Bank Director for a spirited discussion related to the most interesting and polarizing issues in today’s industry!

3:55 PM – 4:35 PM
Strong Board. Strong Bank.
Cindy Finnie
, Chair of the Board, First Fed Bank
Thomas Flynn
, Vice Chairman, HTLF Bank
Peter Smith
, Chair of the Board, CNB Bank
Moderated by: Naomi Snyder, Editor-in-Chief, Bank Director
As the head of the board of directors, a non-executive chairperson or lead independent director focuses on oversight of management. While not taking an active role in everyday management, he or she sets the board’s agenda and focuses on overall board engagement. With this in mind, we invite the perspectives of three leading bank chairs to discuss the challenges and opportunities they see community banks facing today – and how building a strong board impacts the growth of a strong bank.

4:35 PM – 5:35 PM
Networking Peer & Guest Reception
Sponsored by: Derivative Path, Inc.

DAY TWO | TUESDAY | SEPTEMBER 12

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Breakfast

8:00 AM – 8:05 AM
Day Two: Welcome
Michelle King, President, Bank Director
Laura Schield, Chief Operating Officer, Bank Director

8:05 AM – 8:35 AM
Operational Resilience – The Shift from Protecting Business Value to Creating Business Value
Stephanie White, Senior Manager, Crowe LLP
In recent years, the banking industry has demonstrated tremendous resiliency, undergoing rapid transformation to serve customers during Covid and in the post-Covid world. This session focuses on approaches to protect value but also transitioning to creating value for the bank and its shareholders. This discussion provides insights into business continuity, disaster recovery and incident response involved in developing a resiliency structure to establish a strong foundation to innovate to create business value for the future to support profitability, growth and viability.

8:35 AM – 8:50 AM
Addressing the Challenging Compensation Landscape
Scott Petty
, Partner, Chartwell Partners
Emily McCormick
, Vice President of Editorial & Research, Bank Director
In this session, we share insights from our annual Compensation Survey.

8:50 AM – 9:20 AM
More Than Money – How To Recruit & Retain Top Talent Through Leadership Development
Dr. Julie Bell
, Leadership Advisory, Chartwell Partners
The war for talent continues, even in the midst of market turmoil. Many banks struggle with recruiting the right talent and, more importantly, retaining top talent. Money is not the only way to increase retention. Learn key insights into creating a high performing team with long term tenure. Sport psychologist, Dr. Julie Bell, tells stories of top performing athletes, coaches of championship teams and successful business leaders. From Formula One to baseball to college sports, the top teams are not always the ones with the biggest budget and most desirable location.

9:20 AM – 9:50 AM
What’s New In Your Tech Stack?
Garrett Adams
, General Manager, Small Business & Treasury Management, nCino
Mac Thompson
, President & Founder, White Clay
Deep Varma
, Chief Technology Officer, Alkami Technology, Inc.
Moderated by: Kiah Haslett, Banking & Fintech Editor, Bank Director
Fintech strategies can provide new avenues for growth for community and regional banks – and that has some banks considering options that fall outside traditional growth. This session focuses on new ideas you should consider to enhance your technology strategy.

9:50 AM – 10:05 AM
Refreshment Break

10:05 AM – 10:55 AM
Exclusive CEO, Chairman & Lead Director Peer Exchange: Session 5
CEOs, chairmen and lead directors attend the final round of peer exchange sessions facilitated by industry leaders.

  • Compensation & Talent Issues
  • Legal & Governance Issues
  • Audit & Risk Issues
  • Innovation & Technology – Challenges & Opportunities
  • Organic Growth and M&A Issues

10:05 AM – 10:35 AM
Breakout Sessions (select one)
Members of the board and senior executives select from day-two breakout sessions. These sessions are designed to allow participants to attend committee-focused sessions based on their role on the board and/or their position at the financial institution.

Breakout 1: Bank Director 101: Board Performance Surveys & Evaluations
Kimberly Ellwanger
, Chair of the Governance & Nominations Committee, Heritage
Financial Corporation
Greg Maurer,
Chair of the Board, The National Bank of Indianapolis
Kimberly Ellwanger, Director, Heritage Financial Corporation
Moderated by: Emily McCormick, Vice President of Editorial & Research, Bank Director
The Bank Director 101 sessions are for the newer directors in our audience. These sessions focus on the basics that all directors must know as they participate in board meetings. In this session, new directors learn about the basics related to overall board performance and evaluation of the board.

Breakout 2: Risky Business: CEO and Executive Succession
Kathy Baron,
Vice President, Pearl Meyer
The primary role of the board is hiring the CEO and ensuring a smooth succession process. The stakes are high and even thoughtful plans can go astray. Effective executive succession planning extends beyond the CEO to other critical roles in the bank. Join us as we highlight best practices for CEO and executive succession planning.

Breakout 3: The Board’s Role in Overseeing Credit Quality in More Stressful Times
David Ruffin
, Principal, IntelliCredit, A Division of QwickRate
This session explores the complementary but distinct roles of the board and management and practical suggestions on how those roles can be successfully managed. Regulatory expectations are addressed as well as meeting fiduciary duties and strategic imperatives. We also discuss stress testing limits and techniques and strategies to manage and control CRE and other asset-liability concentrations will be emphasized.

Breakout 4: Avoiding Legal Pitfalls for a Successful Compensation Program in 2024
Constance Brewster
, Partner, Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP
Emily Zimmer
, Partner, Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP
A successful compensation program motivates and retains current employees while attracting new ones. However, there are many legal and compliance issues to keep in mind when developing your bank’s unique strategy. Join this session to discuss the most important pitfalls to avoid in 2024.

10:45 AM – 11:15 AM
Bank M&A: Market Update and Deal Pricing
Christopher Olsen
, Managing Partner, Olsen Palmer LLC
This session explores deal pricing including where valuations have been, where pricing currently stands and what the future may hold. The session also addresses sale valuation methodologies and best practices and what factors add to and detract from a bank’s sale value.

11:15 AM – 11:55 AM
Perspectives of the CEO: What’s Working, What’s Not
Billy Carroll
, Founder, President & CEO, SmartBank
Anne Tangen
, President & CEO, BankFive
Moderated by: Jack Milligan, Editor-at-Large, Bank Director
The financial industry continues to evolve based on many factors: the state of our economy, finding the right talent, technology enhancements and consumer demands, just to name a few. What opportunities should banks consider as they plan for future growth? During this session, hear from two bank CEOs with various strategic models to discuss the opportunities they see on the horizon.

11:55 AM – 12:00 PM
Closing Remarks
Michelle King, President, Bank Director