Agenda

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Registration & Breakfast
Sponsored by:  Fiserv

8:00 AM – 8:15 AM
Welcome: Exploring Your Growth Options
Michelle King, CEO, Bank Director
Laura Schield, President & COO, Bank Director
While Acquire or Be Acquired began 32 years ago as an M&A conference, AOBA, as it has become known, is about exploring ALL of your bank’s growth options. As we welcome participants to Phoenix to kick off this year’s event, Michelle and Laura share new ideas to build your bank’s short and long-term strategies.

8:15 AM – 9:05 AM
The State of Banking 2026
Thomas Michaud, President & CEO, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, A Stifel Company
A highlight of this annual event, this session focuses on the industry’s fundamentals, bank and non-bank competition, what macro and regulatory forces are at work and where the industry stands on its 40 year consolidation path.

9:05 AM – 9:45 AM
An Outlook on the Banking Landscape
Mark Kanaly, Partner, Alston & Bird LLP
Brian Leibfried, Head of Client Insights, Performance Trust Capital Partners, LLC
Mandi Simpson, Partner, Crowe LLP
Moderated by: Nathan Stovall, Director of Financial Institutions Research, S&P Global Market Intelligence
As the banking industry evolves in response to economic and regulatory changes, how can banks prepare for the future? In this panel discussion, industry experts share insights on what to expect from Washington and the government’s influence on businesses – highlighting key impacts on the banking industry.

9:45 AM – 10:25 AM
Strong Board. Strong Bank.
Meg Tahyar, Head of Financial Institutions Group & Partner, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
Matt Veneri, Head of Investment Banking and Managing Director, Financial Institutions Group, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC
Additional Speaker to be Announced
Moderated by: Jim McAlpin, Board Member, Bank Director
Bank Director is focused on strong boards and strong banks, so what can you do to strengthen your bank both financially and operationally? Learn from three leaders in the industry as they share best practices and lessons learned.

10:25 AM – 10:45 AM
Refreshment Break

10:45 AM – 11:25 AM
Breakout Sessions (select one)
Participants have the opportunity to select one of seven breakout sessions to attend.  Sessions to be announced.

Breakout 2: What the Board Needs to Know in 2026
Robert Fleetwood, Partner & Co-Chair of Financial Institutions Group, Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP
Al Laufenberg, Managing Director, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, A Stifel Company
This breakout session continues the “Need to Know” series that has consistently been a popular highlight at this conference for many years.  Gain practical insight into what CEOs and directors need to know in 2026 and beyond.

Breakout 4:  Banking On Uncertainty
Jeffrey Berg, Associate Managing Director, Financial Institutions, Moody’s Ratings
Megan Fox, Vice President, Senior Credit Officer, Financial Institutions, Moody’s Ratings
Banks are facing uncertainty on several fronts: macroeconomy, geopolitics, regulation and the competitive landscape. Moody’s Ratings offers its outlook on U.S. banks and discusses the latest trends affecting the industry.

Breakout 5:  Community and Regional Banks: Buy, Sell or Reinvent
Rahul Chandarana, EY-Parthenon Americas Banking & Capital Markets Sector Leader – Partner, EY
This session examines survival strategies for community and regional players, focusing on niche dominance, M&A-driven scale and technology-based reinvention in a competitive market.

Breakout 6:  Strategic Capital Allocation in an Era of Consolidation
Matt Forgotson, Managing Director, Performance Trust Capital Partners, LLC
Since 1990, 65% of FDIC-insured banks have disappeared. Attendees of this session will learn the cause and potential solution: a disciplined decision-making process that sets all marginal capital allocation options, ranging from organic loan growth to opportunistic M&A, on a level playing field. Those willing to embrace a more complete analytical view can help protect and potentially even accelerate their missions.

11:40 AM – 12:20 PM
Scaling with Stability
Speaker to be Announced, Cornerstone Advisors
Nikhil Lele, EY Americas Consulting Banking and Capital Markets Leader, EY
Christopher Olsen, Managing Partner, Olsen Palmer LLC
Moderated by: Sal Inserra, Senior Advisor, Bank Director
How do you successfully scale your bank?  You must consider capital raising, deposit growth, talent development, succession planning and more!

12:10 PM – 1:30 PM
Networking Peer & Guest Lunch

12:40 PM – 1:20 PM
Lunch & Learn Sessions (select one)
Lunch & Learn sessions allow participants to learn about a shared topic of interest over lunch.  Six sessions run concurrently – attendees may select one to attend. Sessions to be announced.

Lunch & Learn Session 1:  Charting the Future: A Blueprint for CEO Succession Success
Julie Bell, Leadership Advisory, Chartwell Partners
Scott Petty, Managing Partner, Chartwell Partners
Succession planning isn’t just about replacing leaders—it’s about securing your organization’s future, especially in times of transformation. In this strategic session, we explore ways to build a strong CEO succession plan, with a particular focus on periods of transition, including mergers and acquisitions. Learn how to proactively manage executive succession to minimize disruption, maintain continuity and preserve organizational value during deal-making.

Lunch & Learn Session 2:  Implementing a Profitable Growth Strategy for Today and Tomorrow
Brett Rawls, Head of Client Engagement, Profit Resources, Inc.
Growth shouldn’t be just about getting bigger.  As your institution expands, consider these questions: Are you improving results and building lasting value?  Are you increasing low-cost deposits, diversifying loans and leveraging technology for efficient growth?  Can you adapt to economic changes?  This session explores strategies to align bank profitability with asset growth.

Lunch & Learn Session 3:  Stop Leaving Money on the Table: Tools and Strategies for Relationship Banking
Scott Earwood, Head of Community Bank Division, White Clay
Relationships are key to community banking. How do you build relationships that ensure value for both the client and the shareholder? The session provides key insights on building relationship-level profitability, optimally using relationship pricing tools in the sales process and sharing banker stories of how this is being executed.

Lunch & Learn Session 4:  Your Finance Team: The critical link between Strategic Planning and Execution
Bryan Ridgway, Director of Performance Management Solutions, Empyrean Solutions, LLC
Ed Young, Managing Director, Empyrean Solutions, LLC
In today’s volatile banking landscape, having a strategic plan isn’t enough. The gap between strategy and execution is where most financial institutions struggle. Your finance organization isn’t just about numbers – it’s the strategic nerve center that when properly positioned, becomes the critical link between visionary planning, risk assessment and measurable results.

1:30 PM – 2:10 PM
What Is Your Bank Worth?
Curtis Carpenter, Senior Managing Director, Hovde Group, LLC
When it is time to sell, you want the highest value for your bank possible.  But what is the current value of your bank – and are there ways to increase its value?  Learn about bank valuation in today’s market during this featured conference session.

2:10 PM – 2:30 PM
General Session: 2026 Technology Update
Gregory Adelson, President & CEO, Jack Henry
Emily McCormick, Vice President of Editorial & Research, Bank Director
Learn how smart financial institutions invest in technology, leverage data and explore use cases for artificial intelligence by discovering key insights from Bank Director’s 2025 Technology Survey.

2:45 PM – 3:25 PM
Breakout Sessions (select one)
Participants may select one of seven concurrent breakout sessions to attend. Sessions to be announced.

Breakout 1:  Inside the Deal: M&A Insights for Closely Held Financial Institutions
Blake Crowe, Partner, Eide Bailly LLP
Michael Holdren, Partner, Eide Bailly LLP
This session provides a strategic overview of the M&A process, designed explicitly for family-owned and privately-held financial institutions. Attendees gain insights from both buy and sell-side perspectives. Key topics include identifying and evaluating potential partners, marketing a bank for sale, assessing value and pricing, navigating legal and tax structuring, preparing regulatory applications, understanding acquisition accounting and managing post-deal capital impact.

Breakout 2:  Key Strategic Priorities Boards and CFOs Should Be Focused On
Ashley Ensley, Partner & National Sector Leader, Financial Services, Forvis Mazars
This presentation delves into the top focus areas that are essential for effective governance and financial leadership. Attendees receive updates on top accounting and auditing matters specific to the banking industry, including regulatory oversight, financial and accounting developments, audit focus areas and more. Join us to gain valuable insights and practical strategies that empower boards and CFOs to lead their organizations with confidence and foresight.

Breakout 3:  Leverage the Moment: Core System Strategy that Drives M&A Success
Danelle Hawig, Senior Vice President, ICI Consulting
Core processing platforms are foundational to the success of any M&A project in the financial sector.  A thorough evaluation and strategic negotiation of core and ancillary systems can significantly impact integration timelines, long-term operating costs, risk mitigation and customer experience.  Leveraging the right technology partner ensures smoother transitions and maximizes the strategic value of the merger or acquisition.

3:25 PM – 3:45 PM
Refreshment Break

3:45 PM – 4:25 PM
Breakout Sessions (select one)
Participants may select one of seven concurrent breakout sessions to attend.  Sessions to be announced.

Breakout 2:  High-Risk, High-Reward: Mastering the Art of Onboarding and Oversight
Tony Repanich, President & CEO, Shield Compliance, LLC
Onboarding and managing ongoing due diligence for high-risk customers, such as cannabis operators, money services businesses and digital asset providers, can provide operational challenges for financial institutions. This session explores strategies to reduce friction during account setup and build scalable compliance programs that improve efficiency, manage regulatory expectations and enable profitability.

Breakout 3:  Doing An M&A Deal: M&A 101
Gary Svec, Managing Director, Performance Trust Capital Partners, LLC
You know that M&A is a vital way to grow your business – or an opportunity for an exit – but how do you do a deal? What must you know to succeed, and what areas can cause delay or failure? Learn the basics of M&A in this educational session. And if you are attending the M&A simulation, this is a key session to attend.

Breakout 4:  Modernizing with Purpose: A Community Bank’s Core Transformation Journey
Aleda DeMaria, EVP and Chief Banking Officer, PeoplesBank
Jeffery Kendall, CEO & Chairman, Nymbus
This session explores how PeoplesBank approached core modernization to support long-term growth and innovation — becoming the largest U.S. community bank to convert to a cloud-native core. The team shares lessons on evaluating sidecar strategies, navigating internal alignment and laying the groundwork for new business models and deeper fintech collaboration.

Breakout 5:  Turning Data into Profit: Using Data to Evaluate Operations and Decisions
David Heneke, Principal, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
In today’s rapidly evolving financial landscape, banks must leverage one of their most important resources, data. This session explores how data-driven decision–making can empower banks to optimize operations better, manage risk and enhance decision–making. Attendees learn practical approaches to collecting, analyzing and applying data insights, with real-world examples tailored to the unique nature of community banking.

4:40 PM – 5:20 PM
Transforming Your Bank
Mark Wuchte, Principal, Risk Advisory, Baker Tilly
Speaker to be Announced, nCino
Additional Speaker to be Announced
Moderated by: Michelle King, CEO, Bank Director
Open banking and artificial intelligence offer banks opportunities, but they also present challenges and risks.  During this panel discussion, hear best practices for transforming your bank for the future.

5:20 PM – 6:20 PM
Networking Peer & Guest Reception
Sponsored by: HC3 and Wealth Access Inc.

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Breakfast
Sponsored by: Crowe LLP

8:00 AM – 8:10 AM
Day Two Opening Remarks
Michelle King, CEO, Bank Director
Laura Schield, President & COO, Bank Director

8:10 AM – 8:50 AM
The Best of RankingBanking
Christopher Murphy III, Chairman & CEO, 1st Source Corporation and Chairman, 1st Source Bank
Additional Speakers to be Announced
Moderated by: Kara Baldwin, Partner, Crowe LLP
What does it take to become a top-performing bank?  For years, Bank Director has studied that question. In response, Bank Director created an annual report, RankingBanking, to dive into the performance of the largest publicly traded banks in the U.S.  During this panel discussion, hear from three banks that topped the most recent Bank Director’s RankingBanking study.

8:50 AM – 9:30 AM
What A Difference A Year Makes: The M&A Wave Is Upon Us
Speaker to be Announced, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, A Stifel Company
Understanding the regulatory landscape and aligning with technological innovations are vital. Moreover, focusing on customer-centric models enhances value. These acquisitions underline the importance of proactive planning and agile management in navigating today’s complex financial environment.

9:30 AM – 10:10 AM
The Global Impact on the Financial Industry
Ebrahim Poonawala, Head of North America Banks Research, Bank of America
Manolo Sanchez, Former Chairman & CEO, BBVA Compass
Speaker to be Announced, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Moderated by:  Michelle King, CEO, Bank Director
What should U.S. banks focus on regarding the evolving landscape of the global financial industry?  With technological advancements moving at lightning speed, regulatory changes and the shifting economic landscapes, it is challenging to manage the impact of global trends emerging in various markets. Further, fintech innovations are disrupting traditional banking models, enhancing efficiency and accessibility to consumers nationwide. During this session, we discuss key considerations banks should consider today.

10:10 AM – 10:30 AM
Refreshment Break

10:30 AM – 12:15 PM
M&A Simulation
Will Brackett, Managing Director, Performance Trust Capital Partners, LLC
Grant Butler, Partner, Asset Management & Investment Funds Practice, K&L Gates LLP
Matt Kennedy, Managing Director, Performance Trust Capital Partners, LLC
Adam Smith, Partner, M&A Practice, K&L Gates LLP
Gary Svec, Managing Director, Performance Trust Capital Partners, LLC
Rob Tammero, Partner, M&A Practice, K&L Gates LLP
Striking a deal for a prized target has never been more competitive than it is today.  For buyers, careful discipline is required to ensure that bids are designed to accomplish acquisition growth without damaging the company’s value.  For sellers, a competitive bid process must be skillfully navigated to earn the best deal for shareholders. In this session, participants work through the final rounds of a competitive auction involving a prized seller to see which bank emerges as the successful acquirer. Of course, as in real deals, some wrinkles will appear. The simulation is exclusive to 45 bank attendees only, allowing one banker per institution, no capital markets titles (this session is NOT for investment bankers of any kind) and runs concurrently with the below breakout sessions. You may sign up for the simulation when registering for the event.

10:30 AM – 11:10 AM
Breakout Sessions (select one)
Participants have the opportunity to select one of seven breakout sessions to attend. Sessions to be announced.

Breakout 2: Insider Insights: M&A Master Class:  A Seasoned Acquirer and Recent Seller Share Best Practices and Lessons Learned
Speakers to be Announced
Moderated by:  Christopher Olsen, Managing Partner, Olsen Palmer LLC
This moderated ‘fireside discussion’ with the CEOs of a seller and an acquirer reveals key findings applicable to sellers and buyers alike. For prospective sellers, learn best practices for preparing for and executing a sale, as well as characteristics that achieve a premium price. For would-be buyers, gain better insights into the seller’s mindset, the deal process and key transaction risks.

Breakout 3: The Devil Is In the Details: Metrics for Credit & Operational Excellence
Joe Ehrhardt, CEO & Founder, Teslar Software
Derek Gibson, EVP, Chief Operating Officer, Legacy Bank
Behind every credit or operations team is a set of often overlooked metrics telling a powerful story. Drawing on real-world trends across community and regional banks, this session examines how indicators like exception percentages, collateral and policy exceptions, risk rating distributions and loan maintenance activity reveal more profound insights into operational discipline and credit health. Whether you’re preparing for acquisition or planning to scale independently, this session equips you with a sharper understanding of the KPIs that drive sustained success and how to benchmark your institution accordingly.

Breakout 4:  Post-M&A Reality Check: Unifying Tech, Clients & Teams Without Breaking Your Wealth Group
David Benskin, Founder & CEO, Wealth Access Inc.
M&A growth often creates fractured tech stacks, overlapping clients and resource strain—especially for wealth teams. This session explores how boards and executives can turn post-merger chaos into strategic value by consolidating systems, aligning leadership and empowering wealth to drive non-interest income and client retention. Learn how disciplined oversight transforms integration into a competitive advantage.

Breakout 5:  M&A Unveiled: The Essential Due Diligence Playbook for Banks
Rob Azarow, Partner, Arnold & Porter
Amber Hay, Partner, Arnold & Porter
Michael Mancusi, Partner, Arnold & Porter
Kevin Toomey, Partner, Head of Financial Services, Arnold & Porter
Where are the potential minefields that can damage deal value, create a regulatory challenge to deal approval or mangle an integration plan? Learn about the key diligence issues and how best to tackle them, including tips on building your diligence team, conducting management interviews, pulling together the results for constructing a bid and preparing for the regulatory process taking into account the new environment under the Trump Administration.

11:25 AM – 12:05 PM
Breakout Sessions (select one)
Conversations continue with a second round of morning breakout sessions — participants select one of seven concurrent opportunities to engage with industry leaders. Sessions to be announced.

Breakout 2:  Strengthening Credit Resilience: Processes, Contingencies and Culture
David Ruffin, Principal, IntelliCredit, A Division of Infusion Marketing Group
Preparing for periods of weaker credit performance is an enduring risk management protocol – and has clear implications on credit marks in potential M&A activity. The uncertainties of the past few years have given industry experts reason for concern, particularly following such a long period of benign performance. In this co-presentation, an experienced and practical banker joins IntelliCredit to share tangible strategies and processes to help mitigate portfolio deterioration – emphasizing the role of a robust, consistent credit culture as a key driver of resilience.

Breakout 3:  Developments in Stablecoin
Gary Bronstein, Partner, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
The Genius Act has been enacted into law, which could have a profound effect on the payment system in the United States. Banks need to be informed whether or not your bank becomes an issuer of stablecoin. The goal of this session is to provide bank leadership with the necessary information on the subject.

Breakout 4:  From Reactive to Predictive: Build Winning Deposit Products That Drive Loyalty and Revenue
Rob Armour, EVP, Chief Marketing & Product Development Officer, BankPlus
Dave DeFazio, Chief Strategy Officer, StrategyCorps
Herber de Ruijter, Chief Product Officer, StrategyCorps
The fastest-growing banks aren’t winning with rates alone. They’re winning with more innovative strategies that unlock hidden deposit revenue, prevent leakage and drive loyalty through data-led decisions. In this forward-looking session, see how leading banks design deposit products and pricing strategies that turn transactional data into actionable growth and walk away with a roadmap you can use immediately.

Breakout 5:  Tech-Enabled Agility: Transforming Deposit Management to Stay Competitive
Kevin Bannerton, EVP & Chief Product Officer, R&T Deposit Solutions
How can banks build the agility needed to transform deposit and liquidity management for lasting competitiveness in a rapidly changing regulatory and market landscape? Join R&T’s Kevin Bannerton to explore how technology is driving smarter funding strategies, sharper balance sheet optimization and stronger compliance alignment. Through real-world case studies, discover how institutions are diversifying funding sources, leveraging insured sweep networks, complementing overnight funding with flexible term options and implementing enterprise-wide solutions that enhance resilience, adaptability and growth in today’s dynamic environment.

12:00 PM – 1:05 PM
Networking Lunch

12:00 PM – 1:05 PM
Women in Leadership Luncheon
Expanding on the Women in Leadership Reception held on Saturday, this is an opportunity for women to come together over lunch.  Both men and women are invited to attend this luncheon. 

1:05 PM – 1:30 PM
What We Learned from Bank Director’s 2026 Bank M&A Survey
Emily McCormick, Vice President of Editorial & Research, Bank Director
Naomi Snyder, Editor-in-Chief, Bank Director
Patrick Vernon, Senior Manager, Advisory Services, Crowe LLP
Merger activity has slowed in recent years, driven by many factors, including unrealized losses on banks’ balance sheets and uncertainty about regulatory approvals. At the same time, the interest rate environment has challenged bank profitability, tamping down borrowing demand and making core deposits more expensive. During this session, participants hear the results of Bank Director’s most recent M&A survey.

1:30 PM – 2:10 PM
Stories & Best Practices From Your Peers
Steve Steinour, Chairman, President & CEO, Huntington Bancshares Incorporated
Additional Speakers to be Announced
Moderated by: Jack Milligan, Editor-at-Large, Bank Director
During this session, hear from leading banks from across the country as they share their insights and experiences.

2:25 PM – 3:05 PM
Breakout Sessions (select one)
Participants may select from one of six breakout sessions to attend.  Sessions to be announced.

Breakout 1:  Community Bank M&A – Getting to “Yes” Faster
Scott Coleman, Partner, Ballard & Spahr LLP
Kenneth Haglund, Partner, Ballard & Spahr LLP
Beau Hurtig, Of Counsel, Ballard & Spahr LLP
This session covers the key provisions in a definitive agreement from the perspective of a community bank buyer and seller, including the representations and warranties, operating covenants and terms of indemnification. We explore the points of friction and emerging trends in M&A transactions and offer practical strategies to streamline negotiations, bridge gaps between parties and maintain deal momentum.

Breakout 2:  Interest Rate Risk & Opportunity: A CFO’s Guide to Strategic Positioning
Todd Cuppia, Managing Director, Balance Sheet Risk Management, Chatham Financial
Kalen Van Maanen, Director, Client Relationship Management, Chatham Financial
Interest rate movements present both challenges and opportunities for banks. Positioning your balance sheet strategically can turn market uncertainty into an advantage. In this session, we explore ways to manage rate risk while seizing opportunities for sustainable growth.

Breakout 3:  Assessing the Competitive Landscape and Impact on Bank Capital Raising and M&A Activity
Nathan Stovall, Director of Financial Institutions Research, S&P Global Market Intelligence

Hear the outlook for the operating environment for U.S. banks and how competition, including from nonbanks such as private credit firms and fintechs, will impact bank profitability. This session focuses on drivers of deposit costs and loan growth, while also identifying early warnings for potential credit deterioration. Attendees also hear how changes in the fundamental and regulatory environment are impacting bank valuations, capital raising and M&A activity.

Breakout 4: Rethinking CDs: Making What’s Old New Again in a Modern Marketplace
John Blizzard, Founder, CD Valet
Higher interest rates prompted many banks to dust off their Certificate of Deposit (CD) product line. Smart move, given the growing market of savers eager to compare and open CDs at banks, near and far. Learn how banks are designing, pricing and marketing CDs to appeal to event savers, sleepy savers and savvy savers – and growing their customer base.

Breakout 5: The Evolution of Embedded Finance
Speaker to be Announced, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, A Stifel Company

3:05 PM – 3:25 PM
Refreshment Break

3:25 PM – 4:05 PM
Breakout Sessions (select one)
Conversations continue with a second round of afternoon breakout sessions — participants select one of six concurrent opportunities to learn.  Sessions to be announced.

Breakout 1: The Strategic and Competitive Advantage of AI: What Community Bankers Should Know
Canh Tran, CEO & Co-Founder, Rippleshot
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative AI are reshaping financial services today. Whether you’re exploring AI’s potential or advancing current initiatives, this session provides strategic insights to navigate this transformation confidently. Discover the latest AI trends impacting banking, from operational efficiency to enhanced customer experiences. Attendees learn about real-world implementation examples, understand key opportunities and risks and learn a practical framework for evaluating AI solutions.

Breakout 2: The Regulatory Pendulum – What it Means for Banks
Christopher Wolfe, Managing Director, Head of North American Banks, Fitch Ratings, Inc.
The regulatory pendulum is in full swing, and understanding this new paradigm is critical. In many respects, so far, it has been a return to the status quo ante. Regulatory relief may go further this time and could have implications for banks of all sizes. The session breaks down key areas of regulatory focus and what this means for banks, with a reminder that the pendulum can swing back the other way.

Breakout 3:  Ahead of the Curve: Why High-Performing Hedging Programs Excel as Others Falter
Frank Fiorilli, Managing Director of Bank Solutions, Derivative Path, Inc.
Isaac Wheeler, Managing Director of Balance Sheet Strategy, Derivative Path, Inc.
The majority of banks over $1B in assets now have a derivatives capability – but having the tool in the toolkit is no longer enough. This session unpacks what the best hedging programs get right and what pitfalls to avoid as we navigate a persistently volatile interest rate environment.

4:20 PM – 5:00 PM
Succession Planning: Building the Next Generation of Talent
Kelley Earnhardt Miller, Chair of the Board, blueharbor bank
Andrea Short, President & CEO, 1st Source Bank
Krista Snelling, President & CEO, West Coast Community Bank
Moderated by: Michelle King, CEO, Bank Director
We recognize that developing the next generation of talent is crucial for any business’s success, and this is particularly true for our industry. By investing in training and development, banks can cultivate innovative leaders. Emphasizing diversity and creative thinking ensures adaptability in a changing market. Hear advice from industry leaders as we explore new ideas to build your bank’s future team.

5:00 PM – 5:40 PM
Risks & Strategic Challenges for 2026
Craig Sanders, Principal, Baker Tilly
Joe VanFleet, Member & Chair Financial Institutions Practice, Howard & Howard
Additional Speaker to be Announced
Moderated by: Sal Inserra, Senior Advisor, Bank Director
Fighting fraud, protecting the bank from cyberattacks, regulatory challenges, compliance and liquidity risks were all top concerns facing financial institutions, according to the respondents of Bank Director’s 2025 Risk Survey. During this session, hear from industry leaders as they share how financial institutions can combat and plan for these challenges on the road ahead.

5:40 PM – 6:40 PM
Networking Peer & Guest Reception
Sponsored by:  Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Breakfast

8:00 AM – 8:10 AM
Day Three Opening Remarks
Michelle King,CEO, Bank Director
Laura Schield, President & COO, Bank Director
Today, we focus on perspectives that have not already been shared on the first two days of the conference – and we look into forces outside of our industry that may have profound implications.

8:10 AM – 8:40 AM
Strategically Reallocating Capital
Speaker to be Announced, Raymond James Financial, Inc.
Jerry Plush, CEO & Chair of the Board, Amerant Bank
Brennan Ryan, Partner, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP
Moderated by: Bill Herrell, Executive Vice President & Managing Director, Bank Director
Private equity’s revolving activity enables banks to unlock value through investment cycles. These cycles can generate returns by strategically reallocating capital, which can enhance bank portfolios. In a volatile market, private equity remains a dynamic tool, offering substantial opportunities for financial institutions to thrive. This session explores these opportunities.

8:40 AM – 9:10 AM
Emerging Payment Trends
Speakers to be Announced
Moderated by: Naomi Snyder, Editor-in-Chief, Bank Director
Banks have a variety of options when it comes to payments.  Hear from experts in the space on what is available to you and your financial institution.

9:10 AM – 9:40 AM
Ask Me Anything!
Jacque Kruppa, Partner, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
Mac Thompson, President & Founder, White Clay
Dory Wiley, President & CEO, Commerce Street Capital, LLC
Moderated by: Michelle King, CEO, Bank Director
See what’s top of mind for attendees at this year’s Acquire or Be Acquired Conference! During this interactive live polling session, attendees can ask our panel of industry experts questions based on what they’ve learned over the past two days. Join this session for a lively discussion on the issues, opportunities and challenges facing banks today!

9:40 AM – 10:00 AM
Refreshment Break

10:00 AM – 10:40 AM
Breakout Sessions (select one)
Conversations conclude with a final round of breakout sessions — participants select one of six concurrent opportunities to learn.

Breakout 1:  Digital Transformation Gut Check – What It Really Takes to Succeed
Alec Dicks, Partner, Chief People Transformationist, Alacrity Partners
Steve Monahan, Partner, Chief Enterprise Transformationist, Alacrity Partners
Most banks are investing heavily in transformation to compete in the digital era, but are they set up for success? With 70% of transformations estimated to fail (McKinsey), this session offers a practical framework to assess whether your efforts are on track, at risk or need rethinking.

Breakout 2: Executive-Driven Growth: Turn Marketing Insight into Action
Ben Udell, SVP Product Marketing & Innovation, Marquis
Executives don’t need more marketing; they need marketing that’s measurable, accountable and tied to growth. This session explores how leaders are turning marketing data into actionable insight that delivers ROI, drives alignment and powers growth across the organization. Learn how your peers are transforming marketing into a modern, bank–wide growth engine powered by strategic clarity, metrics and executive leadership.

Breakout 3: Intro to Bitcoin for Banking Leaders
Andrew Begin, Chief Strategy Officer, Galoy Inc.
Bitcoin’s steady rise in global adoption is changing the way people store and move money. As regulations catch up, banking decision makers have a unique opportunity to take advantage of the changing financial landscape. In this session, learn the fundamentals of Bitcoin and discover how forward-looking banks are using it to increase deposits and margins, generate new revenue streams and meet the expectations of tomorrow’s customers.

Breakout 4:  Safely Leveraging AI to Enhance Efficiency and Compliance as the Foundation to Strategic Growth
Amy Ferguson, Communications Manager, TruStage Compliance Solutions
Erin Simpson, EVP, Chief Operations Officer, Encore Bank
Join TruStage Compliance Solutions and Encore Bank in a candid discussion on how they are using AI to enhance compliance accuracy and operational efficiency. This session highlights how AI can scale reviews, reduce manual burden and support regulatory adherence without compromising human oversight or service quality.

Breakout 5: Mastering the Margin: High-Impact Strategies for Sustainable Profitability
Mark Swanson, Sales Executive, Deluxe Corporation
Set sail from the shores of low Net Interest Margin (NIM) and chart a course toward profitability. Leverage strategic tools like disciplined loan pricing, cost-effective deposit strategies and a performance-driven culture to elevate your NIM. Discover how to take command of your financial journey and navigate confidently to the far side of the margin.

10:55 AM – 11:25 AM
Economist & Regulatory Debate: Bull vs. Bear
Moderated by: Rob Blackwell, Chief Content Officer & Head of External Affairs, IntraFi
Hear differing perspectives on what is happening with the economy and what regulatory changes are coming this year.

11:25 AM – 11:30 AM
Parting Thoughts
Michelle King, CEO, Bank Director
Laura Schield, President & COO, Bank Director

1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
L. William Seidman Annual Acquire or Be Acquired Golf Tournament
Sponsored by:  FHLBank Atlanta
Enjoy the afternoon playing golf with your peers during Bank Director’s annual L. William Seidman Golf Tournament. The tournament is available to registered conference attendees and is limited to 144 players. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note: Additional registration is required and additional fees apply. Be sure to reserve your spot today!

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Let’s Play Pickleball!
Sponsored by:  KlariVis
Whether you have never played before or you are a seasoned player, this activity is for you. All participants are grouped by experience level for a tournament, and those who are new to the sport enjoy a Beginners Clinic. This afternoon’s activity is available to registered attendees and is limited to 136 players. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note: Additional registration is required and fees apply. Be sure to reserve your spot today!

5:45 PM – 7:00 PM
Closing Peer & Guest Reception
Sponsored by:  FHLBank Atlanta and KlariVis
Attendees and their guests join in the fun to see who the winners of the L. William Seidman Golf Tournament and the Pickleball Tournament are!