Agenda

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

8:30 AM – 8:35 AM
Day One Welcome
Michelle King, CEO, Bank Director
Laura Schield, President & COO, Bank Director
Bank Director kicks off day one of the Bank Board Forum by welcoming attendees to beautiful Marco Island, Florida.

8:35 AM – 9:05 AM
The State of Our Industry
Brian Leibfried, Head of Client Insights, Performance Trust Capital Partners, LLC
Join us as we dissect the evolving banking landscape. We delve into emerging trends, economic forecasts and strategic approaches to navigate uncertainty and capitalize on opportunities.

9:05 AM – 9:35 AM
Strategic Capital Considerations
Kevin Brand, Partner, Crowe LLP
Additional Speaker to be Announced
Moderated by: Bill Herrell, Executive Vice President & Managing Director, Bank Director
Many organizations have individual functions that perform capital planning, stress testing, financial projections, liquidity management, and credit loss forecasting, but these activities are often done in silos, often for compliance reasons, and may not be adding strategic value to the organization. This session shares best practices on how to strategically link these activities to harmonize assumptions, produce more meaningful reporting, drive efficiencies and savings, and most importantly, create strategic value for your bank.

9:35 AM – 10:05 AM
Governance – Responsibilities of Management and the Board
Speaker to be Announced, RSM US LLP
Additional Speaker to be Announced
Moderated by:  Jim McAlpin, Board Member, Bank Director
Hear from industry leaders as we dive into corporate governance and the evolving roles and responsibilities of both management and the board of directors. This session provides insight into critical key governance issues and shares best practices for effective board oversight and strategic decision-making.

10:05 AM – 10:30 AM
Refreshment Break
Attendees are encouraged to network with fellow attendees and enjoy light refreshments and coffee.

10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
General Sessions (select one)

Audit & Risk General Session: Audit & Risk Issues
Jon Winick, CEO, Clark Street Capital Management LLC
Additional Speaker to be Announced
Moderated by:  Sal Inserra, Senior Advisor, Bank Director
This panel discusses the latest issues and topics surrounding audit and risk committees.

Compensation & Talent General Session: Crafting a Winning Incentive Strategy: Designing Plans that Drive Performance
Speaker to be Announced, Pearl Meyer
Learn how to design and implement a robust incentive plan that aligns with your bank’s strategic goals. This session covers key considerations, best practices and real-world examples to help you create a compensation package that attracts, motivates and retains top talent.

Governance & Strategy General Session: The Cornerstones of Strong Board Governance
Speakers to be Announced
Moderated by:  Jim McAlpin, Board Member, Bank Director
Learn how board culture shapes a bank’s strategic direction and risk management practices. During this session industry leaders share how to foster a culture of transparency, accountability and ethical leadership.

11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
General Sessions (select one)

Audit & Risk General Session: Optimizing Compliance: Strategies for the Future
Erica Carlson, Principal, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
Karen Leiter, Principal, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
Join us as we delve into the future of regulatory compliance. We discuss the latest regulatory trends, emerging technologies and best practices for optimizing your compliance program.

Compensation & Talent General Session:  Compensating and Retaining Top Talent
Eric Hosken, Partner, Compensation Advisory Partners
This session explores the critical components of executive compensation and retention strategies. Learn the latest trends in executive pay, including base salary, short-term and long-term incentives, and benefits. Additionally, we discuss best practices for developing and implementing effective retention strategies to attract and retain top talent.

Governance & Strategy General Session: The Board’s Role in CEO Succession
Alan Kaplan, Founder & CEO, Kaplan Partners
CEO succession is a bank board’s most important responsibility.  Hear a case study on best practices from experienced board leadership on navigating the complexities and relationship dynamics of this most critical decision – one which may define the bank’s future.

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Networking Lunch

12:40 PM – 1:20 PM
Breakout Sessions (select one)

Breakout 1:  Bank Director 101: Serving on the Nominating/Governance Committee
The Bank Director 101 sessions focus on the basics that all directors must know when serving on the Nominating/Governance Committee. This session touches on various governance issues, including the role of the board versus the role of management, the board’s fiduciary responsibilities, board performance evaluations, onboarding for new directors, director education and executive sessions.

Answers to the following questions are discussed during this session:

• What are the regulatory expectations for board governance?
• Explain the board’s fiduciary responsibilities, including the duty of loyalty and duty of care.
• What are the duties of the governance committee? Who should serve on the committee?
• How does board diversity impact the quality of board governance?
• What are some of the essential cultural characteristics of a strong board?

Breakout 2: Leveraging Loan Data
Stephanie Ballard, Senior Manager, Crowe LLP
Eric Newell, EVP, Chief Financial Officer, Eagle Bancorp
In today’s competitive landscape, financial institutions are leveraging their loan data in ways beyond using it solely to determine the allowance for credit losses. Utilizing credit data in various innovative ways, banks can stay ahead of their competitors, gain valuable insights into underwriting trends, make informed decisions during due diligence and better assess the risks within their portfolios as part of their loan review controls.

Breakout 3: Exploring the Talent War: Evolving Strategies to Attract, Retain & Develop High-Performers
Dara Klein, Managing Director, Kaplan Partners
The market for top banking talent remains highly competitive and continues to be challenging for the foreseeable future.  Hear best practices from two leading institutions on how they are attracting new bank talent, refreshing incentive plans and managing employee development across the bank.

Breakout 4: Building a Strong Regulatory Relationship: A Proactive Approach
Learn how to foster a positive and proactive relationship with regulators. This session covers strategies for effective communication, proactive disclosure and addressing regulatory concerns.

1:30 PM – 2:10 PM
Breakout Sessions (select one)

Breakout 1:   Bank Director 101: Serving on the Compensation Committee
Mike Blanchard, CEO, Blanchard Consulting Group
Jeff Fairchild, SVP, Lead Consultant, Blanchard Consulting Group
The Bank Director 101 sessions focus on the basics that directors serving on the Compensation Committee must know. This session centers on compensation and includes effective pay, incentive plans, risk management oversight and CEO evaluations.

Answers to the following questions and topics are discussed during this session:

• What are the regulatory expectations for boards in determining the compensation of the senior management team and the rest of the bank?
• What are the duties of the compensation committee? Who should serve on the committee?
• The importance of CEO evaluations.
• The role of outside compensation advisors.
• How frequently should the compensation committee meet?

Breakout 2: Future-Proofing Your Audit Committee
Johanna Ames, Director, NBT Bancorp
Kristin McDonner, Partner, Crowe LLP
Join us as we examine the challenges facing audit committees today, including increased regulatory scrutiny, evolving risk landscapes and the need for digital transformation. This session focuses on looking forward and planning for growth, new lines of business, succession and more.

Breakout 3: The Risks and Rewards of BaaS
James Stevens, Partner, Troutman Pepper Locke LLP
The Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) model offers significant potential for banks to expand their reach and generate new revenue streams. However, it also presents complex challenges related to risk management, regulatory compliance and operational efficiency. This session looks into the critical considerations for banks exploring BaaS, including partner selection, due diligence and ongoing monitoring. We discuss strategies for mitigating risks, optimizing operations and maximizing the benefits of this innovative business model.

Breakout 4: D&O Liability Market Update: Banking Sector
Dennis Gustafson, Financial Institutions Practice Leader, The Baldwin Group
This session covers an overview of what is and is not covered by the D&O and Cyber Liability coverages and the newest claims and litigation trends in the banking sector. We also review a data-centric Limits benchmarking analysis and recommended renewal process to generate the best results.

2:10 PM – 2:30 PM
Refreshment Break 

2:30 PM – 3:10 PM
Beyond the Numbers: Insights from Bank Director’s Research
Robert Maddox, Partner, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
Sean O’Neal, Partner, Chartwell Partners
Craig Sanders, Partner, Moss Adams LLP
Moderated by: Emily McCormick, Vice President of Editorial & Research, Bank Director
Hear from top industry leaders as they discuss the most pressing issues facing banks today. This panel provides practical advice and actionable strategies to help you adapt to the changing dynamics of the banking industry.

3:10 PM – 4:20 PM
Peer Collaboration Session 1
During this session, the audience is divided into discussion groups based on title. For the directors in the audience, join a collaborative discussion with your peers to explore the latest trends and challenges in audit, risk and governance. Share best practices, discuss emerging risks and develop strategies to enhance your board’s oversight. For the CEOs and Chairs in the audience, join a discussion focused on governance and strategy topics.

4:20 PM – 5:30 PM
Networking Peer & Guest Reception
Join us for an evening of networking and insightful conversations with industry peers and thought leaders.

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
Breakfast & Registration
Sponsored by:  Arnold & Porter

8:30 AM – 8:35 AM
Day Two Welcome: Editorial Highlights
Naomi Snyder, Editor-in-Chief, Bank Director
Hear from Naomi Snyder, Bank Director’s Editor-in-Chief, as she shares the most significant developments and stories the editorial team have been writing about.

8:35 AM – 9:05 AM
Regulatory Update
Bart Smith, Head of Risk & Regulatory Insights, Performance Trust Capital Partners, LLC
Speaker to be Announced, Arnold & Porter
Moderated by:  Naomi Snyder, Editor-in-Chief, Bank Director
This session delves into the complex landscape of regulatory, examination and enforcement challenges that bank leaders must navigate. It explores the various compliance frameworks, intricacies of regulatory examinations and the implications of enforcement actions on banking operations.

9:05 AM – 9:35 AM
Competitive Threats & Opportunities
Quintin Skyes, Partner, Cornerstone Advisors
Additional Speaker to be Announced
Moderated by:  Kiah Haslett, Banking & Fintech Editor, Bank Director
This session examines the competitive threats and opportunities banks will encounter in 2025. How can banks effectively integrate in-person and digital services to attract and retain customers? How do they cater to the diverse needs of different generations? Additionally, what strategies can banks implement to overcome challenges related to acquiring the right technology?

9:45 AM – 10:15 AM
General Sessions (select one)

Audit & Risk General Session:Turn Data into Action: A Practical Guide to Using Risk Data
Gayle Woodbury, Principal, Integrated Risk Management Leader, Crowe LLP
In today’s financial world, effectively using risk data is vital for banks to navigate threats and opportunities.  This session covers how to analyze risk data to protect value, manage exposure and comply with regulations.  Explore how a structured approach to risk data can foster a proactive risk management culture, enhance operational efficiency and enable confident growth by seizing strategic opportunities.

Compensation & Talent General Session: Navigating the Talent Landscape: Strategies for Success in 2025
Speaker to be Announced, Pearl Meyer
Talent has emerged as a crucial factor for success in today’s competitive and ever-changing industry. Now more than ever, bank leaders must adapt to the new realities of the talent landscape and develop strategies to stand out in the competition for employees. This session offers insights into best practices in the evolving talent market.

Governance & Strategy General Session:  Strengthening Board Leadership
Greg Parisi, Partner, Troutman Pepper Locke LLP
A strong board is essential for a bank’s long-term success. This session explores strategies for addressing underperforming directors, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and identifying key factors that contribute to effective board governance.

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM
Refreshment Break

10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
General Sessions (select one)

Audit & Risk General Session: Using AI to Mitigate Risk
Craig Sanders, Partner, Moss Adams LLP
Additional Speaker to be Announced
Moderated by:  Sal Inserra, Senior Advisor, Bank Director
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionize the banking industry, so do the cyber threats targeting financial institutions. Join us to learn how to leverage AI to enhance security and mitigate risk.

Compensation & Talent General Session:  Crafting a Winning Incentive Strategy: Designing Plans that Drive Performance
Learn how to design and implement a robust incentive plan that aligns with your bank’s strategic goals. This session covers key considerations, best practices and real-world examples to help you create a compensation package that attracts, motivates and retains top talent.

Governance & Strategy General Session: Conversational Banking: The Future of Customer Interactions 
What impact do chatbots, voice assistants and personalized messaging have on enhancing customer experiences and building lasting relationships? This session explores implementing conversational interfaces and learning how to leverage these tools to meet the evolving needs of today’s consumers.

11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
General Sessions (select one)

Audit & Risk General Session: A Bank Board’s Role in Overseeing AI Initiatives
Speaker to be Announced, RSM US LLP
Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers immense potential to transform the banking industry. However, it also presents significant cybersecurity risks. This session explores issues related to AI-related risks, including data privacy, model bias and malicious attacks, while examining the role of bank boards in overseeing AI initiatives and ensuring a robust cybersecurity posture.

Compensation & Talent General Session: Seizing Opportunities: Capitalizing On Change
Transformative events, whether M&A, the retirement of a key employee or capital raises, are all about increasing shareholder value. This session guides how to structure compensation to ensure that key employees are always adequately incentivized and connected to the company’s success.

Governance & Strategy General Session: Differentiating Your Bank
This session focuses on strategies to set your bank apart and establish a strong brand identity. We discuss the importance of understanding your target market, using technology to improve customer experience and creating innovative products and services.

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Networking Lunch

12:40 PM – 1:20 PM
Breakout Sessions (select one)

Breakout 1:   Bank Director 101: Serving on the Audit Committee
Zak Kinchen, Director, HORNE LLP
Tim Morgan, Partner, HORNE LLP
The Bank Director 101 sessions focus on the basics that all Audit Committee members must know as they participate in board meetings. This session centers on audit, specifically the role of the Audit Committee, internal and external audit responsibilities and adding value as a board member.

Answers to the following questions are discussed during this session:

• What are the duties of the audit committee? Who should serve on the committee?
• What are the regulatory expectations for bank audit committees and the board generally?
• What relationship and/or responsibility should the board and its audit committee have with and/or for the internal audit function?
• If the board has a separate risk committee, what (if any) role should the audit committee have in risk governance?
• How frequently should the audit committee meet?

Breakout 2:  Strategic Approaches to Bank M&A: Navigating Opportunities and Challenges
Joe VanFleet, Member & Co-Chair Financial Institutions Practice, Howard & Howard
In the dynamic financial landscape, M&A is vital for banks’ growth and competitiveness. This session covers strategic considerations, market analysis, due diligence and integration planning. We discuss key drivers, potential pitfalls and regulatory impacts on M&A.  Attendees gain insights into best practices and navigating complexities for long-term success.

Breakout 3:  Outward Mindset – Driving Success As a Leader for Your Team by Looking Beyond Yourself
Joy Duce, Managing Principal, Human Capital Consulting, Crowe LLP
This session examines the power of an Outward Mindset and its significant impact on leadership effectiveness. We explore how leaders can develop behaviors that enhance collective results for their teams and the entire organization. Discover the essential connection between an Outward Mindset and Emotional Intelligence and learn how this approach benefits you, your stakeholders and the organization as a whole.

Breakout 4:  Navigating the Impact of Rising Rates
Brian Ropp, Managing Director, KBRA
Rising interest rates have exposed the vulnerabilities of banks holding long-duration assets. This session dives into the implications of these unrealized losses, explores potential mitigation strategies and discusses the role of bank boards and executives in managing these risks. We examine the impact on capital, earnings and future growth prospects and discuss best practices for navigating this challenging environment.

1:30 PM – 2:10 PM
Breakout Sessions (select one)

Breakout 1:   Bank Director 101: Serving on the Risk Committee
Cory Ingram, Senior Manager, Moss Adams LLP
Noory Song, Director, Moss Adams LLP
The Bank Director 101 sessions focus on the basics that directors serving on the Risk Committee must know when participating in board meetings. This session centers on some of the most essential concepts in managing bank risk, including regulatory expectations, the board’s role versus management’s role, and sample questions that directors should ask during meetings.

Answers to the following questions and topics are discussed during this session:

• What principal risk categories must banks manage, including credit, liquidity, interest rate, etc.?
• Describe the responsibilities of the board in risk governance, including regulatory expectations.
• Compare the role of management with the board’s role in risk management.
• How does the board establish the bank’s risk appetite?
• At what point should the board consider establishing a standalone risk committee?

Breakout 2:  Achieving Sustainable Deposit Growth
Tim Keith, CEO, Infusion Marketing Group
With the right analysis techniques and a multi-channel outreach strategy, banks can implement a disciplined, predictable and accountable process that will help sustain low-cost deposit growth. We’ll share case study examples from banks who have used this proven approach and successfully achieved a high ROI on their overall deposit and new relationship growth goals.

Breakout 3:  Navigating Compensation Challenges as Your Bank Grows
Shaun Bisman, Partner, Compensation Advisory Partners
Mike Bonner, Principal, Compensation Advisory Partners
As your bank grows, balancing competitive pay with regulatory compliance, attracting top talent and retaining key employees requires a strategic approach. This session addresses the unique challenges and evolution of designing executive pay and incentive structures that support long-term growth. Whether your institution is growing organically or through acquisition, this session provides valuable insight to help you ensure your compensation programs support the bank’s success.

Breakout 4: Leveraging Innovation to Fuel Growth in Small Businesses
Enhance fintech partnerships, improve data models, streamline processes and create personalized customer experiences that position your bank as a leader in small business lending. This session explores how innovation can strengthen relationships, expand market share and unlock the potential of local economies.

2:10 PM – 2:40 PM
Charting the Course for Tomorrow’s Banks
As the banking industry evolves, mergers and acquisitions have become a strategic imperative for many institutions in 2025. This session explores factors driving consolidation, the potential benefits and challenges of mergers and acquisitions, and bank boards’ critical role in guiding these transformative deals.

2:40 PM – 2:55 PM
Refreshment Break

2:55 PM – 4:10 PM
Peer Collaboration Session 2
During this session, the audience is divided into discussion groups based on title.  For the directors in the audience, join another collaborative discussion with your peers to explore the latest trends and challenges in audit, risk and governance. Share best practices, discuss emerging risks and develop strategies to enhance your board’s oversight.  For the CEOs and Chairs in the audience, join another collaborative discussion with your peers to explore the latest trends and challenges in risk and technology topics.

2:55 PM – 4:55 PM
M&A Simulation
Speakers to be Announced, Performance Trust Capital Partners, LLC 
The process of 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 designed for outside members of the board, 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 emerge.  The simulation is exclusive to 40 outside bank directors only, allows for one director per institution, no capital markets titles (this session is NOT for investment bankers of any kind) and runs concurrently with the peer collaboration sessions.  Registration is required.

4:20 PM – 4:50 PM
Building a Strong Bank
Christina Kao, Chair of the Board, Royal Business Bank
Christine Toretti, Chair of the Board, S&T Bank
Richard Williams, Chair of the Board, HomeTrust Bank
Moderated by:  Michelle King, CEO, Bank Director
During this popular conference session, Bank Director sits down with banking pioneers to discuss their innovative decision strategies and how they have built the bank they lead today.

4:50 PM – 5:50 PM
Networking Peer & Guest Reception
Join us for a balmy evening of networking and conversation outside on the Sunset Terrace.

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
Breakfast

8:30 AM – 8:35 AM
Day Three Welcome
Michelle King, CEO, Bank Director
Laura Schield, President & COO, Bank Director
Kick off the final day of the conference with a recap of key insights and a look ahead to the future of banking.

8:35 AM – 9:05 AM
Seamless Transition: The Critical Role of Succession Planning
Scott Petty, Managing Partner, Chartwell Partners
Robert Flowers, Partner, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
Moderated by:  Jack Milligan, Editor-at-Large, Bank Director
A strong succession plan is vital for the long-term success of any bank. This session discusses the importance of board involvement in succession planning and the board’s role in selecting and mentoring future leaders. We explore the impact of regulatory changes and emerging trends on succession planning.

9:15 AM – 9:55 AM
Breakout Sessions (select one)

Breakout 1:   Bank Director 101: Serving on the Technology Committee
Chad Quarles, CISO/Security Advisor, Hartman Executive Advisors
The Bank Director 101 sessions focus on the basics that all directors must know as they participate in board meetings. This session discusses what directors need to know about technology, including the importance of aligning technology with the bank’s overall strategy.

Answers to the following questions and topics are discussed during this session:

• How much do directors need to know about technology?
• What are the most important decisions that boards typically make around technology?
• Identify the recent trends in bank technology that bank boards need to be aware of.
• What is the board’s role in the area of cyber security?
• What concerns should boards have when engaged with third-party technology providers?

Breakout 2: Creating A Vendor Management Blueprint
A robust vendor management program is essential for minimizing risks and maximizing value. This session focuses on best practices for developing and implementing an effective program, including vendor selection, due diligence, contract negotiation, performance monitoring and risk assessment.

Breakout 3: Revitalizing Your Board: Strategies for Effective Governance and Succession Planning
A high-performing board is essential for the long-term success of a bank. This session explores the importance of diversity, independence and effective communication within the board. Additionally, we address strategies for managing underperforming directors and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Breakout 4: Strategies for Effective Executive Incentive Programs
This session focuses on some overlooked benefits that can help banks provide the incentive their top employees need to stay. This session equips you with the knowledge to create incentive plans that motivate and reward your high-performing executives.

9:55 AM – 10:10 AM
Refreshment Break

10:10 AM – 10:40 AM
Beyond Resilience: Driving Business Value Through Operational Excellence
Explore how organizations can transform operational risk into a strategic advantage. This session features the latest trends and best practices in operational resilience, including digital transformation, cyber security and crisis management.

10:40 AM – 11:10 AM
Challenges and Opportunities in Banking
Lee Gibson, CEO, Southside Bank
Anne Tangen, President & CEO, BankFive
Additional Speaker to be Announced
Moderated by:  Michelle King, CEO, Bank Director
This session brings together bank leaders to share their perspectives on the key factors shaping the future of banking. We focus on economic trends, technological advancements and customer expectations.

11:10 AM – 11:15 AM
Closing Remarks
Michelle King, CEO, Bank Director