In This Section
We’re working on this event’s program. To see the types of session you can expect, check out the 2024 program.
All times in CT.
Sunday, Feb. 11
7:30 AM – 6:30 PM | Registration |
8:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Golf Outing |
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | General Session Facing Our Futures – Looking to 2030 and Beyond Foresight is the missing link between strategic planning, disruption and our futures. Operationalize foresight – learn how you can build anticipatory capabilities in your organization to drive more revenues and market capitalization. See global megatrends shaping geopolitical dynamics – economic power, population growth, water-energy-food, waste, climate change and energy. Know the trends that will change the banking industry – the future of work, artificial intelligence and automation, privacy and security, finance and insurance and more.
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3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Educational Sessions Topic: Operations Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can be risky and rewarding. When it comes to cybersecurity, you can never be too careful. By unpacking both the benefits and challenges of these technologies, you’ll leave this session better equipped to make informed decisions about how your organization might implement them.
Topic: Profitability The Department of Justice is focused on fair lending enforcement alongside the FDIC, OCC and FRB. Even banks working hard to expand access for underrepresented groups can find themselves facing public enforcement actions. In this session, gain insight into the pitfalls that can lead to fair lending claims — and how to avoid one. In addition, learn how the new CRA rule may impact your bank’s redlining risk.
Topic: Technology Most community banks are using technology to offer their customers digital account opening, digital lending and even chat bots. But what technologies are on your bank’s innovation radar to deliver next? Banks that proactively embrace the technologies that enable real time payments, generative AI, cloud banking, embedded finance and more, will be better positioned to remain competitive in the evolving financial landscape. Learn to understand the uses, benefits and costs of new tech, and how it fits into your overall strategy.
Topic: Human Capital What can companies adopt, adapt and abandon to attract high-potential leaders to join their organization, and how can they ensure that new and existing upwardly career-focused employees remain invested and resilient at work? Hear the successful strategies from a community bank CEO and emerging leader and be ready to share what has worked at your bank in an open forum.
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4:00 PM – 5:15 PM | Stonier Alumni Event Calling all alumni! Join us at this special networking event to meet fellow alumni and hear a timely discussion on reenergizing workplace culture. |
4:15 PM – 5:00 PM | First-Time Attendee Orientation and Reception This event provides first time attendees with the opportunity to connect with each other and network with ABA staff and the CBC Committee. First-timers will receive tips on how to make the most of the conference and make new connections in the community banking network. |
5:30 PM – 9:30 PM | Opening Reception: Big Game Tailgate Party TOUCHDOWN! After a long year, it’s finally here. Wear your favorite jersey and watch The Big Game on multiple screens with over 1,000 of your closest friends. Play your favorite tailgate games, win prizes and root for your team (or the commercials). |
Monday, Feb. 12
7:00 AM – 6:30 PM | Registration |
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM | Breakfast with the Federal Home Loan Banks Join us for breakfast where we will hear from the presidents and senior leadership from all 11 Federal Home Loan Banks. This is an opportunity to learn about how the FHLB and ABA members can work together to ensure mutual long-term success. Boston, New York, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh
Dallas, Des Moines, and Topeka
Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, and San Francisco
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8:00 AM – 10:30 AM | General Session Welcome
ABA Leadership Speaks
The View from the Fed: Federal Reserve Gov. Miki Bowman Gov. Bowman, a former community banker, will deliver opening remarks and then sit down for a conversation with ABA Chair Julieann Thurlow. They will discuss the economic outlook as well as some of the policy issues facing the banking sector, especially the nation's community banks. Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael Hsu Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael Hsu has led the OCC since May 2021 and also serves on the FDIC Board and the Financial Stability Oversight Council. He will discuss current banking policy issues and the OCC’s 2024 top priorities. Go Inside the Minds of the World’s Greatest Leaders The world’s greatest leaders aren’t who we expect them to be. Discover the common traits all great leaders and high performers have in common — the change agents, influencers, and hometown heroes who raise the bar for success and inspire others. Learn why a lead-by-example approach inspires people to perform beyond their best every day.
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10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Coffee Break in The Hub |
10:30 AM – 11:45 AM | Guest Breakfast A Different Kind of Career: Undercover in the CIA James Olson, former CIA Chief of Counterintelligence, will describe his undercover career in the CIA, including how he was recruited, the training he received, the risks he and his wife faced and the effect of this undercover lifestyle on their marriage and children. James will also discuss the role of the CIA in the current global war on terrorism and other current issues affecting the safety and security of American citizens. Finally, James will take you on an actual espionage operation he and his wife carried out in Moscow at the height of the Cold War. Time will be left for Q&A.
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11:30 AM – 12:30 PM |
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12:30 PM – 1:45 PM | Lunch and Learn Essential Partners: Federal Home Loan Banks and Community Banking ABA President and CEO Rob Nichols will lead a discussion with two Federal Home Loan Bank Presidents and the CEO of the Council of Federal Home Loan Banks on the importance of the FHLBs for community banking. Join as they discuss how to ensure this partnership remains productive in the face of potential regulatory and legislative changes.
Be The Spark: Platinum Service Principles for Creating Customers for Life If you’re unforgettable, you’ll create a customer for life – and in this service-driven economy, where automation and algorithms have replaced personal interaction, every moment is an opportunity to create a memory in the hearts and lives of your clients and team members. In this session, learn to create memories that matter, using evidence-based research to provide tried-and-true methods that work for everyone.
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1:45 PM – 2:15 PM | Dessert in The Hub |
2:15 PM – 3:15 PM | Educational Sessions Topic: Operations Bankers, meet your peers for an open discussion about your core providers. Learn from one another about ways to manage your core provider relationships and optimize your bank’s competitive standing. Exchange ideas and strategies and get updates from the Core Committee.
Topic: Human Capital For the first time in American history, there are five generations present in the workforce and the banking industry is serving customers across six generations. As a result, banking professionals are faced with challenges due to differing mindsets, work styles and communication styles. In this session, get the knowledge, skills and strategies to maximize successful interactions across generations.
Topic: Operations Are you ready for the race to innovation? FedNow is unlocking a range of instant payment use cases that offer benefits abound. However, many community banks are contemplating their operational readiness for nonstop availability. Launching instant payments may require banks and their core providers to adjust current systems and processes. Learn about core provider preparedness, product capabilities and technology and operational implications in anticipation of FedNow implementation.
Topic: Finance It is vital to improve profitability while balancing risk – and your competitors know that. With up-to-date peer data for many balance sheet areas and performance metrics, including net interest margin and investment yield, this session will demonstrate how to evaluate your institution compared to peers, both in your state and nationally.
Topic: Operations The success of your organization hinges on its strategy – not the published strategic plan tucked in a three-ring binder, but the capacity of your people to think, learn, act and make daily strategic decisions. This session will provide an overview of a participatory and solution-focused framework that accelerates strategic planning and ensures ownership and commitment for swift and meaningful follow-through.
Topic: CRE Lending The CRE industry is experiencing challenging and changing market conditions. There is much uncertainty as particular sectors in various markets have been affected in the last few years. This session will address the impact of CRE loans that require more oversight, CRE cap rate concerns and declining values and how these may affect the risk in your portfolio.
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3:30 PM – 4:30 PM | Educational Sessions Topic: Finance Unrealized and evolving interest rate risk can be hard to manage – especially in the aftermath of uncertainty. How can you successfully navigate your bank’s position in an unpredictable environment? In this session, learn about current economic and industry trends, where unrealized losses are headed and what peer community banks are doing from a balance sheet perspective down to the investment portfolio.
Topic: Human Capital A team needs talent and commitment to excel in sports, but it needs connection to sustain champion status. In this session, learn from the current University of Georgia football chaplain and former star players how building connection through teamwork, collaboration and respect has been a huge determinant in the team’s winning record. Learn how this approach can easily apply to the success of your bank.
Topic: Technology This session will help you make sure the answer is “yes”. What criteria will ensure that you find the right solution and technology partner to help your bank achieve the best outcomes from core modernization? Learn which decision factors drove your peers in their core evaluation journeys, such as functionality, technology prowess, operational performance, long-term viability, partnership availability, consultation, technical support and cost.
Topic: Operations Financial institutions in the U.S. are filing increasing numbers of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs). Disruptions from the pandemic created unique opportunities for financial crime, particularly fraud schemes involving checks, government benefit payments and investment accounts. Other schemes have included money laundering, identity theft, wire fraud and loan fraud, as well as fraud related to human exploitation and elder abuse. Hear about real-world cases of fraud detection, reporting and remediation, and forensic accounting best practices to protect your bank.
Topic: Operations Move away from tactical discussions about loans and deposits and spend your board’s time on strategic decisions. In this session, learn to evaluate your board agendas and packages while leaving detail work to the management team and board committees.
Topic: CRE Lending Being a commercial lender today is highly complex and requires competing responsibilities. In this session, we will discuss some tested and applied concepts to create for your staff from sales activities and calling efforts, which will include training and development to what is needed for portfolio management. Learn about fully integrated approach and how to establish these practices in your unique markets.
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4:30 PM – 5:15 PM | Innovation Showcase |
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Reception in The Hub: Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory Pure Imagination "CCB: the place to be You will grin to have been If you want to view paradise There is no fun we know |
Tuesday, Feb. 13
7:00 AM – 3:45 PM | Registration |
7:30 AM – 8:00 AM | Power Breakfasts Join us for breakfast and connect with colleagues from across the country. Learn about innovative new products and services that can take your bank to the next level. Breakfast will be served from 7:15 AM to 7:45 AM outside of the morning sessions. Liquidity Options for Your Ag Portfolio In this session, get up to speed on Farmer Mac’s available loan programs and products – designed with ag bankers in mind. You’ll return to your bank with new ideas that will make it easier for you to retain and grow your ag portfolio, strengthening relationships along the way.
Deposit Strategies in the Digital Era In this session, you’ll learn essential strategies for growing deposits through digital channels, including how digital account opening, innovative embedded banking strategies, and in-demand digital features can affect your success. Join us to discover how your digital strategy can serve as a catalyst to drive growth for your financial institution.
AI in Action: Fincrime Prevention In today's digital age of real-time transactions, real-time fraud detection is essential. Learn how generative AI can equip you to optimize operational efficiency by automating routine tasks, reducing errors, streamlining processes and ultimately lowering operational costs.
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8:00 AM – 10:00 AM | General Session Welcome
Your bank's strength and agility can come from its core relationship. At CoreConnection, hear from the Core Platforms Committee about strong technology strategies, tips, and techniques to help your bank thrive. Cybercrime 2024: A Look at the Dark Side Gary Warner and his team at DarkTower spend their time in the darkness, learning its secrets and bringing them into the light. They provide insights into trending topics, tools and techniques in cybercrime. In this session, explore top scam and fraud models from a criminal's perspective, including CPN providers, BEC, crypto investment scams, LogShops, OTPBots and check fraud.
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10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Coffee Break in The Hub |
10:30 AM – 3:30 PM | Guest Tour River Barge Tour & El Mercado Start the day with a narrated river barge cruise in brand-new, colorful, electric barges which will take you on an enchanting journey through San Antonio’s rich history. Learn about unique points of interest and architecture along the Riverwalk, and enjoy a relaxing lunch at a nearby Mexican restaurant. At the end, stop and explore the largest Mexican market in the nation |
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Educational Sessions Topic: Profitability Many community banks are developing inclusive strategies and products to attract a younger, more diverse customer base. But how can we ensure that these strategies increase profitability and mitigate losses? Led by the ABA Foundation, this session will provide strategies and resources for unlocking opportunities to deepen community relationships and increasing revenue.
Topic: Human Capital What happens to a community when small-town nonprofits are lacking in funds and human capital? Developing employees’ professional skills and the next generation of leaders are top priorities for many community banks, along with ensuring their communities thrive. In this session, learn a new win-win approach to leadership development and rural giving by aligning your employees with the expertise needs of community organizations.
Topic: Technology What drives community bankers to transition to a core other than the three largest providers in the U.S.? What motivates their decisions and what are the outcomes? While cost may be a consideration, it is not necessarily the most important determinant. Hear from bankers who have made the move, including ways they have (or haven’t) managed the relationship.
Topic: Finance Learn how anticipation and authority are key to having a great balance sheet strategy, and discover considerations and opportunities on the asset and liability sides of the balance sheet that will help management teams find more value for their institution and prioritize the right things as they plan ahead.
Topic: Operations Join this expert-led open forum to discuss your bank’s most pressing cybersecurity concerns while sharing your bank’s risk mitigation strategies. Learn about the unique cybersecurity challenges both experts and peers face, and what solutions and strategies have worked best to reduce vulnerability.
Topic: CRE Lending Currently, more than 98% of banks participate in CRE lending, and in 2023 the federal regulators issued new guidance on CRE workouts and accommodations. In this session, hear from federal regulators as they provide a brief overview on the final guidance on managing the challenges through a period of a softening economy. Review real examples such as renewing or extending terms. Discuss what to consider regarding credit risk ratings, accrual vs. non-accrual and valuations as you work with your borrowers.
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12:15 PM – 1:15 PM | Power Lunches (RSVP Required) Join us for lunch and connect with colleagues from across the country. Learn about innovative new products and services that can take your bank to the next level. Unlocking Capital: Innovative Approaches to Small Business Lending In this session, explore innovative strategies in small business and SBA lending. Gain insights into how banks are harnessing the power of data, analytics and technology platforms to reclaim dominance in the small business lending market.
2024 Trends and Opportunities in Small Businesses It’s key for financial institutions to win the hearts and wallets of small businesses. Join this session to learn about the current small business banking landscape. Delve into what banking solutions and digital capabilities are most critical for small businesses, and what financial institutions should be considering as they evolve their small business strategies.
Making Data-Driven Decisions for Responsible Growth In this session, learn to navigate the current landscape of record-high interest rates and anticipated future rate cuts – all by harnessing the power of data. Explore strategies to optimize pricing, identify opportunities in the face of margin compression and lending challenges and more.
How to Drive Core Deposits at Half the Cost Not all growth is equal. Are you prepared to champion strategically significant deposits? Join this session, and you’ll learn how to drive low-cost core deposits that are sticky, profitable and drive real growth.
One Size Doesn’t Fit All. Designing a Compensation Blueprint for a Multi-generational Workforce In today’s competitive landscape, a one-size fits all strategy doesn’t work anymore. The demographics are changing, and leaders needs to address the needs of those key employees. In this session, you’ll hear how to address these needs and craft a strategy that attracts and retains those who keep your bank moving forward.
Hot Topics in Payments Panelists from Discover, Mastercard and Visa
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1:15 PM – 2:15 PM | Spark! Spark! is your chance to enjoy heartfelt stories from your peers that are fast, fun and focused. These five-minute presentations will surely ignite your inner leader and inspire you in your career. |
2:15 PM – 3:15 PM | Educational Sessions Topic: Profitability Banks can use their marketing team to drive business, fill the sales funnel and create multiple vertical revenue streams to increase the viability of an organization. Measuring marketing effectiveness through attribution and return on investment will help the marketing function show its impact on revenue.
Topic: Human Capital Women’s initiatives are most successful when men practice allyship, and actively involve themselves in those endeavors. Women who are mentored or sponsored by allies have greater opportunities for success. In this session, learn how to practice allyship, or how to get connected with an ally, so that all women have opportunities for success.
Topic: Profitability In this session, learn steps you can take to grow community partnerships, and provide relevant and responsive financial solutions that meet their needs. Hear from leaders representing Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) who are dedicated to building and maintaining trust in the communities they serve.
Topic: Operations In this session, learn steps you can take to grow community partnerships, and provide relevant and responsive financial solutions that meet their needs. Hear from leaders representing Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) who are dedicated to building and maintaining trust in the communities they serve.
Topic: CRE Lending As banks grapple with an evolving economic landscape, characterized by ever-increasing credit and interest rate risks, the importance of robust asset management strategies cannot be overstated. Join an insightful and timely session that delves into the intricacies of effectively managing bank assets in the face of these challenges. An expert panel of seasoned financial professionals will explore the key issues and best practices for mitigating credit and interest rate risks while maximizing the value of your bank's assets.
Topic: Operations In the face of last year’s sluggish M&A activity, some are cautiously predicting 2024 could see an M&A rebound. What steps can smaller financial institutions take now to ensure they achieve – and maintain – high valuations should they find they are being considered for mergers and acquisitions? Hear from a panel of banking experts who will offer tips and insights on what community bankers can do to market their institutions while safeguarding their value, resources and independence.
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3:30 PM – 4:30 PM | Closing General Session Competing to be the Best – Lessons from Football’s Most Ferocious Tackler Hear from Darren Woodson, three-time Super Bowl champion and five-time Pro Bowl selection, about what it means to be the best. After playing with the Dallas Cowboys, Darren joined ESPN as an NFL analyst. In 2017, he joined ESRP Advisory Dallas, LLC., now Cresa, and since then has turned his focus to commercial real estate. Darren serves as an active board member at C5 Youth Foundation of Texas – helping high-potential youth with limited resources become community leaders.
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4:30 PM – 6:30 PM | MDI Partnership Summit Reception (Invitation Only) |
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM | A Toast to Community Banking |
Wed, Feb 14
7:00 AM – 1:00 PM | MDI Partnership SummitSponsored by ABA’s Minority Depository Institutions Advisory Council ABA and the National Bankers Association (NBA) are hosting this event to bring community banks together with MDIs to better serve communities of color. Delve into best practices for forging mutually beneficial, long-term partnerships between MDIs and larger banks. |
Get updates on the Conference for Community Bankers as we develop this year's program. Contact Sharon Radziewski if you have any questions.