Program | Annual Convention

7:00 AM – 5:00 PM

REGISTRATION OPEN

7:30 AM – 8:00 AM

INDUSTRY HOT TOPIC BREAKFAST

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.

Driving momentum: One unified lending platform

Banks face increasing pressure to expand business lending, manage regulatory complexity and deliver an exceptional borrower experience — all while controlling costs and staffing. Discover the power of adopting a unified, end-to-end lending platform that seamlessly connects origination, underwriting, closing and servicing across commercial and SBA lending. Learn how to harness technology and talent together to accelerate growth while reducing risk.

• Chris McClinton, President and CRO, Lenders Cooperative
• Cary Cooper, Chief Executive Officer, Lenders Cooperative

Staying ahead of fraud trends

Bad actors are constantly coming up with new schemes. If you aren’t keeping up, it could cost you. Gain insights into new fraud trends, and how one bank is combatting them. Hear from other community bank leaders about the trends they’re seeing, and what methods they’re employing to help mitigate losses.

• Karen Grahn, Senior Vice President, Credit Card Division Manager, ServisFirst Bank

Mastering uncertainty: Grow deposits, NII, and loyalty in any environment

In today's shifting economic landscape, financial institutions are navigating more uncertainty than ever before. Kasasa CEO Gabe Krajicek will explore proven strategies that forward-thinking institutions use to boost yields, optimize deposit costs and deepen customer relationships.

• Vanessa Van Ameyde, Chief Operating Officer, Kasasa

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM

OPENING GENERAL SESSION

Opening Remarks

• Rob Nichols, President and CEO, American Bankers Association

Welcome to Charlotte

• Peter Gwaltney, President and CEO, North Carolina Bankers Association

Welcome to The Tar Heel State

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein will welcome America’s banks to the ABA Annual Convention. With North Carolina ranked as America's Top State for Business 2025 by CNBC, Governor Stein will share more on the local economy and the critical role banks play in the Tar Heel state and across the country.

• The Honorable Josh Stein, Governor of North Carolina

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

BREAK IN THE HUB

The Hub is your ultimate destination to mix and mingle with peers and industry providers, see what’s new in banking and have a little bit of fun! 

10:30 AM – 11:15 AM

KNOWLEDGE SESSIONS

These sessions allow you to focus on the issues that matter most to you and network with senior banking leaders who feel the same. Choose from sessions in innovation, profitability, leadership and talent management, and customer experience. View full session details.

• Future-proofing payments: Why banks should embrace next generation payment hub technologies 
  
• The journey toward 2030: Becoming a smarter bank 
• Open banking, real results: How community banks can compete, win and grow 
  
• Balance sheet management: A comprehensive approach
  

10:30 AM – 11:15 AM

EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM: PART 1
ELIMINATE CONFLICT WASTE™: HOW TO HAVE CONFLICT AND STILL WIN TOGETHER

The Emerging Leaders program provides the professional development opportunities emerging leaders need to further their career and meet the demands of leadership to serve any bank’s mission at a higher level. View the full Emerging Leaders program.

10:45 AM – 1:15 PM

GUEST PROGRAM

This year, we’re thrilled to offer a guest program full of off-site fun! We’ve curated a quintessential Charlotte dining experience and lined up access to a world-class keynote speaker who will inspire you to transform your life — and live with no regrets.

Guests or spouses who are not in financial services or banking-related fields are eligible for this special program and rate. View the program.

11:30 AM – 12:15 PM

KNOWLEDGE SESSIONS

These sessions allow you to focus on the issues that matter most to you and network with senior banking leaders who feel the same. Choose from sessions in innovation, profitability, leadership and talent management, and customer experience. View full session details.

• Building a successful and sustainable talent pipeline for your bank
• Liquidity and collateral management
  
• Harnessing the power of data analytics 
• The fight against fraud 

11:30 AM – 12:15 PM

EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM: PART 2
NEXT IN LINE: READY OR NOT, HERE WE LEAD

The Emerging Leaders program provides the professional development opportunities emerging leaders need to further their career and meet the demands of leadership to serve any bank’s mission at a higher level. View the full Emerging Leaders program.

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

INDUSTRY HOT TOPICS LUNCH

Join us for a lunch discussion where industry experts will explore hot topics. Enjoy great food, gain valuable insights into emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the banking landscape from industry partners. Lunch will be served from 12:15 PM to 12:45 PM outside of the session room.

Modernizing with purpose: A community bank's core transformation journey

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. In conversation with their core provider, Nymbus, the teams will share lessons on evaluating sidecar strategies, navigating internal alignment and laying the groundwork for new business models and deeper fintech collaboration.

• Jeffery Kendall, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, NYMBUS 
• Aleda DeMaria, Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer, PeoplesBank

Cracking the check code: Turning risk into opportunity 

Contrary to rumor, the paper check is very much alive. In fact, checks remain the number two payment method by dollar volume. In this session, we’ll examine the friction they create for banks and customers and how smarter risk tools can drive better outcomes, reduce losses and unlock significant cost savings. 

• Rodney Drake, Chief Strategy Officer, Valid Systems
• Gary Brand, General Manager, Sales and Strategic Partnerships, Valid Systems

From disruption to adoption: Banks and the stablecoin era

Banking is on the brink of a major shift — one where digital assets and stablecoins are no longer fringe concepts, but catalysts for new growth and efficiency. Stablecoins help banks enable faster payments, improve settlement processes and create new revenue streams. In this interactive lunch session, unpack what this means for traditional financial institutions. Hear real-world developments, explore potential business models and discuss how banks can move from observation to action in shaping the future.

• Sunil Sachdev, Senior Vice President and Head of Embedded Finance and Digital Assets, Fiserv
• Kim Ford, Senior Vice President and Head of Government Relations, Fiserv

How AI-driven CSR innovation helps banks win talent, trust and market share

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and community engagement are no longer just compliance checkboxes under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA); they are strategic levers for attracting top talent, acquiring new customers and strengthening brand loyalty. Learn how AI-powered CSR technology is transforming how bank employees approach philanthropic initiatives. Discover how to drive measurable business outcomes, empower employees to connect with CSR and stay competitive.

• Andrea Avtjoglou, Head of Product at YourCause, Blackbaud

Strategies banks can use to protect leadership and drive long-term performance

Talent retention isn't just an HR issue - it's a risk management and profitability challenge. As competition intensifies and leaders approach retirement, banks urgently need to preserve institutional knowledge and leadership continuity. Discover how top-performing banks are using strategic solutions to reward key leaders, reduce turnover risk and reinforce long-term loyalty. Walk away with actionable ideas to help your bank stand out in a tight labor market and build a stronger foundation for future growth.

• Ken Derks, Managing Consultant, NFP Executive Benefits 

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

GENERAL SESSION

Perspectives on growth and M&A

ABA President and CEO Rob Nichols sits down with First Citizens Bank Chairman and CEO Frank Holding to discuss lessons learned from the bank’s M&A experience. He’ll share his perspective on First Citizens’ approach, including the challenges and opportunities posed by bank M&A.  

• Frank B. Holding, Jr., Chairman and CEO, First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and First Citizens Bank
• Rob Nichols, President and CEO, American Bankers Association

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM

BREAK IN THE HUB

The Hub is your ultimate destination to mix and mingle with peers and industry providers, see what’s new in banking and have a little bit of fun! 

3:30 PM – 5:00 PM

GENERAL SESSION

Navigating risk in uncertain times: Strategic insights for the C-suite

Risk management is crucial to strategic decision-making in an era marked by economic volatility, evolving regulatory landscapes, shifting consumer behaviors, and escalating cyber and fraud threats. This session will highlight how innovative chief risk officers navigate enterprise-wide risk and influence growth strategies amid uncertainty through a candid and forward-looking discussion.

• Brad Bender, Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer, Truist Financial Corporation
• Emily Nachlas, Chief Risk Officer, Western Alliance Bancorporation
• Kristina M. Schaefer, Senior Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Director of Government Relations, Dacotah Bank
• Moderator: Ryan Rasske, Senior Vice President, Risk and Customer Markets, American Bankers Association 

ABA Chair Address

• John Asbury, ABA Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation

Emerging Leader Awards

The business of NASCAR and banking

Kelley Earnhardt Miller, one of the most prominent businesswomen in NASCAR, is the CEO of JR Motorsports, all Dale Jr. Companies and the visionary behind multiple brand initiatives that continue to propel the sport of auto racing. She is also the chairman and incorporating director of blueharbor bank. Kelley will join ABA President and CEO Rob Nichols to discuss the business of one of America’s favorite sports and leadership lessons from her experience growing up in NASCAR’s most famous family.

• Kelley Earnhardt Miller, Co-owner and CEO, JR Motorsports
• Rob Nichols, President and CEO, American Bankers Association

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

EVENING RECEPTION IN THE HUB

Find new solutions and unwind after a fast-paced day. Indulge in specialty drinks and bites inspired by Charlotte’s Southern charm and continue making the important connections that count. Grab a personalized luggage tag, decorate an NFL mini helmet and watch the Paintman perform!

7:00 AM – 1:30 PM

REGISTRATION OPEN

7:30 AM – 8:00 AM

INDUSTRY HOT TOPIC 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.

Unlocking digital acquisition: Elevate your bank’s journey

As promotional offers lose steam and digital acquisition costs rise, many banks are shifting focus to the application journeys they already control. This session reveals five hidden levers — from friction to follow-up — that quietly shape onboarding outcomes. Grounded in funnel data and real bank examples, we’ll explore how improving the experience between “apply now” and account activation can increase completions, build trust and unlock long-term performance without launching new products or campaigns. 

• Matt Schmid, Senior Product Marketing Manager, MeridianLink

Navigating today’s C&I lending market 

This session will explore how community banks lend to C&I borrowers, both directly and through partnerships. Alliance Partners and Denali State Bank have been participating with other community banks in middle market transactions for over ten years. We will dive into implementation, sourcing and underwriting C&I loans and the various benefits it has provided to Denali State Bank.

• Dave Brooks, Senior Managing Director, Alliance Partners
• Steve Lundgren, President and CEO, Denali State Bank and Board of Directors, BancAlliance

Transforming deposit growth: Why embedded protection is a strategic advantage

As rate-driven strategies deliver diminishing returns and consumers grow more selective, financial institutions need new tools to earn long-term deposit loyalty. By integrating protective benefits into the deposit accounts, financial institutions can build trust and deepen engagement. Examine how embedding financial security can attract younger account holders and align with long-term institutional goals. Leave with actionable strategies for enhancing deposit value and adapting to shifting consumer expectations without relying solely on promotional rate levers.

• Alex Matjanec, Chief Executive Officer, Wysh 

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM

GENERAL SESSION

Annual Business Meeting

ABA Chair Address

Community Commitment Awards

Fraud and scams roundup in the U.S. and worldwide 

 Hear firsthand about how Australia stopped an expansion of their version of Reg E reimbursements and has worked to hold telecoms and social media companies accountable for protecting consumers from scams through a shared responsibility model. Hear from two International Banking Federation Scams and Fraud Working Group members about the latest trends, what is working and what we can learn from other countries’ fraud mitigation efforts. 

• Chris Taylor, Chief Policy Officer, Australian Banking Association
• Paul Benda, Executive Vice President, Risk, Fraud and Cybersecurity, American Bankers Association

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

BREAK IN THE HUB

The Hub is your ultimate destination to mix and mingle with peers and industry providers, see what’s new in banking and have a little bit of fun! 

10:30 AM – 11:15 AM

KNOWLEDGE SESSIONS

These sessions allow you to focus on the issues that matter most to you and network with senior banking leaders who feel the same. Choose from sessions in innovation, profitability, leadership and talent management, and customer experience. View full session details.

• Innovate or stagnate: Building a culture and strategy for a bank’s success
  
• M&A regulatory and planning considerations
• Navigating cyber risks in turbulent times 

10:30 AM – 11:15 AM

SPEED MENTORING: FAST-PACED INSIGHTS FOR EMERGING LEADERS

Space is limited, and advanced registration is required. Learn more and view the full Emerging Leaders program.

11:30 AM – 12:15 AM

KNOWLEDGE SESSIONS

These sessions allow you to focus on the issues that matter most to you and network with senior banking leaders who feel the same. Choose from sessions in innovation, profitability, leadership and talent management, and customer experience. View full session details.

• The future of banking: Why banks continue to bet on BaaS
• From literacy to impact: Empowering communities with financial education
  
• The lifecycle of a scam
• Interest rate strategies to navigate a sea of uncertainty
• Bank opportunities in the stablecoin ecosystem

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

INDUSTRY HOT TOPICS LUNCH

Join us for a lunch discussion where industry experts will explore hot topics. Enjoy great food, gain valuable insights into emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the banking landscape from industry partners. Lunch will be served from 12:15 PM to 12:45 PM outside of the session room.

Winning the next customer: Innovation at the edge of banking

Explore how today's transformative technologies like AI are reshaping the banking landscape-and how to innovate responsibly to stay ahead. Then, join a fireside chat with the technology leader of a leading bank, showcasing how they're leveraging infrastructure to power innovation.

• Kaue Tozzi, Head of Product Strategy and Partnerships, Temenos 

Winning the deposit game: Compete on experience, not rates

Broken onboarding processes cause 68% of prospects to abandon applications entirely, while delays in processing applications cost financial institutions up to $25,000 in lost revenue per customer. Learn how financial institutions are achieving 200% improvements in conversion by combining smart customer segmentation based on actual behaviors, streamlined digital experiences that dramatically reduce onboarding friction, and retention strategies focused on utility rather than yields - transforming deposits from a defensive cost center into an offensive growth engine.

• Law Helie, General Manager, Consumer Banking, nCino
• Danielle Pearson, Principal Product Marketing Manager, Competitive Intelligence and The nCino Research Institute, nCino

From fintech to bank: A model for modern lending

This session will highlight the journey from LendingClub’s fintech roots to becoming a full-scale bank, and how that history shaped a digital-first model built for scale. Get first-hand lessons on using technology to strengthen controls and lower costs, while building a resilient bank that keeps the customer at the heart of every decision.

• Ari Schlusselberg, Vice President of FIG Partnerships and Sales, LendingClub
• Sam Sgro, Senior Vice President, Chief Architect and Head of Consumer Engineering, LendingClub

Unlocking the untapped $147B deposit opportunity 

In 2024, consumers held approximately 40 million accounts with HSA deposits of $147 billion, and they are projected to reach $199 billion by the end of 2027. However, non-traditional banks own more than 68% of the total HSA deposits. Traditional banks face a golden opportunity to integrate HSAs into their overall growth strategy. Discover where the HSA opportunities exist within your state and why you should tap into the multi-generational workforce. 

• Sherry Lawton, Chief Growth Officer, DataPath

Model drift: The hidden risk in today’s lending models 

Lending models don’t last forever. Over time, shifts in consumer behavior, economic cycles and market conditions erode their accuracy — a phenomenon known as model drift. This session will explain what model drift is, why it matters for lenders and how it can silently undermine risk management and portfolio performance. We’ll explore its regulatory implications, real-world impacts and the strategies banks can use to monitor, refresh and future-proof their lending models. 

• Raj Singh, Chief Risk Officer, Pagaya

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM

GENERAL SESSION

Finding joyful purpose: Lessons from a Medal of Honor recipient

While serving as a Marine rifleman in Afghanistan at age 20, Lance Corporal Carpenter displayed the most courageous act possible, sacrificing himself to save a fellow Marine. During this grueling recovery process, Kyle’s spirit remained strong. He set several post-recovery goals for himself, accomplishing every one of them since his recovery, and more. Kyle will join ABA’s Rob Nichols in discussion about his powerful journey in war and recovery, sharing insights into leadership, adversity and finding a joyful purpose in life.  

• Kyle Carpenter, Author and Medal of Honor Recipient
• Rob Nichols, President and CEO, American Bankers Association

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

CLOSING RECEPTION

See you in Salt Lake City!

Join us to say a fond farewell to Charlotte and celebrate the location of our 2026 event...Salt Lake City!